RE: The cancelled allied offensive

RE: The cancelled allied offensive (Full Version)

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Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/14/2008 12:59:00 PM)
Two days ago I did a Helen-strike on the allied base just nort of Darwin. My Helens were escorted by 40-something fighters and met no opposition. Today the Helens returned, because I had forgotten to stand them down. Cost me 20 Helens. I can ill afford that because of my limited pilot-pool. The losses really crippled my ASW efforts since all the crews were highly experienced. It pisses me off to no end to lose 20 Helens to a stupid misstake, and it pisses me off to see that when I send unescorted bombers, they die, but when he sends unescorted bombers, they just brush off the defending fighters with almost no losses. I think I lost 30% shot down in that strike, with a similar number damaged. When his B25s arrive and are intercepted by my fighters, they take 2-5% losses.

witpqs -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/14/2008 10:07:18 PM)
Different planes.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/15/2008 12:31:42 AM)
Ah ok.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/17/2008 6:01:30 PM)
Today Im setting a trap at Thursday Island. Lets see if he takes it. I am using a resupply convoy, escorted by an old battleship and some cruisers as bait. They are right now at Thursday Island unloading precious supply. Last sighting of the allied CVs was about a week ago off Cooktown. Ive sneaked the KB down south, I am pretty sure he has not spotted me yet. The idea is to have the allied CVs, or a large surface TF move to kill off the supply convoy, if that happens, my carriers rush in from the south and capture him, like a cornered rat. Think he will fall for it? [image]local://upfiles/1562/A86E5F2F9ACC486682FC8A562C112098.jpg[/image]

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/20/2008 11:45:07 AM)
Huge airbattles around Darwin today. I had moved my BBs two hexes south to make Castor think Im setting up for a bombardment run. I had all my 150 fighters at Lauterm flying CAP over the TF. The real objective was to draw out his fighters and cause some damage. It worked. I inflicted 2-1 losses, and if I hadent had one combat round where I lost 20 Tojos, the numbers would look even better. What surprised me was that I killed alot of Swordfish. I had no idea he had based them at Tenimbar. I was expecting SBDs. Well, Im happy, those Swordfish have been in the fight since december 7th, so he probably lost some very experienced pilots today. I am retiring the forces back to Lauterm now, but he does not know that. I did not dare press on with the bombardment mission because I fully expect him to fly in 200 B-17s and B-24s from the east coast of Australia and put them all on Naval attack. Therefore Im pulling my ships back, but instead Im doing a 3-phased attack on Tenimbar. Im sweeping the base with Zeros from Lauterm. Then Im attacking with Helens from Ambonia escorted by Oscar IIs, Bettys from Kuching and Betties from Koepang. I hope to inflict at least some damage on him, but I am coming in high (16k) with semi-experienced pilots (75-85) so I should not expect too much. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/09/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 39 encounters mine field at Andaman Island (23,34) Japanese Ships ML Kurokami, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ML Kuroshima, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 28,66 Japanese Ships DD Susuzuki PC Sado PC Oki Allied Ships SS Tunny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 30,66 Japanese Ships PC Oki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PC Sado DD Susuzuki Allied Ships SS Scamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Toboali at 22,57 Japanese Ships AK Hakonesan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AK Kusuyama Maru PC Ch 12 PG Busho Maru MSW Tama Maru MSW Wa 3 DD Kisaragi Allied Ships SS Searaven -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 48 TBF Avenger x 22 Wellington III x 55 PV-1 Ventura x 24 Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 3 damaged PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 118 casualties reported Guns lost 8 Airbase hits 4 Runway hits 66 Port hits 1 Port supply hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 10 x TBF Avenger bombing at 19000 feet 6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 19000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 19000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 19000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 19000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 16000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 1st NLF , at 36,27 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 63 P-40E Warhawk x 21 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 41 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 7 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 25 A6M3a Zero x 15 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 38 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 23 Swordfish x 37 T.IVa x 8 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 17 destroyed Swordfish: 12 destroyed, 13 damaged T.IVa: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships DD Natsugumo DD Oboro, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Uranami DD Kiyonami DD Kasumi Aircraft Attacking: 2 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 12 A6M3a Zero x 7 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 47 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged A6M3a Zero: 5 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 28 damaged Japanese Ships DD Kiyonami DD Natsugumo DD Uranami DD Kasumi DD Arare DD Oboro, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 25 A6M3a Zero x 15 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 28 P-40E Warhawk x 61 B-25C Mitchell x 42 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 23 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Kittyhawk I: 11 destroyed, 6 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 26 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged Japanese Ships BB Ise, Bomb hits 3, on fire BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1 DD Hayate Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 20 A6M3a Zero x 10 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 22 P-40E Warhawk x 25 B-25C Mitchell x 3 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 4 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses Kittyhawk I: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged Japanese Ships DD Oboro, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 19 A6M3a Zero x 10 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 Swordfish x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed Swordfish: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships DD Arare DD Uranami DD Kasumi Aircraft Attacking: 1 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 34,80 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 9 A6M3a Zero x 5 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6 Allied aircraft P-40E Warhawk x 3 B-25C Mitchell x 46 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged Japanese Ships DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Kiyonami DD Arare DD Kasumi DD Uranami, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 56,95 Japanese Ships AK Taki Maru DD Naganami CL Agano Allied Ships SS Pompano, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/21/2008 12:43:24 PM)
Meh, that attack was a gigantic waste. 250 Betties and 100-something Helens manage to destroy a total of 5 allied aircraft on the ground.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/21/2008 12:45:59 PM)
Things are going quiet again. Ive shuffled around my airdefences some. I have 150 fighters defending Rangoon and Lauterm, and roughly a hundred defending Gilli Gilli, Koepang, Lae and Ambonia. Im using my Dinah IIIs to recon the Australian bases in the northeast, as far as I can tell he has 250 B25s at Cooktown without any fighter cover. Ive moved all my Bettys to Truk, I might try an attack there. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/12/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 95 encounters mine field at Andaman Island (23,34) Japanese Ships MSW Hinode Maru #18 MSW Banshu Maru #8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 47,114 Japanese Ships SS I-6 Allied Ships DD Helm DD Henley DD Patterson DD Jarvis DD Gridley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Palembang at 20,55 Japanese Ships AK Hakonesan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Searaven -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 47,114 Japanese Ships SS I-6 Allied Ships DD Frazier DD Welles DD Barton DD McCalla DD Saufley DD Radford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 42 TBF Avenger x 31 Wellington III x 57 PV-1 Ventura x 23 Allied aircraft losses TBF Avenger: 1 damaged Wellington III: 1 damaged PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 64 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 61 Port supply hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 7 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 10 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 9 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 1st NLF , at 36,27 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 61 P-40E Warhawk x 20 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 95 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 7 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 47,114 Japanese Ships SS I-6 Allied Ships DD Frazier DD Welles DD Barton DD McCalla DD Saufley DD Radford

