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mogami -> Morale (4/17/2002 9:36:13 AM)

If possible occupy Vana, build an airfield and name it 'White Field"
then after war when someone asks your veterans what they did during war they can answer "I spent 8 months on Vana White"
or "I landed on Vana White" etc etc:eek:



Snigbert -> End of May through Late June (4/17/2002 10:37:25 PM)

This was definitely a period of rebuilding, consolidating and reinforcing. I'm feeling pretty good about the defense in New Guinea, aside from the total lack of naval firepower available. The Chicago, Australia and Hobart have been relegated to escort duty along with the five or so destroyers.

It's going to be a waiting game for a little while, to see what the Japanese plans are and watch the calendar waiting for my carriers to arrive. Also, following Mogami and IChristie's advice, I will build bases at Rennell and Santa Cruz Is.

May 27th, 1942: This day was marked by another Japanese naval bombardment of Gili Gili, which did significant damage to the airfield.

May 29th, 1942: A convoy from Brisbane delivering supplies to Gili Gili is intercepted by a Japanese surface task force. They have 5 CAs, 1 CL and 5 DDs. I've got 3 APs and 2 AKs. After a brief fight the transports manage to slip away into the darkness, but not until after receiving heavy damage to two of the APs.

May 31st, 1942: A unit of New Zealand Engineers arrives at Noumea, and I order them along with an Anti Aircraft unit and a RCT from the Americal Division to Rennell Island.

I also create a Task Force with 2 CAs (New Orleans and Portland, I believe) and 4 DDs and order them to be based out of Luganville. I will use them from there to bombard Lunga.

Checking the schedule, I see the Enterprise and Hornet are due to arrive in 18 days. Hooray!

June 1st, 1942: My cruiser task force catches an AP and 2 PCs off of Lunga, and sinks the AP (Argentina Maru). They then bombard Lunga quite nicely and escape without any damage being done inflicted on them.

June 6th, 1942: Same cruiser task force catches a Minesweeper at Lunga and sinks her. No damage done to cruiser task force.

I check Rennell and see that construction is underway. We have 1200 Infantry, 86 Guns and 5400 support troops on the island.

June 8th, 1942: A significant event this day, which would be repeated quite a few times but caught me by surprise the first time it happened: A 100 plane raid on Port Moresby, from Rabaul.
Granted, 76 of the planes were Zeros, but I still thought this was a big attack and it did significant damage to the airfield.

June 10th, 1942: My cruiser task force raids Lunga once more, this time catching 5 APs and a MSW. We sink 3 APs, each of them busy unloading elements of the Japanese 144th Regiment.

Also, I am caught by surprise by the AI, as the IJN bombards Rennell Island (which doesn't even have a base yet, per se.) Obviously they've recognized the threat I am trying to create for Lunga, and they plan on stopping me.

June 12th, 1942: S-42 is caught by Japanese destroyers and sunk.

S-47 hits a Japanese Oiler.

June 13th, 1942: An immense air attack from CARRIER BORN aircraft hits the Owen Stanleys, and hits the Kanga force hard. 139 Planes took place in the attack, and none were lost. Almost 500 casualties among my ground forces. Ouch.
We spot the 3 task forces lurking in the Bismark Sea where the attacks were launched from. At least 4 Carriers are present, according to our patrol planes.

June 14th, 1942: Hudsons from Port Moresby attack the Japanese carriers and are all shot down. However, we identify the Hiryu, Soryu, Kaga and Akagi. I predicted they would make an appearance, but it's still bad news.

Also, we get confirmation from Sigint that the Shoho has been removed from Japan's list of active ships.

June 16th, 1942: I look at the Schedule...only 3 days until the Enterprise and Hornet arrive. Also, the Saratoga will be arriving in 18 days. That's a relief.

I move 3 Marauder Airgroups to Port Moresby hoping they will do better at Naval Interdiction than the Hudsons.

June 17th, 1942: Confirmation that the Shokaku is also sunk.

June 18th, 1942: Japanese carriers get close enough to Port Moresby and we attack with 34 Marauders and 10 Hudsons. We only manage to get 2 250lb bomb hits on the Kaga, neither doing any critical damage. Lots of our bombers are shot down.

