Combined update

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Chickenboy -> Combined update (7/6/2011 8:38:27 PM)
Allies June 20-21 update: Guam: The Allied forces pull away from Guam on June 20-temporarily. No enemy surface fleet threat materializes. On the 21st, unloading resumes on Guam-base forces and support personnel mostly. A deliberate Allied attack on 6/20 comes off at 1:1, reduces the forts from 4 to 3 and claims not quite 3x as many Japanese as American casualties. Deliberate attacks scheduled for 6/22, since these have gone well. There's sufficient supplies ashore now to support existing forces for some time. Remaining Amphibious ships are withdrawn from Guam. The Halsey-led SCTF (4 old BBs) will grace Guam with a final goodbye by bombarding tomorrow on the way out of town. The CVE TF will "close the door" behind itself and follow out the slow BBs. The majority of the now unloaded amphibious ships will set sail for Pearl Harbor and load up Tinian, Yap and other miscellaneous support and assault troops. The seas: Allied ASW TFs dispatch another 4-5 minisubs and another fleet SS near Guam. Mines at Guam damage an American DD. An LST is damaged during unloading procedures. These wounded ships will head to Eniwetok for emergency patchup. SigInt places a "Soryu class CV" the hex NE of Iwo Jima-at the upper map edge. He's staying the heck away for now. SigInt also places radio communications a couple hexes distant from the last spotting of the Mushashi.. I suspect she's hanging out there, pending orders. I've ordered the fleet CVs to 'explore' the area where Mushashi was sighted last. If he moves these ships south, I want to get a crack at them now. After the bulk of the amphibious forces withdraw, I'll send the CVTFs up to Iwo Jima. Rota: Rota has progressed building its airfield. It's currently at 45% of the way to size 1. In the meantime, since there is 24 AV support on the island, I order in a PBY-5 and a Coronado unit to the island (24 aircraft in total). These are set to naval patrol-normal range. I've now got an improved picture of the opposition in the area. IJN update June 22-23: Saipan: Saipan seems to have a couple regular DD ASW TFs that are sitting in the hex beating up my minisubs. I've lost 8 in the last two turns. A fleet I-boat is also sunk and another RO-class boat badly damaged in the waters NE of Saipan. In return, another Allied DD hits a Mk. 4 mine at Saipan and sinks. Some USN port and airfield attacks are greeted with heavy flak. Something on the order of 10 Allied planes are OPs losses on 6/22 as a result. Captain Mandrake asks when the "SA-2s were installed". Pagan: More Allied ships are at anchor in Pagan. Yesterday's count was 40 disbanded ships in port. There's at least two more identified TFs at Pagan too. I've resurrected the idea of the bombardment forces going in. Out of Babeldoap, I order a TF consisting of 4 CAs, a couple CLs and several DDs to the NNE to assume a position to strike on June 24-25. At sea: In the meantime, the balance of the combined fleet moves out of Babeldoap to the SE. I would like to skirt North of Truk, get past the Marianas and into open sea if I can. If I can slip by, then I'll be in a position to interdict two detected TFs returning to the Marianas from Pearl Harbor. Almost assuredly, these contain the bulk of the forces for the long-awaited Saipan invasion. If I can get a strike into them whilest they're at sea, that will make a world of difference. It's worth a shot anyways. If he moves his carriers South to threaten my movement, I'll withdraw the CVs away from the Marianas, opening up the door to the CA TF to move into Pagan. IMO, he's got sufficient power to split his CVTFs and still spank me in detail, but the possibility of an even carrier exchange with the Japanese would be a major setback to the Allied effort. He'll probably keep them concentrated to maintain his surfeit of naval airpower in the area.

rtrapasso -> RE: Combined update (7/6/2011 11:57:45 PM)
What about the latest engagement of the night of June 21-22 (with you as Allies)? [sm=00000613.gif](yes, Mandrake has mentioned a bizarre surface action...)

Chickenboy -> RE: Combined update (7/7/2011 6:46:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rtrapasso What about the latest engagement of the night of June 21-22 (with you as Allies)? [sm=00000613.gif](yes, Mandrake has mentioned a bizarre surface action...) Troublemaker. Now I won't be able to digest my dinner. [:-] [;)] As player 2, I haven't yet received this turn yet. I'll update when I get it-assuming that it's not some borkulated FOW or sync issue.

rtrapasso -> RE: Combined update (7/7/2011 11:15:45 PM)
quote: Troublemaker. Now I won't be able to digest my dinner. If that result Mandrake posted is accurate, your dinner may look like this:[sm=vomit-smiley-020.gif]

rtrapasso -> RE: Combined update (7/9/2011 9:34:15 PM)
[>:]

Chickenboy -> RE: Combined update (7/9/2011 11:51:11 PM)
In midst of swapping out desktop computers. This'll take a couple days. Plus, I'm licking my wounds. [:D]

crsutton -> RE: Combined update (7/10/2011 6:03:16 AM)
CB, If he is still alive, what is the Naval skill of your Taffy commander? Perhaps that is why your escorts performed so poorly.

Chickenboy -> RE: Combined update (7/10/2011 4:19:19 PM)
You mean if I'm still alive or the TF commander? [;)] I'll look into this later today / tonight. I'm busy porting over all files from my old PC to a shiny new i7 now.

