RE: Sho I-VI

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> RE: Sho I-VI

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RE: Sho I-VI - 10/26/2005 2:14:07 AM

brisd

Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline

I was not suggesting that you not defend Rabual with large numbers of aircraft. I just was bemoaning the fate of so many samauri!

The strategy of opposing a long distance landing or one not well supported by LBA is indeed your best chance for success at this point. But I would guess your opponent knows this and will avoid giving you that opportunity until he has OVERWELMING force. If I were the allies, I'd invade the Solomons and wage of the historical war of attrition, which favors him. Then when wants to strike at Central Pacific or SRA in '44, you are weakened materially, he has his reinforcements of new planes, ships and troops. Perhaps I am stating the obvious, sorry I've had a long day. But your AAR always brings some pleasure.

< Message edited by brisd -- 10/26/2005 11:56:51 PM >

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1261

RE: Sho I-VI - 10/26/2005 2:43:14 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

It was their sacred duty BrisD...!

New eager conscripts will soon replace them.
Aircraft are easily replacable, pilots take a bit longer. Ships are impossible to replace.
Troops are still plentiful.

So the Solomons should be defended by aircraft and ground troops - supported by the navy
in favourable situations. Think this is how it must be...

However, consider this scenario: the KB sails back to...Pearl Harbour with almost 1000 ac and demolish
all the capital ships in port. Most Allied Corsairs are in the Solomons and Japan still got carrier supremacy.

This must be the most risky and potentially rewarding strike possible? It's almost suicidal - but also the last
thing Ken would suspect. The thought gives me goose skin - does Ken keep his carrier at Pearl?

_____________________________

"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 brisd)

Post #: 1262

RE: Sho I-VI - 10/26/2005 3:16:20 AM

BLurking

Posts: 199
Joined: 3/24/2005
From: Frisco, TX
Status: offline

You'd have to face the horrible Allied AAA at PH - your KB dive bombers would be slaughtered. It's tempting, but those pilots are irreplaceable. Maybe load the KB up with inexperienced Kates, and hit the port at higher altitude. Reload the experienced pilots back at port...

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1263

RE: Sho I-VI - 10/26/2005 4:18:40 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

True Blurking, but I don't consider pilots as irreplacable anymore. There are already
69 Kate's and 90 Val's waiting assignment in my bases. The same number will arrive as
reinforcements shortly. It's just a thought for now...if I only knew were his cv's are!

Got a little surprise for you all tomorrow

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/06/43

Surface Combat

A PT boat TF reacted against a barge convoy..lot of effort for little gain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Buka at 63,90

Japanese Ships
AG AG-369
AG AG-5050
AG AG-2528, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-279
PT PT-280
PT PT-281
PT PT-282
PT PT-283
PT PT-284
PT PT-285
PT PT-286
PT PT-287
PT PT-288
PT PT-332
PT PT-333
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
J1N1-R Irving x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 145

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 10 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed
P-70A Havoc: 3 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The follow up attacks against Rabaul destroyed all the damaged ac there,
36 to be exact..what a vacum cleaner

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 40

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-25J Mitchell x 53
PB4Y Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 7
B-17E Fortress x 93
B-24D Liberator x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 6 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A small number of Betties were put on naval attack to 'sweep' the Solomons
for potential high value targets...very dangerous missions!

Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Richmond
DD Arunta
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95 - a small success....

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Livingston, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
---------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Still busy mopping up raider squads..and I found another dot island <G>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taliabu

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 459 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Taliabu base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Finschafen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 337 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arawe

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 387 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port Moresby is hit

I ordered a retaliatory strike against Port Moresby by army bombers based at Wewak!
2 crack Zero Daitais escorted them and met only a feeble CAP. (There were dozens of fighters
over Darwin today.-)

In all 36 enemy ac were destroyed on the ground including 19 Dakotas. This may have upset Ken's plan
because he said that he was going to land a full regiment at my paras (Finschafen!??).

(I hope you are moving them this turn, I have most of a regiment arriving this turn there.)
Nothing happened but Finschafen will be reinforced. Hm............

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"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 BLurking)

Post #: 1264

RE: Sho I-VI - 10/27/2005 12:05:14 AM

brisd

Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline

I like that Port Moresby attack, caught him unaware. By striking Darwin first, his shifts his cap there, exposing PM. Well done!