An ugly incident at Rennell Island. We have two task forces unloading supplies, when a Japanese surface task force shows up. It is comprised of the Nachi, Atago, Nagara, and 9 DDs. Their first target is a TF with 4 AP, 4 APD and 4 DD. Night combat at 8000 Yards.
AP Harris is sunk. AP Hunger Ligget is sunk. AP Calvert is sunk.
Insignificant damage to the Japanese ships.

Then the same Japanese TF catches 3 Oilers unloading fuel at Rennell. They sink the Kankakee, and heavily damage the Tappahanock and Sabine.

S-37 is sunk by destroyers near Gasmata.

S-42 attacks the CA Maya, and misses. Destroyer escorts sink the S-42.

More Japanese air attacks from Rabaul and their carriers, hit Port Moresby and Gili Gili. Over 1000 casualties to the ground troops at those two locations over the last couple of days.

Things aren't going well, but our carriers are on the way.

Tonight I play some more. I plan on waiting for the Saratoga to show up before the Enterprise or Hornet will leave Noumea.

Any more advice for me?



mogami -> All your bases are belong to Japan. (4/17/2002 10:52:22 PM)

Hi, Well being the king of cowards you are much more active then I would be. When I get to play this campaign I will probly use the first two CV like you did only restrict them to within my LBA. I would do nothing except build bases I already control intill after I had won my Midway. I don't want to build a base and have Japan capture it. I don't want things i can't protect hang out for Jap CV/surface force to gobble up. The allies start outnumbered and on the defensive. I wouold just turn porcipine on my large bases. Priority would be
1 Noumea/New Cal 2. Espirtu 3. Morsby

when I was sure they were secure I would then go to garrison Gilli to where the Jap would have to use at least a division to take it.
The basic plan would be to wait while the Japanese used their supply building bases I will capture once I get rid of their CV.. If you never defeat the CV your not going to have any luck expanding/capturing enemy bases. If you build your bases they will come to you.



Ron Saueracker -> Nothing good comes from saying "I told you so". Heehee (4/17/2002 11:19:28 PM)

Building up Rennel is looking like a very expensive proposition. I think it's a goner. Leave the New Zealanders to their fate...just like every other dominion unit was treated historically (a sad part of British history), unless they can be evacuated without too much loss. Ndeni is fine as it's a conservative move and will place Heavy LB air within efficient range of Lunga once developed.

I'd suspend any further bombardments of Lunga now that Nagumo has shown up unless you are interested in the creation of manmade coral reefs.

That carrier trade off earlier was favourable, despite having the carriers attack too close to IJN LBA (darn AI) and losing aircrew. Had they not chased IJN CVs up the slot, maybe Lex would have avoided that sub and made it to ES.

Japanese use of CV air against LCU in Owen Stanley's is a retarded waste of aircrew and aircraft.

Any word on the Wasp? May as well wait for her before attempting another carrier battle, Snigbert, unless she's months away. More chance to damage IJN CVs and more USN CVs to spread out incoming attacks, hopefully sparing a couple of decks for later.

S 42. Sunk on June 12 and again on June 18? TypeO or bug?

Why was it neccessary to use fleet oilers to supply Rennel? Can't other less valuable assets be used, like APDs?

Patience and the husbanding of forces is a virtue, as you have Rosie the Riveter on your side.



Snigbert -> (4/17/2002 11:53:55 PM)

Must have written down the wrong sub number...S-42 wasn't sunk twice.

I don't want to give up Rennell yet. I have a regiment of the Americal there. If they want to try and take it I'm going to make them fight for it.

