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Speedysteve -> RE: Coolest Uniforms (1/13/2006 3:19:37 PM)
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Excellent. We have a starting audience of 2 avid readers: Raverdave and Terminus. Roll up, roll up!
Here is the operation in full:
We are at the end of November 1942. 42A Campaign. Me Allied. Fabertong Japanese.
I initially sent an EAB to Attu back in July (I believe, Faber?) Faber reacted violently and subjugated the place with SNLF's under cover of the IJN. Since then he had built up Attu and Kiska and I have built up Dutch with a growing fortress on Adak Island.
I decided in early October to make Attu my first combined arms test operation of the War.
As such the 43rd Infantry Division, 1 x Engineer Regiment and 4 x RCT's have been preparing for Attu. All CV's along with BB's were also scheduled for this Op.
2 x 4 BB TF's moved to Kodiak in mid-November awaiting the transports and CV's. The transports carried all troops to Dutch Harbour and the CV's, BB's moved in to refuel. This was around about 20th November 1942.
The plan was thus:
1. 6 x CV's in 3 TF's (CVE Nassau in separate support role) were to move due SW from Dutch harbour keeping 180-240 miles south of the Aleutians and to approach Kiska from the South (Mutsu + change had been in the area for a month or so bombarding Adak).
2. 2 days from jump off the transports along with surface vessels would depart Dutch heading NW and then West towards Attu.
3. CV's would remain on site for 4-6 days pre-invasion bombing.
4. Troops land and secure Attu under support from 8 x BB's +
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Reality:
CV's left Dutch as planned heading SW. Scouts were sent out as per normal on the 21st. Almost concurrently I detected 2 Japanese TF's 240 miles WSW and Japanese scouts detected my TF's [X(]
This was not the plan!
Next thing we know Zero's escorting Vals and Kates are detected on an inbound approach vector. F4F's are scrambled and over the 60 miles about 90ish are on CAP.
The Japanese strikes come in bits and pieces and the largest being 30ish Zero's escorting 30ish Vals and 30ish Kates.
Almost nothing of meaning got through the CAP. From memory about 15 Vals and probably 10 Kates in total. The flak was intense and well co-ordinated. The Japanese bombers were bvrave though and managed to hit CV Enterprise with 2 x bombs on the fore deck causing some small fires. Wasp also took 1 bomb causing minimal damage.
The Allied strikes were received in 3 waves with only about 30 Zero's being on CAP at any one point.
By the end of the hectic 3 hours the CVL Shoho was left burning dead in the water with at least 10 bomb hits.
CV Junyo was hit by approximately 5 bombs.
CVL Zuiho was hit by 4 bombs.
Aircraft losses were (from memory) 220ish Japanese vs 120 Allied.
To emphasise my surprise at this encounter all of my TBF's were STOOD down. Only the F4F's and SBD's were involved in these combats.
The IJN were totally outmatched in numbers and quality. It was my 1st line vs the IJN 2nd line:
CV Enterprise
CV Yorktown
CV Lexington
CV Saratoga
CV Hornet
CV Wasp
vs
CV Junyo
CV Hiyo
CVL Ryujo
CVL Shoho
CVL Zuiho
Lets look at the numbers of aircraft (roughly):
Allies: 5 x 78 + 63 (?) = 453
Japanese: 54 x 2 + 48 + 60 = 216
I would also edge him in pilot quality.
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So starteth the 'Great Attu Turkey Shoot'...........
Over the following 2 days Shoho was hit again as was Junyo. Both confirmed sunk as was Zuiho.
I proceeded with the plan and moved upto Attu/Kiska.
On day 3 of the operation an unknown TF from 300 miles south of my CV's (currently 120 miles south of Kiska) launched a large strike of 50ish Zero's escorting 80ish DB/TB's. Over 100 F4F's were on CAP. I was expecting a lot of his planes to get through but it was almost a slaughter with only North Carolina taking a bomb hit, CLAA Juneau 1 bomb hit and CV Enterprise another bomb hit.
Approximately 180 enemy planes were lost in the day vs 40 of mine [8D]
No retaliatory strikes were launched from my CV's due to strikes being ordered against Attu airfield (which was pounded with over 50 enemy planes - Zero's, Nells, Tojo's, Emily's being destroyed on the ground). I still have no idea what was in that CV force.
I decided not to be diverted from my plan and my CV's remained on station.
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My 2 x 4 BB bombardment groups moved in and shelled Attu to pieces hitting 100's of men and wiping out another 40 + enemy planes, sinking an RO class sub, AS and AR ship.
Then the landings took place. Despite the pounding of the place the enemy mines and CD guns have taken their toll with upto 8 x MSW's, 3 DD's and 3 x AP's being lost so far.
After 3 days of landings many ships have been damaged and despite my troops being well prepared for the invasion some heavy disruption has been caused........
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On with the Turkey Shoot:
Attu airfield has remained inoperable due to BB and CV action BUT Kiska (size 2) has remained active. Faber moved in Tojo's, Val's and Kate's (maybe CV relics). Over a 3 day period: upto 40 Tojo'shave been escorting 20ish Vals/Kates against my various TF's:
2 x BB's have eaten a fish but will be fine.
When launched against my CV's my F4F's have performed magnificently and in total about 80ish Tojo's along with 40ish Vals/Kates have been lost to about 35 F4F's.
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Current Sit Rep:
All men ashore. My 1st deliberate attack found 2 x large SNLF's, 1 x NLF, 1 x CD unit, 2 x BF's. and reduced the forts to level 6. My 2nd a day later achieved nothing.
The rest I cannot say.
All in all a good operation. Total losses so far (known):
Ships
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Japanese:
CV Junyo
CVL Shoho
CVL Zuiho
2 x AK's
1 x PG
1 x RO class sub
1 x AS
1 x AR
Allied:
8 x MSW type ships
3 x DD
3 x AP
Aircraft:
Allied: 195ish
Japanese: 610ish
Any thoughts Faber? [:'(]
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