AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (Full Version)

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racndoc -> AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/4/2011 2:12:16 AM)
After completing the 1st AE Tournament...with a couple of months of multiple turns/day.....I took a sabbatical from AE to get reacquainted with my family and resume my career.....LOL. I never did thank Canoerebel for organizing the tournament so I will offer my profuse thanks now!. Overall, the 3 tournament games provided perhaps the best WitP gaming experiences Ive had since downloading this fine piece of software in 2004. I think that we have a tendency to rush into the long campaign scenarios and ignore the shorter scenarios which are really undiscovered gems....at least for me...lol. Kudos to all my opponents in all 3 round for providing spirited and challenging competition. Nomad opposed me in the Coral Sea scenario....I was surprised at how well the USN carriers could stand up to the Japanese in that scenario and found it to be much more balanced than I originally assumed. Two USN CVs with 72 SBDs do quite well thank you against 2 IJN CVs and a CVL even with a couple extra land based squadrons of A6M2s....you really see how pitiful Japanese CAP was in early 1942 without radar. The 2nd round was the 1000 mile war scenario...I wasnt very familiar with that piece of Pacific history. Rader was my opponent in that scenario and again it was a very hard fought scenario that went to the very end....you use EVERY ship you receive in that scenario and the outcome wasnt determined until the last couple days of the scenario. Another bonus was I learned a lot about virtually forgotten history here. The 3rd round was the Marianas Campaign. This was by far the most imbalanced scenario......its a cakewalk for the Allies. My opponent here was Erstad who is an expert in surface combat. In this scenario, it was basically just game where you had to take all he Marianas islands ....Saipan/Guam/Tinian....and kill the IJN fleet better than your oppoent kills the IJN Navy. Even though Japan has virtually the entire combined fleet that was still available in mid 1944....its just target practice for the USN carrier pilots. Again our match went down to the final couple of turns. I took Saipan and Tinian early and finally captured Guam on the next to the last turn. Erstad took Tinian early, captured Guam on the last turn and just narrowly missed taking Saipan. Overall, all 3 games were exciting, absorbing and challenging experiences. For me, all 3 matches were decided by operational planning prior to starting the game rather than tactics. So that gets us to the present. I offered Erstad a rematch after we completed the AE Tournanent......either the Guadalcanal scenario or a campaign game. Erstad waited a couple months and then accepted a campaign game for a rematch. I offerd Erstad either Scenario 1 with no restrictions or Scenario 2 with 1st turn invasions limityed to historical invasion sites. Erstad decided on playing scenario 1...he felt that with scenario 2 Japan would have an extra 1 million supply and 2 million fuel and that would take the focus off the DEI......which was Japans' primary objective. So we will play scenario 1. We are using all the usual settings including: 2 day turns Advanced weather........on FOW..............................on PDU...............................on Realistic USN torpedoes...on realistic R&D.....................on USN damage control........on Auto sub ops...................off Very variable reinforcements House rules are minimal......invasions and paradrops only at bases and dot hexes/pay PPs for restricted units/4Es naval bomb over 10,000 feet,etc. This thread will be primarily a strategy thread on WitP AE scenario 1. Id also like to use this thread to discuss tactics/operational plans that were involved in the AE tournament if anyone has any interest. The winner of this campaign game will have a dinner for 2 at Erstad's famous cousin's restaurant in Tustin, CA...The Winery Restaurant. Let the festivities begin......

racndoc -> AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR......this is no drill (7/4/2011 3:58:38 AM)
12/7-12/8/41 Actually Erstad had a pretty conservative Japanese 1st turn. Elements of the 18th Division landed at Kota Bharu. Paratroops were dropped at Butuan, Vigan and Legaspi so that follow on troops will land undisrupted. SS KXII sinks AK Ryoyo Maru off Kompong Trach and forces thousands of IJA troops to swim for their lives. Erstad also invaded at Miri and Batan. Patani on the Malay peninsula was heavily reinforced. The main Japanese attack was at Pearl Harbor. First, an IJN midget sub put a torpedo in BB California: AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 07, 41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Midget Sub attack inside harbor of Pearl Harbor!!! Japanese Ships SSX Ha-14, hits 1 Allied Ships BB California, Torpedo hits 1 PC Reliance SSX Ha-14 eludes PC Reliance by hugging bottom PC Reliance loses contact with SSX Ha-14 Then the main KB attack on Pearl Harbor decimated the US Pacific Fleet as the Kates attack from 3000-5000': Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 40 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 69 B5N2 Kate x 144 D3A1 Val x 135 Allied aircraft P-40B Warhawk x 3 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground PBY-5 Catalina: 7 destroyed on ground B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground A-20A Havoc: 3 destroyed on ground B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground Allied Ships BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage AV Tangier BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire BB Maryland, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1 BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1 SS Tautog, Bomb hits 1 DM Sicard, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 1, on fire Allied ground losses: 19 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Repair Shipyard hits 19 Airbase hits 34 Runway hits 115 Port hits 13 Port fuel hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet 10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 13 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb 4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 24000 feet 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet 25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: 18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 18th PG/73rd PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead BB Nevada, BB Maryland, BB Oklahoma and BB Pennsylvania are all totally destroyed. The Oahu airfields and port facilities are heavily damaged as well. I was a bit surprised that these low altitude Kate attacks werent torn up by flak but maybe thats been affected by a newer patch. Here is a screenshot of USN combatant ships still salvageable at Pearl Harbor: [image]local://upfiles/14495/0ACDD8C07B5047C0B39FAAD10D7F6BB5.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> RE: AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR......this is no drill (7/4/2011 5:37:51 AM)
12/9-12/10/41 CHINA IJA troops are repulsed with heavy losses in a 1:2 attack at Hong Kong. The MTBs sortie from Hong Kong and attempt to interdict Japanese shipping off Takao and Laoag but come up empty: Day Time Surface Combat, near Takao at 84,65, Range 22,000 Yards nd Japanese Ships AV Kunikawa Maru xAP Kitano Maru Allied Ships MTB 7 MTB 8 MTB 9 MTB 10 MTB 11 MTB 12 MTB 26 MTB 27 Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching! Japanese TF begins to get underway Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards Range increases to 22,000 yards... Both Task Forces evade combat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 82,70, Range 18,000 Yards Japanese Ships PB Tatsumiya Maru xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21 xAKL Sasago Maru xAKL Hidaka Maru xAKL Raizan Maru Allied Ships MTB 7 MTB 8 MTB 9 MTB 10 MTB 11 MTB 12 MTB 26 MTB 27 Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards Both TF attempt to withdraw! Range increases to 18,000 yards... Both Task Forces evade combat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,71, Range 19,000 Yards Japanese Ships CL Naka DD Natsugumo DD Minegumo DD Murasame DD Harusame DD Yudachi DD Samidare Allied Ships MTB 7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk MTB 8 MTB 9 MTB 10 MTB 11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk MTB 12 MTB 26 MTB 27, Shell hits 1, and is sunk Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards Range closes to 19,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 19,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 8 at 19,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 19,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 8 at 19,000 yards Range closes to 17,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 27 at 17,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 7 at 17,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 17,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 9 at 17,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 17,000 yards Range closes to 14,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 14,000 yards Range closes to 13,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 13,000 yards MTB 11 sunk by DD Yudachi at 13,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 8 at 13,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 13,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 13,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 9 at 13,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 8 at 13,000 yards MTB 7 sunk by CL Naka at 13,000 yards Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage Range closes to 12,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 12,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 12,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards MTB 27 sunk by DD Minegumo at 9,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 9 at 9,000 yards Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,72, Range 21,000 Yards Japanese Ships CL Naka DD Natsugumo DD Minegumo DD Murasame DD Harusame DD Yudachi DD Samidare Allied Ships MTB 8, Shell hits 2, and is sunk MTB 9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk MTB 10, Shell hits 3, and is sunk MTB 12 MTB 26 Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards Range closes to 14,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards MTB 8 sunk by DD Minegumo at 14,000 yards Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage Range closes to 7,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 10 at 7,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 7,000 yards Range increases to 8,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 9 at 8,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage Range increases to 10,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 10,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 10 at 10,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 9 at 10,000 yards MTB 10 sunk by DD Murasame at 10,000 yards Range increases to 14,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards MTB 9 sunk by DD Minegumo at 14,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards Range increases to 15,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 12 at 15,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards Range increases to 16,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Minegumo engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage Range increases to 17,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 26 at 17,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 17,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 17,000 yards Range closes to 16,000 yards DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards CL Naka engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards DD Natsugumo engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards Task forces break off... CENTPAC/SOPAC IJN troops capture Ocean and Nauru islands. CA Chicago and DD Porter are detached from the CV Lexington TF and are sent to Wake to interdict any possible IJN landings. Sure enough, an IJN invasion TF arrives and CA Chicago drives them off: Night Time Surface Combat, near Wake Island at 136,98, Range 10,000 Yards Japanese Ships CL Katori, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage CL Tenryu CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1 CL Yubari, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Kisaragi DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Mochizuki Allied Ships CA Chicago, Shell hits 3 DD Porter, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 57% moonlight: 12,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards Bode, H. crosses the 'T' CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 10,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards CA Chicago engages CL Tatsuta at 9,000 yards DD Yayoi engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards DD Kisaragi engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards DD Mutsuki engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards CA Chicago engages CL Yubari at 7,000 yards DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards DD Porter engages DD Mochizuki at 7,000 yards DD Kisaragi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards Range closes to 6,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards DD Mochizuki engages DD Porter at 6,000 yards CL Tenryu engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards Range increases to 7,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards DD Yayoi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards DD Kisaragi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards Range increases to 9,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards DD Porter engages DD Mochizuki at 9,000 yards DD Yayoi engages DD Porter at 9,000 yards DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 9,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards CL Tatsuta engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards CL Tenryu engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards DD Mochizuki engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards DD Porter sunk by DD Kisaragi at 10,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards CA Chicago engages CL Katori at 7,000 yards CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 7,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 7,000 yards Range increases to 8,000 yards CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 8,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 7,000 yards Range increases to 8,000 yards CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Kisaragi at 8,000 yards Bode, H. orders Allied TF to disengage CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 8,000 yards CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 8,000 yards Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CL Yubari CL Tatsuta CL Tenryu DD Mochizuki DD Yayoi DD Kisaragi Allied ground losses: 6 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 4 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Yubari CL Yubari firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion CL Tatsuta firing at Wake Island CL Tenryu firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Tenryu DD Mochizuki firing at Wake Island DD Yayoi firing at Wake Island DD Kisaragi firing at Wake Island The IJN invasion of Wake is cancelled for now. CL Adelaide bravely stands by at Rabaul to interdict possible IJN landings but is easily blown away by an IJN cruiser force: Invasion Support action off Ocean Island Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships PB Nagata Maru xAK Kamikaze Maru PB Nagata Maru fired at enemy troops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Kota Bharu Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships SC Ch 7 AK Sasako Maru SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 22,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Myoko CL Nagara, Shell hits 2 DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1 DD Tokitsukaze DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1 DD Kawakaze Allied Ships CL Adelaide, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 22,000 yards CA Myoko launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards CL Nagara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards DD Yamakaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards DD Tokitsukaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards DD Yukikaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards Range closes to 16,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 16,000 yards DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 16,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 16,000 yards Range closes to 13,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 13,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 13,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 11,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 11,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 8,000 yards Range increases to 13,000 yards CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 13,000 yards Range increases to 17,000 yards CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 17,000 yards Range increases to 21,000 yards CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards Range closes to 20,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 20,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 20,000 yards Range closes to 18,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 18,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 18,000 yards Range closes to 15,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 15,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 15,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 15,000 yards Showers, H.A. orders Allied TF to disengage Range closes to 12,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 12,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 12,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 9,000 yards DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 9,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 9,000 yards Range increases to 11,000 yards CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 11,000 yards Range increases to 12,000 yards CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 12,000 yards CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 12,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards CL Adelaide sunk by CA Myoko at 10,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... After blowing away CL Adelaide, Japanese troops storm ashore at Rabaul: Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships DD Shiokaze DD Suzukaze DD Umikaze xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 2 xAK Nanrei Maru Japanese ground losses: 34 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled DD Shiokaze firing at Rabaul Det. Base Force Rabaul Det. Base Force firing at DD Shiokaze DD Suzukaze firing at Rabaul Det. Base Force Rabaul Det. Base Force firing at DD Suzukaze DD Umikaze firing at Lark Battalion 6" Mk V/VII Gun Battery engaging xAK Kyusyu Maru at 7,000 yards DD Shiokaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards DD Shiokaze fired at enemy troops DD Suzukaze fired at enemy troops DD Umikaze fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Rabaul TF 13 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125 Japanese ground losses: 81 casualties reported Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF 10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF /2 17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF /2 PHILIPPINES Erstad lands 34 LCUs at Vigan in 1 day.....obviously Japan will be making an early attempt to overrun Luzon. Japanese paratroops also secure Legaspi. Erstad parks an IJN surface TF with 2 CAs and a CLs off Manila bay to interdict Allied shiiping attempting to flee Manila. Only a few Allied ships are able to flee Manila before Japan closes the door: TF 396 encounters mine field at Calapan (78,79) Allied Ships AM Bittern 1 mine cleared -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Maya CA Ashigara CL Kuma DD Asakaze DD Matsukaze Allied Ships xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 12, and is sunk Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 12,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence DD Asakaze fires at xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 12,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards DD Asakaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 10,000 yards CA Maya engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 10,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards DD Asakaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 9,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards CA Ashigara engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... Im gonna have to figure out a way to get these IJN cruisers off the exit to Manila bay so I can evacuate shipping. The 4 USN DDs fleeing Manila bay somehow intercept an IJN amphbious TF en route to invade Jolo and breaks up the landings: Day Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,88, Range 17,000 Yards Japanese Ships TB Kasasagi, Shell hits 3, on fire xAK Meiten Maru, Shell hits 37, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Nojima Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Allied Ships DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1 DD Peary, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Pillsbury DD Pope, Shell hits 1, on fire Japanese ground losses: 1862 casualties reported Squads: 33 destroyed, 40 disabled Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 41 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 31 (21 destroyed, 10 disabled) Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 17,000 yards Range closes to 12,000 yards DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 11,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 11,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 11,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 10,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages xAK Nojima Maru at 10,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 10,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 10,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards TB Kasasagi engages DD Pope at 7,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 7,000 yards TB Kasasagi engages DD Peary at 7,000 yards DD Peary engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards DD Peary engages xAK Meiten Maru at 7,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 7,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 7,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 5,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards DD Peary engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards Range closes to 3,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards DD Peary engages xAK Nojima Maru at 3,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages xAK Nojima Maru at 2,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards xAK Nojima Maru sunk by DD Pillsbury at 2,000 yards DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards Range increases to 3,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 3,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 3,000 yards Range increases to 4,000 yards DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 4,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 4,000 yards Range increases to 8,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 8,000 yards DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 8,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 8,000 yards Range increases to 13,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 13,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 13,000 yards Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,88, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships TB Kasasagi, on fire xAK Meiten Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk Allied Ships DD John D. Ford DD Peary, on fire DD Pillsbury DD Pope, on fire Japanese ground losses: 496 casualties reported Squads: 8 destroyed, 25 disabled Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards Range closes to 12,000 yards... DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 12,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 12,000 yards Musak, F.V. orders Allied TF to disengage Range closes to 8,000 yards xAK Meiten Maru sunk by DD Pillsbury at 8,000 yards Range increases to 13,000 yards DD Pillsbury engages TB Kasasagi at 13,000 yards DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 13,000 yards Task forces break off... With the Japanese invasion of Jolo postponed, it will be a few turns now until Erstad can gain aerial supremacy over these waters. DEI Japan captures Miri and invades at Brunei and Morotai. Force Z leaves Singapore and takes up station just off the coast of Singkawang. MALAYA IJA troops overrun Kota Bharu: Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 9695 troops, 99 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 456 Defending force 3730 troops, 40 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 132 Japanese adjusted assault: 274 Allied adjusted defense: 52 Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!! Combat modifiers Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-) morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+) Japanese ground losses: 250 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Units pursuing 1 Allied ground losses: 2521 casualties reported Squads: 123 destroyed, 19 disabled Non Combat: 128 destroyed, 20 disabled Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 27 (27 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 3 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 114th Infantry Regiment 56th Infantry Regiment 55th Infantry Regiment 22nd Recon Regiment 12th Engineer Regiment 18th Mountain Gun Regiment 5th JAAF AF Coy Defending units: FMSV Brigade 8th Indian Brigade 3rd ISF Base Force The Allies mass over 30 torpedo bombers at Kuala Lampur but inflict token damage on IJN invasion forces at Kota Bharu: Morning Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-27b Nate x 32 Allied aircraft Buffalo I x 2 Swordfish I x 5 Vildebeest III x 16 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Swordfish I: 5 damaged Vildebeest III: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese Ships BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1 BB Kongo xAK Ayatosan Maru CA Mogami CA Mikuma Aircraft Attacking: 4 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo 5 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo 2 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb 5 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo CAP engaged: 1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 12 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 11 planes vectored on to bombers 11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 14 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes 64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead 2 planes vectored on to bombers Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-27b Nate x 22 Allied aircraft Swordfish I x 3 Vildebeest III x 3 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Swordfish I: 2 destroyed Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: 1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes 11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes 64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-27b Nate x 40 Allied aircraft Buffalo I x 14 Swordfish I x 5 Vildebeest III x 11 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships BB Kongo xAK Kyokusei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CL Isuzu BB Haruna Aircraft Attacking: 8 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo 5 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo 2 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo CAP engaged: 1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 16 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Raid is overhead 11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (22 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 22 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Raid is overhead 10 planes vectored on to bombers 64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead The Allied torpedo bombers have shot their bolt and will now be evacuated as Im sure Erstad will level the airfield at Kuala Lampur next turn. Allied shipping at Singapore begins loading key elements of III Indian Corps for withdrawal back to India. [image]local://upfiles/14495/C44D488BD1754072891D82FE0C184C59.jpg[/image]

aztez -> RE: AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR......this is no drill (7/4/2011 5:52:14 AM)
Good luck on the game! I know Erstad is kicking my behind on our game! [:D] ..you got yourself an good opponent.