I agree that attacking Kanga force was a waste of energy, but then again they didn't lose a single plane in the attack and they inflicted about 500 casualties or so. It seems like they're taking a lot of chances operating their carriers within striking distance of Port Moresby. So far it has only been luck that has prevented them from taking a beating from my B-26s.



mogami -> Advance warning (4/18/2002 2:12:36 AM)

Just a little advance warning to my future PBEM friends.
I do not use CV's to attack land targets, the exception is to strike shipping in a port that my LBA has knocked the airfield out.
(and then only maybe) My belief is pilots trained to attack moving ships should attack moving ships. Pilots trained to make holes in dirt should make holes in dirt, (they also make good fighter bait to help the naval pilots)



Beckles -> Re: Advance warning (4/18/2002 2:23:43 AM)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mogami
[B]I do not use CV's to attack land targets[/B][/QUOTE]

Of course if the Japanese had thought a little less this way and droped some bombs in the drydocks and fuel farm at Pearl Harbor, we might all be eating Sushi and driving Toyotas and Hondas here in the US (oh wait, we are doing those things anyway ...).



mogami -> Re: Re: Advance warning (4/18/2002 2:29:37 AM)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beckles
[B]

Of course if the Japanese had thought a little less this way and droped some bombs in the drydocks and fuel farm at Pearl Harbor, we might all be eating Sushi and driving Toyotas and Hondas here in the US (oh wait, we are doing those things anyway ...). [/B][/QUOTE]

I've heard that before. Only I look at how fast the US was able to build both from scratch all over the Pacific and wonder?
If the US CV's are not in Port the PH strike is a waste of time.



panda124c -> Re: Re: Advance warning (4/18/2002 2:35:30 AM)

My suggestion is to build bases as best you can and use the CV to destroy the Japanese transports and oilers. No transports no invasions. This will force the Japanese to pull their ships back to protect the transports, there by releiveing the pressure on your bases and protecting your CVs. Bombard the forward bases to slow down any advance and to force resupply there by exposing the Japanese transports.



IChristie -> (4/18/2002 3:20:28 AM)

Snigbert,

Sorry if I steered you wrong on Rennell. Sounds like quite the hornets nest.

If you can manage to scrape up fast transport groups they might work better for you. The big advantage is that they unload and skedaddle in a night reducing your exposure to the CL sorties. Those big fat AP's hanging around for a week unloading over the beach are just too tempting.

**** Note to prospective island hoppers - If you're planning a surprise raid make sure you send a load of initial supplies - it's a lot harder to get in the second time **********

I'm not sure why you had tankers up there by the way? Unless your planning to use it as refuelling stop...

Those CL's can be a real pain because they are so fast, they are hard to see coming. You might try getting some av support up there and basing some PBY's forward to give you more notice of impending doom.

Mogami,

I thoroughly agree. The game I am playing is living proof. My aircraft (land and naval) rule the waves, but the US bombers take out airfields and ground troops in a way I can't touch.



Snigbert -> (4/18/2002 3:22:20 AM)

Mogami- What do you feel the best usage of escort carriers is?



Ron Saueracker -> Escort carrier use (4/18/2002 3:39:11 AM)

Use escort CVs in a subsidiary/support role. CAP and ASW cover for convoys and amphibious forces, and if you have a few of them, they can probably establish local air superiority over a landing area. Also to transfer air groups if allowed in the game. Perhaps operating separately from fleet CVs and in their rear area so they can fly LR CAP and ASW, thereby supporting fleet CVs while not unduly exposing themselves. This leaves big CV air groups to concentrate on close CAP and strike groups.



IChristie -> (4/18/2002 4:05:43 AM)

For Instance, in the invasion of Luganville I sent a CVE and a CVL with the invasion fleet. It worked well in the sense that the first waves of LBA were met with large CAP's that knocked their numbers back. In the end, I did not lose one of the 25 transports in the invasion fleet despite several days of LBA attacks.

True, I did eventually lose both carriers but only because one made a run for it and left the landing zone that was protected by LRP from land bases. With her a/c complement depleted and with only a small escort she was dead meat.



mdiehl -> (4/18/2002 4:15:57 AM)

"More Japanese air attacks from Rabaul and their carriers, hit Port Moresby and Gili Gili. Over 1000 casualties to the ground troops at those two locations over the last couple of days."

Thes ground casualty numbers seem excessive, even for an unopposed strike, over so short an interval. Is this typical?

How many a/c are they losing in ground attack? Given the fragility of IJN a/c, if you have any 3" flak or greater these attacks should be killing Kido Butai pretty quickly.



