Lunga Falls!

Lunga Falls! (Full Version)

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Moondawggie -> Lunga Falls! (6/2/2006 6:25:53 AM)
10/29/42: Yes! [image]local://upfiles/10410/223B7C46FEFC475284B053CE88506E03.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Consolidtion Phase (6/4/2006 2:37:53 AM)
11/4/42 Lunga's poat and airfield have been repaired, and all of Taivu Point's troops have been **ed to Lunga. Most of Irau's personnel have also been transferred; Lunga's airfield is now at Level 6. The B-26s have been transferred to Lunga, along with virtually all of the SBDs, F4Fs, and TBFs. Daily raids on Shortland have resulted in several IJN APs and DDs being hit, as well as a few bombs landing on (but not penetrating though) the armor of the Yamato and Mushashi in port there. One of their covering CLs wasn't as lucky... Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34** Japanese aircraft A6M2-N Rufe x 6 A6M3 Zero x 16 Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 49 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2-N Rufe x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged Japanese Ships AP Nana Maru, Bomb hits 2 AP Azuma Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage AP Kirishima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Katsuragisan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Nokaze CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2 One IJN CS was sunk of Buin by 500# bombs from the B-26s, the Japanese are also building up a base at Buin. I'm sending up the USMC 1st Raider Batallion to take Vila. I'll then fast transport in some seabees and EABs, and build up an airfield there, which will put me within fighter range of Shortland. Then Shortland can really get pounded by air. Shortland or Buin will be the next major sites of ground combat in the Solomons. In New Guinea, I'm airlifting the New Guinea Force and a base force to Nazdab; it's a level one airfield, now with some FBs to give Lae a hard time. The B-25s, etc from PM have taken Lae's airfield damage up to 100%, so now they will start working over Lae's port. I'd like to get enough forces into Nazdab to attack Lae from the ground, rather than risk a seaborne invasion launched from GG. I still have very healthy respect for Rabaul's Betties and Nells---they are dangerous ship killers. [image]local://upfiles/10410/97D9F3C9A2324D31AFA96FC1F90EF2C4.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> The Slot turns ugly... (6/4/2006 7:00:17 AM)
11/9/42 A forward airbase has been established at Vila, reinforced and supplied by nightly fast transport runs using DDs out of Lunga. The IJN is not pleased. The IJN sends a supply TF towards Lae in New Guinea. I bite, and transfer most of my Lunga SBDs and TBFs to the enlarging bases at Buna and Nazdab, where their vulnerable transports will come in range of these dive and torpedo bombers. Only problem is, the IJN sends a BB-led TF down the Slot--- I guess that the target will be my exposed outpost at Vila, and send a surface TF including BBs South Dakota and Washington from Irau to intercept him: they miss. [:@] He heads for Lunga, a classic night-time bombardment attack, and all I have at Lunga are some PTs and vulnerable transports offloading troops and supplies. [&o] Darn! So the festivities begin: AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/09/42 Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40 Japanese Ships BB Hiei CA Haguro CA Nachi CA Mogami DD Ariake DD Murakumo DD Shikinami DD Yugiri DD Oboro DD Ushio DD Nagatsuki Allied Ships PT 114, Shell hits 17, and is sunk PT 115, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PT 124 PT 120 PT 122 PT 128, Shell hits 17, and is sunk The PTs get cleaned in inning one! Japanese Ships BB Hiei, Shell hits 3 CA Haguro CA Nachi CA Mogami, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Ariake DD Murakumo DD Shikinami DD Yugiri DD Oboro DD Ushio DD Nagatsuki Allied Ships PT 123 PT 121 PT 142, Shell hits 1 PT 143, Shell hits 10, and is sunk PT 146 PT 121, Shell hits 16, and is sunk The PTs get some revenge in inning 2!, But then, the DDs protecting transports get their clocks cleaned after the BBs get thru the PT belt! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40 Japanese Ships BB Hiei, Shell hits 2 CA Haguro, Shell hits 1 CA Nachi, Shell hits 1 CA Mogami, Shell hits 3, on fire DD Ariake, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Murakumo DD Shikinami DD Yugiri DD Oboro DD Ushio DD Nagatsuki Allied Ships DD Anderson, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Sterett, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk DD Aylwin, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP American Legion, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Harris AP Wharton TK Suamico TK Tallulah TK Pecos TK Bishopdale TK Kurumba The IJN then bombards Lunga (a weak effort!)- Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 2 destroyed B-26B Marauder x 16 damaged Airbase hits 5 Runway hits 37 Lunga's airpower strikes back at the retreating IJN BB bombardment TF: [:D] Air attack on TF at 34,37 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 B-26B Marauder x 21 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed B-26B Marauder x 13 damaged Japanese Ships BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2 CA Haguro, on fire CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1 CA Nachi, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage DD Yugiri CA Mogami, on fire CA Haguro, Bomb hits 2, on fire BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2 DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Nagatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Oboro, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Ushio DD Murakumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage The Japanese LBA out of Shortland decides to get involved! Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34 Allied Ships DD Jarvis BB Washington, Bomb hits 4 BB South Dakota CA Portland DD Fletcher CL Nashville, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Meanwhile, at Lae... Air attack on TF at 11,34 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 3 A-20B Havoc x 12 no losses Japanese Ships AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Ch 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Koei Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage AP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage AP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage And, at the end of a very confusing day, the picture below shows the disposition of forces: [8\|] His BB-led, damaged bombardment TF is caught in the Slot between Lunga's LBA and the South Dakota/Washington surface TF loitering near Vila... Every available allied bomber will be working over the Slot tomorrow... It looks like "Guns! Guns! Guns!" [:'(] I hope we win this one.... [image]local://upfiles/10410/EA3547A7ADAE4ECEAE0967ED27617A6E.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Air brawl in the Solomons (6/5/2006 12:33:16 AM)
11/13/42: A major airborne brawl breaks out throughout the Solomons. I seem to have located the Yamato, Mushashi, and the CV Hiyo---now if only I can do something about it! [&:] A submarine surface duel at night off Buka: Japanese Ships AP Keisho Maru, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Sculpin, Shell hits 8 An allied air raid on a IJN CA limping towards Truk:Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 3 SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged Japanese Ships CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1 Then the allies attack the IJN BB task force in harbor at Shortland: Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Yamato, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1 BB Musashi, Bomb hits 6 CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Matsukaze CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 44 Japanese Ships BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1 BB Musashi DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage CL Tenryu, on fire CA Atago, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Matsukaze An air raid in the waters near Buin: Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 4 P-39D Airacobra x 8 Japanese Ships DD Hakaze TK Nissan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage The IJN attacks shipping at Lunga: Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 93 G3M Nell x 4 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 37 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed G3M Nell x 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged Allied Ships AP Zeilin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire The IJN also raids Vila: Air attack on Vila , at 32,36 A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed Vila-based Catalinas locate an IJN carrier TF west of Lunga: A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed Japanese Ships CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1 CV Hiyo !!!!! (Darn--and me completely "carrier-less for now!) Vila-based SBDs again raid the BB TF in Shortland harbor: SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Satsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage BB Musashi, Bomb hits 3 CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Matsukaze BB Yamato Another air attack goes in east of Buin: Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 SBD Dauntless x 4 P-40E Warhawk x 3 TK Nissan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Okikaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage IJN carrier-based air tries to attack shipping offshore of Lunga, but the US DDs avoid damage, and Lunga’s CAP wins this exchange: [:-] Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 9 A6M3 Zero x 5 B5N Kate x 13 F4F-4 Wildcat x 27 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed B5N Kate x 1 destroyed B5N Kate x 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged Tomorrow should be an interesting day to see just how many cripples can't escape... [image]local://upfiles/10410/64A703CCDAB043A29BD427EFB0F9FF46.jpg[/image]