racndoc -> AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/4/2011 4:21:02 PM)
aztez......thanks for the comments! Dave is a great player so Im really looking forward to a very competitive game. 12/11-12/12/41 CENTPAC/SOPAC KB disappears into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean so Pearl Harbor begins to rebuild. The shipyard at Pearl has been heavily damaged.....only has a capacity of 40,000 tons now so most of the damaged ships will be placed on pierside repairs before they enter the shipyard. Convoys leave the US west coast to begin the buildup of the Allied island bases across the Pacific. Rabaul is captured after 2 assaults. Japan conducts additional landings at Gasmata so it looks as if Erstad may be making an early move into the south Pacific. I normally make my stand at New Caledonia with early reinforcements but if Erstad makes a major effort here I may need to fall back on New Zealand instead. DEI Erstad captures Morotai, Brunei and Ternate. IJA troops begin landings at Jesselton and Vanimo. With a massive aerial buildup at Kota Bharu.......it is no longer feasible to keep Force Z on the northern coast of Borneo. Force Z is ordered to redeploy to the southern coast of Borneo at Balikpappan. As Force Z retires to Balikpappan, SS I-153 lands 2 torpedoes on CL Danae. Danae is in danger of sinking and she will try to make port at Batavia for repairs. MALAYA Moving with stunning speed from Patani, Japanese troops isolate and then invest Alor Star. 15th Indian Brigade is now trapped there. With the pounding of 2 other Indian Brigades at Kota Bharu last turn.......Japan has already compromised the equivalent of an entire Indian division in just 3 turns. Japan has massively built up the airfields now at Kota Bharu, Singora and Patani and now has total control of the air over all of the Malay peninsula. The remnants of the Allied air forces will be withdrawn to Burma and India. Singapore is now too hazardous for Royal Navy and all shipping there will be evacuated. I normally withdraw most of III Indian Corps from Malaya for redeployment to India. Now I think I will just evacuate cadres of the III Indian Corps units to India but keep most everything in Malaya to try to slow Erstad down just a bit. CHINA Chinese troops capture Paotow and invest Ichang. No major Japanese offensives here yet. In fact....it seems as if Japanese troops are pulling back. Maybe Erstad is falling back in order to concentrate a massive army to steamroll the Chinese...we will see. The Chinese air force is beefed up with 2 squadrons of the AVG and one squadron of P-40Es withdrawn from the Philippines. Hong Kong still holds out and Chinese troops begin to mass on Canton. PHILIPPINES SS S-39 sinks PB Akitsui Mari near Vigan. Japan continues the buildup at Vigan and invests Laoag. Most of the USAAF fighters are withdrawn from Luzon to China and Mindanao. Erstad leaves the 2 CA blocking force off Manila to keep Allied shipping bottled up inside. USN subs and PT boats are massed against the IJN blocking force but with no effect. [image]local://upfiles/14495/100D2BCEA19F4DDFBABAF95FA4538374.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN (7/5/2011 2:12:39 AM)
12/13-12/14/41 SUBS SS I-122 sinks AK Fatshan off Hong Kong. SS KXI puts a torpedo in AK Tihuku Maru near Patani. SS I-122 sinks AKL Soochow off Hong Kong. SS I-121 pumps 9 shells into AK Palawan near Donggala. SS I-122 scores a hat trick by sinking its 3rd vessel this turn.....AKL Yat Shing.....off Hong Kong. SS KXI lands a fish on AK Hukuyo Maru near patani. NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN The Allies have a lot of shipping trapped in port at Manila.....and some of the AKs in port have loaded elements of the Cavite Base Force. One of the most important ops for me in the Philippines at the start of the war is to extricate the Cavite and the Cebu base forces.....I use these units to help build up Noumea and usually Port Moresby and then as the Allies advance across the Pacific I move these 2 base forces forward into the Marianas and the Paulaus. Cadres of both units have already been flown out of harms way but I like to get as much of the parent unit out as possible. Meanwhile.....IJN bombers at Vigan are hammering the Allied shipping in port at Manila: Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 18 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-27b Nate x 15 Ki-36 Ida x 9 Allied aircraft P-40E Warhawk x 10 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-27b Nate: 3 destroyed Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed Allied Ships xAKL Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage xAK Yu Sang, Bomb hits 2, on fire PG Asheville, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1, on fire AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1 xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, on fire Port supply hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 8000 feet Port Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: 24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes 24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead Somehow I have to get rid of the IJN blockade off Manila with 2 CAs and 2 CLs. The subs and PTs I have sent to hit the IJN blocking force have been ineffectual so far. Force Z had just arrived at Balikpappan. I stripped away some of the lower endurance RN DDs and augmented the force with CA Houston, CL Boise, CL Marblehead and 4 longer ranged USN DDs. They are ordered to sail at full speed to Manila and hit the IJN cruiser blocking force off Bataan. P-40Es are flown in to Bataan and Batangas to LRCAP Force Z when it arrives at Manila. Force Z will refuel at Manila and then race back to Balikpappan. A fresh P-40B squadron at Tarakan will LRCAP Force Z on the return trip to Balikpappan. The only problem with this plan is I will have no LRCAP for Force Z on the end of the 1st day of the high speed run to Manila. Force Z should be in the southern Sulu Sea approximately 3 hexes NW of Zamboanga. Mini KB is currently in the Clebes Sea and should be out of range of Force Z at the end of the 1st day. The only other Japanese airfield that is within range of Force Z is the level 3 airfield at Vigan. Well at the end of the 1st day of the run to Manila, Force Z is hit by Betties flying from the level 3 airifeld at Vigan....at the extreme range of 15 hexes no less.....and they are carrying torpedoes: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 74,86 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 6 G4M1 Betty x 8 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed Allied Ships BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage BB Prince of Wales Aircraft Attacking: 7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Unfortunately....after BC Repulse is hit by torpedoes it is detached from Force Z with DD Electra as an escort and is sent back towards Balikpappan.....right into the sights of the Kates from mini KB: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 71,89 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 5 B5N1 Kate x 4 Allied aircraft no flights No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses No Allied losses Allied Ships BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo BC Repulse is lost with all hands. Bloodied but still undeterred, Force Z races up to Luzon and pummels the IJN blocking force off Bataan: Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses No Japanese losses Japanese Ships CA Maya CA Ashigara, Shell hits 9, and is sunk CL Kuma, Shell hits 3 DD Asakaze DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3 CA Houston CL Marblehead CL Boise, Shell hits 2 DD Barker DD Bulmer DD Stewart DD Tenedos Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range closes to 19,000 yards... Range closes to 17,000 yards... Range closes to 15,000 yards... Range closes to 13,000 yards... Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 4,000 yards... Range closes to 3,000 yards... Range closes to 2,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards CA Maya engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards CA Ashigara engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards CL Marblehead engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Tenedos engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards CA Ashigara engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Barker engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards Range increases to 6,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 6,000 yards CA Ashigara sunk by CL Boise at 6,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 6,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Bulmer at 6,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 6,000 yards Range increases to 7,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 7,000 yards CA Maya engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards CL Boise engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards CL Marblehead engages DD Asakaze at 7,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards Task forces break off... CA Ashigara is sunk and CL Kuma is damaged. Force Z arrives at Manila and is covered by USAAF P-40E LRCAP from the IJN bombers at Vigan. Now its time for Force Z to go home....and for all the Allied shipping in port at Manila to get the hell out of Dodge. Not only is mini KB waiting back in the Celebes Sea......but Erstad has placed a surface TF with 4 BBs in the Celebes Sea to block any ship from exiting to the south. So Force Z has 2 options: 1) Withdraw along the northern coast of Borneo under Allied fighter cover at Singkawang and then proceed to Batavia or... 2)Withdraw through the center of the Philippine archipelago.....through the San Bernadino Straights and into Leyte Gulf and then to a point 2 hexes NW of Sorong and thence into the Banda Sea. I decided on the 2nd alternative......USAAF P-40Bs and P-40Es are staged into Mindanao to cover the withdrawal. BB PoW doesnt have quite enough fuel to reach Darwin so Force Z will sail from a point just NW of Sorong to Tamerfane Island......just north of Darwin...where there are some pre-positioned tankers waiting at anchor to refuel the thirsty capital ships. As far as shipping in port at Manila.....I have some very high value targets including 3 AS ships and several AKs carrying the Cavite Baes Force. These will be sent through both the San Bernadino Straight and the Sulu/Celebes Seas back to safe harbor. As luck would have it....several AKLs are also just leaving Cebu with the Cebu Base Force. Mini KB will have a field day tomorrow. I staged 2 squadrons of Dutch medium bombers into Tarakan with B-339s and P-40Bs as escorts just to put a little caution into the Japanese. I will also flood the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea with a horde of low value AKLs and AKs just to keep mini KB busy. MALAYA IJA troops capture Alor Star and retreat the 15th Indian Brigade in the wrong direction. Additional IJA troops advance along the Kota Bharo/Temuloh highway and hammer the former defenders of Kota Bharu yet again. CBI Erstad drops paratroopers at Lashio but is defeated by the defending base force. I bought a Chinese 11th Army Division that is a couple days out from Lashio so hopefully they arrive in time. The Chinese capture Ichang as Japan withdraws from the town. Japan merely bombards at Hong Kong. The entire south of China is strangely quiet. DEI Japan captures Vanimo but is repulsed at Jesselton. Additional IJA troops land at Manado. SOPAC IJN troops invade at Lunga. Now Im really starting to become concerned about the rapidity of the Japanese advance in the south Pacific but at this point there isnt very much I can do about it. [image]local://upfiles/14495/88071612BE084DB8B13B478E8B892FFC.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/6/2011 6:00:25 AM)