Chickenboy -> Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 3:22:44 AM)
Allies June 22 update: WTF? In a night encounter that could only be described as ludicrously modelled, three IJN DDs slip into the waters around Guam and pulverize a well-escorted CVE TF. The CVE TF was ordered to follow a bombardment TF, so this was probably the wrong order for them this turn. Without this order, they would have not been in the Guam hex. That was a mistake. But nothing explains this: AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 21, 44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Guam at 106,95, Range 1,000 Yards Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses No Allied losses Japanese Ships DD Hamakaze DD Nowaki, Shell hits 6, on fire DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1 Allied Ships CVE Sangamon CVE Chenango, Shell hits 6, on fire CVE Santee CVE Anzio, Shell hits 32, heavy fires, heavy damage CVE Kalinin Bay, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CVE Gambier Bay, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk DD McKee DD McNair DD Melvin DD Mertz DD Miller CA Canberra Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range closes to 25,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25,000 yards Range closes to 20,000 yards... Range closes to 15,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 7,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 3,000 yards... Range closes to 1,000 yards... DD Hibiki engages CVE Gambier Bay at 1,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Gambier Bay at 1,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Anzio at 1,000 yards Range increases to 2,000 yards DD Hibiki engages CVE Anzio at 2,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Kalinin Bay at 2,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Anzio at 2,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Sangamon at 2,000 yards Range increases to 3,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Kalinin Bay at 3,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Anzio at 3,000 yards DD Hibiki engages DD McKee at 3,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Hibiki engages CVE Gambier Bay at 2,000 yards CVE Gambier Bay sunk by DD Nowaki at 2,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Anzio at 2,000 yards DD Nowaki engages CVE Chenango at 2,000 yards Range increases to 3,000 yards DD Hibiki engages CVE Kalinin Bay at 3,000 yards Allied Task Force Manages to Escape Task forces break off... So, for those of you looking to learn from Chickenboy's mistake(s): here's what happened wrong. 1. 0% moonlight. Dead of night. The raiders were able to sneak in close before loosing torpedoes and wreaking havoc. 2. The CO of Canberra is a sot. Inspiration of 35. I must have missed him going through good commanders. The TF commander is decent (>51 for both major categories, can't tell about naval v. air skill right now) 3. Follow orders led the CVE TF through a surface combat zone. I brought a gun to a knife fight in the dark. 4. The Bombardment TF was the only heavy cover in the region-they were set for bombardment and not in a position to make an intercept after firing their mission. I get all this. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Here's what's borked: Nearly all these engagements took place at <3,000 yards. That's nothing. Yet, in spite of this near ramming range, no other Allied DDs were at all concerned about their CVE charges being suddenly wreathed in flames? Shell after shell exploding on the CVEs, yet no return fire from any escorts? No attempt(s) to shield the CVEs by interposing themselves between the carriers and the enemy? I call Bravo Sierra on that one. Especially since the enemy was detected by Allied radar at 10,000 yards. [8\|] If a CA or CL had been with the Japanese force, it surely would have destroyed my entire TF. Thank goodness for small mercies. As it stands, two of the CVEs are sunk by daylight. A third is limping towards Eniwetok at 2 knots. It probably won't make it. The remaining 3 CVEs track SE away from the fight towards Eniwetok. Just as painfully, I lose some 45 planes "on field"-I'll likely lose another 30+ tomorrow. Fighting on Guam: Goes well. In addition to this below, the heavy BB-led bombardment killed or disrupted some 390 defenders. Ground shock attack ordered for tomorrow. Ground combat at Guam (106,95) Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 29930 troops, 607 guns, 795 vehicles, Assault Value = 1095 Defending force 16280 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 480 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2 Allied adjusted assault: 871 Japanese adjusted defense: 715 Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2) Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 1960 casualties reported Squads: 31 destroyed, 105 disabled Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 83 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled Allied ground losses: 384 casualties reported Squads: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 63 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Assaulting units: 706th Tank Battalion 708th Amphib Tank Battalion 4th Marine Regiment 2nd USMC Tank Battalion 22nd Marine Regiment 773rd Amphib Tractr Battalion 5th Amphib Tractor Battalion 305th Regimental Combat Team 2nd Marine Division III US Amphib Corps 9th Marine Defense Battalion Fleet Air Wing 2 112th USA Base Force 225th Artillery Grp V US Amphib Corps 98th Coast AA Regiment 806th Engineer Aviation Battalion 318th Fighter Group 39th Aviation Base Force Defending units: 29th Division 54th Naval Guard Unit 10th Infantry Brigaded 48th Ind.Mixed Brigade 52nd/B Div /2 61st Air Flotilla 60th Field AA Battalion 25th JAAF AF Bn Vengeance is whose? Another SigInt radio intercept identifies the Taiyo just NW of Iwo Jima-it must have joined the previously identified CV located right about there. Subs are plotting an intercept course N of Iwo Jima. The Allied CVs will move to a position 5 hexes S. of Iwo Jima. Weather calls for overcast, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully my CAP will fly at least. [8\|]. There should be no way to escape a carrier fight tomorrow. We'll see who comes out ahead on this one...[sm=00000055.gif]

Chickenboy -> RE: Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 3:27:08 AM)
Another try for the image in the post... [image]local://upfiles/6968/2EBDA45E2ED5418F9C8AEADA3B51F051.jpg[/image]

Bradley7735 -> RE: Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 4:13:36 AM)
I've never been a fan of how gimped the US is in surface fights. I get that the US came out a bit worse than the IJN in 42. But, they didn't get the crap knocked out of them every single fight. And, they owned the night and day after mid 43. I think surface fights are heavily weighted on ship commanders and ship experience. You can only do so much to increase exp on ships. after that, it's have them fight. And, you usually lose ships when they are not high experience. I wish the model didn't make the US surface units to be such idiots late in the game. I wonder if the ships in the scenario have the default 42 experience points. They should all be in the 70's range. I wonder if they're in the 35 range?

Chickenboy -> RE: Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 4:34:26 AM)
I can understand the besotten CA Canberra skipper not contributing much to the fight, but the other DD Captains were not so grossly incompetent in this case.

