RE: The air war

RE: The air war (Full Version)

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Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/25/2008 11:55:12 PM)
Apparently it was a false alarm at Norfolk Island. An allied surface combat TF visited the island and went away again. No combat and no bombardment. Perhaps he was testing my defences, perhaps he was looking for mines. Norfolk Island moves up the list of probable allied objectives at this point in time though. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships DD Usugumo DD Kisaragi DD Nagatsuki DD Urakaze BB Yamato Allied Ships SS Trusty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships APD APD-37 Allied Ships SS Trusty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 38,127 Japanese Ships SS I-23 Allied Ships DD Electra DD Russell DD Mustin DD Hammann DD Hughes DD Meredith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 38,127 Japanese Ships SS I-23 Allied Ships DD Electra DD Russell DD Mustin DD Hammann DD Hughes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Japanese aircraft no flights Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 93 P-40E Warhawk x 18 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 35 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 6 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 10 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 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92 Japanese aircraft Ki-21 Sally x 15 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 10,34 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Scout Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 10,34 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 2 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Wagtail Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 10,34 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 13 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Wagtail, Bomb hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 10,35 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Lake Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet I wonder what this is...Ive spotted 8-9 mini-TFs between Ceylon and NEI. The hit rate by my sea planes is appalling. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships APD APD-37 Allied Ships SS Trusty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Darwin at 36,84 Japanese Ships SS I-27 Allied Ships DD MacDonough DD Aylwin DD Pakenham DD Foxhound DD Fox -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships APD APD-37 Allied Ships SS Trusty, hits 5, on fire Trusty should sink after two solid hits. I am setting a trap tomorrow. Today I have moved all fighters from Koepang to Soerebaja. Instead I have filled the base with worthless dive bombers and bombers with low exp. All these bombers are on ASW duty. I expect Castor to react to this somehow. Either he will launch a strike at the base, and then my fighters from Dilli will intercept (they have LRCAP-orders to this base) or he will move around his units in Australia. Im expecting to see more fighters over Derby. Anyway, I have ordered all the bombers here so his intel shows a base full of bombers. Tomorrow, or the day after that (we'll see) I will fly out all these dive-bombers, and instead I will fly in Helens and a couple of Zero wings as escorts. They will then attack Derby at the same time as my BBs arrive. I have two BBs that are three days out from Derby. Tomorrow I will order two destroyers to do a surface sweep of the harbor, the day after that the BBs arrive, and the same day the Helens will bomb. Its a complex manuever, but it might work. I need to start making the allied last-move-intel work in my favour. Here is the bait... [image]local://upfiles/1562/5EE8F343641E45D48C92823926A97384.jpg[/image]

jwilkerson -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 4:22:12 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund No no no...not invade. Just destroy the bases and the ships caught in that trap. Oh, sorry, I made an invalid assumption! [:(] Also, I chatted with Nik a bit - and he thinks "damage" to aircraft is more meaningful in this mod that in stock - so you might be "suppressing" his air even if you are NOT killing it. In your place - I might try to use my ships and air as a "distraction" to cover movement of more troops and supply into Timor - build, build, build. And also take on the other little Islands north/northeast of Darwin. Every distraction you offer him might slow him down. And dig, dig, dig. And early attack in the SRA is the most dangerous to your strategic supplies. Action in Burma is next most dangerous. Your least dangerous defensive sector is CenPac/SoPac ... you can yeild without a fight there. You prolly need more reserve divisions in Burma too :) BTW I will now follow the Admiral Laurent rule. Either post only in one side of AAR or read both and do not post in either. Since I post here - I cannot even read Castor's thread - and I haven't since the game "restarted" and will not again.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 11:09:48 AM)
HAHA, busted. He saw the bait and took it. Over 150 B-25s tried to attack my bombers on the ground. I had good LRCAP from Dilli over Koepang, and the result was...again severely dissappointing. Despite me ambushing 150 bombers with 45 fighters I managed a pitiful 3 kills. Lots of B25s were damaged though, and his morale must be in shambles now...More than half his bombers were turned back by my fighters. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/19/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Norfolk Island at 60,119 Japanese Ships SS RO-68, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships DD Napier DD Hotspur Wonder what he is doing here. Probably probing for some sort of reaction to test my defences. Ive got the Akagi-TF coming in, but they will refuel at Guadalcanal and then just hover in that area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 31,75 Japanese Ships AP Toko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS O23 Japanese ground losses: 72 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships APD APD-37 Allied Ships SS S-44, hits 1, on fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 33,76 Japanese Ships AK Nitiyu Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS S-18, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 106 P-40E Warhawk x 17 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 99 casualties reported Airbase hits 5 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 39 Aircraft Attacking: 13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 13 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 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 A6M3 Zero x 19 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4 Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 14 B-25C Mitchell x 157 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged A6M3 Zero: 6 damaged Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed H8K Emily: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 55 damaged Japanese ground losses: 158 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Runway hits 7 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet This is pathetic. Intel shows me I shot down 3 B25s and another 4 were lost to ops. All in all 7 losses for that which should have been a massacre... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,79 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 8 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Shirakumo DD Sagiri Aircraft Attacking: 1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet These are the two destroyers that will scout Derby harbor tomorrow. The day after that, two BBs come in, the BBs will have aircover from the Zuikaku-TF. The Zuikaku TF will patrol 8 hexes from Derby, the BBs will wait 6 hexes off before the bombardment run. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships DD Usugumo CA Chokai DD Kisaragi DD Nagatsuki DD Urakaze Allied Ships SS S-44 I will commence the attack on Derby tomorrow. The fight will start with two destroyers doing a sweep of the harbor to check for traps. During the morning hours, two Zero wings from Koepang will do a sweep over the base. Later, around noon my Helens will arrive from Koepang together with an escort of 30 Zeros. After that attack, the Helens and Zeros will transfer back to Soerebaja, and a new bomber wing will move in to Koepang, this time Sallys with 60-70 exp. During these attacks tomorrow, the BBs will move into position for a bombardment strike, they will be under the protective cap of the Zuikaku TF, where I have ordered 100 Zeros on LRCAP to cover the BBs. The fighters and the BB armor should be enough to prevent any damage. The BBs will then do their bombardment run in the same day as the Sallys attack Derby from Koepang. It is a rather complicated operation, but I hope we can finally do some damage to the allied bandits. [image]local://upfiles/1562/EB4DB5DD178E4BBEA208F3E115ED2FE5.jpg[/image]