Nicholas Bell -> RE: Air brawl in the Solomons (6/5/2006 11:22:06 PM)
Thanks for the interesting reports! I enjoy reading them. Currently I'm playing Scenario 19 vs the AI, so I see some similarities. Anyway, just want to let you know your efforts are appreciated.

Moondawggie -> The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/7/2006 6:31:52 AM)
Thanks, Nick! 11/21/42: Thunderstorms lashed the SWPAC for the last 10 days, giving every hurting ship from the last series of air/surface battles a chance to limp towards safety, with minimal threat of further damage from above. A few air raids tear up some transports, but the center of gravity has definitely shifted from GG/PM to Shortlands/Vila. PTs out of Vila raid Shortlands nightly, sinking some barges. There is no sign of the IJN carrier TF; it was last seen clearing Choiseul, heading north to Truk for refitting. Their surface forces also disappeared heding north between New Britain and Bougainville, apparently on the way to Truk as well. The Solomon Sea has at last come under allied air superiority, if not air supremacy...few IJN surface assets dare voyage there, although the occasional air raid out of Rabaul doesn't hesitate to strike at PM, GG, Vila or Lunga when an opportunity arises. My next move will be a 2-pronged approach: First, to reinforce the forward Nazdab airbase by air from PM, sending the largest pieces of equipment over the Owen Stanleys. Once Nazdab has sufficient assault strength, it will attack Lae and subsequently Finschhausen by land, rather than run Rabaul's air gauntlet with an invasion by sea out of GG. Meanwhile in the Solomons, as Vila builds up I'm transferring the 2nd MARDIV there...from that base the next attack will either be an amphip assault directly into Shortlands, or more likely onto nearby Buin, to cut Shortlands "off on the vine," behind my forward assets. Let em' die there alone without hope of resupply or reinforcement! Hey---when you don't have carriers to protect an invasion TF, island-hopping under the cover of LBA is the only way you can advance safely. Here's the current AAR, and the picture in the central Solomons------------- AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/21/42 Weather: Thunderstorms Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortland Island at 29,34 A Vila based PT raid: AG 122, Shell hits 11, and is sunk AG 2060, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese Air attack on TF, near Vila at 32,36 A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed D3A Val x 10 destroyed D3A Val x 6 damaged F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged Allied Ships BB South Dakota CL Boise, Bomb hits 2 CLAA San Juan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied Air attack on Shortland Island Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged Japanese Ships DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Samidare, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CA Atago, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Oyashio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 138 Port hits 5 Port fuel hits 2 Port supply hits 4 [image]local://upfiles/10410/E33C718476B542BB8488979262881F3A.jpg[/image]

Mike Wethington -> RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/7/2006 9:36:56 PM)
How many B-26s (# of planes & # of squadrons) attacked Shortland and at what altitude (I assume it's a Port Attack)? This looks to be a much more successful raid than I am used to seeing flying 2-3 squadrons of B-26s at Ports. Just curious.