Hortlund -> Sitzkrieg (4/23/2008 7:39:16 PM)
Well, things are turning into another period of sitzkrieg. Unfortunately I have nothing interesting to look forward to in the next few months. No new aircraft types coming online for a while, no new interesting ships. The most interesting thing right now is that Im advancing all my PCs to get better ASW, that and Ive restarted the Shinano. Right now Im playing transport tychoon, with the added benefit that every day the allies launch a bomber strike at some irrelevant airfield. Every once in a while they launch at a defended airfield and then I get to watch some interesting combat animations for a while. Sigh...

jwilkerson -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/24/2008 4:37:20 AM)
Hum ... I recommend focusing on LCU placement ... where should the divisions go ... where should the engineers go ... and building .... where to build ... where NOT to build ... those items will be more difficult to control after the Allied offensive gets rolling.

Hortlund -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/24/2008 10:41:48 AM)
well, I think I have pinned down the areas most likely to be hit by an invasion. It is Thursday Island/Port Moresby. The reason is that Castor told me about his failed invasion, and judging from what he said, he has 7 divisions prepped 100% for Port Moresby. If he wants to change that prep, it will take at least two months, he will also have to shift an enormous amount of men and cargo. I have a sub picket line going off the coast of australia between Perth and Broome, and if he tries to move several hundred ships passed that line I will notice. So far it seems he just returned to port and is waiting there. That means all those men and ships are in the ports between Brisbane and Cooktown. That indicates that he will use them in that area. Right now I am moving in two divisions to Port Moresby. One is the battered 5th (who failed at Trincomalee) the division is at 80% strenght and has only 200-something AVs, it is currently walking into Port Moresby and should arrive in a couple of weeks. I am also moving in the 18th from Kawajelein. I will do a massive convoy to get the 18th into Port Moresby. I am bringing in the entire KB save the Kaga who is in Japan repairing a mine hit, a surface TF with two BBs, the convoy carrying the 18th and a convoy with 30 000 supplies. All these ships will form up south of Rabaul and then move to Port Moresby. Should be interesting. I am also in the process of moving one division from Manchuria to Gilli Gilli, the first regiment is embarking the ships at Port Arthur right now. If he comes at Timor I have 900 AVs at Lauterm, 400 at Koepang and the 2nd Tank Division at Soerebaja that can reinforce quickly. I also have two divisions scattered across the small bases around Ambonia. I dont think it is likely that he will come directly from Darwin to Ambonia or the small bases there since it would subject him to massive strikes from several airfields, and he would only have CV aircover to protect him. Lauterm is a different matter however, since he can CAP it with land based fighters. But 900 AVs behind lvl 9 forts should do the trick.