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 11:17:24 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jwilkerson quote: ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund No no no...not invade. Just destroy the bases and the ships caught in that trap. Oh, sorry, I made an invalid assumption! [:(] Also, I chatted with Nik a bit - and he thinks "damage" to aircraft is more meaningful in this mod that in stock - so you might be "suppressing" his air even if you are NOT killing it. In your place - I might try to use my ships and air as a "distraction" to cover movement of more troops and supply into Timor - build, build, build. And also take on the other little Islands north/northeast of Darwin. Every distraction you offer him might slow him down. And dig, dig, dig. And early attack in the SRA is the most dangerous to your strategic supplies. Action in Burma is next most dangerous. Your least dangerous defensive sector is CenPac/SoPac ... you can yeild without a fight there. You prolly need more reserve divisions in Burma too :) BTW I will now follow the Admiral Laurent rule. Either post only in one side of AAR or read both and do not post in either. Since I post here - I cannot even read Castor's thread - and I haven't since the game "restarted" and will not again. Ah good to have someone in my corner [:)] Well, you can tell Nik that the damage doesnt really seem to do that much harm. Two days ago I damaged 58 B25s out of a strike of 192, and today he came back with 157. This time I damaged 55, so if the math holds, he should be able to return the day after tomorrow with 110 B25s. Now I know I made half the force turn back today, and that his bombing was almost completely ineffective...I do find it important to note however, that despite all this...despite my ambush of 45 fighters against 150 unescorted bombers, despite his low morale, despite all the damaged bombers...despite all this, he managed to destroy more aircraft on the ground than he lost in the attack. Now, that might not seem to matter that much when he only lost 5-7 and I lost 7-9, but what will this mean in one year...when he can mount 2,3, 400-plane raids with heavy bombers? If I lose more than him when he comes unescorted...If I lose more than him when I have expert pilots against unescorted B25s...what will that mean when I have less experienced pilots and he can escort his bombers with P38s and P51s? I will have no chance to defend the SRA against his bombers. No chance whatsoever.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 1:28:43 PM)
Day 1 of the attack. We achieved some of our objectives. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 33,77 Japanese Ships ML Hirashima ML Nasami ML Natsushima Allied Ships SS Pompano -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 51,114 Japanese Ships SS I-170, hits 5, on fire Allied Ships PG Swan APD Stringham APD McKean APD Little APD Colhoun APD Manley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Tambor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16 Allied aircraft Wellington III x 138 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged D3A Val: 5 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 14 damaged Japanese ground losses: 466 casualties reported Airbase hits 27 Airbase supply hits 10 Runway hits 120 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 12 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 79 Ki-49 Helen x 82 Ki-46-II Dinah x 5 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 7 destroyed, 57 damaged Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed Allied ground losses: 27 casualties reported Airbase hits 12 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 32 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 17 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 17 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet We take heavy losses due to flak, but meet no opposition in the air. All bombers are moved to Soerebaja, and a new group of 150 bombers are moved into Koepang. They will attack tomorrow. The Zero escort can be recycled since they took only marginal ops losses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 88 P-40E Warhawk x 18 Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 87 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Vehicles lost 5 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 11 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92 Japanese aircraft Ki-21 Sally x 17 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet 6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 16 Hurricane IIb x 32 A-24 Dauntless x 14 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Sagiri, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet For some reason the destroyers remained in Derby. Bad move destroyers. Both sink. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 2 B-26B Marauder x 27 B-17E Fortress x 22 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Sagiri, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet These bombers come from Wyndham. Recon shows 150 bombers and no fighters at Wyndham, so tomorrow I have ordered 80 Bettys to attack the base from Kendari. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 23,79 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 9 B-25C Mitchell x 61 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged Japanese Ships BB Ise, Bomb hits 4 BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 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 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 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 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet The bombs just bounce off the BBs, they will bombard Derby tomorrow. I have also detached 3 CAs from the carrier escorts to do a bombardment run on Derby, these CAs arrive the day after tomorrow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Tambor Tomorrow we continue. Planned attacks are. 1) BB run on Derby with 2 BBs 2) Helens/Sallys attack on Derby with 150 bombers from Koepang. 3) Betty attack on Wyndham with 80 bombers from Kendari. I have moved alot of dive bombers to Lauterm to give the impression of a base full of bombers. This to force him to keep some sort of defence at Darwin. The day after tomorrow planned attacks are. 1) CA run on Derby with 3 CA. 2) Helens/Sallys attack on Derby with 150 bombers (new ones) from Koepang.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 4:38:54 PM)
Day 2 of our offensive see our first victories. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 34 encounters mine field at Noumea (68,113) Japanese Ships AP Otori Maru, and is sunk AK Nitiyu Maru, and is sunk MSW Asahi Maru DD Otori -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 26,65 Japanese Ships APD APD-39 APD APD-36 APD APD-35 DD Oboro DD Hatsuharu Allied Ships SS KXVI, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8 Allied aircraft Wellington III x 119 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed D3A Val: 6 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 273 casualties reported Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 126 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 11 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 20 Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 No Japanese losses No defensive fighters over Wyndham? Thanks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 80 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 20 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 10 destroyed Hudson I: 1 destroyed B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 117 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Vehicles lost 1 Airbase hits 22 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 66 Aircraft Attacking: 17 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 26 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet Because then my Bettys can come in unopposed. We torch alot of aircraft on the ground here. I think he did not expect this attack. Good. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 36 Ki-21 Sally x 32 Ki-49 Helen x 50 Ki-46-II Dinah x 2 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 26 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed, 32 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed Swordfish: 5 destroyed Hudson I: 1 destroyed A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 103 casualties reported Vehicles lost 2 Airbase hits 13 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 56 Aircraft Attacking: 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet And here comes the attack on Derby. No defenders, lots of aircraft destroyed on the ground. Including 10 Swordfish. Excellent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 30 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on No. 112 RAN Base Force, at 54,92 Japanese aircraft Ki-21 Sally x 20 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 32 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet 9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 23,79 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 29 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 45 B-26B Marauder x 21 B-17E Fortress x 19 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 12 damaged B-26B Marauder: 7 damaged B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged Japanese Ships CA Ashigara CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 2 CA Mogami Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-26B Marauder 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-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet A counterstrike on the 3 CA-task force. Fortunately it is under the protective umbrella of the zuikaku-TF. Although we only get 20 Zeros into the air, we do alot of damage. And again the abysmal morale of the allies is visible as roughly half the attacking B25s turn around. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 24,80 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 32 B-25C Mitchell x 12 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Japanese Ships BB Ise BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 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 Here we have no CAP. I wonder why the BBs are still here. They were ordered to bombard Derby, but they just moved one hex towards the port. What the ****? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 24,83 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 16 Swordfish x 10 Allied aircraft losses Swordfish: 1 damaged Japanese Ships DD Shiranuhi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet 4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet This is just a diversion. Its great to see he wastes his attacks on them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 23,79 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 12 B-25C Mitchell x 36 B-26B Marauder x 18 B-17E Fortress x 14 Allied aircraft losses A-20B Boston: 1 damaged Japanese Ships CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2 CA Ashigara CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-26B Marauder 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 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress 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-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet This is a PM strike from Derby and Broome. They went in unopposed. Still, no damage to my CAs.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 4:41:07 PM)
For tomorrow Im ordering the BBs to attack AGAIN, as well as the CAs. Bombers have been shifted at Koepang, and another 150 bomber strike is heading to Derby tomorrow. Bettys will hit Wyndham again. Zeros will sweep Derby and Wyndham in case he tries to put up a defensive CAP. I have also moved the Yamato a few hexes east to give the impression of another hit on Darwin, that should force him to keep some airpower at Darwin.