Moondawggie -> RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/8/2006 8:25:14 AM)
Thanks, Mike. The B-26s were based at Lunga, and went in at Shortlands at 6000 feet, with 95 planes/6 squadrons accompanied by about 20 various fighters on escort. They were programmed for Naval Strike first, with Port attack as a secondary objective, with the destination of Shortland. My best guess is that they actually pulled off a port attack, and the IJN ships docked at Shortlands really took a pasting from all of the 500 pounders they dropped. The combat replay showed a raid on a port/airfield facility, not a naval attack against individual ships. When a bunch of damaged ships are docked in port, this technique seems quite effective, although I've never actually seen a ship hit there actually "sink.' More to come later on----work calls..... Moondawggie

Mike Wethington -> RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/8/2006 5:48:44 PM)
Moondawggie: Thanks for the info. I've been flying the Marauders lower and they are not doing as well. I'll up the concentrations and try again. I'd recommend positioning some subs near Shortland to pick up damaged ships redeploying to Truk. The Japanese AI will hold the ships in port until they have no float damage, then 'truck' them back to Truk. The only ships I've managed to sink in harbor were AGs but I've bottomed enough stuff to keep them totally out of the war. Also, the more damaged ships in the harbor, the slower they all get repairs so your keeping CAs & CLs damaged by getting those DDs and AKs. Keep 'em flying and keep us posted, your PBP is a good read.

british exil -> RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/9/2006 12:27:29 AM)
Great AAR really enjoying it. As a newbie I really find AAR's of great benefit. Keep us posted on the war. Your're doing a brilliant job Thanks