Bradley7735 -> RE: Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 5:30:40 AM)
The more I think of this example, the more I think it's more of an issue with SCTF vs any other task force instead of the same whine about USN vs IJN surface fights. Escorts are too gimped in these fights, regardless of side. I remember the AI sent Aoba and 2 DD's vs my early war CV task force with Lex and Sara. I won the fight, not because the 3 CA or 6 DD escorts helped. I won because Lex and Sara had 8" guns and performed better than any other ship, including the IJN. There must be a severe penalty applied to surface ships when not in a bombard or surface task force. IMO, it's probably too high of a penalty.

crsutton -> RE: Allies June 22 update (7/11/2011 6:31:09 PM)
It seems to happen a lot but this sort of result should at least be possible on a rare occasion. Radar or not, even a decent DD escort commander could just be in the wrong place or make the wrong decision. So perhaps you were just the victim of your own mistakes combined with a terrible series of nasty die rolls. A "perfect storm" of buffoonery. [:D] I recall in UV and perhaps in WITP that the escorts would usually sacrifice themselves for the carriers and the carriers almost always escaped if they had enough escort. Don't know why it was changed so. However, any carriers caught by surface forces on a dark night in restricted waters should be raped...or have that potential. As for the Allied surface fleet. I find that now that I have Fletcher class DDs and working torpedoes that it is getting very dangerous for Japanese capital ships to risk night action. For two years of my campaign, I feared Japanese BB and CA runs at my bases. Now, if there is half a dozen of my DDs there I hope to see big Japanese ships and actively look for them.

Chickenboy -> IJN June 24 update (7/12/2011 12:40:14 PM)
IJN June 24 update: Sub central: The usual destruction of the Japanese minisubs occurs overnight. Two more are sunk by Allied ASW units in the Saipan hex. An RO-boat is badly bludgeoned to the NE of Saipan-it's survival is questionable. Near Babeldoap, the SS Gunard is damaged by 9 hits from Japanese ASW. Bombardment and consequences: During the night, a sizeable Allied bombardment TF beats on Saipan. 4 Allied BBs, including the Alabama, New Mexico,Idaho and California unload on Saipan. The naval defenses fire back. Interestingly, a stalemate emerges. Only 52 Japanese casualties are registered-1 non-combat squad destroyed and 5 others disrupted. Comparatively ineffective, I would venture. In the day phase, the Allied BBs are found at Pagan. This must be the source of their ammunition and their 'gun run'. I order in a heavy surface combat force stationed to the West of Pagan-11 hexes out. They'll make a full speed run in. The hope is that the surface forces catch the Allies either low on ammunition (it will take some time to reload) or that the Allied forces use up their movement allotment reloading their main gun ammunition. When combined with the fact that there's only 14% moonlight, a night time run ought to be sufficient to get into knife fighting range. Many of the CAs and escorting DDs in this TF are packing Type 63 Long Lance type torpedoes-getting a chance to loose these into the sides of old pre-war Allied BBs at close range is enough to make me salivate. Who knows? With any luck, there may be a replenishment TF or a CVTF stopping in to Pagan for a top off. We'll see. In any case, it's time to take a roll of the dice on terms modestly in my favor. Other support: Iwo fighters are set to LRCAP the SCTF as it pulls off of Pagan. There should be 75 fighters on hand for this. Who knows how many will show or how effective they'll be. Down South: KB moves to the Southeast-heading for a spot due South of the Marianas. They're following an ASW TF to help navigate these sub-choked waters. If the Allies are making the N. Marianas their bastion and their launching point, perhaps there's an opening to hang out in the waters South of the Marianas, awaiting the incoming assault troops (see map). If I can get into a position to launch an CV airstrike on the incoming assault troops, I'll do it. I can't think of anything more worthwhile right now than to liquidate his oversized invasion armada at sea-particularly if they're lacking for substantive CAP. Saipan: Vengeance in small doses-I hope. I order a Judy DB unit and A6M2 escort to Saipan. The Judys will be ordered to naval attack with a range of 1. The hope is that they beat on any neighboring Allied ASW TFs without engaging the uberCAP of the Allied CVTF. Saipan makes a curious platform for this due to the fact that its airfield is in the best shape of the remaining Marianas islands in my possession. Currently, there is no airfield or port damage, in spite of daily naval and aerial bombardment. If this holds, it will be a useful springboard for offense against the incoming Allied landing forces. [image]local://upfiles/6968/88A1BD2C660A49EAB13B0201F9688174.jpg[/image]