tlkiilerich -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 5:41:00 PM)
I would guess that the reason your BB's didn't go in, is because they couldn't reach the target.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 5:46:19 PM)
Perhaps, but the BBs were heading back to their home port, not their bombardment target...

tlkiilerich -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 5:48:24 PM)
I see that a lot after a bombardment TF's has been attacked by air, guess the commander chicken out....

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 8:16:09 PM)
Day 3 of our offensive and we reach one of the 4 goals of this offensive. Derby has been abandoned by allied air. I will mount attacks on Derby for a couple of more days, and then turn all attention to Broome. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat at 25,84 Japanese Ships DD Shiranuhi, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships AK Modjekerto, Shell hits 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships CA Mogami CA Ashigara Allied ground losses: 137 casualties reported Guns lost 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships BB Ise BB Mutsu Allied ground losses: 204 casualties reported Guns lost 5 What the ****? 500 casualties and 10 guns? Ise/Mutsu are ordered to turn back and bombard again, the 2 CAs are to replenish ammo at Koepang and then return. Another BB is dispatched from the Zuikaku TF to bombard Derby, should arrive in 2 days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29 Allied aircraft CW-22 Falcon x 3 B-26B Marauder x 44 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 102 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 12 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 56 Aircraft Attacking: 41 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 21 Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 14 Hurricane IIb x 59 Kittyhawk I x 37 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 damaged Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 31 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 10 Hurricane IIb x 40 Kittyhawk I x 26 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed, 27 damaged Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged Unfortunately my sweep is cut up in to two strikes. I lose heavily because of this, but the second sweep does some really good damage on the allies. Fighters are sent back to Soerebaja for rest and refit, new fighter wings are flown in to take their place. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 37 Ki-21 Sally x 37 Ki-49 Helen x 72 Ki-46-II Dinah x 4 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed, 42 damaged Allied ground losses: 39 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Airbase hits 20 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 102 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 84 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 55 damaged Allied ground losses: 5 casualties reported Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 54 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet Apparently he has withdrawn everything in the air from Derby. Perfect. It is much easier to destroy an undefended base than a defended one. Helen/Sallys are rotated to Soerebaja, new bombers are flown in. Tomorrow we will attack with 120 more bombers. Escort is recycled again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 6th Tank Regiment, at 34,27 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 94 P-40E Warhawk x 21 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 45 casualties reported Vehicles lost 3 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 10 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 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92 Japanese aircraft Ki-21 Sally x 13 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet 5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85 Allied aircraft Swordfish x 12 No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Shiranuhi, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet Torpedo bombers are operating out of Broome. Good to know. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 3,53 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 Japanese aircraft losses E7K2 Alf: 8 damaged Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 3,53 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 2 Japanese aircraft losses E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 3,53 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 13 Japanese aircraft losses E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales Aircraft Attacking: 1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet PoW is retreating to India. This is off Java, near the edge of the map. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 26,83 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 15 B5N Kate x 21 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Wildebeeste, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 1 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 Poor bastard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78 Japanese Ships DD Urakaze APD APD-37 Allied Ships SS S-38 Orders for tomorrow. 1) New airstrike from Koepang to Derby. 2) Bettys are moved to Truk for rest and refit, new Bettys are flown in to Macassar. 80 Bettys from Macassar ordered to recon Broome tomorrow to prep for bombardment. 3) BB squadron currently off Java ordered to strike Broome. They should arrive in 4 days, they will be protected by the carriers. 4) Ise/Mutsu ordered to bombard Derby again. 5) Yamato to move to protect Lauterm. I will move Yamato over to Koepang in a few days and use her to bombard Derby.