12/15-12/16/41 CENTPAC/SOPAC Japan launches its 2nd invasion attempt at Wake: Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Terushima Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage PB Okiyu Maru 5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards 5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards 5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards PB Okiyu Maru fired at enemy troops 5in CD Gun battery firing at xAK Terushima Maru This time around, Erstad brings some BBs in support and at least 3 CVs for cover: Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships BB Kirishima BB Hiei CA Aoba CA Chikuma CA Tone PB Santos Maru xAK Aratama Maru DD Urakaze Japanese ground losses: 53 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 153 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled) BB Kirishima firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Kirishima BB Hiei firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Hiei CA Aoba firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Aoba CA Chikuma firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Chikuma CA Tone firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion 1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Tone PB Santos Maru fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Wake Island TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 136,98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Wake Island Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships PB Okiyu Maru xAK Terushima Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage PB Okiyu Maru fired at enemy troops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Wake Island Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Shell hits 2 BB Kirishima BB Hiei PB Santos Maru xAK Aratama Maru Allied ground losses: 6 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAKL Toyotsu Maru at 8,000 yards BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards PB Santos Maru fired at enemy guns 5in CD Gun battery firing at xAK Aratama Maru Afternoon Air attack on Wake USN CPNAB , at 136,98 (Wake Island) Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 11 D3A1 Val x 76 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 16 damaged Allied ground losses: 84 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ... Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ... Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ... Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ... Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ... Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ... Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ... Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ... Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ... Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ... Wake surrenders aftere the initial Japanese assault: Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 1418 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58 Defending force 892 troops, 26 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 12 Japanese adjusted assault: 31 Allied adjusted defense: 3 Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!! Combat modifiers Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-) Japanese ground losses: 159 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 1025 casualties reported Squads: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 118 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units destroyed 2 Assaulting units: 53rd Nav Gd /1 Defending units: Wake USN CPNAB 1st Marine Defense Battalion Not far away, a USN CV TF accidentally runs across an IJN surface raider TF NE of Hawaii: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 186,91 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 8 SBD-3 Dauntless x 15 Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged Japanese Ships AMC Awata Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Yugure, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Awata Maru Looks like Erstad was trying to get these surface raiders astride our convoy routes from the west coast to Hawaii. While Im happy about hitting the IJN ships hard and forcing them to at least retire.......Im not excited about exposing the position of one of my precious carrier TFs.....especially when there are IJN CVs off Wake. The USN CV will retire at high speed and not remain around to finish off the IJN raiders. Instead....CA Portland will be detached from the CV TF to finish off the Japs with naval gunnery. In the south Pacific, Japan captures Lunga. CBI Japan captures Kweiteh but is once again repulsed with heavy casualties at Hong Kong: Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 24742 troops, 337 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 745 Defending force 6593 troops, 132 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 230 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1 Japanese adjusted assault: 616 Allied adjusted defense: 1233 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1) Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 1007 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 56 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 81 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled Allied ground losses: 469 casualties reported Squads: 5 destroyed, 42 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Assaulting units: 1st Ind.Inf.Group 66th Infantry Regiment 19th Ind. Engineer Regiment 38th Division 20th Ind. Engineer Regiment 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 2nd Mortar Battalion 1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 2nd RF Gun Battalion 5th RF Gun Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion Defending units: 1st Middlesex Battalion Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion Rifles of Canada Battalion Hong Kong Fortress Kowloon Brigade 102nd RN Base Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Kweiteh (90,46) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 11762 troops, 102 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 420 Defending force 908 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 Japanese adjusted assault: 190 Allied adjusted defense: 4 Japanese assault odds: 47 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!! Combat modifiers Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: leaders(-) Japanese ground losses: 40 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 466 casualties reported Squads: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Units retreated 2 Units destroyed 1 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 32nd Division Defending units: 69th Chinese/B Corps 69th Chinese/A Corps 69th Chinese/C Corps At Lashio in Burma, the IJA paradrops are again beaten back by the base forces. An IJA tank unit approaches Moulmein and is being hit repeatedly by Allied bombers flying out of Rangoon. MALAYA Japan invades at Kuantan. IJA troops overrun Georgetown. Pretty much the entire Malaya Army is now falling back on Singapore. DEI Lots of action in the DEI this turn. Japan invades at Singkawang but is again beaten back at Jesselton. Manado is captured: Ground combat at Manado (75,99) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 3771 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123 Defending force 1633 troops, 2 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 59 Japanese adjusted assault: 99 Allied adjusted defense: 23 Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1) Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-) Japanese ground losses: 90 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 662 casualties reported Squads: 19 destroyed, 8 disabled Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 21 disabled Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 2 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 33rd Infantry Regiment Defending units: Manado Garrison Battalion Manado Base Force Manado is key to Japan's advance.....Erstad now has a level 3 airfield in the middle of the central DEI. Allied shipping tries to flee to the Java Sea....2 transport TFs engage in surface combat with mini KB: Night Time Surface Combat, near Gorontalo at 71,96, Range 9,000 Yards Japanese Ships CVL Ryujo CVL Zuiho CVE Hosho CVE Taiyo CS Chiyoda CL Yura DD Mikazuki DD Yakaze DD Wakatake DD Kuretake DD Sanae Allied Ships xAKL Lepus Low visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards... Range increases to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range increases to 7,000 yards... Range increases to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range increases to 11,000 yards... Range increases to 12,000 yards... Both Task Forces evade combat Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships CVL Ryujo CVL Zuiho CVE Hosho CVE Taiyo CS Chiyoda CL Yura DD Mikazuki DD Yakaze DD Wakatake DD Kuretake DD Sanae Allied Ships xAKL Escalante R xAKL Taurus Reduced visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 1,000 yards Range increases to 12,000 yards... Both Task Forces evade combat An IJN surface TF with 4 BBs patrolling the Celebes Sea hammers Allied shipping: Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships PT TM-10 PT TM-11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT TM-12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk PT TM-13 PT TM-14, Shell hits 2, and is sunk PT TM-15, Shell hits 1, and is sunk Low visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards Range closes to 20,000 yards... Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 16,000 yards... Range closes to 14,000 yards... Range closes to 12,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 12,000 yards BB Ise fires at PT TM-15 at 12,000 yards PT TM-12 sunk by BB Nagato at 12,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards BB Nagato engages PT TM-11 at 11,000 yards PT TM-15 sunk by CA Haguro at 11,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards BB Hyuga engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards BB Ise engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards BB Hyuga engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards BB Ise engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards BB Nagato engages PT TM-11 at 10,000 yards CA Haguro engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards DD Hatsukaze engages PT TM-11 at 10,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards PT TM-14 sunk by BB Hyuga at 9,000 yards PT TM-11 sunk by BB Nagato at 9,000 yards Range increases to 14,000 yards BB Nagato engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards BB Fuso engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards DD Oyashio engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards Range increases to 19,000 yards DD Amatsukaze engages PT TM-10 at 19,000 yards DD Kuroshio engages PT TM-13 at 19,000 yards Range increases to 25,000 yards BB Hyuga engages PT TM-13 at 25,000 yards Range increases to 28,000 yards BB Ise engages PT TM-13 at 28,000 yards Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 14,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships xAKL Legazpi, Shell hits 2, and is sunk Reduced visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 16,000 yards... Range closes to 14,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards Takagi, Takeo crosses the 'T' xAKL Legazpi sunk by BB Fuso at 14,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 13,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships xAK Ping Wo, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk xAK Taiyuan, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk xAK Liran, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Poor visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 13,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards BB Nagato engages xAK Ping Wo at 13,000 yards CA Nachi engages xAK Liran at 13,000 yards DD Hayashio engages xAK Liran at 13,000 yards xAK Liran sunk by DD Hatsukaze at 13,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards BB Nagato engages xAK Ping Wo at 8,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards xAK Taiyuan sunk by CA Nachi at 5,000 yards Range increases to 7,000 yards DD Hayashio engages xAK Ping Wo at 7,000 yards DD Natsushio engages xAK Ping Wo at 7,000 yards Range closes to 6,000 yards xAK Ping Wo sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 14,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships xAKL Mauban, Shell hits 20, and is sunk xAKL Montanes, Shell hits 14, and is sunk Low visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards Range closes to 20,000 yards... Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 16,000 yards... Range closes to 14,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards DD Kuroshio engages xAKL Mauban at 14,000 yards Range closes to 13,000 yards BB Hyuga engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards BB Nagato engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards BB Fuso engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards DD Oyashio engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards BB Hyuga engages xAKL Montanes at 11,000 yards BB Ise engages xAKL Mauban at 11,000 yards xAKL Mauban sunk by BB Fuso at 11,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards DD Amatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 10,000 yards DD Hatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 10,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards DD Natsushio engages xAKL Montanes at 8,000 yards DD Hatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 8,000 yards Range increases to 9,000 yards BB Hyuga engages xAKL Montanes at 9,000 yards CA Haguro engages xAKL Montanes at 9,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards xAKL Montanes sunk by BB Fuso at 10,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... The naval bombers of mini KB get in on the action: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Madjene at 65,101 Weather in hex: Heavy rain Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 3 A6M2 Zero x 5 B5N1 Kate x 12 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAKL Latouche, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage Allied ground losses: 80 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Vehicles lost 19 (5 destroyed, 14 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 8 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Latouche -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 73,92 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 4 B5N1 Kate x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAKL Lepus Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 72,93 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 3 B5N1 Kate x 4 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAKL Escalante R Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 4 B5N2 Kate x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAKL Sagoland, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Even the IJN subs get in on the bloodfest: Submarine attack near Donggala at 69,96 Japanese Ships SS I-121 Allied Ships xAK Ravnaas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage xAK Ravnaas is sighted by SS I-121 SS I-121 attacking on the surface SS I-121 low on gun ammo, Chiyoshima V. breaks off surface engagement and submerges For Allied retribution, Dutch level bombers flying out of Tarakan manage to scatch the paint on one of the IJN BBs: Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 69,96 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 14 A6M2 Zero x 20 F1M2 Pete x 6 Allied aircraft 139WH-3 x 11 B-339D x 3 P-40E Warhawk x 9 Japanese aircraft losses F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses 139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged B-339D: 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Fuso BB Hyuga BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1 BB Ise Aircraft Attacking: 5 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb 2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb 3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 29000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers While all this is going on .....Force Z and many of the high value ships fleeing from Manila manage to force the San Bernadino Straights and escape out though Leyte Gulf into the Philippine Sea. As the turn ends......mini KB is uncomfortably close to Force Z....the DDs ran low on fuel and slowed Force Z down. The DDs will be detached ......some will refuel at Sorong and some will refuel at Tamerfane...and the rest of Force Z with BB PoW, CA Houston, CL Boise and CL Marblehead will continue south at full speed to refuel off tankers waiting at Tamerfane. [image]local://upfiles/14495/79A6D8CA2D36439BBFC8B71C3E4EE27C.jpg[/image]

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/6/2011 2:20:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance ....My opponent here was Erstad who is an expert in surface combat.... I was not happy to see this. I am playing as Japan currently in a game against Dave (Erstad). He is certainly an expert in the air and ground combat systems too.... Good luck!

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/6/2011 2:30:27 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance This thread will be primarily a strategy thread on WitP AE scenario 1. Id also like to use this thread to discuss tactics/operational plans that were involved in the AE tournament if anyone has any interest. I am interested both in your overall strategy for the Allies in Scenario 1 and the tactics/operational plans in the tournament. You noted that the pre-game planning for each of the tournament games was the primary reason for victory. Can you give some insight? thanks, Mike

sbetsa -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/7/2011 1:01:03 AM)
Nice to see you back AdmSpruance, love reading your reports

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/7/2011 3:52:43 AM)
sbetsa....thanx for your comments! Wirraway_Ace.....i will try to briefly give you some insight on the operational planning than went on in all 3 AE Tournament games. Then if you have other questions go ahead and fire away. The 1st round was the Coral Sea scenario and I was playing Nomad. On paper.....it appeared that the USN and its 2 CVs were no match for the IJN with 2 CVs, 1 CVL, 3 land based squadrons of A6M2s and 2 squadrons of Betties. I figured the only US advantage was mobility....the USN starts with 2 AOs vs 1 IJN AO plus it has fuel stored up and down the eastern coast of Oz. I left 1 AO out the the middle of the Coral Sea and 1 AO with the USN CV TFs off the coast of Oz. When Nomad tried an end around invasion of Efate/Luganville I was able to detach some cruisers for a high speed run from OZ....across the Coral Sea......and destroy the IJN invasion force. Then the cruisers were able to race back to Oz...refueling at the AO in the middle of the Coral Sea on the way. Meanwhile.....the USN CVs were manuevering back and forth between the east coast of Oz and the middle of the Coral Sea watching the IJN invasion force approach Port Moresby......just at the extreme range of IJN search AC.....topping off every turn from the escorting AO. When Nomad finally decided to send the IJN carriers after what he thought he had spotted in the middle of the Coral Sea....all he found was AO Neosho and a few escorts. Meanwhile, the USN CVs were topped off on the east coast of Oz just N of Townsville and they raced N at full speed to the Torres Straights.....NW Of Port Moresby. The USN CVs were able to hammer the IJN invasion transports and surface TFs while the IJN carriers flailed around in the middle of the Coral Sea. Nomad's CVs were low on fuel and wouldnt have been able to get into position to either protect his transports or attack my carriers for at least a couple more turns so he conceded. When I played as Japan, I took the 1 IJN AO and kept it with my CV TFs/surface TFs/invasion TF stack and again topped off my CVs every turn. I sank the 2 USN AOs with my subs and now it was the USN that had the mobility problem. My invasion force made it ashore at Port Moresby in good order and I was about to take the base when Nomad sent the 2 USN CVs at me in a very short ranged bar room brawl. The USN CVs were both sunk and while Ryujo was sunk and Shokaku and Zuikaku were both heavily damaged....they were still just barely able to conduct flight ops and the remnants of the USN were forced to flee the field of battle. The 2nd round of the AE Tournament was the 1000 mi War......I didnt know very much about this aspect of the Pacific War other than that the Allies recaptured Kiska and Attu. I was surprised to learn from the OOB that half way through the scenario Japan receives 2 CVs and a CVL vs a single Allied CVE. Japan also gets BB Yamato and BB Musashi and a horde of CAs ready for Adm Tanaka to command. Basically....the Allies have to capture both Attu and Kiska before the IJN carriers arrive and then all the USN fleet has to hide somewhere on a small map. So for the Allies to capture Attu and Kiska as quickly as possible....the key to the game is building up the forward Allied base at Adak. I sent every combat engineer regiment and battalion there ASAP. ADAK starts out as a 2/2 base but can be enlarged to a 5/5. Once the airfield is enlarged to level 4/5 you can bring up the medium and heavy bombers from Dutch Harbor and pound Attu and Kiska. However......FAR MORE IMPORTANT..... is to build up the port at Adak to level 5. The USN amphibious transports dont arrive until a few weeks into the scenario and there simply isnt enough time to run amphibious transports twice from Dutch Harbor to the Japanese held bases before KB shows up. So you need to move all you assault forces and supplies forward to Adak with xAPs and xAKs so that when the APAs/AKAs finally arrive you can quickly assault both islands. My opponent Rader only tried to take Kiska...the closer island to the Allies. I took Attu and would have been able to also take Kiska but the CD unit at Attu shot up a couple of my assault transports. Then the IJN carriers showed up. Rader made his last stand with all his Allied ships and AC at Adak. I had been planning all along as the Allies to make my final stand at Dutch Harbor with all its AA guns. As Rader moved his IJN carriers past Adak to hit me at Dutch Harbor I was able to stage bombers to Adak to hit him as he approached and also as he retreated. I had been training my medium bombers on naval attack for almost 2 months and scored repeated hits on Zuiho, Shokaku and Zuikaku. When it was my turn to move the IJN carriers and BBs to Adak to finish off the Allies I was able to naval bombard Adak and destroy most of the Allies air force...over 150 AC.....on the ground and even though I also lost Zuiho the remaining American naval forces were pretty much hor's de combat. The final round of the tournament was the Marianas Scenario and my opponent was Erstad. The Japanese have a pretty big navy in this scenario but they are hopelessly outclassed with both obsolete fighters and poorly trained pilots. On the other hand....the US has an extremely powerful navy with Hellcats and Avengers and good pilots....but they have to capture heavily fortified Saipan/Tinian/Guam with insufficient ground forces. The easiest island to take of the 3 is Tinian....and that is the first island that Erstad went after as the Allies. Instead....my 1st assault objective was Pagan.....its lightly defended and has a level 5 AF and I think that the port can be expanded to level 5 also. I think Pagan is the key to this scenario.....read Captain Mandrakes AAR on the Marianas.... he too went after Pagan 1st with exactly the same reasoning and forces as I did. Once you take Pagan....you have an immediate level 5 AF with 250 land based AC.......naval bombers to keep KB at bay, recon platform for Iwo Jima....where most of the Japanese AC reinforcements enter from.... and a naval search PBY platform that can search up to the northern map edge and keep the IJN from going around your northern flank. Pagan also serves as a fuel/supply/LCU dump and I just kept dropping TKs/AKEs/AEs there for rearmament and refueling. I never once had to send the USN back to the Marshalls for rearm/refuel/replacements as Erstad did until he could take Tinian. Once I had defeated the Japanese navy I was able to bring up more medium and heavy bombers to Pagan to help wear down the defenses at Saipan/Tinian/Guam. Erstad finally did take Tinian and then he was able to build up both the port and airfields there. By the time he did that, I was able to move the Japanese surface fleet around his northern flank and I was able to attack him in the rear in the Marianas. The IJN is at such aerial disadvantage that ......just as for the US in the Coral Sea Scenario...their only advantage is mobility....something very difficult to achieve when half their navy arrives on the map with no fuel. I think the IJN starts with 1 AO and 1 TK....I loaded these with fuel at Babeldaob and sent them up to Iwo Jima to support future ops. My ships were able to do high speed runs between Truk and Babeldaob...refueling at each base....and then between Babeldaob and iwo Jima. When Erstad sent the US carriers out to Babeldaob to try to force combat with the IJN....I sent half the carriers on a high speed run to hit unprotected USN surface TFs and transports in the Marianas behind the USN CVs while the other half of the IJN CVs quietly refueled at Iwo Jima and departed for Hawaiian waters. I detached CAs from the IJN CVs headed for Hawaii to conduct surface intercepts with USN convoys carrying reinforcements from Hawaii to the Marianas. I apologize for rambling a bit here but to sum up....the operational plan to take Pagan was key to the Allied success in this scenario. As Japan....you are so outgunned that the only thing you can try to exploit in the Marianas scenario is speed and manuver....sort of the same thing as what I did with the out gunned USN CVs in the Coral Sea scenario.