The PH attack has possible high returns but he'd probably see it coming several days out and be able to reinforce. Not sure it is worth the losses. But if he is engaged supporting the Solomon's, he will be exposed elsewhere. I expect fireworks soon.

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1265

KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 2:49:03 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Yes, the PM raid was nice BrisD!

I had hoped to bring good news today. Two days ago I sortied the KB in response to the heavy air attacks against Rabaul. Large numbers of relatively
lightly protected ships were spotted in the Solomons and it was decided to strike them with overwhelming force.

Unfortunately Nagumo didn't have a good day and the plans went awry! The ships are fine but we lost a large number of fighters.
See situation map for more details...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/07/43

Invasions

I think Ken is using LCMs to ferry troops into Arawe - a size 0 base!?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1043 troops unloading over beach at Arawe, 57,89

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1153 troops unloading over beach at Arawe, 57,89

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Rabaul receives more attention!

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 56
B-25J Mitchell x 78

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 49
Port hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So does Kavieng - but there are only few ac here!

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long range CAP (Zeros and Tojos cover the KB) - losses are still prohibitive as a small
Avenger strike force is escorted by Corsairs.

Day Air attack on TF at 66,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 169
A6M5 Zeke x 55
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 32
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses

A6M2 Zero: 67 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses (Loss ratio fighters: 99/23 = 1 to 4.3)
F4U-1 Corsair: 23 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 10 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Katsuragi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The strike against Vella Lavella was a disaster. 135 fighter escorts and 9 torpedo bombers.

Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 106
A6M5 Zeke x 29
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 39 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses (Loss ratio fighters: 44/16 = 1 to 2.75)
F4U-1 Corsair: 16 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DD Bailey

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

I'm not sure what to do about the situation at Arawe. In 2-3 months Ken can have a size 2 af 3 hexes
from Rabaul - but the place got no af yet so I can't bring in reinforcements by air.
I don't want to loose my 2 crack Para regiments for such a he11 hole...it's obviously not a battle that
can be won.

Sending reinforcements with fleet units will also be costly as enemy LBA and PT boats will be
on guard. I'm going to send in Nick fighter bombers and try to disrupt the landings as much
as possible. This way it could be possible to suppress the base and make prevent Ken from
developing it.

It's a potentially smart move by Ken..time consuming but safe.

Ground combat at Arawe

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 387 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1536 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: KB at Munda

The map shows how the KB moved 1 hex short of its intended destination - something which aborted
the intended raids against enemy shipping at Munda. Not sure why this happened, the fleet followed the slowest TF
and it should be able to move 4/4 hexes at full speed and there was ample amounts of fuel left.

It was hoped that most of the enemy LBA would be busy hitting ground targets - something which was confirmed.
The KB was made up of 2 TF's with 8 heavy and 4 light carriers, one bombardment group and two cruiser/destroyer groups.

Only a small enemy strike was mounted - but the vaunted Corsairs escorted them and shot down my CAP fighters at a 3-4/1 ratio.
The hopeless raid Nagumo launched against Vella Lavella cost a lot of fighters as well.

The raid against the Solomons therefore resulted in the following losses:

Friendly: 107 A6M2 Zero

,19 A6M5 Zeke and 18 Tojo (30 of these were LR CAP fighters)
Enemy: 41 Corsairs and 10 Avengers

I planned to bombard both Vella Lavella and Munda (ca 400 enemy ac are reported to be on these bases) with cruisers
and battleships but the range to Munda was too great, 7 hexes - the ships would have had to go around and attack from
the west. So I've aborted the missions as enemy PT boats and LBA would make them way too costly compared to what they
could have achieved - especially now as Ken is on guard. A surface group will head towards Rabaul and attempt to interfere with
the Arawe operations.

Todays losses include some 160 Jap and 60 Allied ac. The thought of having killed a full months production of Corsairs helps to dull
the painful losses, but no more of this. Ken is getting things his way. I have to come up with something better...

After these heavy air losses I will use light fleet units, and army air force units to oppose the enemy.
There are enough trained replacement fighters at Truk to immediately replace todays losses. The depleted fighter formations
will be reformed in China in time for their A6M5 Zeke upgrades.