Nikademus -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 8:33:11 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund Well, you can tell Nik that the damage doesnt really seem to do that much harm. Two days ago I damaged 58 B25s out of a strike of 192, and today he came back with 157. This time I damaged 55, so if the math holds, he should be able to return the day after tomorrow with 110 B25s. Now I know I made half the force turn back today, and that his bombing was almost completely ineffective...I do find it important to note however, that despite all this...despite my ambush of 45 fighters against 150 unescorted bombers, despite his low morale, despite all the damaged bombers...despite all this, he managed to destroy more aircraft on the ground than he lost in the attack. The cumulative effect of damage on the bombers does require some time to have effect if a very large # are being used. The most "immediate" effect is what you've already noted....shredded morale making the bombers easy to drive off. Alas, what's "missing" from the current WitP code is the ability for AA guns to disrupt bomber aim. Creates a big hole in base defense. Also, if your attacker reinforces with fresh groups that will reduce the "immediate" effect of reduced follow up raids. The ability to mass aircraft and attack is not addressed in standard Nikmod. You'd have to try the "experimental" version with the greatly reduced AV support, or Guadmod. (of course in the grand campaign exper. version, there's nothing to stop a player from stacking alot of ENG units to generate greater levels of AV without a house rule.....but even in lieu of that, there won't be enough base forces to go around to do that all over the map. AE is supposed to also address the instant repair and high servicability rates seen all over the map for both sides. The code "equivilent" to what i was attempting in Guadmod and "experimental" Nikmod 9.2

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 9:19:15 PM)
I really love your mod Nik, and its the only variant of witp Ive played since it first came out. I have had some really bad experiences in this game though. Ive lost 30+ Bettys in a raid where 60 Bettys came alone against 40 allied fighters (Hurricanes), but when 190 B25s come alone against 70 Zeros, I only shoot down 5 and damage 50. In a raid where 11 Hudsons came alone against 40 Zeros I only shot down 3...etc. It makes me wonder if the Japs are punished too hard in the early game because of their puny armament.

Nikademus -> RE: The air war (1/26/2008 10:03:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund I really love your mod Nik, and its the only variant of witp Ive played since it first came out. I have had some really bad experiences in this game though. Ive lost 30+ Bettys in a raid where 60 Bettys came alone against 40 allied fighters (Hurricanes), but when 190 B25s come alone against 70 Zeros, I only shoot down�5 and damage 50. In a raid where 11 Hudsons came alone against 40 Zeros I only shot down 3...etc. It makes me wonder if the Japs are punished too hard in the early game because of their puny armament. Thx. I'm glad your enjoying it. I do feel your pain too. I just about slap my forehead every time the mod gives me back a result that I know is bad, but as Bombur has reminded me on occasion, its the big picture effect that has to be kept in mind too. The funny thing is that based on my ongoing air combat research, the latter result you mentioned is actually the more realistic result. Anytime your shooting down more than a half dozen planes, especially bombers in one skirmish or set of skirmishes, its more the exception than the rule. (air combat is not nearly as bloody as most people tend to assume) Now losing 30 G4M's out of 60 vs. 40 Allied fighters? Now thats BS, even with unarmored bombers. I hate results like that! As far as the mod is concerned.....yes the Japanese early war fighters are going to have a much harder time vs armored Allied bombers. In the case of the lightly armed fighters they are still too weak. Even a Ki-27 can shoot down a 2E and did more than once during the SRA campaign. Ki-43's shot down B-24's more than once. Zeros are middle of the road and are highly dependant on pilot exp to score decent kills against bombers. They may be a tad weak but not by much. They can be overpowerful in large #'s vs enemy fighters if they have high experience. Bombur and I found this out in our GuadMod campaign. I'd spent alot of time "tuning" the Zero and Wildcat for that scenario. When used in "historical" numbers at short range, the results tend to be good. But as we found out, when employed "witp" style en mass in a large super-KB formation they punk'd the F4F's good. Yet the tuning worked well at historical level, and yet another compromise was that at long range (like range 11 attacks on Lunga), the Zero is at a disadvantage. Not completely ahistorical given the RL situation but the kill ratio tends to favor the F4F a bit much. Still overall....."big picture", the loss rates look good. Less than 2:1 in favor of the Zero from Aug - Dec. (something like 77 F4F's lost to 53 Zeros) This despite the nature of the play....(bombur doesn't do the daily raid thing....tends to horde for the right moment than attack) With the more accurate direct loss of fighters though, yes a problem of bombers being able to overly pummel airbases does present itself unless other countermeasures are taken. (like using lots of AA or dispersal tactics) I'm hoping AE will address some of these as well as curb the ability to do those ridiculous "154 B-25" raids that are so common....or the 150 plane "fighter sweep" silly stuff folks. [:)] Bomber and fighter ops tended to revolve more around squadron sized engagements. "Big" raids were less common, required more effort to organize and even then tended to be smaller. For example a stated "Big" raid in Tunisia in early 43 constituted elements of two B-17 BG's and totaled a whopping 49 planes minus 5 aborts. Not here!