racndoc -> CHINA: ALL QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT (7/7/2011 4:37:23 AM)
12/17-12/18/41 CHINA....THE SOUTH This is perhaps the quietest opening I have seen from Japan in over 30 games of stock WitP/CHS/Big B/AE. The Japanese army is most conspicuous by its absence. Erstad finally takes Hong Kong this turn but there is no other action in the southern half of China. No offensive moves from Hankow/Wuchang/Nanchang. No assault on Changsha. No mopping up attacks on the scattered bastions of SE China such as Wenchow or Chuhsien. In fact....Erstad withdrew from Ichang before I could mount an attack. Now that Erstad has taken Hong Kong he has sent a recon mission over Wuchow....its almost undefended as I moved everything forward to invest Canton. Sinyang is also invested with 1500 Chinese AV. I normally take Sinyang as China early on but Erstad has reinforced it with troops and engineers and is building up the forts so I will be content to dig in here with heavily prepped troops in 2x terrain. If Erstad does move on Wuchow, I have a strategic reserve in the south of aboiut 2500 AV around Ichang and another 2400 AV resting in the rail yards at Changsha and Hengchow...ready to redeploy anywhere in the south where China has the railroads and the mobility advantage. Until Erstad shows his hand in the south.....Im content to sit back as the Chinese and rest the units to undisrupt the squads and gain morale and eventually experience. [image]local://upfiles/14495/AB32263F51BB4EC1AF9E4336297C1556.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> RE: CHINA: ALL QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT (7/7/2011 4:50:35 AM)
CHINA....THE NORTH Things are a bit more ominous up in northern China. Erstad has evacuated Paotow and Ive been able to invest Kweisui but Im not feeling secure about the overall situation. In the north, Japan has all the railroads and the mobility advantage. Last turn there was 1 IJA LCU in Taiyuan....now Japan has just railed in 5 more LCUs this turn. Estad also appears to be massing around Kaifeng....I sent a recon in force into Kaifeng this turn so next turn I should know what he has there. Normally Japan can easily overrun Tsiatso before China can reinforce it but Erstad has allowed me to reinforce here. I have about 2500 AV between Tsiatso/Loyang/Chengchow and another 1000 AV at Nanyang but the open plains of central China are difficult to defend...especially if Japan buys some armor from Manchukuo to commit here. Ive got the AT guns from Chungking on the way but this battlefield will be decided long before they arrive. I always try to hold on as China in these central plains due to all the resources and supplies that they produce. I havent gotten much sigint on China yet but Im starting to be concerned that Erstad is planning a massive 2 prong offensive towards Sian. If thats the case, then its incumbant on me to withdraw from the plains and dig in in the forests and rough terrain. [image]local://upfiles/14495/B49BCC267488461CB39831A251500FD6.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/7/2011 5:10:41 AM)
12/17-12/18/41 DEI Japan captures Jesselton. The new Japanese airfield at Manado poses a mortal threat to Allied naval activity in the central DEI. Two B-17 squadrons at Ambon are sent to hit the airfield at Manado but inflict minimal damage. Newly arrived Betties at Manado wreak havoc on Allied shipping in the Makassar Straits: Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 23 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged Allied Ships TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk AO TAN 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AO TAN 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AO TAN 5 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Manado at 74,96 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 11 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAK Hai Lee, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 12 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AO TAN 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AO TAN 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AM Pieter de Bitter Aircraft Attacking: 12 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Two IJN DD flotillas patrolling the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea ravage Allied shipping attempting to flee the area: Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,91, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships xAKL Escalante R, Shell hits 2 xAKL Taurus, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage Poor visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 4,000 yards... Range closes to 3,000 yards... Range closes to 2,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards DD Nenohi engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards Range increases to 4,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 4,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Escalante R at 2,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Escalante R at 2,000 yards DD Hatsushima engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards Range increases to 3,000 yards xAKL Taurus sunk by DD Hokaze at 3,000 yards Allied Task Force Manages to Escape Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,91, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships xAKL Taurus, and is sunk Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 4,000 yards... Range closes to 3,000 yards... Range closes to 2,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards Night Time Surface Combat at hex 74, 91, Range 2000 yards Allied Escort TF evades combat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Jolo at 74,91 Japanese Ships DD Hatsuharu DD Hokaze DD Wakaba DD Hatsushima Allied Ships SS Skipjack SS Skipjack is sighted by escort DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub Day Time Surface Combat, near Cotabato at 76,91, Range 14,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships xAKL Don Jose, Shell hits 15, and is sunk xAKL Sagoland, Shell hits 20, and is sunk Low visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 16,000 yards... Range closes to 14,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Sagoland at 14,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 11,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards DD Nenohi engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards DD Nenohi engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 9,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards DD Hatsushima engages xAKL Sagoland at 5,000 yards DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 5,000 yards xAKL Sagoland sunk by DD Hatsushima at 5,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards Range closes to 3,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... Day Time Surface Combat, near Basilan at 75,91, Range 12,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships xAK Hanyang, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk xAK Nanning, Shell hits 24, and is sunk Low visibility due to Rain Maximum visibility in Rain: 12,000 yards Range closes to 18,000 yards... Range closes to 16,000 yards... Range closes to 14,000 yards... Range closes to 12,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards DD Hatsushima engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 9,000 yards DD Hatsushima engages xAK Hanyang at 9,000 yards xAK Hanyang sunk by DD Nenohi at 9,000 yards Range closes to 6,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Nanning at 6,000 yards Range closes to 4,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Nanning at 4,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Nanning at 4,000 yards Range increases to 5,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Nanning at 5,000 yards Range closes to 3,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAK Nanning at 3,000 yards DD Yugumo engages xAK Nanning at 3,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Hatsushima engages xAK Nanning at 2,000 yards xAK Nanning sunk by DD Wakaba at 2,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor at 70,94, Range 4,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships xAK Capillo, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 4,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 4,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Capillo at 4,000 yards Range increases to 5,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Capillo at 5,000 yards DD Nenohi engages xAK Capillo at 5,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Nenohi engages xAK Capillo at 2,000 yards xAK Capillo sunk by DD Hatsushima at 2,000 yards xAK Capillo sunk by DD Hatsushima at 2,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Tandjoengselor at 70,94 Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hokaze DD Wakaba DD Hatsushima Allied Ships SS Sealion SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yugumo Sealion diving deep .... DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Samarinda at 68,96, Range 5,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugumo DD Hatsuharu DD Nenohi DD Hatsushima DD Wakaba DD Hokaze Allied Ships PG Asheville, Shell hits 18, and is sunk xAK Yu Sang, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 5,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards DD Hokaze engages xAK Yu Sang at 5,000 yards xAK Yu Sang sunk by DD Wakaba at 5,000 yards DD Hatsuharu engages PG Asheville at 5,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards DD Hokaze engages PG Asheville at 2,000 yards DD Hokaze engages PG Asheville at 2,000 yards PG Asheville sunk by DD Hatsuharu at 2,000 yards PG Asheville sunk by DD Hatsuharu at 2,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... Night Time Surface Combat, near Siargao at 88,88, Range 6,000 Yards Japanese Ships CL Naka DD Yamagumo DD Minazuki DD Fumizuki DD Tachikaze Allied Ships AM Lark, Shell hits 7, and is sunk xAK Tantalus, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk Allied ground losses: Vehicles lost 20 (11 destroyed, 9 disabled) Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 6,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence DD Tachikaze launches Torpedoes at xAK Tantalus at 6,000 yards Range closes to 4,000 yards CL Naka engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards DD Tachikaze engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards DD Yamagumo engages xAK Tantalus at 4,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards AM Lark sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards DD Tachikaze engages xAK Tantalus at 2,000 yards xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96 Japanese Ships DD Hatsuharu DD Hokaze DD Wakaba DD Hatsushima Allied Ships SS KIX SS KIX is sighted by escort KIX diving deep .... DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub Night Time Surface Combat, near Siargao at 88,88, Range 6,000 Yards Japanese Ships CL Naka DD Yamagumo DD Minazuki DD Fumizuki DD Tachikaze Allied Ships AM Lark, Shell hits 7, and is sunk xAK Tantalus, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk Allied ground losses: Vehicles lost 20 (11 destroyed, 9 disabled) Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 6,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence DD Tachikaze launches Torpedoes at xAK Tantalus at 6,000 yards Range closes to 4,000 yards CL Naka engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards DD Tachikaze engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards DD Yamagumo engages xAK Tantalus at 4,000 yards Range closes to 2,000 yards AM Lark sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards DD Tachikaze engages xAK Tantalus at 2,000 yards xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96 Japanese Ships DD Hatsuharu DD Hokaze DD Wakaba DD Hatsushima Allied Ships SS KIX SS KIX is sighted by escort KIX diving deep .... DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub PHILIPPINES Japan captures Tueguegaro and Aparri. Allied shipping has mostly evacuated Manila but unfortunately a lot of it now lies on the bottom of the Celebes Sea. [image]local://upfiles/14495/E65E09C69BBC4CF3B89362DC5311D01C.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/7/2011 5:12:52 AM)
12/17-12/18/41 CENTPAC/SOPAC Japan lands troops at Ndeni....Erstads not too far away from Luganville now.....or even New Caledonia for that matter. East of Kauai, CA Portland runs down the damaged IJN surface raiders: Day Time Surface Combat, near Pearl Harbor at 186,91, Range 21,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2, on fire Allied Ships CA Portland DD Lamson, Shell hits 2, on fire Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards Range closes to 16,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards Range closes to 12,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 12,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 10,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards Range increases to 12,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 12,000 yards Range increases to 16,000 yards DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 16,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards Range increases to 20,000 yards DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 20,000 yards Range increases to 23,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 23,000 yards Yoshimura, Matake orders Japanese TF to disengage Range increases to 27,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 27,000 yards Range increases to 29,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards Task forces break off... Day Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 176,99, Range 20,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Yugure, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage Allied Ships CA Portland, Shell hits 1 DD Lamson, Shell hits 1, on fire Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards Kamo, Kiyoshi crosses the 'T' DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 20,000 yards Range closes to 15,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards Range closes to 13,000 yards DD Yugure engages CA Portland at 13,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 13,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards DD Yugure engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 9,000 yards Range increases to 13,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 13,000 yards Perlman, B. orders Allied TF to disengage Range increases to 15,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards Range increases to 16,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 16,000 yards Range increases to 17,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 17,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 17,000 yards Range increases to 18,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 18,000 yards Kamo, Kiyoshi orders Japanese TF to disengage CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards Range increases to 22,000 yards CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 22,000 yards Range increases to 28,000 yards Task forces break off... MALAYA And here is a screenshot of Malaya. Kuantan has just been captured and Malaya Army is in full retreat back to Singapore. Farther north, IJA troops invest Victoria Point. [image]local://upfiles/14495/2166CB4DF26B4E4CB0802E1CCE108072.jpg[/image]

racndoc -> THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z (7/7/2011 5:23:05 AM)
12/17-12/18/41 THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z With mini KB and 4 BBs hot on their tail, Force Z detaches the DDs that are running low on fuel and BB PoW and the USN cruisers continue south at full speed to Tamerfane Island in the Banda Sea where they are refueled by a waiting tanker. The DDs are forced to travel at cruising speed to conserve fuel and one by one they are run down by both mimi KB and the 4 BBs: Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,106 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 21 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 1 B5N1 Kate x 12 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Bulmer Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,107 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 10 B5N1 Kate x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Stewart, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 6 B5N2 Kate x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Tenedos, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Day Time Surface Combat, near Gebe at 79,105, Range 26,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships DD Bulmer Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards Allied TF attempts to evade combat Range increases to 26,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Gebe at 80,104, Range 20,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso, Shell hits 1 BB Ise BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1 CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1 DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships DD Barker, Shell hits 11, and is sunk Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards DD Barker engages DD Natsushio at 20,000 yards Range closes to 19,000 yards BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 19,000 yards DD Hatsukaze engages DD Barker at 19,000 yards Range closes to 15,000 yards DD Barker engages DD Hatsukaze at 15,000 yards BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 15,000 yards BB Nagato engages DD Barker at 15,000 yards Range closes to 14,000 yards BB Hyuga engages DD Barker at 14,000 yards DD Kuroshio engages DD Barker at 14,000 yards Range closes to 10,000 yards BB Hyuga engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards DD Natsushio engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards Range closes to 7,000 yards DD Natsushio engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards DD Hatsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards Range increases to 8,000 yards DD Barker engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards CA Nachi engages DD Barker at 8,000 yards DD Barker engages DD Oyashio at 8,000 yards Range increases to 12,000 yards DD Barker sunk by BB Hyuga at 12,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... The BBs also run down AS Otus trying to flee from the Philippines: Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 81,110, Range 9,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Nagato BB Fuso BB Ise BB Hyuga CA Haguro CA Nachi DD Kuroshio DD Oyashio DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio DD Hayashio DD Amatsukaze Allied Ships AS Otus, Shell hits 4, and is sunk Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 10,000 yards Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards Takagi, Takeo crosses the 'T' BB Hyuga engages AS Otus at 9,000 yards BB Nagato collides with DD Amatsukaze at 81 , 110 Range closes to 6,000 yards AS Otus sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards AS Otus sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk... DD Bulmer has escaped from both the Kates of mini KB and the 4 BBs of the pursuing IJN surface TF. The crew will have quite a story to tell if they make it back to port. Erstad had chased Force Z from the Philippines down nearly to the northern coast of Australia.....looks like he will chase them to the ends of the earth if he has enough fuel. [image]local://upfiles/14495/F0AB637E739742BB82D8AD2592A7F151.jpg[/image]

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: CHINA: ALL QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT (7/8/2011 12:09:50 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance 12/17-12/18/41 CHINA....THE SOUTH This is perhaps the quietest opening I have seen from Japan in over 30 games of stock WitP/CHS/Big B/AE. The Japanese army is most conspicuous by its absence. Erstad finally takes Hong Kong this turn but there is no other action in the southern half of China. No offensive moves from Hankow/Wuchang/Nanchang. No assault on Changsha. No mopping up attacks on the scattered bastions of SE China such as Wenchow or Chuhsien. In fact....Erstad withdrew from Ichang before I could mount an attack. Now that Erstad has taken Hong Kong he has sent a recon mission over Wuchow....its almost undefended as I moved everything forward to invest Canton. Sinyang is also invested with 1500 Chinese AV. I normally take Sinyang as China early on but Erstad has reinforced it with troops and engineers and is building up the forts so I will be content to dig in here with heavily prepped troops in 2x terrain. If Erstad does move on Wuchow, I have a strategic reserve in the south of aboiut 2500 AV around Ichang and another 2400 AV resting in the rail yards at Changsha and Hengchow...ready to redeploy anywhere in the south where China has the railroads and the mobility advantage. Until Erstad shows his hand in the south.....Im content to sit back as the Chinese and rest the units to undisrupt the squads and gain morale and eventually experience. I very much like the move to invest Canton. Japan is very weak in the South. He can do very little.