I will now prepare the fleet for operation 'Summer Harvest'. It can't possibly be more dangerous than fighting Corsairs

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 10/27/2005 3:21:08 AM >

_____________________________

"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 brisd)

Post #: 1266

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 5:27:18 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

It was a good idea to retire the fleet as dozens of PT boats and other TFs were on guard
while the more valuable ships had scattered. More than 50 Corsairs were on CAP over Vella Lavella
and Munda. So we did manage to catch the Allies by surprise yesterday - it was the execution of the
attack that was flawed.

Ken is talking openly about his strength and his assumptions:

"My thinking is that in about 65 days I will have rough parity in CVs and CV aircraft. I will have 6
fleet and 6 CVLs all with F6F fighter groups. All of those CVs carry 90+ aircraft and the CVLs have 33. So I end up
with 6x36 = 216 plus 6 x 21 = 126 or 342 F6Fs. I am thinking that you have about 10 CVs and 6 CVLs all with A6Mxs.
I think you have about 260 - 300 fighters on CV/CVLs. I think that is a rough parity given that the F6F is quite a bit
better that A6Mxs. Just in case you are wondering, just because I think I will be reaching some parity, I will wait until
1944 before I launch Carrier raids into your territory( at least I think so). I had 72 SBDs in range of your CVs that turn
but they were all set to a 3 range to make sure they used 1000 lb bombs. If they had been set to 4 I wonder if I might
have gotten a few 500 lb bombs to cause some damage?"

So it was a good thing we didn't move the KB closer to Munda and Vella Lavella than we did. It also seems like Ken knows
our carrier strength - I can adjust the amount of fighters based on the KB though. Everything between 350 and 500 is possible.
His intentions to wait until 1944 before conducting large scale amphibious landings also corresponds with my assumptions. It
would be foolish to risk his carriers before this as my LBA is still very strong.

6 more days until reinforcement week!

By then I will also have the 3500 political points needed to release a division from
China. In 7 days the Chitose and Chioyda will join the fleet as well. The Yamato and Musashi have reduced system damage to
6 and 9 points. The Yamato still needs to undergo its 12/42 upgrade though...Zzzz

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/08/43

Invasions

More troops lands on Arawe - part of an Oz division + a raider unit.
Ken can have the malaria pit. Going to be a bit�h to build it.

TF 1150 troops unloading over beach at Arawe, 57,89

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Hit the Chinese airfields again today and destroyed a score both in the air
and on the ground. The cost was the usual 2-3 Oscars and Sallys. Important to
keep them culled :p)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29
Ki-21 Sally x 78

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 4 destroyed
SB-2c: 2 destroyed
IL-4c: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Except from more raids over Rabaul, Kavieng was hit hard. Seems like Ken wants to close
down as many of my airfields as possible. Not sure he got enough to go around yet..?

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 45
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army bombers hit the Australians at Arawe with moderate effect. Need to take
a break now as Ken will most likely LRCAP the place tomorrow.

Day Air attack on 7th Australian/B Division, at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 38

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 66,94 (Outside of Munda)

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK W.S. Rheem
TK Gulfland, Torpedo hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Arawe

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1459 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 54 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 64 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Arawe base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

_____________________________

"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 PzB74)

Post #: 1267

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 12:06:10 PM

Honda

Posts: 953
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Karlovac, Croatia
Status: offline

BTW, you did great aginst the Corsairs. Most of your planes were A6M2s. So they get better, but Corsair is basicaly the best allied fighter of the war. Few are better, and only in late-war. Also, I have a feeling the Corsairs you were up against were 60 exp at most. So watch out for them now that they have earned their battle wings.
If you watched the whole engagement, how did Zekes fare against Corsairs? Was there any recognizable improvement as opposed to A6M2? And what about Tojos? They do have a solid top speed but lack maneuverability. Theoreticaly, A6M3 might even turn out to be the best weapon agains the Corsair since it's the only plane that achieves parity in at least one vital aspect of dogfighting - maneuverability. Theoreticaly at least. Of course, they are hopelessly slower, which is a characteristic more important then maneuverability, but so are all the other IJ fighters. Even Tojo, which is a bullet for Japanese standards, is still much slower.
So, to go for parity in one aspect or try to come as close in both? I don't want to be a drag, but can you pay some attention to near future dogfights with the new generation of Allied fighters and try to convey some of your observations? If you can find some extra time for it, of course

Good hunting

_____________________________

AAR of my game vs Raver on my clan forum in croatian language (despite the language differences, no Ravers allowed)

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1268

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 2:42:20 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Honda,

The KB fighters didn't perform too badly against the Corsairs..they were my top pilots though! Most of the Zeke's were lesser experienced (60's)
as I've not been able to train them in China yet due to the lack of replacement ac. It should still be remembered that the Corsairs were outnumbered
5-1 and still shot down my fighters at a 3-1 ratio!