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 2:01:04 PM)
Two days now. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 38,127 Japanese Ships SS I-23 Allied Ships MSW Cessnock, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Cowra MSW Cootamundra MSW Castlemaine MSW Benalla DD Voyager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships CL Kuma BB Hiei Allied ground losses: 78 casualties reported Guns lost 1 I really dont understand these bombardment results. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 37 Ki-21 Sally x 50 Ki-49 Helen x 24 Ki-46-II Dinah x 7 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21 Sally: 10 destroyed, 30 damaged Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses Swordfish: 3 destroyed A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 20 casualties reported Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 44 Aircraft Attacking: 16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet He tried to move in some bombers to Derby, and he is caught on the ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Broome , at 21,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 93 No Japanese losses A fighter sweep from the carriers. No opposition. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,80 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 29 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Japanese Ships BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1 CL Kuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 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 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 25,81 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 4 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Tokuwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,79 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 12 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged Japanese Ships CA Ashigara CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,80 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 9 No Allied losses Japanese Ships CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 20,79 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 7 Allied aircraft losses A-20B Boston: 1 damaged Japanese Ships CA Haguro CA Maya Aircraft Attacking: 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/25/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 1024 encounters mine field at Lautem (33,78) Allied Ships SS Dolphin, Mine hits 1, on fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships BB Hiei Allied ground losses: 22 casualties reported Guns lost 3 This is getting ridiculous. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships CA Mogami CA Ashigara Allied ground losses: 130 casualties reported Guns lost 2 I dont understand why my bombardment is so amazingly ineffective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CA Haguro, Shell hits 3 CA Maya, Shell hits 3 CA Chikuma Allied ground losses: 245 casualties reported Guns lost 7 Broome is just as bad. Here he pulled out his aircraft too. The base is undamaged so he is just trying to avoid losses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 26,64 Japanese Ships ML Ukishima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ML Ishizaki Allied Ships SS KXVI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Lashio , at 35,30 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 108 P-40E Warhawk x 24 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 15 casualties reported Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 10 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 14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet 2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 44 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 75 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 14 Hurricane IIb x 31 P-40B Tomahawk x 37 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 15 destroyed, 31 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged Hurricane IIb: 23 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed, 13 damaged Excellent. The key seems to be in numbers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 159 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 17 Hurricane IIb x 35 Kittyhawk I x 26 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 17 destroyed, 10 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 10 destroyed Hurricane IIb: 24 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 20 destroyed He lost 100 fighters in the air today, I lost 45. Tomorrow I will stand down and defend my bases, and the day after tomorrow I will return. These numbers should cause great concern for him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 5 Ki-49 Helen x 34 Ki-46-II Dinah x 5 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 26 damaged Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 4 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet Bombing from higher altitude gave almost no change in losses, but severe change in accuracy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Broome , at 21,85 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 99 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 4 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 16 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet Same here. Pitiful result. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,80 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 6 Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged Japanese Ships BB Hiei Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,79 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 9 No Allied losses Japanese Ships CA Ashigara CA Mogami Aircraft Attacking: 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,80 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 8 B-25C Mitchell x 20 Allied aircraft losses A-20B Boston: 2 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged Japanese Ships BB Ise, Bomb hits 1 BB Mutsu Aircraft Attacking: 2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston 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 27,80 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 6 B-25C Mitchell x 15 No Allied losses Japanese Ships BB Ise, Bomb hits 1 BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 3 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 26,80 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 26 Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 5 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged His moral is pitiful. Tomorrow Im moving the carriers in further towards Darwin. If everything goes according to plan, I should be able to attack darwin in 3-4 days.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 2:05:31 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Nikademus Thx. I'm glad your enjoying it. I do feel your pain too. I just about slap my forehead every time the mod gives me back a result that I know is bad, but as Bombur has reminded me on occasion, its the big picture effect that has to be kept in mind too. The funny thing is that based on my ongoing air combat research, the latter result you mentioned is actually the more realistic result. Anytime your shooting down more than a half dozen planes, especially bombers in one skirmish or set of skirmishes, its more the exception than the rule. (air combat is not nearly as bloody as most people tend to assume) Now losing 30 G4M's out of 60 vs. 40 Allied fighters? Now thats BS, even with unarmored bombers. I hate results like that! As far as the mod is concerned.....yes the Japanese early war fighters are going to have a much harder time vs armored Allied bombers. In the case of the lightly armed fighters they are still too weak. Even a Ki-27 can shoot down a 2E and did more than once during the SRA campaign. Ki-43's shot down B-24's more than once. Zeros are middle of the road and are highly dependant on pilot exp to score decent kills against bombers. They may be a tad weak but not by much. They can be overpowerful in large #'s vs enemy fighters if they have high experience. Bombur and I found this out in our GuadMod campaign. I'd spent alot of time "tuning" the Zero and Wildcat for that scenario. When used in "historical" numbers at short range, the results tend to be good. But as we found out, when employed "witp" style en mass in a large super-KB formation they punk'd the F4F's good. Yet the tuning worked well at historical level, and yet another compromise was that at long range (like range 11 attacks on Lunga), the Zero is at a disadvantage. Not completely ahistorical given the RL situation but the kill ratio tends to favor the F4F a bit much. Still overall....."big picture", the loss rates look good. Less than 2:1 in favor of the Zero from Aug - Dec. (something like 77 F4F's lost to 53 Zeros) This despite the nature of the play....(bombur doesn't do the daily raid thing....tends to horde for the right moment than attack) With the more accurate direct loss of fighters though, yes a problem of bombers being able to overly pummel airbases does present itself unless other countermeasures are taken. (like using lots of AA or dispersal tactics) I'm hoping AE will address some of these as well as curb the ability to do those ridiculous "154 B-25" raids that are so common....or the 150 plane "fighter sweep" silly stuff folks. [:)] Bomber and fighter ops tended to revolve more around squadron sized engagements. "Big" raids were less common, required more effort to organize and even then tended to be smaller. For example a stated "Big" raid in Tunisia in early 43 constituted elements of two B-17 BG's and totaled a whopping 49 planes minus 5 aborts. Not here! Yeah, I cant wait for AE and a more realistic approach to aircraft numbers. No more 300+ fighter super dogfights in 1942, no more 200 bomber-raids. I think that will go a long way to fix lots of whats broken in aircombat in witp today. Meanwhile, I agree that your mod has "cured" most of what can be cured in witp. However, it does become disheartening to play the japs and feel completely impotent against the allied bombers. But I understand that the big picture looks ok. The odd occurances where you lose half your bomber fleet are frustrating though..