Moondawggie -> RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... (6/9/2006 7:47:39 AM)
11/22/42: More blows are exchanged... Weather: Thunderstorms (Again!) The USN BB bombardgroup visits Buin, and enounters an IJN transport TF: Japanese Ships DD Usugumo, Shell hits 50, and is sunk DD Namikaze, Shell hits 13, and is sunk TK Teiyo Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk Allied Ships BB Washington, Shell hits 3 BB South Dakota, Shell hits 2 CA Portland, Shell hits 1 CA New Orleans CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 3 CL Boise DD O'Bannon DD Morris DD Jarvis DD Benham DD Ellet DD Farragut DD Worden Naval bombardment of Buin, at 28,33 Japanese ground losses: Men lost 42 Meanwhile, in New Guinea, an Air attack on an IJN TF near Finschhafen [;)] Allied aircraft A-20B Havoc x 14 A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged Japanese Ships CL Kiso, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire Japanese ground losses: Men lost 72 Japanese Ships CL Kiso, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Hayanami CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 1 Despite the bad weather, the aircrews at Vila are able to take off and reach Shortlands: [:)] Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged TBF Avenger x 2 damaged P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage TK Akebono Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Asanagi, on fire, heavy damage AP Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage DD Ushio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Samidare, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 122 Guns lost 1 Port hits 3 Port fuel hits 1 Port supply hits 4 In exchange, the Japansese send an air raid towards the retreating USN BB bombardment TF: [:(] Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed D3A Val x 1 destroyed D3A Val x 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed Allied Ships BB Washington, Bomb hits 3 BB South Dakota And back in New Guinea, Allied LBA finds some more IJN ships near Finschhafen Japanese Ships CL Kiso, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 106 AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage So it goes. Elements of the 7th Australian Division are being airlifted unopposed to Nazdab, and Vila continues to be well stocked each turn by fast TFs out of Lunga. A few weeks of build-up should lead to some rather interesting offensive action on my part. [image]local://upfiles/10410/BAEB4B15E366409197259F551811A57F.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Let's see if I can pull a fast one here... (6/10/2006 8:56:12 PM)
On 11/23/42, PTs raid Shortlands at night, sinking a few IJN AGs. Recon during the day shows that Shortlands has repaired all airfield damage, and suddenly 93 fighters and 50+ IJN dive bombers are on the ground there-----maybe he's looking to attack my transports in the slot, at Vila, and at Lunga. I have some minesweepers at Vila and the Washington/South Dakota BB TF coming up the slot; time for the BBs to go into Shortland on another Bombardment mission? [&:] Voila! AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/24/42 Weather: Overcast Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortland Island at 29,34 Japanese Ships AG 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk AG 354, Shell hits 4, and is sunk AG 362, Shell hits 1, and is sunk AG 369, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AG 2058, Shell hits 3, and is sunk AG 2064, Shell hits 6, and is sunk Allied Ships BB Washington BB South Dakota CA Portland CA New Orleans CLAA San Juan CL Boise DD O'Bannon DD Morris DD Jarvis DD Benham DD Ellet DD Farragut DD Worden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Shortland Island, at 29,34 Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 23 destroyed [:D] A6M3 Zero x 27 damaged [:D] D3A Val x 2 destroyed [:D] D3A Val x 4 damaged [:D] Japanese Ships DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Atago, Shell hits 2, heavy damage DD Yudachi, Shell hits 2, heavy damage DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 2, heavy damage [:D][:D][:D] Japanese ground losses: Men lost 176 Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 17 Airbase supply hits 5 Runway hits 74 Port hits 7 Port fuel hits 1 Allied Ships BB Washington, Shell hits 2 (no biggie!) [:D] Ouch: all in all, a tremendous thumping on all those IJN planes being readied for attack missions in the morning! [:)] Then dawn breaks: Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34 Allied aircraft B-25D Mitchell x 18 at 6000 feet B-26B Marauder x 32 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 9 destroyed D3A Val x 1 destroyed [:D] Allied aircraft losses B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged Japanese Ships CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 218 Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 14 Port hits 3 Port fuel hits 1 All in all all, a rotten day for the IJN!!! The Shortlands airfield isn't looking too hot, and my BBs are refueled and reloaded at Vila---maybe it's time to pay one last visit!!! [image]local://upfiles/10410/F2540127C5EE4DABACE3648B138B1AA0.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Christmas in the SWPAC (6/11/2006 11:11:24 PM)
12/25/42: Weather: Clear A lot has happened in the last month. My 2-pronged strategy worked pretty well. The Aussies attacked Lae overland after being airlifted into Nazdab, and the Japanese forces have been driven back to Finschafen. Lae has been built up into a level 6 airbase, and now houses 225 SBDs and 63 TBFs on loan from SOPAC, as well as 117 LBs. The IJn tried to attack Lae twice, first with an air attack from the Junyo and Ryujo, which resulted in some USN APs/AKs geting roughed up in port, but in return Lae's airpower hit back, with the result that the Junyo was heavily damaged and the Ryujo sunk, along with a lot of DDs. Last turn the IJN sent in a BB surface TF to Finschafen; Lae's air pulled a Prince of Wals/Repulse style airraid on these guys, who were without LRCAP... For the loss of one TBF, the IJN pays a heavy price: Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 SBD Dauntless x 107 TBF Avenger x 32 Hudson x 34 Beaufort x 27 P-40E Kittyhawk x 10 P-40E Warhawk x 12 A-20B Boston x 8 A-20B Havoc x 21 Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed TBF Avenger x 2 damaged Beaufort x 6 damaged Japanese Ships BB Hiei, Bomb hits 33, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage [:D] CL Kuma, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire BB Musashi, Bomb hits 22, Torpedo hits 5, on fire [:D] DD Oshio, Bomb hits 2 DD Ikazuchi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Asagiri DD Yunagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Mikazuki DD Kazegumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Yunagi, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Kazegumo, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage CL Kuma, Shell hits 52, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage DD Wakaba, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Ikazuchi, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Asagiri BB Musashi, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Meanwhile, I've bypassed Shortland, and bases up and running at Buka and Buin. I'll bomb Shortland for a few more weeks; since they are now cut off from supply, they should get pretty disrupted, and be a set up for an amphibious assault. Here's the big picture: [image]local://upfiles/10410/CC83AFC8DEA34C60B592508BCAB20D85.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> RE: Christmas in the SWPAC (6/13/2006 4:37:25 AM)
1/7/43 Ah---a new year, and a new level 2 airfield at Buka, conveniently located only 6 hexes from Rabaul. And me with 3 experienced P-38 squadrons transferred to Buka, all with plenty of range and loitering time to reach Rabaul, and play with the zeros who liked to duke it out with unescorted allied bombers: As they say in Red Flag, fight's on! AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/43 Weather: Clear Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 85 A6M3 Zero x 7 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 52 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged 1LT K.Schmax of 36th FS is credited with kill number 4 LTJG T.Muranaka of DIII-1 Daitai is KILLED Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 81 A6M3 Zero x 7 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 43 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed P-38G Lightning x 5 damaged CPT S.Greer of 36th FS is credited with kill number 7 LTJG N.Kawakami of DIII-1 Daitai is KILLED Not quite like the Datai's glory days over PM and GG against rookie P-39s and P-400s. Meanwhile, the rested and undisrupted 1st MARDIV is on it's way to Vila, to join up with the 2nd MARDIV, and then fast transport into Shortland. So far 1943 looks quite promising... [image]local://upfiles/10410/ED4E700159F341E686E81537754D96A7.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> In football, they call this a high/low hit... (6/14/2006 7:36:19 AM)
Ah, January in the Southwest Pacific... balmy breezes, fair seas, and preparations for carnage everywhere... 1/13/43: In the Solomons, the 1st MARDIV made a virtually unopposed landing over the past few nights via fast transports from Vila onto Shortland. (Amazing what sending in the minesweepers and bombers can do in just one week to a base once its been cut off from resupply!) The trapped 10,000+ Japanese troopers there can only mount an assault strength 6 bombardment attack on the beachhead; not a single Jarhead is injured. Ground combat at Shortland Island Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 3140 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 14626 troops, 102 guns, 98 vehicles No USMC casualties! Next turn, the marines will probe with a deliberate attack on their defenses. When the IJA strength is reduced to zero, I'll turn the tankers and riflemen loose in a shock attack, and hopefully send all of the defenders to the Yakasuni Shrine...[sm=00000036.gif] Meanwhile, in New Guinea, the Australian 7th Division has completed its march from Lae to Finschaufen. The IJA forces there have been trying to evacuate via APs and AGs; the Lae-based airpower has torn them up badly... AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/13/43 Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33 Japanese Ships AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage AP Tokai Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage AP Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 201 Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33 Japanese Ships AP Tokai Maru, Shell hits 56, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The IJA counterattacks the Aussie's incursion: Ground combat at Finschhafen Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 16259 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 28501 troops, 155 guns, 10 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: Men lost 325 Guns lost 1 Allied ground losses: Men lost 102 The IJA counterattack at Finschaufen fails. Next turn will start the prep on these guys for the final clean-out as well... [image]local://upfiles/10410/91EFF0AAB3CD4C9E8293E2E6663D8DD7.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! (6/15/2006 6:13:04 AM)
1/14/43 The 1st MarDiv probes Shortland's defenders with a deliberate attack: sometimes you get a lot more than you expected to: Ground combat at Shortland Island Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 13704 troops, 112 guns, 98 vehicles Defending force 6972 troops, 177 guns, 0 vehicles Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4 Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 4) Allied forces CAPTURE Shortland Island base !!! Japanese ground losses: Men lost 7851 Guns lost 153 Allied ground losses: Men lost 10 Take home lesson: cutting the enemy off from supply makes all the fortifications in the world worthless! I've learned something here: 10 USMC casualties to 7800+ for the IJA---somehow this seems much more satisfactory than landing on the beach without warning, and trying to pull off a costly shock attack on the evening of the landing. Meanwhile, Finschafen will be a bit tougher, but the trapped IJA forces there seem equally doomed: Ground combat at Finschhafen Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 3779 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 28308 troops, 155 guns, 10 vehicles Allied ground losses: Men lost 7 Ground combat at Finschhafen Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 24867 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 19466 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: Men lost 564 Guns lost 2 Allied ground losses: Men lost 274 Meanwhile, this is one pretty looking map of the Solomons: [image]local://upfiles/10410/BAF35F4ECF424716A55A74FF8B2AEC0E.jpg[/image]