I did evaluate my fighters performance against the P-38 a few days ago. Didn't have time to watch the time consuming fights against the
Corsairs though. The Tojos (72 avg exp) were really hit hard, 18/30 or so lost. If you'd like I can send you the combat replay for this turn and
you can see for yourself. It's possible that I'll go through it myself when I run out of turns one night

Not going to give the blasted things another shot at my KB fighters for a while, that's for sure...

_____________________________

"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 Honda)

Post #: 1269

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 3:14:44 PM

Honda

Posts: 953
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Karlovac, Croatia
Status: offline

Thanks, but no need

It's enough for me to have at least some forum feedback, and I know it won't be faulty. If you ever come across an interesting thing in air engagemnts, just add it if you have spare time.
I am a bit worried about Tojo's performance...See if you can find out from Ken what the experiance of the Corsairs was. Might be usefull for future reference.

_____________________________

AAR of my game vs Raver on my clan forum in croatian language (despite the language differences, no Ravers allowed)

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1270

Marine div lands at Torokina! - 10/27/2005 5:37:56 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Seems like there will be more opportunities in the days to come Honda..Ken is invading Torokina!

A full Marine division to defeat 2000 bombed and malaria ridden defenders. What an overkill.
The only thing that is certain is that it will be impossible to recapture the place and in a month or two
there will be a size 4 enemy airfield only 4 hexes away from Rabaul.

I discuss the counter moves that can and will be undertaken at the end of this post. First a few tactical
and strategic considerations:

From my point of view I think it's time to start evacuating troops from Shortland and Buin by air
and fast transport tfs. Buka, Green island and Gasmata will receive a lot of enemy attention in the months
to come. It is therefore necessary to slowly move the defensive line back behind Rabaul.

Rabaul itself should be denied to the enemy but kept in supply. I can place numerous small units there
and make it difficult for Ken to destroy them all. It's very easy to run missions into Rabaul from Truk so
this shouldn't be a problem. An enemy move to advance past Rabaul will then probably be mounted, starting
in New Guinea with Salamua, Lae and Finschafen. NO enemy shipping must be allowed to venture north of the line
Finschafen - Rabaul, and this will then become the prime strategic obejctive.

Comments?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/09/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

One of my scout subs got into contact with enemy ships - all not intentionally.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 92,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
DD Cushing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions and bombardments

The ships that I thought dispersed around Vella Lavella and Munda after
the KB strike seems to have included an invasion force heading for Torokina.
Such small margins...

Naval bombardment of Torokina, at 63,92

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Warramunga
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
CL Denver
CL Columbia
CA San Francisco
BB Idaho
BB Oklahoma

Japanese ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Aaron Ward
LST LST-28, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Torokina, 63,92, firing at TF 1063
21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
953 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Yesterday a strong light cruiser/destroyer force moved towards Arawe. No
contact was achieved but the CAP I placed over the ships engaged a raid against
Rabaul. 4 P-38's were reported shot down today. Must be getting fatigued.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 54
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two small Betty raids fail to hit enemy shipping of both Arawe and Torokina!

Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Concord (how many times have I attacked this ship now? :p)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Another dot island occupied south of Borneo.

Ground combat at Buru Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 340 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buru Island base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Torokina

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1768 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15786 troops, 139 guns, 16 vehicles - not much to to against such a massive overkill force!

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: Invasion of Torokina

My first thought that the Arawe invasion was a diversion proved to be right! Ken moves against Torokina today - in FORCE!
So annoying to think about that the KB was only a few hexes away from the invasion force yesterday. I've replenished the fleet
and replaced lost ac at Truk today and ordered Nagumo to lead the fleet back south. It will stay east of Rabaul, 4 hexes north of
Torokina to begin with. Not expecting much since it will take 2 days to reach this position after refuelling the ships.

The surface group at Rabaul (2 cls and 8 dds) will remain in port but has orders to react. A fast cruiser group including
4 ca's and 2 cl's + 6 destroyers has been ordered to Green island at full speed. It is possible that it can react against
further enemy aggression in the area. Night fighting is still the Imperial Navy's speciality

...it's just very important to remember
to run home before the onset of dawn.