jwilkerson -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 5:02:17 PM)
In my experience the big naval bombardments are not the be-all end-all some people seem to think. I suspect the reason these did not NUC the enemy as you suspected was based on the number of operations points the TFs had available when they reached the targets. The number of coastal guns present could also matter. Trying to keep these airfields suppresed is looking to be a very expensive and temporary thing for you. I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 7:59:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jwilkerson In my experience the big naval bombardments are not the be-all end-all some people seem to think. I suspect the reason these did not NUC the enemy as you suspected was based on the number of operations points the TFs had available when they reached the targets. The number of coastal guns present could also matter. Trying to keep these airfields suppresed is looking to be a very expensive and temporary thing for you. I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area. Yes its costly indeed. The one reason Im doing this attack is because I want to disrupt his campaign against Timor and I want to kill his BBs at Darwin. He has two BBs and lots of other ships that are caught like fish in a barrel. They cant escape west, because that would take them past Port Moresby, and they cant escape east because I have closed off the area with my CVs. Its proving costly to prevent his airforce from defending the ships though, but I believe I am making some progress.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 8:07:24 PM)
Today I rested my airunits at Timor. The day sees a huge attack in Burma. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/26/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed Japanese Ships CL Naka BB Haruna BB Yamashiro Allied ground losses: 729 casualties reported Guns lost 13 Vehicles lost 4 Airbase hits 13 Airbase supply hits 5 Runway hits 50 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed Japanese Ships CA Haguro CA Maya CA Chikuma Allied ground losses: 14 casualties reported Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 23 He has flown in B25s to Broome. My bombardment takes out 7 and disrupts the land units there pretty good. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Norfolk Island, at 60,119 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 86 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships CL Concord CL Marblehead, Shell hits 18 CA Australia, Shell hits 32 Japanese ground losses: 59 casualties reported Guns lost 5 Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 9 Well, I think its official now. Norfolk Island is his first target. My shore batteries give his cruisers a bloody nose however. If each hit did at least one sys damage, then both cruisers are out of the action for months. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 25,63 Japanese Ships MSW Toshi Maru #1 MSW Tama Maru #2 MSW Banshu Maru #8 MSW Bisan Maru Allied Ships SS KXVI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 136 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 107 P-40E Warhawk x 71 SB-2c x 1 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 57 destroyed, 22 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 58 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed, 53 damaged First sweep of Mandalay. I give as good as I get. Even better... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 62 P-40E Warhawk x 38 Hurricane IIc x 13 A-20B Boston x 2 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 29 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 37 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged Hurricane IIc: 11 damaged Second sweep, this time I am on the recieving end. I wonder why there was such a huge difference in outcome between the first and second sweeps. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 58 Allied aircraft Wellington III x 94 P-40B Tomahawk x 28 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed, 15 damaged Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 7 destroyed, 80 damaged P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 19 damaged Japanese ground losses: 253 casualties reported Guns lost 11 Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 34 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 5 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 2 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 2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet And here come the bombers. over 80 damaged, this should put an end to the raids for a week at least. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26 Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 46 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged Japanese ground losses: 28 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Runway hits 6 Aircraft Attacking: 34 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 11000 feet 9 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 11000 feet Less effective AA this time around. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 25,63 Japanese Ships MSW Bisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Toshi Maru #1 MSW Tama Maru #2 MSW Banshu Maru #8 Allied Ships SS KXVI Tomorrow I have ordered another sweep of Darwin and Wyndham. I have ordered a Betty strike on Wyndham in case he decides not to fight me there. There are over 160 bombers on that base, and that is just too good of a target to miss. My CVs are moving into position for the Darwin attack. I have AgakiTF in place in three days (coming from Port Moresby) and ZuikakuTF will move around Timor to the north. I didnt want to risk a run under the guns by taking the southern route. If the sweep is good tomorrow, I will move in bombers instead to Lauterm and start bombing the base. Two days of such bombings will be followed by an Alpha strike from the CVs and all the Bettys I can get my hands on.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/27/2008 8:18:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jwilkerson I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area. Oh, and a "side effect" of this attack is that Ive reinforced Timor with 2/3rds of one division, several flak and engineer units. Not to mention tens of thousands of supply that I have on my bases now.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 10:27:10 AM)
Day 6 of the offensive. We are closing in on Darwin. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/27/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 1071 encounters mine field at Norfolk Island (60,119) Allied Ships DD Electra, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage He is continuing his probe of Norfolk Island. Reasonably this should mean that there is a CV-TF in this area aswell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships BB Ise BB Mutsu Allied ground losses: 1022 casualties reported Guns lost 32 Vehicles lost 16 Runway hits 6 Port hits 5 Port fuel hits 1 My first somewhat effective bombardment...after 6 days!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Norfolk Island, at 60,119 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships CL Detroit CL Raleigh BB New Mexico, Shell hits 8 Japanese ground losses: 70 casualties reported Guns lost 3 A US BB makes its appearance off Norfolk Island. The base is at fort lvl 7 with a shore defence gun battery and circa 150 AVs. Should be interesting to see what happens when he lands. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 30,76 Japanese Ships DD Tokitsukaze DD Natsugumo DD Isokaze DD Maikaze DD Kagero DD Akizuki CV Hiyo Allied Ships SS S-40, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 12 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 3 B-17E Fortress x 35 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged G3M Nell: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 16 damaged Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet 11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet This is great news. B17s are shifted from the front in Northern Australia and are attacking Port Moresby instead. Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall at Darwin... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 84 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 57 Ki-49 Helen x 15 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed Allied ground losses: 24 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 7 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 11 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet And here is the writing on the wall. He does not even try to defend the base. Fortunately I suspected asmuch and sent along a handful of bombers. They manage to torch several aircraft on the ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 117 No Japanese losses Same at Wyndham. Unfortunately bad weather prevented my Bettys from attacking the base today. But I find it telling that he refuses to put up his fighters in the air. Actually Im starting to suspect that he is getting short of fighters here. He is only defending two bases right now, and in neither of these bases is he putting up a defensive CAP. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,85 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 19 E13A1 Jake x 7 E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Modjekerto, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet This is off the coast of Australia, between Pearth and Broome. My picket-force of CS and a CVE. They should be the perfect weapon to pick off stragglers from the northern coast. Orders for tomorrow. 1) The two CV task forces are to move in to attack position and hold. They will sit 7 hexes off Darwin and wait. 2) Surface forces are to move into position to bombard Darwin, they should arrive in 2-3 days. 3) One sweep from Dilli to Darwin. 4) One sweep from Lauterm to Darwin, accompanied by 30 Helens. 5) 80 Bettys on airfield attack from Kendari to Darwin. 6) 40 Zeros from the CV does a sweep of Darwin. [image]local://upfiles/1562/DB7CCA7F53E546FEAAEB7E9D46F62708.jpg[/image]