Snigbert -> (4/18/2002 4:19:12 AM)

[B]Thes ground casualty numbers seem excessive, even for an unopposed strike, over so short an interval. Is this typical? [/B]

I agree MDiehl. I was thinking the same thing. Actually, it says in the report that these are the number 'killed', which makes it seem even more excessive. I could see that many being wounded, if you figure for everyone killed you have x5 or x10 wounded.



Ron Saueracker -> Overkill with LCUs (4/18/2002 4:30:34 AM)

Were there not less than 50 killed and wounded after Kongo and Haruna worked over the marines with their 14" high capacity HE shells? Obviously this kill rate must be adjusted or Washing Machine Charlie will kill off the entire 1st Marine Division in 3 months of night buzzing.:p



Snigbert -> (4/18/2002 4:32:30 AM)

Here is a US sub, one of the nice modern ones :)



Snigbert -> (4/18/2002 4:44:41 AM)

Recon info from Lae



Snigbert -> (4/18/2002 5:18:51 AM)

Allow me to correct myself, it says 'losses', not 'killed'.

Hmmn, of course Port Moresby and Gili Gili would be a easier targets than the jungles of Guadalcanal, right? Less places to hide?



byron13 -> (4/18/2002 7:33:47 AM)

Oboy! A hot new thread!

To Iain, Snigbert and other beta testers: I see where Snigbert sent a regimental combat team to Rennell. In PacWar, you could have five RCT's split from a single division and, if left alone, they would each grow into division-sized units. I never could justify that. It seemed there was no internal mechanism to limit the size of a detached units, and this detracted from the value of the game.

Do you all have any indication as to whether this is fixed or not in UV?



mogami -> Pac War (4/18/2002 10:13:43 AM)

Hi, Pac War units could clone themselves, Did you ever have to face a Japanese PBEM player who split the China Army and next thing you know the Japanese (billions of them) are entering India?

Message from Japanese commander " HQ please I need more troops


HQ "Go F%$^ yourself"

Commander "OK thanks"



byron13 -> (4/18/2002 8:03:27 PM)

Hey! Snigbert! Get on the ball and post an AAR or the Emperor's going to get pissed again and start barking like a gangster!



daniel123 -> (4/18/2002 8:58:59 PM)

"More Japanese air attacks from Rabaul and their carriers, hit Port Moresby and Gili Gili. Over 1000 casualties to the ground troops at those two locations over the last couple of days"



that is a lot of casualties! the guys must have been at a USO show to get that may casualties. I don't remember in any books about Guadalcanal that Japanese air caused a large number of casualties. If the Japanese could get that many men with air power they would not have to send in ground troops.



Snigbert -> June 19th through July 18th (4/18/2002 10:15:47 PM)

June 19th, 1942: Saratoga is 15 days away, and I find out that the Wasp will be in Pearl Harbor in 11 days. So before the Saratoga arrives I will know if the Wasp is also being sent.

I transfer Hudsons from PM to Cooktown, because they've been startlingly ineffective against Japanese ships.

There is another large air raid on Gili Gili...they're becoming commonplace at this point. 68 Vals, 48 Kates and 13 Zeros in the attack.

June 20th, 1942: Deciding I don't want to abandon Rennell Is., but I don't want to risk losing more transports to Japanese surface interdiction, I form a convoy with strong surface forces to protect it. 7 CAs, 6 DDs and 10 or so AP/AKs. I start loading them up at Noumea and order them to resupply Rennell Is.

S-41 hits AO Sata with 2 torpedoes, sinking her.

I also notice supplies on Gili Gili are critically low, probably due to the heavy bombing they have withstood. I have 4 airgroups of transport aircraft in Townsville, and I order them to start supplying Gili Gili by air.

June 22nd, 1942: Due to my Goerring-esque airbridge, supplies at Gili Gili reach a marginal level. (Orange instead of red)

I also decided to organize a nice air strike on Lae's airfield. I order all of the Marauders and Mitchells to attack there. We end up getting in a 74 plane raid, which does 28% damage to the runways and kills 118 Japs.