3 RO class costal subs have been standing by just east of Rabaul and will move at full speed towards Torokina and the surrounding
hexes. I've ordered more naval bombers from Truk to the different bases in the area. They will attempt to hit the invasion fleet but
thunderstorms make it unlikely that a large and coordinated strike will take off.

The smaller bases on Green and Buka islands have also received additional aircraft including Tojos, Vals and Kates.

The intention is firstly to pose a threat to the enemy invasion fleet and only strike if a favorable opportunity arises. This is especially true
for the KB. All of the battleships will stay home and only 4 heavy and 4 light cruisers + some destroyers will potentially get into harms way
tomorrow - except from the potential attacking LBA that is.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 10/27/2005 5:39:19 PM >

_____________________________

"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 Honda)

Post #: 1271

RE: Marine div lands at Torokina! - 10/27/2005 5:49:15 PM

brisd

Posts: 614
Joined: 5/20/2000
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline

The expected fireworks have started. Looking forward to the coming battles...

_____________________________

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."-Note sent with Congressman Washburne from Spotsylvania, May 11, 1864, to General Halleck. - General Ulysses S. Grant

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1272

RE: Marine div lands at Torokina! - 10/27/2005 6:33:41 PM

Rob Brennan UK

Posts: 3685
Joined: 8/24/2002
From: London UK
Status: offline

He may not suspect you can replace the KB pilots so fast, i ceratinly didn't :) and i read this AAR :) ..

Maybe he'll overstretch if he thinks KB is out for a bit. fingers crossed

Next few days should be very very interesting

_____________________________

sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit :)

(in reply to brisd)

Post #: 1273

RE: Marine div lands at Torokina! - 10/27/2005 7:51:42 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Yep, fireworks coming up..but I'm not too happy about it as I don't consider it tactically favourable to fight in the Solomons.
We can only hope Rob, but I'm not expecting it! Ken is usually making sound decisions.

The KB was divided into 3 carrier divisions this time (3x12 ships).

Car Div 1 Nagumo

Cv Unryu, Amagi, Katsuragi
1 cvl
4 dd
2 cl
2 ca

Car Div 2

Cv Taiho, Shokaku, Zuikaku
1 cvl
4 dd
2 cl
2 ca

Car Div 3

Cv Kaga, Junyo, Hiyo
1 cvl
4 dd
2 cl
2 ca

There are still closer to 800 ac aboard these ships, so the hammer is still heavy!

_____________________________

"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 Rob Brennan UK)

Post #: 1274

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:21:10 PM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long range CAP (Zeros and Tojos cover the KB) - losses are still prohibitive as a small
Avenger strike force is escorted by Corsairs.

Day Air attack on TF at 66,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 169
A6M5 Zeke x 55
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 32
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 67 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses (Loss ratio fighters: 99/23 = 1 to 4.3)
F4U-1 Corsair: 23 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 10 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Katsuragi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The strike against Vella Lavella was a disaster. 135 fighter escorts and 9 torpedo bombers.

Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 106
A6M5 Zeke x 29
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 39 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses (Loss ratio fighters: 44/16 = 1 to 2.75)
F4U-1 Corsair: 16 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DD Bailey

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, but when I see this the only thing I can say is: What a BS!!!!

It weren�t pilots in the 30s and with that numerical advantage such a result just couldn�t happen. So if those results are not the fact that those damn Corsairs are sooo overrated....

Perhaps people should start with another houserule to the 100+ existing: No corsairs!!!!

The person who�s responsible for the rating of that plane obviously has watched Black Sheeps too often. They were good, but thei�re Corsairs not Tomcats!