Mike Wethington -> RE: Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! (6/16/2006 5:58:04 PM)
Huah MoonDawggie, Huah [sm=Tank-fahr09.gif]

Moondawggie -> RE: Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! (6/17/2006 9:04:07 AM)
Thanks, Mike! But it ain't over until it's over... Time to regroup, refit, resupply, and then beat the stuffing out of Rabaul and (the linchpin) Kavieng...and then, just maybe Truk! I can't wait until my F4Fs get upgraded to Corsairs and Hellcats---and I would really appreciate it if Pearl Harbor would release some CVs and CVLs my way---3 CVEs aren't enough to cut it with Shikoku still alive somewhere...Those IJN Daitais are still very lethal...

Moondawggie -> Finschafen falls! (6/18/2006 5:00:49 AM)
1/26/43 The Australian 6th and 7th Divisions make a series of deliberate attacks on Finschafen after marching overland from Lae. LBA hammers the IJA troops there, fortifications are systematically reduced to zero, and ultimately the last IJA bastion in Papua falls: Ground combat at Finschhafen Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 26515 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 17537 troops, 184 guns, 0 vehicles Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) Allied forces CAPTURE Finschhafen base !!! Japanese ground losses: Men lost 10124 Guns lost 85 Allied ground losses: Men lost 60 Guns lost 1 The next day, allied forces shock attack the remaining Japanese troopers caught in the hex: Ground combat at Finschhafen Allied Shock attack Attacking force 26499 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 3691 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: Men lost 5019 Guns lost 42 Allied ground losses: Men lost 84 In all, the IJA suffers over 15,000 casualties in the final 2 days, compared to 150 for the allies. Onward! [sm=tank2-39.gif]