Hortlund -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/26/2008 11:32:37 AM)
The convoy has gathered now. This could be interesting. We are going into waters that can be reached by enemy heavy bombers. He has over 200 of those heavy bombers. at the same time, I cant just let Port Moresby starve, and I need to beef up the defences there since its only a matter of time until he comes with his invasion, and no matter if he comes to Thursday, Port Moresby or Gilli Gilli, the day the first base falls there is the day I cannot run supply convoys there anymore. So, I have gathered the KB, a surface TF with two BBs, and two cargo convoys escorted by heavy cruisers. I am flying in lots of airpower to try to make the skies a little more safe. If all goes well, in two weeks I will have fortified my defences at a critical area. If things go bad... Well, like I said, Im putting most of my fleet in harms way here.

2ndACR -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/26/2008 11:30:34 PM)
I would dump the supplies in Buna and let PM pull it across the trails. Yes, you lose some but it protects your ships.

Hortlund -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/27/2008 1:56:14 PM)
I cant. I already have 30k supplies there but PM does not pull enough. I have a division and two engineer regiments at Buna marching towards PM and that might be why not enough supplies are pulled to PM.

Hortlund -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/27/2008 3:38:23 PM)
The convoy has now left port and is steaming towards a point a couple of hexes south of Gilli Gilli. I am taking the longer route to avoid coastwatches on dot-bases and subs lurking in the area. Tension is high... I could lose parts or all of my counterattack ability if things go disasterously wrong here, but if I make it, I will have built a stone wall right across the most likely allied avenue of attack. I have also embarked 2nd Tank division at Soerebaja, and they will make their way to Thursday Island. If the invasion comes now, Im in trouble, if it comes in two weeks, he is in trouble.

Hortlund -> RE: Sitzkrieg (4/27/2008 8:53:00 PM)
Hehe, today I think I managed to surprise old Castor. I launched a sweep from Port Moresby with A6M3as to Cooktown to clear the way for my bombers, but no CAP was to be seen. So 250 Bettys from Rabaul could attack Cooktown. I torched 85 B25Cs on the ground and lost 25 Bettys to flak. Upon careful examination of my Betty units, I found out I only lost 8 pilots. I call this a great success. Also, the convoy has not been spotted yet...

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (4/29/2008 3:11:47 PM)
Wow... Well, this could be it, the big Midway-type showdown. The RO-60 stumbled across what can only be the main allied CV TF as the screenshot indicates. Im just happy I got at least some warning. I dont know if I have been spotted yet. One or more of my ships were spotted, but I am not sure. On the upside, I have most of my navy in place. Three CVs and one BB just refuelled at Rabaul, the rest of the KB is visible in the screenshot escorting the transport convoy. The surface combat TF in the same hex consists of two BBs and some CAs and CLs. The troop convoy in itself is escorted by 3 CAs. On the downside, I will be facing all of his CVs and 200 B17s and B24s. I am moving my ships closer to shore now, I want to keep maximum range between my ships and the base at Cooktown. Im sending 100+ fighters to LRCAP the surface TF, and Im setting the CVs and BBs to move together. I am not moving in my Betties yet, I believe he will try to nuke one or more of my bases tomorrow. The captain of RO-60 will be getting the biggest medal in the navy. [image]local://upfiles/1562/96E28E73906C4A7AA92363872770F286.jpg[/image]

jwilkerson -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/1/2008 4:40:00 AM)
Well you've been saying you wanted some "action" ... looks like you will get some! [:D]

Nikademus -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/1/2008 5:22:48 AM)
fire! fire! heh heh heh heh heh heh heh