< Message edited by castor troy -- 10/27/2005 8:24:28 PM >

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1275

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:26:46 PM

Gen.Hoepner

Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline

Agree.Completely. Corsairs are so overrated that i guess how in the world people are not screaming like eagles like they always do for things like ASW,zero bonus etc...
The appearance of Corsairs force the Japs to abbandon every air activity in their range.
SAD

_____________________________

[image]http://yfrog.com/2m70331348022314716641664j [/image]

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 1276

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:28:29 PM

Kereguelen

Posts: 1829
Joined: 5/13/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Agree.Completely. Corsairs are so overrated that i guess how in the world people are not screaming like eagles like they always do for things like ASW,zero bonus etc...
The appearance of Corsairs force the Japs to abbandon every air activity in their range.
SAD

Corsairs claimed a kill rate of 11:1 vs. Japanese planes

. Actually they seem to be underrated in the game

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)

Post #: 1277

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:33:11 PM

Gen.Hoepner

Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Agree.Completely. Corsairs are so overrated that i guess how in the world people are not screaming like eagles like they always do for things like ASW,zero bonus etc...
The appearance of Corsairs force the Japs to abbandon every air activity in their range.
SAD

Corsairs claimed a kill rate of 11:1 vs. Japanese planes. Actually they seem to be underrated in the game

come on! We all know that by the time corsairs were flying the japs did not have any decent pilots left.
It's like saying that the ratios gotten by the ME-109 in the first months of Barbarossa were actually prooving that the I-16s were 100 times inferior to the ME 109Es...simply not true. Pilot experience made the difference.
What's strange is that if you look at the stats of the corsair present in the game, they're not so overpowered...at least of first sight. Probably speed, which is the biggest corsair advantage over the jap planes, is overrated generally speaking....

however a 80 exp Zeke pilot should not be dead at start against a 60 corsair pilot. Doesn't seem right nor fair

_____________________________

[image]http://yfrog.com/2m70331348022314716641664j [/image]

(in reply to Kereguelen)

Post #: 1278

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:34:45 PM

Andy Mac

Posts: 15222
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Alexandria, Scotland
Status: offline

Deleted as not the place for this debate

< Message edited by Andy Mac -- 10/27/2005 9:40:14 PM >

(in reply to Kereguelen)

Post #: 1279

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 8:58:54 PM

Bradley7735

Posts: 2073
Joined: 7/12/2004
Status: offline

It seems odd to me that 4 carriers that were completed in 44 and 45 are on active duty in June of 43!!!

Wow. Talk about super Japanese. Evidently, Japanese ship crews don't need any training time either.

_____________________________

The older I get, the better I was.

(in reply to Andy Mac)

Post #: 1280

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 9:25:29 PM

anarchyintheuk

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline

You can have the "it's the pilot not the planes" and the "it's the planes not the pilots" arguments all day. Corsairs claimed an 11-1 kill ratio (we all know what "claimed" means) with average pilots against bad-average pilots in planes at least as good, if not better, than the ones in the combat in this aar. Ken achieved 3-4 to 1 with average pilots against average-good pilots. I don't see where the "overated" comment comes from. Like Kereguelen jokingly says, maybe they're underated. Allied pilots were fully aware of and taught about the zero's characteristics and weaknesses by this time; it's 18 months into the war.

Anyway, sorry to be OT. Still enjoying the AAR. Crush the imperialists.

(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)

Post #: 1281

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 9:33:03 PM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

Okay, now we�re in the pro Jap pro Allied way again. 224 A6M against 32 Corsairs!!!! Zero pilots weren�t green!!!! In game terms they are experienced!!!! Should I say Veteran??? PzB said the Zeros were his KB fighters so they�re not green!!!! AND EVERYONE WHO SAYS THIS RESULT IS OKAY IS JUST..... OH WELL! All you Allied fanboys just can�t compare the history where less and unexperienced Japs were meat for the Corsairs with the battle happened here! All you Allied fanboys just ignore what happens in the game! It would be better if you just would read a HISTORY book or watch a demo about the historic war in the pacific.

Just again: 224 exp. pilots in A6M against 32 exp. pilots in Corsairs!! If that would have happened in reality there wouldn�t be a single Corsair left! AND TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD ACHIVE A 11:1 IN THIS BATTLE IS JUST RIDICOULOS!!!! IN MY OPPINION IF IT WOULDN�T ANNOY ME THAT MUCH, SUCH A STATEMENT ISN�T EVEN WORTH TALKING ABOUT!!!

OPEN YOUR EYES PLZ.