Moondawggie -> The Shokaku reappears (6/18/2006 8:46:03 PM)
2/7/43 One problem with taking Finschafen and Lae is that they need a lot of supplies and support to maintain the troops who captured those bases. So, I send a massive supply/transport TF commanded by Kincaid up to Lae loaded with goodies. Knowing that I would be well within range of Rabaul's LBA, I cover it with Spruance's carrier TF consisting of 3 CVE's---only 90 planes, but I manage to get to Finschafen unscathed, and start disembarking the supplies and reinforcements. Then, who should come blasting down the Truk to Kavieng freeway but the Shokaku. [X(] I've swarmed all of my subs into the Bismarck Sea, hoping for a lucky shot at Shokaku: Standing about 7 hexes away from Finschafen, she sends an air attack against the ships there, which is beaten back with only minor damage by Spruance's Wildcats and LRCAP from P-40Es out of Lae. All the transports head south, CVE's in tow, trying to get clear of the Vals and Kates: AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/06/43 Air attack on TF at 12,34 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 7 A6M3 Zero x 4 D3A Val x 22 B5N Kate x 12 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 20 P-40E Warhawk x 8 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed D3A Val x 7 destroyed D3A Val x 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed Allied Ships AK Adelong AK Bellatrix AK Etamin, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Alchiba DD Wilson, Bomb hits 2, on fireAK Alcyone Then the gutsy litte S-40 makes my day! [:D] Sub attack at 18,27 Japanese Ships CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 2, on fire Allied Ships SS S-40 So, Shokaku has to be slowed down some: I send every SBD, B-26 and B-25 I have to Buka (a mere level 2 airfield; can they operate out of there?), to get them in range of Shokaku's last known position, and do the same with SWPACs Havocs and Bostons to Finschafen. The heavies (B-17s, Hudsons, etc) are poised at Lae. My CVEs are so slow and underplaned that I don't risk having them close on Shokaku and Rabaul: damn I could use a CV or two! The next day may gets quite exciting... AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/07/43 Weather: Clear Air attack on TF at 18,27 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 A6M3 Zero x 9 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 3 SBD Dauntless x 6 P-38G Lightning x 12 B-25J Mitchell x 3 B-26B Marauder x 21 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged B-26B Marauder x 5 destroyed B-26B Marauder x 11 damaged LCDR S. Komachi of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED Japanese Ships CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire [:D] CA Tone, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1 CL Tama CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire And who should be escorting the Shokaku but the Ryuho! Air attack on TF at 18,27 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 6 Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 3 Japanese Ships CVL Ryuho Another allied air raid from Buka goes in for the money shot! Air attack on TF at 18,27 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 6 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 13 P-38G Lightning x 9 B-25J Mitchell x 7 B-26B Marauder x 6 Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged Japanese Ships DD Isokaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [:D] DD Shiokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire CL Tama, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CA Tone, Bomb hits 1, on fire And the Lae/Finschafen's airdales are right behind: Air attack on TF at 18,27 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 6 Allied aircraft Hudson x 8 A-20B Havoc x 6 no losses Allied aircraft losses Hudson x 7 damaged A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged Japanese Ships CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Shiokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CL Tama, on fire, heavy damage The Bismarck Sea is a real mess at this time. I hope the clear weather holds for one more day, and the subs lock onto their prey... [image]local://upfiles/10410/46D4E61A3B6C4EC7851974B37ECB2662.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> End of the Shokaku (6/19/2006 1:57:12 AM)
On 2/8/43, the Shokaku ran out of luck. LBA air from Buka (B-25s and -26s) found her one hex out of Kavieng. The escorting P-38s brushed aside the remaining CAP, and 45 twin engine bombers put 31 (count 'em, 31!) 500 pound bombs into her tough hide. 2 huge secondary ammo explosions, and one secondary fuel storage explosion sealed the deal; by the time By the time LBA from Lae (B-17s and Hudsons) appeared overhead, there was nothing left to drop on. The next day, both the chasing subs and LBA from Buka/Lae caught the other cripples from Shokaku's task force, as well as a fast transport TF near Kavieng: 02/09/43 Japanese Ships CL Tama, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Tarpon Sub attack near Meteiai at 17,24 Japanese Ships CL Tama, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [8D] Allied Ships SS Tarpon The Tarpon wins that duel! Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24 Japanese aircraft A6M2-N Rufe x 3 A6M3 Zero x 10 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 51 B-25J Mitchell x 20 B-26B Marauder x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Michishio DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Arashi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 2, on fire Japanese ground losses: Men lost 80 Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 4 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 20 Japanese Ships DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Shimakaze DD Arashi, on fire, heavy damage DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 125 Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24 Japanese aircraft A6M2-N Rufe x 3 A6M3 Zero x 14 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 35 B-25J Mitchell x 9 B-26B Marauder x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Arashi, on fire, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: Men lost 165 All in all, a very nasty outcome for the IJN in the Bismarck Sea: the only 2 USN ships damaged by Shokaku's airwing made it back to port safely in Finschafen; they are badly damaged, but the fires are out, the floatation damage is being repaired, and they will both ultimately back to Noumea and then Pearl, where they will likely sit out the rest of this scenario. Here's the IJN damage update: [image]local://upfiles/10410/2F2C8AE5400447E49E28F099FD463232.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> The Lex goes hunting (6/21/2006 4:37:15 AM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/20/43 Weather: Clear After the demise of the Shokaku, Pearl Harbor rewarded me with the return of the Lexington. She forms a one CV air TF and left Noumea for the formerly unknown waters between Rabaul and Truk. Meanwhile, Spruance's 3 CVE TF moved to Finschafen, where it provides air cover for some fast transports landing troops in Saidor, which falls easily, costing the IJA over 800 casualties. Next, more Finschafen troops are lifted to Madang. Air from Lae keeps the IJA troopers under pressure, but they still shock attack the Aussie invaders on the day of landing---unsuccessfully! Ground combat at Madang Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 7676 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 5593 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese ground losses: Men lost 193 Allied ground losses: Men lost 102 Madang should fall within the next few days, now that I'm assured of holding onto the beachhead. Meanwhile, the Lex finds some tankers and APs on the resupply route from Truk to Rabaul to Kavieng/Rabaul. They are easy game for Lexington's SBDs and TBDs. A few weak raids of unescorted Nells and Betties out of Truk counterattrack the Lex, but the with 80% CAp assigned, the 36-plane strong F4F VF-2 squadron doesn't let anyone score. The next day the IJN sends a weak air TF build around the CVL Ruyho to challenge the Lex; the Lex spots the Ruyho first: Air attack on TF at 20,10 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 6 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 SBD Dauntless x 30 TBF Avenger x 18 no losses Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed TBF Avenger x 7 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Mikuma The Lex wins round one at little cost! [:)] The Ruyho air wing counterpunches; 2 Kates make their way through the CAP, but neither scores... Air attack on TF at 25,14 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 5 B5N Kate x 3 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 28 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate x 2 destroyed B5N Kate x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged Allied Ships CV Lexington A miss is as good as a mile! [:D] Let's see if the Ruyho can make it back to port; I'm laying odds that she is done for...[:-] Meanwhile, my LBA in Buka (now a level 4 airfield) continues to clobber Rabaul... Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 15 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 47 F4U-1 Corsair x 16 P-40E Warhawk x 15 P-38G Lightning x 53 B-25J Mitchell x 59 B-26B Marauder x 48 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed J1N1-R Irving x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: Men lost 419 Airbase hits 14 Runway hits 155 The next step will be to build up a New Britain base in a hex adjacent to Rabaul, fast transport in a few divisions after first staging them at Buka, and then attack Rabaul overland like I did Lunga/Taivu, rather than risk a direct Amphibious attack directly into Rabaul...