AP Katoomba is sunk at Port Moresby by Rabaul Bettys.

Japanese carriers launch a strike against a convoy resupplying Gili Gili. The get a bomb hit on the Australia and 2 bomb hits on the Hobart. I withdraw the convoy and cancel all the other convoys to Gili Gili and Port Moresby.

June 23rd, 1942: SS Grayback arrives, our first American sub reinforcement. I put it under computer control and allow it to run off towards Truk looking for prey.

More tragedy at Gili Gili. A surface force with 2 battleships (Kirishima and Hiei) intercept a small convoy leaving Gili Gili. They sink all three ships, the Demodicus, Diomed and Manunda.

Another large air strike against Lae, they now have 57% airfield damage.

June 24th, 1942: Another raid against Lae officially renders their airfield inoperable.

June 27th, 1942: S-45 hits Heiyu Maru at Lunga

June 28th, 1942: S-45 hits and sinks Chikaya Maru at Lunga

June 29th, 1942: Reinforcements arrive at Noumea. III Amphibious Corps, NZ Engineers and NZ Coastal Defense battery, 105 Base Force and 12th Australian Engineers.

Also, the CA Vincennes and Canberra arrive, along with CL Leander, CL St Louis and CL Honolulu.

I put together a task force with these fresh ships and some transports, to bring the NZ Engineers, NZ Coastal Defense and 105 base force to Nevea and start on the airfield there.

June 29th, 1942: The Battle of Rennell Island.

My new 'Protect convoys to Rennell' policy is tested.

My force: His Force:
CA San Francisco CA Kumano
CA Pensacola CA Ashigara
CA Chester BB Haruna
CA Northampton BB Kongo
CA Indianapolis CA Mogami
CA Louisville CL Nagara
CA Salt Lake City 9 DD
4 DDs
6 APs
2 AKS

Seems relatively fair, right? They sneak to within 5000 yards of us at Night

The Northampton seems to be stuck between the Kongo and Ashigara, as the three ships spend quite some time exchanging fire. Then the Chester joins in and begins firing on the Ashigaru as well. The Northampton bravely does quite a good job hitting the Kongo and Ashigara both with her 8 inch guns.
Then the Pensacola and Kumano square off, firing furiously at each other but not scoring many hits.
The Nagara and Mogami start to pick on the Louisville, which fires back at the Mogami. The Salt Lake City moves in and starts to hammer away at the Nagara and she's soon burning.

When the smoke clears, the Northampton and Chester sink, along with the DD Anderson. The Japanese DD Yagumo also sinks.
The Ashigara and Kongo each suffered 8 shell hits, the later is heavily damaged and on fire. The Nagara suffered 12 shell hits and is also heavily damaged and on fire.
The Louisville and Salt Lake City also took a beating, with 10 and 13 shell hits respectively they are both heavily damaged.

This was one of the more vicious surface battles I've seen, it seemed fitting after the equally nasty carrier battle earlier in the campaign.

June 30th, 1942: Saratoga is now 4 days away, and we see that the Wasp will also be joining us in 19 days. Good news indeed.

We are forced to scuttle the Salt Lake City, as she has lost propulsion and is ready to sink anyway.

The World's Finest Fighting force will be arriving at Noumea in 15 days. (1st Marine Division)

July 1st, 1942: We shift our air attacks from Lae's airfield to the port facilities.

July 2nd, 1942: Luganville reaches level 4 airfield size. I immediately rebase our B-17 assetts there.
It only equates to 37 airplanes, but give us time and there will be plenty more where those came from.

July 4th, 1942: Independence day. The Saratoga arrives and I put together a task force under Adm. McCain with the 3 Carriers, the newly arrived CLAAs San Diego and Atlanta, and DDs.

July 5th, 1942: 5 Japanese Carriers attack Gili Gili.

July 7th, 1942: S-43 hits Kiyozumi Maru, sinking her

Aircraft from PM interdict a Japanese convoy to Lae, managing to hit a few APs with 250 lb bombs.

July 8th, 1942: We move the III Amphibious Corps HQ to Rennell Island by destroyer. They have some support and engineers that might help build the base there a little more quickly.