Chickenboy -> IJN June 25 Update (7/14/2011 5:01:00 PM)
IJN June 25 Update: Last update on this game for at least a week...heading to a conference in St. Louis this afternoon. Sub Central: Good news: Sub attack near Pagan at 108,89 Japanese Ships DD Nowaki CA Haguro DD Okinami DD Asashimo Allied Ships SS Albacore, hits 8, heavy damage SS Albacore launches 2 torpedoes at DD Nowaki DD Nowaki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Asashimo attacking submerged sub .... DD Nowaki fails to find sub and abandons search DD Asashimo fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Asashimo fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Asashimo fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Asashimo attacking submerged sub .... Sounds of submarine breaking up detected! Escort abandons search for sub Bad news: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack near Pagan at 114,93 Japanese Ships SS RO-68, hits 10, and is sunk Allied Ships DD Haraden DD Melvin SS RO-68 is located by DD Haraden RO-68 diving deep .... DD Melvin attacking submerged sub .... SS RO-68 forced to surface! DD Melvin firing on surfaced sub .... DD Haraden firing on surfaced sub .... Sub slips beneath the waves Bad news redux: Submarine attack near Pagan at 111,90 Japanese Ships SS RO-117, hits 28, and is sunk Allied Ships DD Crosby DD Monssen II DD Crane DD Kennison SS RO-117 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Crosby RO-117 diving deep .... DD Monssen II attacking submerged sub .... SS RO-117 forced to surface! DD Monssen II firing on surfaced sub .... DD Crane firing on surfaced sub .... DD Kennison firing on surfaced sub .... DD Monssen II firing on surfaced sub .... DD Crane firing on surfaced sub .... DD Kennison firing on surfaced sub .... DD Monssen II firing on surfaced sub .... Sub slips beneath the waves Saipan naval CD duking it out with Allied bombardment TFs: As follow up, I check on the CD emplacements they're somewhat disrupted with approximately 1/3 of their heavier guns unavailable-likely due to the effects of the bombardment(s). They'll need a few days of respite to heal up, but I doubt they'll get it. Plenty of shell hits on the offending Allied BBs-none penetrating as far as I could tell (the largest CD gun is 20cm). Here's hoping that it's causing lots of superficial damage to topside AA and smaller caliber weaponry. In scenarios, points are allocated for damage to enemy shipping-anyone remember the formula? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Saipan at 108,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 235 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships BB Iowa, Shell hits 4 BB Indiana, Shell hits 3 BB South Dakota, Shell hits 6 BB North Carolina, Shell hits 13 Japanese ground losses: 60 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled BB Iowa firing at Saipan Naval Fortress Saipan Naval Fortress firing at BB Iowa BB Indiana firing at Saipan Naval Fortress Saipan Naval Fortress firing at BB Indiana OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB South Dakota BB South Dakota firing at Saipan Naval Fortress Saipan Naval Fortress firing at BB South Dakota Saipan Naval Fortress firing at BB North Carolina BB North Carolina firing at Saipan Naval Fortress And the piece de resistance-the slipshod naval battle: I don't usually include the entire text from the combat report, but I will in this case for illustrative purposes. For those of you looking for the expurgated version here it is: 1. Incoming CA TF trips over SS Albacore en route to Pagan. See "good news" above. This action, although deleterious to the submarine may have slowed the TF down just enough to result in daylight engagement. 2. IJN TF enters Pagan hex in the first daylight movement phase. 3. The Allied BB TF is rearmed and, apparently, the only surface TF in the hex. So much for catching an AE or AO replenishment TF at Pagan. 4. The Allies are able to begin engaging the IJN TF at ranges of 24,000 yards. Only after some time are the Japanese able to close the range. No Japanese torpedoes find their mark. One allied torpedo finds its mark. 5. The Japanese are shot to pieces by the heavy caliber Allied BB guns. Although many hits are scored by the Japanese 20cm main CA armament on the BBs, none penetrate. Mild fires are started aboard three of the Allied BBs, but these are felt to be minimal and largely inconsequential. 6. Remnants of the IJN TF leave the hex and are dispatched in the afternoon air phase by Dauntless DBs in the area. I believe these DBs came from an a/c carrier in the region versus from Pagan proper. I have excluded several abortive engagements with remnant IJN forces and inconsequential aerial actions from the text below. 7. What I may have done wrong: Not much. I'm much less upset by these losses than by the CVE losses in the Allied turn above. The Japanese knew they were outgunned entering the fracas. My only hope was that they could make the trip and catch the Allies unawares during the night phase. That didn't happen for one reason-maybe two-see below. In any case, I'd rather have these fine fighting ships go down swinging in a surface battle than bombed or torpedoed to oblivion from Allied CVTF air assault. At least they had a shot-that's all I can ask for. Reason 1: I believe that the ASW engagement slowed the TF down just enough to negate any chance of making Pagan by daylight. Reason 2: I don't know about the 11 hexes in this case. Might that have been two hexes too far? Speed on the CA TF is listed at 9/9 at full speed, but we all know that the first impulse of that is an inexact science. Am I reading this right? Some feedback from the readers is requested. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Pagan at 110,89, Range 24,000 Yards Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses No Japanese losses Japanese Ships CA Maya, Shell hits 18, and is sunk CA Haguro, Shell hits 12, and is sunk CA Mogami, Shell hits 11, and is sunk CA Kumano, Shell hits 3, and is sunk CL Noshiro, Shell hits 2 DD Okinami, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Asashimo, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Nowaki, Shell hits 22, and is sunk Allied Ships BB California, Shell hits 5 BB Idaho, Shell hits 9 BB New Mexico, Shell hits 6 BB Alabama, Shell hits 13 DD Albert Grant, Shell hits 2 DD Haggard, Shell hits 1 DD McNair DD Mertz DD Remey, Shell hits 2 DD Robinson Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards Range closes to 24,000 yards... CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Mogami at 24,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 24,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 24,000 yards BB Idaho engages DD Nowaki at 24,000 yards BB Idaho engages DD Asashimo at 24,000 yards Range closes to 19,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Mogami at 19,000 yards CA Kumano engages BB New Mexico at 19,000 yards CA Mogami engages BB California at 19,000 yards BB New Mexico engages CL Noshiro at 19,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Haggard at 19,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 19,000 yards Range closes to 15,000 yards BB New Mexico engages CL Noshiro at 15,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Haguro at 15,000 yards CA Maya engages DD Remey at 15,000 yards DD Remey engages DD Asashimo at 15,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Mertz at 15,000 yards DD Haggard engages DD Okinami at 15,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Haggard at 15,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 15,000 yards Range closes to 12,000 yards CA Kumano engages DD Remey at 12,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Mogami at 12,000 yards CA Haguro engages BB Alabama at 12,000 yards CA Maya engages DD McNair at 12,000 yards CL Noshiro engages BB New Mexico at 12,000 yards DD Albert Grant engages DD Nowaki at 12,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 12,000 yards DD McNair engages DD Okinami at 12,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Haggard at 12,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 12,000 yards Nishimura, Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage Range closes to 9,000 yards CA Kumano engages DD McNair at 9,000 yards BB New Mexico engages CA Mogami at 9,000 yards CA Haguro engages DD Haggard at 9,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 9,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Robinson at 9,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD McNair at 9,000 yards DD Haggard engages DD Asashimo at 9,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Haggard at 9,000 yards DD Haggard engages DD Asashimo at 9,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 9,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards CA Mogami engages BB New Mexico at 10,000 yards CA Mogami engages BB Idaho at 10,000 yards BB California engages CA Haguro at 10,000 yards CL Noshiro engages DD Albert Grant at 10,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD McNair at 10,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Mertz at 10,000 yards DD McNair engages DD Asashimo at 10,000 yards DD Haggard engages DD Nowaki at 10,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 10,000 yards Range increases to 11,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards CA Mogami engages BB New Mexico at 11,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Haguro at 11,000 yards BB New Mexico engages CA Maya at 11,000 yards CL Noshiro engages DD Haggard at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Remey at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Mertz at 11,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Remey at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Haggard at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 11,000 yards Nishimura, Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage Range increases to 12,000 yards CA Kumano sunk by BB New Mexico at 12,000 yards CA Mogami engages BB New Mexico at 12,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Maya at 12,000 yards CA Maya engages DD Remey at 12,000 yards CL Noshiro engages DD McNair at 12,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Remey at 12,000 yards DD McNair engages DD Asashimo at 12,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Remey at 12,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Haggard at 12,000 yards Range increases to 13,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards CA Haguro engages BB California at 13,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards BB California engages CL Noshiro at 13,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Mertz at 13,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Remey at 13,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Mertz at 13,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD McNair at 13,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Haggard at 13,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 13,000 yards Nishimura, Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage Range closes to 11,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 11,000 yards CA Haguro engages BB New Mexico at 11,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Maya at 11,000 yards BB California engages CL Noshiro at 11,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Mertz at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Mertz at 11,000 yards DD McNair engages DD Okinami at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD McNair at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Haggard at 11,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 11,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 8,000 yards CA Haguro engages BB New Mexico at 8,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Maya at 8,000 yards BB California engages CA Maya at 8,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Robinson at 8,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Remey at 8,000 yards DD Mertz engages DD Okinami at 8,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD McNair at 8,000 yards DD Albert Grant engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards CA Mogami sunk by BB New Mexico at 5,000 yards BB Idaho engages CL Noshiro at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Mertz at 5,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Remey at 5,000 yards DD Robinson engages DD Okinami at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD McNair at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Haggard at 5,000 yards DD Albert Grant engages DD Asashimo at 5,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Haguro at 5,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 5,000 yards BB Idaho engages CA Haguro at 5,000 yards CA Haguro sunk by BB California at 5,000 yards DD Asashimo engages DD Albert Grant at 5,000 yards DD Asashimo sunk by DD Remey at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Mertz at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD McNair at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Haggard at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Albert Grant at 5,000 yards BB Alabama engages CA Maya at 5,000 yards CA Maya sunk by BB New Mexico at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Robinson at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Remey at 5,000 yards DD Mertz engages DD Nowaki at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD McNair at 5,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Haggard at 5,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 5,000 yards Nishimura, Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage Range increases to 6,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 6,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Albert Grant at 6,000 yards BB Idaho engages CL Noshiro at 6,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Robinson at 6,000 yards DD Remey engages DD Okinami at 6,000 yards DD Nowaki engages DD Haggard at 6,000 yards DD Albert Grant engages DD Okinami at 6,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 6,000 yards DD Nowaki sunk by BB Alabama at 6,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Remey at 6,000 yards BB California engages CL Noshiro at 6,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Robinson at 6,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD McNair at 6,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 10,000 yards DD Robinson engages DD Okinami at 10,000 yards BB Idaho engages CL Noshiro at 10,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Remey at 10,000 yards Range increases to 18,000 yards BB Alabama engages CL Noshiro at 18,000 yards DD Remey engages DD Okinami at 18,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Robinson at 18,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD Remey at 18,000 yards DD Okinami engages DD McNair at 18,000 yards CL Noshiro engages DD Haggard at 18,000 yards Nishimura, Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage Range increases to 25,000 yards Task forces break off...