Mike Wethington -> RE: The Lex goes hunting (6/21/2006 5:55:06 PM)
Moondawggie: Could you tell us the altitude your flying your LBAs (especially your medium bombers) against Rabaul? I'm not gettting a lot of success on ground units flying similar numbers at 6000 feet. Mike

Moondawggie -> RE: The Lex goes hunting (6/21/2006 11:21:35 PM)
Mike, the medium bombers (B-25s and -26s) are going in at 5000 feet. (The B-17s go in at 20,000.) They medium bomber pilots are very experienced at this point in the war; average experience level is in the low 80s, ranging from 72 to a high of 98. [&o] Good luck!

Moondawggie -> MacArthur begins his return... (6/23/2006 2:55:28 AM)
3/4/43 Relatively quiet the past several days in the SOPAC. Buka is being flooded with supplies and land forces, which are just as rapidly fast transported to Ganai, the land hex adjacent to Rabaul. Seabees have finished a level 1 port there, and are working on an airfield. LRCAP from Buka covers these troops, but no IJA/IJN airpower has yet attacked this outpost. My only problem right now is a lack of base force support for the troops. The Lex continues to hunt in the waters between Kavieng and Truk, but pickings are getting slim---only an occasional IJN DD shows up on the search patterns. In SWPAC's sector, aussie and USA troops fast transported from Finschafen grew in numbers at Madang, and a series of deliberate attacks brought the fortification level down to zero. The rest is history: Ground combat at Madang Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 15271 troops, 107 guns, 49 vehicles Defending force 7883 troops, 101 guns, 0 vehicles Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0) Allied forces CAPTURE Madang base !!! [:D][:D][:D] Japanese ground losses: Men lost 3516 Guns lost 17 Allied ground losses: Men lost 32 Tomorrow I'll shock attack the survivors in Madang, start bombing Wewak from Lae, marshall a bunch of forces at Madang, and then start the move on Wewak. With enemy airpower so weakened, it will be time to try my luck there with a direct amhibious assault. Here's the current map on New Guinea: [image]local://upfiles/10410/143F19AB8972444EA1963CB8F53AF526.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> The Lex feasts north of Kavieng (6/23/2006 11:08:29 PM)
3/13/43 After refueling and refitting at Lunga following her last foray into the waters south of Truk, the Lexington TF ventures up there again to see what she can scare up. On 3/11 and 3/12, she whups up on some TKs and APs trying to supply Kavieng, then heads further west to see if anyone is moving towards the Admiralties. Who should show up to the northeast but an IJN carrier TF centered around CVL Hosho. Weather is clear, and both TFs detect each other at midday. The Lex hits first with SBDs and F4Fs, brushes aside the IJN CAP, and drops ten 1000-pounders onto Hosho's thin decks. In turn, 3 major secondary explosions cook off; one fuel storage, one ammo storage, and one "massive explosive damage." Next, Hosho's strike comes in on the Lex, but 80% of VF-2 is on CAP duty, so I have 28 F4Fs against 6 zeros and 10 Kates. My CAP nails 2 zeros, and badly disrupts the Kates; 3 Kates fall to the Wildcats, 7 are gunned down by AAA, and not one Kate scores a hit. 2 Wildcats fall defending the Lex... Still, although Hosho is a hurting puppy, she remains afloat and under power, and is only 12 hexes from Truk, making her way slowly north at the end of the day. The Lex charges north to close on her, into the range of Truks LBA, in an attempt to take Hosho down once and for all---I'm thinking that Truk can't have much left in the way of attack planes. Tomorrow I will learn the correct answer to that question. [&:] 3/14/43 The Lex finds both Hosho and another IJN supply TF centered around a CS. [X(] The SBDs strike northeast: [&o] Air attack on TF at 21,10 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 SBD Dauntless x 17 no losses Japanese Ships CVL Hosho, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage [:)] (I don't think she's going to make Truk!) Then, it's SBDs to the northwest: Air attack on TF at 20,8 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 6 no losses Japanese Ships AP Bengal Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CS Chitose, Bomb hits 1 [:D] Air attack on TF at 20,8 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 SBD Dauntless x 14 Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged Japanese Ships AP Ujigawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Bengal Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CS Chitose, Bomb hits 2, on fire [:D] Japanese ground losses: Men lost 87 Altogher, a satisfying day for the naval aviators! [8D] Meanwhile, Ganai is fully stocked with over 3 well-rested divisions: next turn they will begin the march overland into Rabaul--- [image]local://upfiles/10410/C19A450F0F654913A3E3C45691DBEAAA.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> The USMC and USA enter Rabaul (6/24/2006 2:47:50 AM)
Since the last post, the Chitose sank on 3/15 . An IJN surface task force raided Madang, but caused little damage. They tried getting away to Kavieng, but I sent two BB-led surface TFs out of Buka to head them off; they then drove east into Rabaul----bad decision; Buka's LBA caught them there before they could dock, and every IJN BB, CA, CL, and DD seeking shelter in Rabaul ate some thousand pounders. The Lex came south and also tore into them with SBDs and TBFs; now they are heavily damaged and sitting in port. 2 IJN CAs sank in Rabaul harbor outright, along with 4 DDs. Then on 3/24, my land forces finished the march from Ganai into Rabaul. Tomorrow I'll lead off with a bombardment attack to see how strong the infantry there are after weeks of bombing and no supplies. The trapped ships there are in for a very nasty surprise. Rabaul is going down hard! [:-] [image]local://upfiles/10410/9B6AE2F756434712A20D6783BBBDE162.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> Rabaul: A real knife fight develops (6/24/2006 5:07:56 AM)
3/25/43 One thing you can generally count on is that once land forces tear into a hex, anybody who really doesn't have to stay there usually hits the road ASAP. [:-] Today is a perfect example: some IJN DDs hiding in port at Rabaul decide now is the time to bug out, but some Buka-based PTs interrupt their hasty exit: [X(] Weather: Overcast Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28 Japanese Ships DD Onami DD Nokaze Allied Ships PT 123 PT 120 PT 146, Shell hits 10, and is sunk [:@] PT 151 PT 152 PT 157 PT 162 PT 163 PT 167 PT 168 PT 169 PT 170 PT 171 PT 176 Still, the PTs slow them down, and when dawn breaks, Buka's LBA finds them at sea, out of ideas, but with some aircover from Rabaul's Japanese flyboys : Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 4 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 85 F4U-1 Corsair x 42 SBD Dauntless x 163 Damn! I'd hate to have to watch 160+ SBDs drop on me! B-25J Mitchell x 48 B-26B Marauder x 20 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged Japanese Ships DD Nokaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Onami, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage Ouch---all the sudden losing a PT seems acceptable. [:)] After the destroyer action, I launch my first deliberate attack at the IJA land forces in Rabaul: it is going to be a very tough nut to crack. Still, with air supremacy and sea-lane superiority, I think that ultimately 40,000+ IJA troopers are going to be removed from the equation... [image]local://upfiles/10410/8604DDFA72574F4EB80300AB906BE4EE.jpg[/image]