(in reply to Bradley7735)

Post #: 1282

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 9:42:09 PM

Andy Mac

Posts: 15222
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Alexandria, Scotland
Status: offline

Lets take this elsewhere guys this thread aint the place.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 1283

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 9:46:33 PM

anarchyintheuk

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline

quote:

[ORIGINAL: castor troy

Okay, now we�re in the pro Jap pro Allied way again. 224 A6M against 32 Corsairs!!!! Zero pilots weren�t green!!!! In game terms they are experienced!!!! Should I say Veteran??? PzB said the Zeros were his KB fighters so they�re not green!!!! AND EVERYONE WHO SAYS THIS RESULT IS OKAY IS JUST..... OH WELL! All you Allied fanboys just can�t compare the history where less and unexperienced Japs were meat for the Corsairs with the battle happened here! All you Allied fanboys just ignore what happens in the game! It would be better if you just would read a HISTORY book or watch a demo about the historic war in the pacific.

You can compare it. I did earlier.

quote:

Just again: 224 exp. pilots in A6M against 32 exp. pilots in Corsairs!! If that would have happened in reality there wouldn�t be a single Corsair left! AND TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD ACHIVE A 11:1 IN THIS BATTLE IS JUST RIDICOULOS!!!! IN MY OPPINION IF IT WOULDN�T ANNOY ME THAT MUCH, SUCH A STATEMENT ISN�T EVEN WORTH TALKING ABOUT!!!

In reality there wouldn't have been 214 zeros on cap. Nor would they have been effective w/o radios. The corsairs didn't achieve an 11-1 ratio in the aar. Don't think anyone said they should either.

Let's start yet another corsairs are overated thread and leave the aar alone.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 1284

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 10:44:09 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

The reason I don't yell too loudly about the results in this game is that I've promised myself to adapt to the rules...
Here are my personal views with pros and cons:

1.) Sure, the Corsair IS overrated - but this is arguably also the A6M2.
2.) Pilot experience should count for more...but there are too many 90+ exp pilots around and it's too easy to train good pilots in China.
3.) Air to air combat is way too bloody. I hope this can be fixed one day.
4.) Numbers doesn't count enough. Have to agree with this one, planes/pilots that are outnumbered should experience a severe drop in efficiency.
5.) Fighters put on CAP over one base and with a limited range should NOT provide cover for nearby bases.
6.) Japanese ships arrive too early. They would have if they were laid down earlier.

In the end things even out but it is frustrating to see your best weapon made impotent by less than 50 Corsairs

I made one annoying mistake today: moved some Betties and Nick fighter bombers to Rabaul instead of Truk...argh! Mind must
have been empty. 11 AK transports are enroute to Rabaul to pick up the skeleton formations there. Squadrons with only pilots can only
be moved by AKs. That's also annoying...and guess what. I first sent APs to pick them up. *groan*

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/10/43

Invasions

The rest of the 2nd Marines and a SeaBee unit embarks at Torokina!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Aaron Ward
AK Prominent, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1183 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

The first sub to arrive survived for 5 seconds...

ASW attack near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Santa Anna
LST LST-335
AP William Ward Burrows
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6 (These Tonys were on CAP over Kavieng when they were sucked into the dead pool at Rabaul..)

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses - here's the 11-1 kill ratio

(The Zero pilots had an avg exp of 81!)
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
DD Isaac Sweers

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Bomb hits 1 (250 kg bomb hit that didn't penetrate the deck!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-19

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's shining bright light! Yeah

Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,94

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 115
F6F Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

The defenders at Torokina retreats to Buin

Ground combat at Torokina

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14546 troops, 139 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 1696 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: Torokina

Ken has deployed his carriers - well within his own LBA umbrella. I continue to adhere to my
battle plan: The KB will move just east of Rabaul and follow a surface combat TF with orders not to
react. Fighters put on 60% CAP, all bombers ordered to strike any ship within 4 hexes. The range to
Torokina is 5 hexes.

I HOPE Ken's carriers react towards the KB and DIES a violent death

If the opposite happends I'll
personally shoot Murphy!! Don't abandon me now old friend....

Bad weather disrupts todays airstrikes and the only major success is the dual torpedo hit on
the battleship Idaho! She's out for a while. There were more than 40 Corsairs on CAP over Torokina, hopefully
this will wear them out. More bad weather for tomorrow: rain. Let the devil roll his pair of dice...

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"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 anarchyintheuk)

Post #: 1285

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/27/2005 11:56:50 PM

String

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

I hope you got an unagressive leader on your carrier TF, because if it's Yamaguchi or Abe then you are damn sure to react (atleast in my experience)

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1286

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/28/2005 5:24:38 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Seems like Ken retreated his carriers - no reactions whatsoever! Ken told me that his
carriers were only a few hexes away from Torokina when the KB hit Munda. My massive search
efforts must have failed miserable...