Chickenboy -> Allies June 23 update (7/14/2011 5:28:12 PM)
Allies June 23 update: I just received the turn a few moments ago from the Cap'n. Nothing too much going on here, except: 1. The combined fleet was destroyed near Iwo Jima 2. Guam fell to the Allies. Sure wish I had time to update this AAR before my weeklong trip, but it'll have to wait. So solly, rtrapasso. [:'(][:D]

witpqs -> RE: Allies June 23 update (7/14/2011 5:45:00 PM)
I'm not catching what you mean by the '11 hex' thing. Do you mean that the TF was 11 hexes out and you told it to move in at full speed, figuring it would get there, fight, and then move out before the daylight turn? If so, then it was way too far. The 9 hexes shown at max speed would be the farthest out the TF should be when you send it in. If it was 11 hexes away then it sounds like it moved 9 hexes at night, then the remaining 2 hexes in daylight and sailed into the USN Fleet Gunnery Range. [X(]

rtrapasso -> RE: Allies June 23 update (7/14/2011 9:32:49 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Chickenboy Allies June 23 update: I just received the turn a few moments ago from the Cap'n. Nothing too much going on here, except: 1. The combined fleet was destroyed near Iwo Jima 2. Guam fell to the Allies. Sure wish I had time to update this AAR before my weeklong trip, but it'll have to wait. So solly, rtrapasso. [:'(][:D] [8\|] [:@] [;)]

rtrapasso -> RE: Allies June 23 update (7/19/2011 11:13:53 PM)
[>:]

Chickenboy -> RE: Allies June 23 update (7/20/2011 8:30:04 PM)
Wakey, wakey, sir. Update to follow tonight...