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/5/2008 10:06:36 AM)
Alas... [:(] Castor must have turned south with his carriers. The convoy is one day closer to PM and the US CVs are nowhere in sight.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/5/2008 5:29:17 PM)
Im going to put the 18th into Thursday Island instead of Port Moresby. I have 470-something AV at PM, and Ive got roughly 250 more coming marching in from Buna, they should arrive in a couple of weeks. I can also fly in another 200 from Rabaul and Lae if I want to. So instead of bosting PM up to 1300-something and leaving Thursday at 400, I will put both the 18th Div and the 1st Tank Div at Thursday. That should give 1000 at Thursday and 900 at Port Moresby. I believe he will try to land at Thursday first to use it to choke PM to death and base the invasion from there. Thursday Island is in the temperate zone, while PM is in the malaria zone. Its the sensible way to attack Port Moresby really...base the invasion force at Thursday while you bombard Port Moresby from sea and air, and then just take the short ride over on LCIs. In my game against jumper where Im allied, he forgot to defend Thursday, and it means I got a free beachead on New Guniea, and once you have that first toe-hold, the allies are almost impossible to stop. Therefore Im putting a stone wall up at Thursday.

Hortlund -> Lauterm turkey shoot (5/6/2008 4:24:18 PM)
Disasterous day today. I lost over 100 Tojos in A2A against Corsairs and P38s over Lauterm. Worst part is that I lost close to 80 pilots aswell. I can ill afford that. Those losses are just...staggering. Im pulling all my fighters off Timor, and after the resupply convoy to Thursday Island has finished unloading, Im pulling back my fighters from there too. I cannot compete with the Corsairs, and I already know that I cant shoot down the heavy bombers. Im pulling my fighters off frontline duty for now. Perhaps I'll return in 44 with new models, because this just wont work. My Tojo pilots were not super-aces, but they had experience in the 70s. If they cannot deal with the Corsairs despite outnumbering them, then what am I to expect from my 60-exp pilots? Or the ones with even worse experience than that. Today was a real shock. I must now rely on groundunits only to defend bases closer than 6 hexes from the enemy. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/01/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 119 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 93 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 57 destroyed, 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 14 destroyed, 34 damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 28 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 70 B-25C Mitchell x 171 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 51 destroyed Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged Japanese ground losses: 457 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Airbase hits 22 Airbase supply hits 11 Runway hits 157 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 30 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 34 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 7 P-38G Lightning x 21 B-25C Mitchell x 15 B-17E Fortress x 48 B-24D Liberator x 80 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 48 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 59 Aircraft Attacking: 15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 23 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 10 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/6/2008 7:19:16 PM)
Some payback today. I was really lucky to see my minelayers all survive a huge B17strike. Point taken, the MLs are heading back to port instead of to Thursday Island. I have just about unloaded the 18th Division and now Im waiting for the supplies to unload. The 1st Tank Div is still enroute from Sorong, she should arrive in a couple of days. Im planning to keep the KB and the surface combat TF there to protect the cargo ships. After that, I dont think he will want to attack Thursday Island for a while. On the other hand, perhaps I have tilted the balance too much here, I want to make him pay for his advance, I dont want him to swich avenue of attack to Timor instead. Perhaps I need to reinforce Timor now aswell. ****, Im running out of troops. Im bringing one division from Kwangtung to Gilli Gilli, perhaps I should move it to Timor instead? The carrier strike is my Zuikaku-force (3 CVs) that is south of Gilli Gilli. I wanted to have them there in case he came out to play with his carriers. If he had moved on the KB I would have used these three CVs to ambush his CVs from two directions. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/02/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Thursday Island at 49,90 Japanese Ships DD Shinonome DD Akatsuki DD Yugure DD Wakaba DD Suzukaze DD Yamakaze DD Takanami DD Akizuki Allied Ships SS Seawolf, hits 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Thursday Island at 49,90 Japanese Ships DD Shinonome DD Akatsuki DD Yugure DD Wakaba DD Suzukaze Allied Ships SS Seawolf, hits 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 54,94 Japanese Ships PC Kyo Maru #7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Runner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 57,54 Japanese Ships TK Kaijo Maru PC Ch 10 PG Hayakafuku Maru MSW W.17 Allied Ships SS Pompon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 46 SBD Dauntless x 24 TBF Avenger x 14 Wellington III x 16 PV-1 Ventura x 11 PB4Y Liberator x 12 Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 3 damaged PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 92 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 17 Port hits 4 Port supply hits 3 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 12 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 2 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet 3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet 2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 42,78 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 19 B-17E Fortress x 43 No Allied losses Japanese Ships ML Ishizaki ML Shirakami ML Kamome ML Saishu ML Hirashima ML Naryu Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 50,108 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 27 A6M3a Zero x 15 B5N Kate x 45 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val: 8 damaged B5N Kate: 3 damaged Allied Ships DD Gansevoort DD Anderson DD Hughes, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage DD Edwards, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage DD Hammann, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Meade, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 50,108 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 17 A6M3a Zero x 4 B5N Kate x 24 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val: 4 damaged B5N Kate: 2 damaged Allied Ships DD Hammann, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Hughes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Gansevoort DD Edwards, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage DD Anderson Aircraft Attacking: 1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/9/2008 6:19:04 PM)
What sort of crap is this? 30 Tojos vs 4 B17s, then 19 vs 4 B24s and I dont shoot down a single bomber? Not only that, they get through to bomb the target aswell? Ok, so I cant stop his bombers even when my fighters outnumber him 4-1 or 7-1? Wtf... AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/08/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 42,78 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11 Allied aircraft PV-1 Ventura x 4 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses PV-1 Ventura: 4 damaged Japanese Ships AK India Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 4 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged Japanese Ships AK Nittatsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 39,74 Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 4 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged Japanese Ships AP Shozan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/10/2008 6:21:18 PM)
Heh, old castor must be really frustrated that he cant touch my carriers with his land based air from Darwin. Ive got pretty much the entire Japanese airforce in this area right now capping the TFs. He hit the Yamato TF (diversion coming down from Ambonia) for no damage, and today he just launched two small strikes that were wiped out by the TF CAP of over 250 fighters. In his desperation, he sends out his PTs to try a mid-ocean incercept. I thought we had houserules against that, but apparently this target was too important. He failed though, apparently he didnt expect my carriers to move that far this turn. He really seem frustrated. He had set a trap for the KB with his entire CV force hovering south of Gilli Gilli, waiting for the return of my carriers no doubt. But instead of facing his CVs on his terms I chose to withdraw north under heavy fighter cover. This must have annoyed him mightily. He thinks too highly of his LBA. [image]local://upfiles/1562/53C71D6FDA9545E586F171743BA9C0BB.jpg[/image]