July 9th, 1942: CA Louisville and DD Hammann are sent to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

July 11th, 1942: Our new airfield opens at Nevea. Hooray!

There was a strange lull in the action for a few days...all that happened here was some small air raids on each others bases.

July 16th, 1942: Indianapolis and Pensacola to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

5 CVs and 1 CVL spotted off of New Britain.

The Marines have arrived, and I begin organizing my task forces for an invasion of the Eastern Solomons.

Invasion Force Lunga: 5 DDs, 4 APDs, San Francisco, Vincennes, 10 APs
Invasion Force Tulagi: 5 DDs, 10 APs, CL Honolulu
Screening Force: CVE Long Island (ASW Patrol), Canberra, Leander, St Louis, 6 DDs
Air Task Force 1: Enterprise, Hornet, Atlanta, San Diego, Achilles, Phoenix, Nashville, New Orleans, Astoria

July 17th, 1942: Japanese forces land at Gili Gili!!!
6 Aircraft Carriers support them!!!

July 18th, 1942: All out air attack from Port Moresby on the invasion forces. They are met by over 90 Zeros flying CAP over the enemy TF.
We manage to hit the Zuiho with 2 500 lb bombs, but in the course of the attack we have 66 aircraft destroyed or damaged.

Wasp arrives at Noumea and we form our second air task force:
Saratoga, Wasp, Quincy, Juneau, San Jaun, 7 DDs

We now have 4 carriers, the next one on schedule is the Yorktown in about 4 months. I see there are now a total of 7 Japanese carriers operating. Some of them are CVLs or CVEs, but our Patrol planes dont seem to be able to distinguish.

I now have my forces assembled for an invasion. Lunga is a size 3 airfield, I'm not sure how many planes are located there. I did see a HQ unit, which suggests there might be larger ground units present.

The Japanese Carriers are tied up at Gili Gili, and the situation there is unresolved. Now I need to decide whether to go after the Japanese carriers with my own, or concentrate on attacking the Eastern Solomons while the enemy is preoccupied.

Suggestions?



madflava13 -> (4/18/2002 10:25:13 PM)

I say stick with Lunga invasion and save your resources for a more favorable opportunity. With Rennell Island and Nevea built up, and Lunga in hand, you'll have a powerful hold on the eastern solomons...
Just my two cents



mogami -> Too Fast (4/19/2002 12:12:59 AM)

Hi, Snigbert how long will it take the Jap CV to react to your invasion. I don't think you'll be able to unload. If you lose the CV reaction battle anything ashore at Lunga will be left all alone with no hope of help. Your putting your head right into a noose. No matter how frustrating doing nothing may be. You have to set up a carrier battle under favorable conditions. Get your LBA up in the forward bases supplied and ready. Then fight the battle where they can help make up for the Japs having more CV. If you lose at least the Marines are safe. If you win the invasion will be justified. Also take control of all your subs and place them in the path the Japs will have to rake to get to the battle area.



Snigbert -> (4/19/2002 12:54:47 AM)

Getting LBA up to the forward bases could take months. I have held Rennell for over a month with large numbers of supplies (30000) and lots of troops working on it, and I still can't land a plane there. Raising Nevea from a level 1 airfield to a level 2 airfield could take just as long.

I think it would take a day or two for the Japanese carriers to react from Gili Gili to make it to Guadalcanal. However, if they do that they are leaving their own invasion open to counter attack.

I somewhat agree with what Mogami is saying, however, sometimes you have to strike when an opportunity presents itself rather than waiting until everything is lined up in perfect order.

So I intend to go with the following plan:

1. Move my 4 carriers (in 2 task forces) to the eastern edge of the Solomons, with orders not to chase after enemy carrier groups. In this position they will be out of range of Rabaul, and within (the limits of) range for the Nevea CAP.
2. Have my screening force bombard Lunga
3. Land 1st Marines on Lunga (except for 1st Paras and 1st Raiders, which will take Tulagi)

Keep in mind I have 346 carrier based planes operating now...1/3 of which are Wildcats. These should be able to put up enough CAP to deal with the Lunga air units.
I will swiftly take Lunga and rebase it with my own planes, before the Japanese carriers can react.