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 10:47:36 AM)
Some observations. 1) The offensive has cost me alot of bombers. I suspect my total loss so far is around 100 Helens and Sallys. Most of these losses has been against a flak-heavy base. 2) My fighters have effectively achieved air superiority in the area. His fighters are reluctant to defend his bases, and his bombers suffer from very low morale. This is mostly thanks to his attacks on Timor before the offensive started. This low bomber morale means that he has problems with bombers turning back at the first sign of defensive CAP. 3) I am getting ready for the final attack on Darwin. Recon tells me the port is loaded with subs and ships. I expect his subs to evacuate soon, but his surface ships cannot escape now. I have put 80 Bettys on naval attack at Koepang, and Ive got several carrier taskforces operating in the area. If the attack tomorrow goes well, and I have every reason to expect that it should, Im doing 3 sweeps with over 300 fighters, followed by 30+100 bombers on airfield attack...if all goes well tomorrow, then I can start sending in the bombardment taskforces...6 BBs and 6 CAs, they can run shuttle back and forth between Kendari and Darwin, and after that...the port strike, or the decisive naval engagement.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 4:42:22 PM)
I just realized that I need to plan for one more thing. He might try a desperate breakout from Darwin in a day or two, when he realizes he has been caught.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 8:05:45 PM)
WOHOOO!!! The battle for Darwin is in my hands!!!! His morale has shattered, he is not defending Darwin, the ships are leaving the harbor, yesterday I saw over 40 ships in port, today the port is empty and the sea is full of fleeing vessels. He is running straight into the Agaki and my picket ships. What a great day for the empire!!!! I cannot express in words how relieved I am to see him fleeing. The offensive was touch and go for a while, and during the first days the losses to my bombers almost broke my will to continue the offensive. Now we have broken his spirit however, and he is the one who folded. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/28/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 Japanese Ships CA Mogami CA Ashigara BB Hiei Allied ground losses: 626 casualties reported Guns lost 8 Vehicles lost 3 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 1 Port hits 1 Port supply hits 2 Another good hit at Derby. Although the base is empty...as is the entire northern seaboard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 137 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (79,79) Japanese Ships MSW Kyo Maru #5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Broome at 21,85 Japanese Ships SS I-159 Allied Ships DD Pakenham -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 81 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 39 Ki-49 Helen x 19 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged Allied ground losses: 66 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 12 Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet No defences at Darwin! No fighters in the air, no fighters or bombers on the ground. No ships in the harbor...except the Battleships! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 94 Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 No Japanese losses Victory victory!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 116 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 33 damaged Allied ground losses: 39 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 27 Aircraft Attacking: 22 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 12 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet 2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 19 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate: 1 damaged Allied Ships DD Aylwin, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet And here his fleeing ships are running into my picket off Broome, see screenshot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Aylwin, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 7 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Aylwin, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet DD Alwin sinks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,86 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 25 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AD Whitney, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet And here the Agaki. First this AD meets its fate in the depths. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 39,85 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 12 B5N Kate x 20 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Sims, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet And then this DD. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 Japanese aircraft losses E7K2 Alf: 2 damaged Allied Ships DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 Japanese aircraft losses E7K2 Alf: 2 damaged Allied Ships DD MacDonough Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 13,85 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 2 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD MacDonough Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet This is off Broome. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 55 No Japanese losses This sweep is from my CVs off Lauterm. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 14,85 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 6 No Japanese losses Allied Ships MSW Eland Dubois Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet Off Broome -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 42,87 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 16 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Sipirok, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet And this is Akagi in what will soon become known as the great Darwin turkey shoot...but with ships -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 14,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 2 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Ocean Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,89 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 11 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AR Medusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet Aha, an AR trying to flee. I almost pity him -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 14,85 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 16 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate: 1 damaged Allied Ships DD Fox, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Another DD meets its fate... [image]local://upfiles/1562/478C27E1268E454A9D1DB6FD3DC31DE8.jpg[/image]

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 8:12:09 PM)
Orders for tomorrow: 1) Bettys at Kendari port strike Darwin. 2) Bettys at Koepang port strike Darwin, 50 Bettys on naval attack. 3) Helens at Lauterm port strike Darwin, Zeros at Lauterm escort and LRCAP. 4) Akagi, move south to get into better position to attack ships fleeing. 5) ZuikakuTF, move to two hexes south of Lauterm to prepare for attack on Darwin. 6) Yamato TF meet up with Zuikaku TF. 7) Picket force move one hex north to avoid surface combat. I must remember that he has only evacuated the bases, they are not destroyed. In other words, he can fly in 200 bombers and 50 fighters at a moments notice. I must remember that he has only evacuated the bases, they are not destroyed. In other words, he can fly in 200 bombers and 50 fighters at a moments notice. I must remember that he has only evacuated the bases, they are not destroyed. In other words, he can fly in 200 bombers and 50 fighters at a moments notice. I must remember that he has only evacuated the bases, they are not destroyed. In other words, he can fly in 200 bombers and 50 fighters at a moments notice. Ok, I think I'll remember it now.

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/28/2008 9:42:05 PM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/29/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 52 encounters mine field at Lautem (33,78) Japanese Ships DD Hayashio -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 25,83 Japanese Ships SS I-159 Allied Ships AK Eidsvold, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 25,83 Japanese Ships SS I-159 Allied Ships AK Eidsvold, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage 5 torpedos..the unlucky AK sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7 Allied aircraft Wellington III x 123 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Wellington III: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged Japanese ground losses: 559 casualties reported Guns lost 10 Airbase hits 3 Runway hits 46 Aircraft Attacking: 7 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 5 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 9 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 12 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 5 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 Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 4 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 Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 4 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 3 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet 2 x Wellington III bombing at 16000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28 Allied aircraft P-40B Tomahawk x 21 B-26B Marauder x 31 No Allied losses Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 28 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 41 Ki-49 Helen x 51 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 8 destroyed, 35 damaged Allied Ships MSW Jan van Amstel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 25 casualties reported Port hits 8 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet 5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet Costly attack. The MSW sinks, but it cost alot of bombers. We wont be doing more port attacks for a while. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 24 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 16 damaged Allied Ships MSW Jan van Amstel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 63 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Vehicles lost 1 Port hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet 8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet Same here. But we need to keep the pressure up here aswell, I dont want him to get any ideas about returning with his bombers... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 42,88 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 19 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate: 7 damaged Allied Ships AS Griffin Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet no hits..? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 42,88 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 11 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate: 4 damaged Allied Ships AS Griffin, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Ah..thanks. AS sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 25,83 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 18 G4M1 Betty x 25 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Loa Koeloe, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet AK sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 25,83 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Pasir, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet AK sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 43,88 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 15 B5N Kate x 19 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Foxhound, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet 3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 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 launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet DD sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 11 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Fox, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,85 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 2 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Fox, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 11 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Fox, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet DD sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,83 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 14 Japanese aircraft losses B5N Kate: 5 damaged Allied Ships CL Sumatra, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet CL sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,83 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 7 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,83 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 12,85 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Ocean, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 43,89 Japanese aircraft D3A Val x 13 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val: 2 damaged Allied Ships AR Medusa, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 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 AR sinks. So far we have sunk one AR, one AS, one AD and a handful of destroyers and a CL. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 9,87 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 10 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Pakenham, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet DD sinks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 33,80 Japanese Ships PG Nagata Maru PG Kyo Maru #10 PG Kyo Maru #8 PG Kogyoku Maru Allied Ships SS Perch All in all a good day. We have sunk alot of ships and Darwin is starting too look like Manilla 2. The BBs are not in port and they are not spotted however, and that concerns me. I want those two BBs too. [image]local://upfiles/1562/5DCB5D0A9BDC4BB5BD3BE062F26F2376.jpg[/image]