ny59giants -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/10/2008 6:32:33 PM)
I'm playing CHS 158c (Nik Mod) as the Allies. Not until the arrival of Jack's did my B-17/24 suffer serious a2a losses (most were by flak and op losses).

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/10/2008 6:36:14 PM)
This is what the CAP over KB looks like right now. I must say Im pretty impressed myself, especially since there are only 4 CVs and 4 CVLs in this version of the KB. 3 CVs are at Truk and one in Japan. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,76 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 61 A6M3a Zero x 198 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 123 Allied aircraft PV-1 Ventura x 1 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/10/2008 6:39:31 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants I'm playing CHS 158c (Nik Mod) as the Allies. Not until the arrival of Jack's did my B-17/24 suffer serious a2a losses (most were by flak and op losses). Yeah, Ive noticed that too. And considering just how bad my fighters did against his corsairs, Im going to pull all of my Zero units off the line after the KB has escaped. Im thinking about putting the entire fleet and all my Zeros in Japan. There they will haunt his every move, he will constantly fear their arrival, and he will constantly be forced to put up huge protection for all his advances. Then, in 1944, I might use them again. I have stocked the forward bases with combat units, I really dont think I should add more to the first defensive line since Ive got pretty decent defences now, around 1000 AV at the likely attack-spots (Lautem and Thursday Island) and 600 at the neighbouring bases. That should be enough for now.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/10/2008 8:46:12 PM)
Hm, somethings up. Now hes brought his carriers back to Thursday Island. Is this the beginning of the invasion?

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/11/2008 12:02:32 PM)
Nope, they sailed past Thursday Island and seem to be heading to Darwin now. Ive been looking for AKs or APs among them, but no such thing. So, is this an indication of a switch in attack axis? Im sending troop transports to Noumea to pull out my troops from Luganville and Noumea and instead use them in the lower NEI.

Hortlund -> RE: The cancelled allied offensive (5/11/2008 12:45:45 PM)
The KB made it out of harms way. At one point I had fighters from five airfields flying LRCAP over the carriers, I guess that proved too much for the bombers to dare launch against. I wonder what would have happened if he had launched 200 4Es against 400 fighters.

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