Mike Wood -> (4/19/2002 1:08:11 AM)

Hello...

The number "killed" in the report is notoriously innaccurate. Reduce the value significantly and change most of those "killed" to wounded or missing (but return later). Fog of war.

I have frequently seen more men reported killed in a unit than the total in the unit and when I looked at the unit, it looked pretty healthy.

Hope this Helps...

Michael Wood
___________________________________________________
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Snigbert
[B][B]Thes ground casualty numbers seem excessive, even for an unopposed strike, over so short an interval. Is this typical? [/B]

I agree MDiehl. I was thinking the same thing. Actually, it says in the report that these are the number 'killed', which makes it seem even more excessive. I could see that many being wounded, if you figure for everyone killed you have x5 or x10 wounded. [/B][/QUOTE]



mogami -> Offenese versus Defense (4/19/2002 1:57:50 AM)

Greetings. I was just wondering what opportunity had presented it's self? The Japs may leave their invasion open to counter attack by reacting to yours but I'm missing how you intend on exploiting that reaction.
What are the natures and requirements of war that decide when to maintain a defense or when to commit to the offense?
I believe it is exploitable weakness. The stronger side by virtue of a material/space/time advantage is entitled to the risk of attack in order to profit from their advantage. The materially stronger side can mass the required force while still providing for
the basic defensive needs. The weaker side has to protect their position and can only gather attacking force at the expense of weakening their already inferior position. Your basic positions are not secure from attack and yet you feel there exists an opportunity to expand. As long as the enemy is in possession of
more offensive power you should remain on the defensive.
The intentions of the enemy have yet to be determined. You should wait until you have an understanding of what those plans are and then once they have been understood look for a way to exploit them. Make him expend his offensive power on your prepared defense. When all his material has been committed then using material you have kept in reserve decide how to employ it to exploit the situation.
The proper course would be to eliminate any weakness in your position. Remove the material disadvantage either by building up or by defeating his offensive. And then going over to the offensive against the enemies weakest points.
By doing this you will gradually improve your situation and dictate the future course of the campaign. While you may have 1-2 days to off load onto Lunga I wonder if that is enough time to unload enough supplies to maintain your force. Can you guarantee future supply reinforcement if that should prove necessary Your base/support units are engaged in other work and will have to move to Lunga to keep it operating. The enemy will be able to use his numbers to cordon off Lunga while a counter move is prepared. He might decide to leave you on Lunga while striking at your rear now without the defense of the units stranded on Lunga. The attack is desired it is true my question is ... is it justified by the strategic conditions that require the attacker to be stronger then the defender and an exploitable weakness for a target. The loss of Lunga under the present conditions for the Japanese does not change their status. Rather it provides them with a ready made weakness of yours to use to further draw your forces into battle where they hold even greater advantage. until you defeat his present active forces you have no reason to suppose any offensive by your self will meet with success.
It will however be exciting and interesting to hear how you make out. Good Luck ( I don't like to leave things to chance if preparation and planning will/can do instead )



panda124c -> (4/19/2002 2:08:48 AM)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Snigbert
[B]So I intend to go with the following plan:

1. Move my 4 carriers (in 2 task forces) to the eastern edge of the Solomons, with orders not to chase after enemy carrier groups. In this position they will be out of range of Rabaul, and within (the limits of) range for the Nevea CAP.
2. Have my screening force bombard Lunga
3. Land 1st Marines on Lunga (except for 1st Paras and 1st Raiders, which will take Tulagi)

Keep in mind I have 346 carrier based planes operating now...1/3 of which are Wildcats. These should be able to put up enough CAP to deal with the Lunga air units.
I will swiftly take Lunga and rebase it with my own planes, before the Japanese carriers can react. [/B][/QUOTE]

Sounds like the best plan also try to scrape together a fast surface TF so that if the Japanese carriers react to your invasion of the Solomons you can slip them into Gilli Gilli and do some damage to the transports. If the Japanese CVs don't react then your invasion is safe. Either way you gain. If they split their forces oh boy 'Katie bar the door'. :D



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