Chickenboy -> Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 12:21:25 AM)
Allied June 23 update: Lots of action today. In the interests of time I'll start with the 'everything else' summary and then hit two major milestones with the game: 1. Everything else: Judys from Truk hit an Allied DE with four bombs, leaving her burning in the water. Additionally, a Jap SS torpedoes AM Oracle as she leaves the Guam region. She goes down, but her escort badly pummels the offending submarine. Allied submarines put a TT into DD Hibiki between Guam and Yap, sinking her. Elsewhere, another two Japanese RO-boats are beaten severely, a fleet I-boat takes a pounding and Allied air patrol claims hits from scout bombers on an SC (2 hits), an SSX (minisub-1 hit), an E-class boat (1 hit), a "CVE" (1 hit), "CVL Rhuyo (3 hits), a Mogami-class CA (1 hit) and a Hiryu-class CV (1 hit). All but the minisub were claimed hit near Iwo Jima (see below) 2. Naval battle of Iwo Jima: A massive carrier battle takes place on June 22, 1944. During the morning phase, Allied carriers' scout DBs sight large numbers of Japanese ships to the West of Iwo Jima. Several scout bombers and scout Avenger aircraft are shot down. Allied SS in the area react into the hex, but are beaten back by Japanese escorts. The Japanese strike first: the first of two large raids is slaughtered by Allied UberCAP: First: Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 109,80 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 70 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Sen Baku x 55 A6M5 Zero x 157 G3M3 Nell x 6 G4M1 Betty x 20 Allied aircraft F6F-3 Hellcat x 209 F6F-3N Hellcat x 4 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Sen Baku: 8 destroyed A6M5 Zero: 17 destroyed G3M3 Nell: 4 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed The second wave sustains grievous casualties, but eventually breaks through the UberCAP: Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 109,80 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Sen Baku x 37 A6M5 Zero x 114 B5N2 Kate x 9 B6N1 Jill x 67 B6N2 Jill x 6 D4Y1 Judy x 61 Allied aircraft F6F-3 Hellcat x 175 F6F-3N Hellcat x 3 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Sen Baku: 10 destroyed A6M5 Zero: 20 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed B6N1 Jill: 11 destroyed, 19 damaged B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged D4Y1 Judy: 21 destroyed, 7 damaged Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed Allied Ships CVL Bataan, Bomb hits 1 CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire CVL Langley, Torpedo hits 1 CVL Monterey, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1 CVL Princeton CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, on fire BB Washington, Torpedo hits 1 CVL San Jacinto DD Hickox CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 2, on fire CLAA San Juan Several Allied CVs are hit. Only the CVL Monterrey is in mortal danger. All other ships, with the exception of the CVL Cabot are able to sustain air operations. More about these ships' disposition in a moment... The Allies respond: Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 107,77 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 52 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Sen Baku x 21 A6M5 Zero x 36 Allied aircraft F6F-3 Hellcat x 199 SB2C-1C Helldiver x 69 SB2C-3 Helldiver x 56 SBD-5 Dauntless x 17 TBF-1 Avenger x 32 TBM-1C Avenger x 115 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Sen Baku: 1 destroyed A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 damaged SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged TBM-1C Avenger: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged Japanese Ships CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CVL Chiyoda, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 1 CA Maya CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage CV Junyo, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage BB Nagato, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Wakazuki, Bomb hits 2, on fire CA Atago, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CV Taiho, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Myoko, Bomb hits 3, on fire CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires DD Hatsuzuki, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Shimozuki, Bomb hits 3, on fire CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage DD Akishimo, Bomb hits 1, on fire CA Haguro DD Kishinami The damage message continues: Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Chiyoda Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Shimozuki Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Chitose Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Suzuya Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryuho Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Nagato Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Taiho Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Wakazuki By my count, that's 5 enemy CVs; 3 enemy CVLs, 2 DDs, a CA and a BB that are mortally wounded. I'll take that for CVL Monterrey. Only the CAs Haguro and Maya escape significant damage. CA Chikuma only received one bomb hit, so she's probably still able to conduct combat operations. Allied dispositions: With the exception of CVL Monterrey whose damage is 14/82/35, the other damaged Allied CVs form a fourth Allied carrier TF. It's able to make 15 knots (image below) and its ships are in no imminent danger. It's able to fly some 150 planes, so it's a self-sustaining CAP for the egress. It will tack south towards Guam and then head SE towards Eniwetok. The remaining three undamaged Allied CVs head SW 8 hexes to rendevous with the DD ASW TF and the heavy surface SCTF (BBs Iowa and New Jersey) at 105,88. The aforementioned TFs did not react as the carrier TFs did, thus they stayed behind whilest the air battle(s) occured. They will sport some 500 combat aircraft, so this still represents a sizeable combat force. The CVTFs are only 3 hexes from Iwo Jima and are without heavy surface cover. The enemy still has at least 4 BBs and 3 CAs that he can gather into a bunch and hurl at me here. It's what I'd do. That's why I'm leaving. If I guess right, the CVTFs will start the day phase within striking range of the pursuing enemy surface fleet. If not, then we'll see how events go. The crew of the CVL Monterrey want to help their bretheren make good their escape. They volunteer (along with two escort DDs) to move towards the enemy. Any surface intercept will first challenge this flaming derelict, hopefully allowing some precious time for the other carriers to put some distance between them and the charging surface combatants. Guam: Guam falls to Allied shock attack: Ground combat at Guam (106,95) Allied Shock attack Attacking force 29577 troops, 607 guns, 796 vehicles, Assault Value = 1080 Defending force 14490 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 363 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1 Allied adjusted assault: 1073 Japanese adjusted defense: 209 Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1) Allied forces CAPTURE Guam !!! Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses No Japanese losses Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+) Japanese ground losses: 1768 casualties reported Squads: 44 destroyed, 16 disabled Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 19 disabled Engineers: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 77 (76 destroyed, 1 disabled) Allied ground losses: 1038 casualties reported Squads: 5 destroyed, 66 disabled Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 122 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled) Assaulting units: 773rd Amphib Tractr Battalion 5th Amphib Tractor Battalion 4th Marine Regiment 305th Regimental Combat Team 22nd Marine Regiment 708th Amphib Tank Battalion 2nd USMC Tank Battalion 706th Tank Battalion 2nd Marine Division 318th Fighter Group 225th Artillery Grp III US Amphib Corps Fleet Air Wing 2 9th Marine Defense Battalion 112th USA Base Force 806th Engineer Aviation Battalion 98th Coast AA Regiment V US Amphib Corps 39th Aviation Base Force Defending units: 48th Ind.Mixed Brigade 54th Naval Guard Unit 29th Division 10th Infantry Brigade 52nd/B Div /2 60th Field AA Battalion 61st Air Flotilla 25th JAAF AF Bn Two naval search patrol units are moved in immediately. The Allies have some 189 air support onshore, so after healing the airfields, this will be a buzzing hornet's nest of LBA. [image]local://upfiles/6968/1E27575D0C7D401E99D75516450FBE55.jpg[/image]