I faced several frustrations today:
1. The stranded airgroups without ac at Rabaul can't be loaded onto cargo ships. I actually have to
accept replacements (and loose lots of ac in the next bombing raids) and then load the remaining ac
and pilots aboard AK ships. Why make it so difficult Matrix?
2. I wanted my surface combat tfs to pick up combat troops from Buin but I wasn't allowed to give this
order to the tfs after changing them into fast transport tfs. I have to return to port first. *sulk*

Another strange thing: When I ordered the KB to move to the hex just north of Rabaul the plotted course
took it around Emirau island - a journey of 11 hexes!-( When the same course is plotted with one of my
surface combat tfs the course is plotted through the Kavieng hex - a distance of only 4 hexes. This caused
me further headaches.

I told Ken that Torokina lost most of its strategic significance after he knocked Rabaul out. I'm not planning to shed more
blood over the place than I have too, that's for sure.

The last few days of fighting have cost many ac, but non of the valuable fleet units have been lost.
Today the first group of G4M1 Betties was upgraded to the G4M2 - the new model got slightly
heavier armament and is a bit less manouverable.

Here is the biggest goody of the day:
The arrival of the A6M5 Zeke has been moved forward another month - now it's July 1943

So the battle will continue and Ken's mercenaries will slowly flood the rest of the Solomons. We shall lurke in the shadows
and strike back when he least expects it. It's actually very difficult not to send the KB straight into harms way
to hit the numerous enemy warships and transports - but that would be a grave error! We shall wait and pick the time and place ourselves
and strike the enemy down when he's at his most vulnerable: far away from his bases and LBA support.

I hope to launch Operation Summer Harvest in 2-3 weeks. The enemy carriers have been located the Solomons so it's almost
time to kick a$$ and chew bubble gum

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

My second coastal sub lasted 5 seconds longer than the first... Placed them in the wake of the
enemy carrier tf - we could get lucky!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,93

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
LCI LCI-327
LCI LCI-75
LCI LCI-23
LCI LCI-21
LST LST-31
LST LST-26
LST LST-25
LST LST-19
LST LST-17
LSD Carter Hall
AP Wanganella
AP Orungal
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

9 B-25s were downed today, but my erronously transfers yesterday cost another 19 ac destroyed on the ground.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a few successes today: an enemy light cruiser and a destroyer were torpedoed.

Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Birmingham
AP Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 1
DD Ammen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had hoped this strike would land more hits...

Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 43

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 23 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL Concord, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - finally we nail the Concord!
DD Ralph Talbot
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"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 String)

Post #: 1287

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/28/2005 5:33:11 AM

Mynok

Posts: 12108
Joined: 11/30/2002
Status: offline

Why do you use Nagumo instead of Yamaguichi on your main CV TF, PzB? I always use Yamaguichi. I realize with 3 TF Nagumo will need to be one of them, but during your daring raid where you used only two? I would have had Abe or Saka??? on the other one.

One note about the Corsair: whether over-modeled or not, a 5:1 advantage in fighters would have just about guaranteed that few if any fighters would have been able to get to the bombers. Certainly the Corsair's speed could enable it to avoid combat, but that would include combat against the bombers. Big fighter advantages should clear more bombers through.

(in reply to String)

Post #: 1288

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/28/2005 5:59:39 AM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I don't always remember the names of all my carrier commanders. Nagumo has always done a good job for me...Yamaguichi is usually in
command of one of my carrier divisions. A list of the best 6-7 carrier tf commanders sorted by virtues would have been a good thing though - anyone?

Unfortunately the air combat model first allows defending fighters to maul the escorts and then the bombers. I have noticed that interceptors become less
efficient when the bombers are escorted - but the model is still way too 'bloody'. The A6M2 is useless against the Corsair, the A6M5 is a bit better...

_____________________________

"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 Mynok)

Post #: 1289

RE: KB engages in vicious air battles - 10/28/2005 9:43:55 AM

Honda

Posts: 953
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Karlovac, Croatia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
The A6M2 is useless against the Corsair, the A6M5 is a bit better...

That's the info I'm talking about

Now if only we could put some Jacks in Corair's flight path, see how it does.

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AAR of my game vs Raver on my clan forum in croatian language (despite the language differences, no Ravers allowed)

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 1290

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