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/29/2008 9:24:07 AM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/30/42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 33,79 Japanese Ships DD Natsugumo DD Tokitsukaze DD Isokaze DD Maikaze DD Kagero DD Akizuki Allied Ships SS Pike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 92 Ki-46-II Dinah x 1 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 27,82 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Eizan Maru Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 28,81 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 10 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Oyashima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Sinko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet He is starting to repopulate his bases at Broome and Derby now. I dont mind, Ive ordered a strike on Derby just to keep him honest however. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 29,80 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 16 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 14 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged Japanese Ships AP Koshin Maru Aircraft Attacking: 2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet My LRCAP still works ok though. This attack is on one of my picket-ships off Koepang. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 26,83 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 3 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AK Bunzan Maru Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 8,89 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 12 Japanese aircraft losses E7K2 Alf: 2 damaged Allied Ships MSW Latrobe Aircraft Attacking: 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet Hit rate is appalling... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 8,89 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 2 No Japanese losses Allied Ships MSW Latrobe Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 8,89 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 1 No Japanese losses Allied Ships MSW Latrobe Aircraft Attacking: 1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 45,89 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 16 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AR Medusa, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet This is the same AR I reported sunk yesterday. I was wrong...this time it sinks however, I promise. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 7,91 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 12 E13A1 Jake x 7 E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet 3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet This DD should sink soon aswell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 33,80 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 10 No Allied losses Japanese Ships PG Kyo Maru #10 PG Kogyoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet 4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet Strike on an ASW task force off Lauterm. Well, if he bombs my PGs instead of my carriers, Im happy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 28,81 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 6 Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 1 damaged Japanese Ships AK Sinko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AK Oyashima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet 4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 9,88 Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 6 No Japanese losses Allied Ships MSW Eland Dubois Aircraft Attacking: 2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 9,88 Japanese aircraft B5N Kate x 1 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Latimer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 10,86 Japanese aircraft E7K2 Alf x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Empire Ocean Aircraft Attacking: 3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 44,89 Japanese Ships DD Akebono DD Nenohi Allied Ships SS Grayling, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 34,80 Japanese Ships DD Nagatsuki DD Kisaragi Allied Ships SS KXV -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CA Haguro CA Maya, Shell hits 7, on fire CA Chikuma Allied ground losses: 177 casualties reported Guns lost 8 My first bombardment of Darwin. Same amount of non-damage here as I managed to inflict at Derby... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 34,80 Japanese Ships APD APD-39 APD APD-36 APD APD-35 DD Oboro DD Hatsuharu Allied Ships SS KXV, hits 9, on fire This one should die aswell. The waters around Lanterm is really swarming with subs. He has at least one sub in each hex. Ive got some Vals on ASW duty, and some ASW taskforces, and it seems to work. Now...some concerns. I have not spotted his BBs. They are not in port at Darwin, and I have not seen them for two days. This bothers me. I cant believe two BBs would be able to slip past all my hundreds of bombers and search planes...where the heck are they? I have spotted the allied CV-force off Rockhampton. 17 ships in two TFs with one confirmed CV and one confirmed BB. Im not sure what he wants to do with this force. Is he trying to creep up the coast and reinforce Darwin? In that case he has to run the gauntlet of Norfolk Island, Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli. I doubt he would try that. Is he going to attack Port Moresby and Norfolk Island? I have reinforced Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli with fighters and bombers. We shall see what happens... But where are his BBs??

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/29/2008 10:34:44 AM)
Losses during the offensive so far: ALLIED AK x 6 DD x 5 CL x 1 AS x 1 AR x 1 AD x 1 MSW x 1 B-25C x 40 (+90 dam) B-17E x 4 (+ 15 dam) Swordfish x 20 Hurricane x 54 (+11 dam) Kittyhawk x 32 (+9 dam) F4F-3 x28 (+9 dam) P-40B x 20 (+13 dam) = 198 aircraft destroyed, 147 damaged = 16 ships sunk, total points 159 JAPANESE DD x 2 Oscar I x 15 (+31 dam) Zero x 33 (+29 dam) Helen x 32 (+150 dam) Sally x 15 (+72 dam) Betty x 15 (+112 dam) = 110 destroyed, 394 damaged = 2 ships sunk, total points 20

jwilkerson -> RE: The air war (1/30/2008 5:42:35 AM)
This looks just fine - compared to stock - if you're in like early 1943 - but for mid-1942 - at least relative to stock - you're getting slaughtered! [:)]

Hortlund -> RE: The air war (1/30/2008 11:46:35 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jwilkerson This looks just fine - compared to stock - if you're in like early 1943 - but for mid-1942 - at least relative to stock - you're getting slaughtered! [:)] Yeah, I know what you mean. I think a big factor in that is the difference in aircombat between nikmod and stock. If we had been playing stock, I think my losses should be half of what they are now, and his should be three times what they are now. I have lost hundreds of aircraft on the ground in attacks that would have been stopped in stock. And I have inflicted pitiful damage to his raids in battles that would have been massacres in stock..

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