Chickenboy -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 12:21:58 AM)
Another image from the turn... Allied aircraft earn a 7:1 A2A advantage over the combined IJNAF assaults. [image]local://upfiles/6968/318F6A4FC80A4B76852AC5538AA95176.jpg[/image]

rtrapasso -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 10:00:34 PM)
It seems the game (i.e. combined scores between the mirror games) is pretty close... Any more progress?? [sm=00000613.gif]

Chickenboy -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 10:46:32 PM)
Hi rtrapasso, Right now, the score between the games-as far as I can discern is not close. With me as the Japanese in the other game, I'm way ahead-over 1000 points. The Allies in that game have neither butchered my fleet nor captured any significant VP islands worthy of the name. VP-wise, Pagan is worth squat by itself. The loss of the CA TF recently was the only significant major combatant losses endured by the Japanese. Other capital ships have been damaged (e.g., Zuikaku), but not sunk. with Cap'n as IJN and me as the Allies (me), I have now taken a sizeable lead in the other game too. This was made possible through the destruction of the IJN fleet and the capture of Guam. The latter had an effect of swinging the victory point margin 500 points towards the Allies. Tinian will yield a similar amount. Crushing the Imperial Japanese Navy will be worth north of 1200 points too, I'm sure. I'm also looking forward to liquidating the remnants of Japanese troops on Rota and Guam-every little bit helps. You don't get points for disabled enemy squads, so eradicating them from an island is very important too-the longer I can hold off an Allied Saipan invasion, the more difficult it becomes to eradicate my Japanese troops before time's up. This takes some time.

Chickenboy -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 10:46:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rtrapasso It seems the game (i.e. combined scores between the mirror games) is pretty close... Any more progress?? [sm=00000613.gif] Both turns now reside with the Cap'n.

Mynok -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/21/2011 10:52:18 PM)
So now you can work on other turns? [sm=terms.gif][sm=innocent0009.gif]

Chickenboy -> RE: Allied June 23 update (7/22/2011 12:09:05 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mynok So now you can work on other turns? [sm=terms.gif][sm=innocent0009.gif] [:'(] Yeah, yeah. I hope that the Cap'n will see that resistance is useless and resign before long, thus freeing me up for my other previous and ongoing obligations. Somehow, I don't think that'll happen. [;)]

Chickenboy -> Allied June 24-25 update (7/24/2011 4:51:04 PM)
Allied June 24-25 Update: ETA: The screenshot below was from June 24. Pretty quiet day. Most of the descriptions below involve activities on June 25, not pictured. A wash sale: CVTFs move away from Iwo Jima. The damaged CVs that can make more than 2 knots track due East, along with the BB Washington's escort TF. They will track due East and then South once they get near Marcus-giving the Marianas a wide berth. During the day, a CV and BB are spotted afloat at Iwo Jima. The damaged CVTF (Enterprise + 3 CVLs) launches an underwhelming attack, as they are are still within range. There is stiff Japanese CAP above Iwo still and it extracts a heavy toll on the attackers. Nonetheless, they press their attack and put 3 bombs into "CVL Ryuho", which burns heavily. Another bomb hits a "BB", probably Nagato. Some 45 Allied planes are lost in this effort, compared to 15 Japanese planes. I regard this as a 'wash'. Strictly speaking, it's always good to burn Japanese carriers, but I don't like paying retail in casualties. d Swing and a miss: The previously spotted Japanese BBs must have split into two or more forces. One stays at Saipan, presumeably under air cover. Long-range scout bombers from the main Allied CV effort identify two "BB"s there and "hit" them. Another IJN surface combat group (also with a BB) has tried to swing for the fences by interdicting my shipping to the Southeast of Guam. I still have a fair amount of shipping in the area, including a large replenishment TF due East of where this interdiction attempt took place. The shipping closest to the Japanese task force now is exclusively in 'escort' mode and consists of the damaged APAs, LSTs, DDs and DEs from the Guam and Rota landings. I break off the faster moving ships from these escort TFs and cut the laggards loose. If the Japanese continue to the Southeast, they'll react into several of these, thus expending their movement and ammunition. There are 4 CVEs in the area that I order to consolidate and move out of the likely avenue of Japanese advance at flank speed. To help delay the Japanese surface group further, I split off CA Canberra and a few DDs and put them into a surface TF with intercept orders. I'm still steamed at the Canberra's Captain's near-criminal negligence whilest letting the CVE TF burn around him. Now he'll have the opportunity to use those guns and / or die trying. I won't be disappointed if it's the latter. If he survives this effort, I'll put him in chains first opportunity at Eniwetok. Meanwhile, 5 Allied BBs arrive at Eniwetok-from landing party escort duty or from "Bull" Halsey's heavy SCTF cover duty at Guam. All BBs are refueled and rearmed (goodness, how I love the late war Allied logistics tail). Halsey's TF with the older pre-war BBs lags a bit and won't be ready to sail until tomorrow. Alabama and Indiana are detailed to another TF and given an aggressive commander. They'll make 4 hexes distance tomorrow towards the NW (the location of the Japanese SCTF). Several Dauntless DB squadrons are present at Eniwetok and will make their presence known if the Japanese venture too close. In the middle of nowhere: The main Allied CVTFs strike force took the turn to refuel in the middle of the Philippine Sea. I don't love the idea of refueling thirsty DDs in 'enemy' territory like this, but I'd rather do it on my own terms with a semblance of coordination than have TFs drop behind at an inopportune moment. It's unlikely that the Japanese will assume that the CVs will be stationary this turn. An interdiction attempt would put the Japanese off course. In any case, if the Japanese want a surface fight, The Iowa and New Jersey will have to earn their keep. Guam reinforced: The runway and air staging areas at Guam are still moderately damaged. However, I need LBA in the region, and I need it now. 3 USMC Corsair squadrons and 3 Dauntless DB squadrons fly over from Eniwetok. They are ordered to naval attack with the Corsairs escorting. 1 Corsair squadron is ordered to sweep Saipan, which has some 50 fighters on station. Time to whittle 'em down a bit. I also order a recon squadron of F-5s to the island. These squadrons complement the naval patrol aircraft already at Guam. I'll have to stage in other aircraft to Guam, as the distance is too great for some USAAF P-47s, for example. [image]local://upfiles/6968/7AC38C4DDD3248998F696F60BBE0B1EE.jpg[/image]