Moondawggie -> RE: Rabaul: A real knife fight develops (6/24/2006 5:11:00 AM)
The land battle AAR for 3/25/43 at Rabaul: Ground combat at Rabaul Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 7009 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 94019 troops, 791 guns, 427 vehicles No casualties! Ground combat at Rabaul Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 59216 troops, 677 guns, 289 vehicles Defending force 46891 troops, 452 guns, 19 vehicles Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9) Japanese ground losses: Men lost 325 Allied ground losses: Men lost 381 This is going to b a slog... [8\|]

Moondawggie -> Slow going at Rabaul (7/2/2006 12:43:40 AM)
I'm back after a week touring the Seattle area: great salmon and halibut (the Copper River salmon run was in!), and a great time checking out all of the planes at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. I got to walk thru the first Air Force 1 (saw the lavatory where Nikita Kruschiev and JFK got to take care of businesss) as well as walk thru a Concorde. The Red Barn had a great display of the Wright Brothers paraphenalia, and the WW1 and WW2 static displays were impressive, as were the more recent aircraft---Dark Star is pretty wild looking, and I've always liked the looks of the "Habu" (what we called the SR-71 when they seemed to appear near Kadena Air Force base on Okinawa). Check it out if you ever get the chance! Back to 4/2/43: The IJA is well entrenched at Rabaul: despite my having 4 Divisions landed there, the fortifications are at 9, so each deliberate attack ends up with each side losing about 500 men, and no reduction in fortifications---allied assault odds 0 to 1. So, right now a stalemate. I'm going to bring in more and more troops, bomb and bombard Rabaul mercilessly (the thunderstorms of late haven't helped the B-17s/B-24s do their jobs), and ultimately take down that base. Ground combat at Rabaul Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 6730 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 97370 troops, 862 guns, 426 vehicles (Good grief: I have a lot of men there!) [8\|] Ground combat at Rabaul Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 59843 troops, 835 guns, 36 vehicles Defending force 44035 troops, 430 guns, 19 vehicles Japanese ground losses: Men lost 12

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