Chickenboy -> IJN June 27 update (7/24/2011 4:57:12 PM)
IJN June 27 update A few days have passed since I've updated the IJN status of this mirror game. It's been slow the last few days. I think there were two-count 'em-two combat actions for the combat report on the 26th. There have only been two major changes for today: 1. The number of ships in port at Pagan continues to mushroom. It's at 200+ ships now. Another visible TF is enroute to Pagan-taking a wide berth north. 2. My CV and SCTF TFs have been spotted South of the Marianas. He's moving his combined carrier fleet SW to intercept. Joining the battle with HIJMS Combined Fleet: Why here, why now? I asked myself that question several times. The Japanese have been fortunate thus far. Incredibly, the airfields of Saipan, Guam and Tinian are serviceable for Japanese aircraft at this late stage of the campaign! Providence such as this cannot be overlooked! Clearly, the Gods of War are with us! Allied LBA from the (overstacked) Pagan field will have no bearing on this fight, they're too far North. You can bet that when the time comes to attack Saipan that the Allied fighters will be flying LRCAP nonstop, thus making air attack on the transport shipping problematic if not impossible. If the Allied carriers were still intact, they'd be offshore 1-2 hexes (yawn) letting their superfluous CAP overlap Saipan, making the situation impossible. By attacking here and now, I (for sure) mitigate the impact of Allied LBA on this battle and (possibly) reduce the role of carrier-borne cover during the invasion sequence(s). My IJNAF LBA numbers have been plumped up considerably. Dribs and drabs of replacement or reinforcements that have arrived over the last 45 days have made a difference in quality and quantity. If I can apply sufficient numbers to this problem (his 'naked' carrier TFs), now's the time to apply it. He's moving into a delightful "sweet spot", abreast the Marianas, within easy carrier range. I should be able to get off an attack from four air angles and a surface angle too. The Allies are likely to brute force their way to the SW, rather than due South. The primary Allied concern now is to keep his carriers between my (spotted) force and the tender Amphibious craft around Pagan. Even if he thinks I'm going towards Truk to make the break into the open sea "behind" him, he can't afford to move his carriers to the SE-it would open up too much sea space between his carriers and their charges. A likely course for the Allied CVTF will be within surface intercept range. Darn risky, I know, but it's worth a shot. I dispatch a 3 BB, 2 CA, CL and 5 DD TF at full speed with orders to intercept, maximum reaction. This is swinging for the fences, I know. I'd rather go out this way-having my surface combatants shredded in a surface combat TF than by getting picked apart whilest providing a target in a carrier TF. This way is much more 'Japanese'. [:D] Every now and then one hits a home run too. A well-stocked IJN surface intercept of an Allied carrier force, particuarly at night, would be a dream come true. A story for the ages. It's OK to dream, isn't it? The practical side of me wants to preserve some semblance of strength if this attack doesn't pan out tomorrow. I dispatch a reinforced battle group, centered around BB Yamato and Mushashi back to Babeldoab. Their guns would still be useful against a landing. I'll keep them as my 'ace in the hole' for a naval attack against a landing site. I order all IJNAF LBA units to the airfields of Saipan, Tinian and Guam, the latter two with most of the attack aircraft available. I've got to make all hits count, so I keep the attack aircraft (Judys, Jills, Bettys, etc.) at a range of either 6 or 7, depending on their payload. The B6N2 Jills could engage out to 10 hexes with a torpedo (!), but they'd be the only attackers able to range that far. They'd be singled out and shredded against a CAP which must be in excess of 300. I order all remaining CVs to a point indicated on the map. I've stripped the CVTFs of all heavy surface combatants and left them with only a few escort DDs. Why? I'd rather the CAs and BBs be used offensively. Against a superior force, a BB or CA escort will not provide much AAA help for the carriers anyways, likely being just another target. In this case, just another target that never gets to fire its big guns in anger. All told, some 787 IJNAF combat aircraft will greet the Allied carriers near the Marianas. The accountant side of me-the one that wants to win this mirror game on points-realizes this is a dumb move. The smart move would be to dump all of the carrier aircraft at Truk or distributed amongst the Marianas, take the carriers and flee to the corners of the map. There, I would hope that I can 'run out the clock' against his searching carrier hunters. Maybe disband them in port altogether to ensure that a lucky Allied SS doesn't take another chunk out of one. I do want to win this game, so I did grapple with this approach for some time. This attack is a massive roll of the dice on my part. If I lose my carriers, I'll be essentially where he is as the Japanese in our other game. I'll have given up my points advantage that I should be clinging to. Losing several hundred combat aircraft in this manner may also bode poorly for my points total(s). But if I should connect on this 'haymaker'....Well, that's why we play the game. 'nuff said. Once more into the breach! BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI! [image]local://upfiles/6968/CF67CA99DED24C5180A63862E6714FEE.jpg[/image]

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