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/8/2011 12:14:50 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance sbetsa....thanx for your comments! Wirraway_Ace.....i will try to briefly give you some insight on the operational planning than went on in all 3 AE Tournament games. Then if you have other questions go ahead and fire away. The 1st round was the Coral Sea scenario and I was playing Nomad. On paper.....it appeared that the USN and its 2 CVs were no match for the IJN with 2 CVs, 1 CVL, 3 land based squadrons of A6M2s and 2 squadrons of Betties. I figured the only US advantage was mobility....the USN starts with 2 AOs vs 1 IJN AO plus it has fuel stored up and down the eastern coast of Oz. I left 1 AO out the the middle of the Coral Sea and 1 AO with the USN CV TFs off the coast of Oz. When Nomad tried an end around invasion of Efate/Luganville I was able to detach some cruisers for a high speed run from OZ....across the Coral Sea......and destroy the IJN invasion force. Then the cruisers were able to race back to Oz...refueling at the AO in the middle of the Coral Sea on the way. Meanwhile.....the USN CVs were manuevering back and forth between the east coast of Oz and the middle of the Coral Sea watching the IJN invasion force approach Port Moresby......just at the extreme range of IJN search AC.....topping off every turn from the escorting AO. When Nomad finally decided to send the IJN carriers after what he thought he had spotted in the middle of the Coral Sea....all he found was AO Neosho and a few escorts. Meanwhile, the USN CVs were topped off on the east coast of Oz just N of Townsville and they raced N at full speed to the Torres Straights.....NW Of Port Moresby. The USN CVs were able to hammer the IJN invasion transports and surface TFs while the IJN carriers flailed around in the middle of the Coral Sea. Nomad's CVs were low on fuel and wouldnt have been able to get into position to either protect his transports or attack my carriers for at least a couple more turns so he conceded. When I played as Japan, I took the 1 IJN AO and kept it with my CV TFs/surface TFs/invasion TF stack and again topped off my CVs every turn. I sank the 2 USN AOs with my subs and now it was the USN that had the mobility problem. My invasion force made it ashore at Port Moresby in good order and I was about to take the base when Nomad sent the 2 USN CVs at me in a very short ranged bar room brawl. The USN CVs were both sunk and while Ryujo was sunk and Shokaku and Zuikaku were both heavily damaged....they were still just barely able to conduct flight ops and the remnants of the USN were forced to flee the field of battle. The 2nd round of the AE Tournament was the 1000 mi War......I didnt know very much about this aspect of the Pacific War other than that the Allies recaptured Kiska and Attu. I was surprised to learn from the OOB that half way through the scenario Japan receives 2 CVs and a CVL vs a single Allied CVE. Japan also gets BB Yamato and BB Musashi and a horde of CAs ready for Adm Tanaka to command. Basically....the Allies have to capture both Attu and Kiska before the IJN carriers arrive and then all the USN fleet has to hide somewhere on a small map. So for the Allies to capture Attu and Kiska as quickly as possible....the key to the game is building up the forward Allied base at Adak. I sent every combat engineer regiment and battalion there ASAP. ADAK starts out as a 2/2 base but can be enlarged to a 5/5. Once the airfield is enlarged to level 4/5 you can bring up the medium and heavy bombers from Dutch Harbor and pound Attu and Kiska. However......FAR MORE IMPORTANT..... is to build up the port at Adak to level 5. The USN amphibious transports dont arrive until a few weeks into the scenario and there simply isnt enough time to run amphibious transports twice from Dutch Harbor to the Japanese held bases before KB shows up. So you need to move all you assault forces and supplies forward to Adak with xAPs and xAKs so that when the APAs/AKAs finally arrive you can quickly assault both islands. My opponent Rader only tried to take Kiska...the closer island to the Allies. I took Attu and would have been able to also take Kiska but the CD unit at Attu shot up a couple of my assault transports. Then the IJN carriers showed up. Rader made his last stand with all his Allied ships and AC at Adak. I had been planning all along as the Allies to make my final stand at Dutch Harbor with all its AA guns. As Rader moved his IJN carriers past Adak to hit me at Dutch Harbor I was able to stage bombers to Adak to hit him as he approached and also as he retreated. I had been training my medium bombers on naval attack for almost 2 months and scored repeated hits on Zuiho, Shokaku and Zuikaku. When it was my turn to move the IJN carriers and BBs to Adak to finish off the Allies I was able to naval bombard Adak and destroy most of the Allies air force...over 150 AC.....on the ground and even though I also lost Zuiho the remaining American naval forces were pretty much hor's de combat. The final round of the tournament was the Marianas Scenario and my opponent was Erstad. The Japanese have a pretty big navy in this scenario but they are hopelessly outclassed with both obsolete fighters and poorly trained pilots. On the other hand....the US has an extremely powerful navy with Hellcats and Avengers and good pilots....but they have to capture heavily fortified Saipan/Tinian/Guam with insufficient ground forces. The easiest island to take of the 3 is Tinian....and that is the first island that Erstad went after as the Allies. Instead....my 1st assault objective was Pagan.....its lightly defended and has a level 5 AF and I think that the port can be expanded to level 5 also. I think Pagan is the key to this scenario.....read Captain Mandrakes AAR on the Marianas.... he too went after Pagan 1st with exactly the same reasoning and forces as I did. Once you take Pagan....you have an immediate level 5 AF with 250 land based AC.......naval bombers to keep KB at bay, recon platform for Iwo Jima....where most of the Japanese AC reinforcements enter from.... and a naval search PBY platform that can search up to the northern map edge and keep the IJN from going around your northern flank. Pagan also serves as a fuel/supply/LCU dump and I just kept dropping TKs/AKEs/AEs there for rearmament and refueling. I never once had to send the USN back to the Marshalls for rearm/refuel/replacements as Erstad did until he could take Tinian. Once I had defeated the Japanese navy I was able to bring up more medium and heavy bombers to Pagan to help wear down the defenses at Saipan/Tinian/Guam. Erstad finally did take Tinian and then he was able to build up both the port and airfields there. By the time he did that, I was able to move the Japanese surface fleet around his northern flank and I was able to attack him in the rear in the Marianas. The IJN is at such aerial disadvantage that ......just as for the US in the Coral Sea Scenario...their only advantage is mobility....something very difficult to achieve when half their navy arrives on the map with no fuel. I think the IJN starts with 1 AO and 1 TK....I loaded these with fuel at Babeldaob and sent them up to Iwo Jima to support future ops. My ships were able to do high speed runs between Truk and Babeldaob...refueling at each base....and then between Babeldaob and iwo Jima. When Erstad sent the US carriers out to Babeldaob to try to force combat with the IJN....I sent half the carriers on a high speed run to hit unprotected USN surface TFs and transports in the Marianas behind the USN CVs while the other half of the IJN CVs quietly refueled at Iwo Jima and departed for Hawaiian waters. I detached CAs from the IJN CVs headed for Hawaii to conduct surface intercepts with USN convoys carrying reinforcements from Hawaii to the Marianas. I apologize for rambling a bit here but to sum up....the operational plan to take Pagan was key to the Allied success in this scenario. As Japan....you are so outgunned that the only thing you can try to exploit in the Marianas scenario is speed and manuver....sort of the same thing as what I did with the out gunned USN CVs in the Coral Sea scenario. Thanks for the excellent summaries. Any lessons from the Tournament you will specifically try and apply to the campaign game?

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/8/2011 3:55:58 PM)
Wirraway_Ace....I dont think that there is a whole lot that I can take from the tournament and apply it to this campaign game.....we determine the place and time and the OOB for our battles in the campaign game. One thing I will definitiely remember is the lethality of the Saipan Defense Fortress unit vs minesweepers......when I attack Saipan in this game I will just send in a lot of DDs/DMS/CLs and just take my lumps from the minefields rather than lose 25-30 AMs to CD guns like I did in the Marianas scenario. The Marianas scenario also raises awareness of the lethality of both subs and ASW by mid 1944. And after playing as Japan for the 1st time in AE in the Coral Sea scenario and staging in 2 land based A6M2 squadrons to complement the CAP of 2 CVs and a CVL.....perhaps some 45-50 A6M2s on CAP....I saw for the 1st time the futility of JAP carrier CAP pre-radar and I will not shy away from an early war carrier battle as the Allies if I can ever get something close to even odds. 12/19-12/20/41 MALAYA Japan captures Taiping and Victoria Point. Im still finding myself able to sneak small fragements of LCUs out of Malaya to Sumatra by individual xAK/xAKL from Singapore right under the nose of IJN naval bombers. DEI Japan captures Singkawang. A large surface TFs with BBs/CAs stands by off Singkawang.....looks like there is a chance Erstad will either try to hammer my transports evacuating troops from Oosthaven or shipping at Batavia or maybe even bombard the crowded airfield at Batavia......all shipping from the area is evacuated and land based air at Batavia is dispersed. PHILIPPINES IJA armor overruns Bayombong. CENTPAC/SOPAC Japan captures Ndeni. This turn Im finally getting some of my DEW(Distant Early Warning) line set up in the south Pacific as both supplies and an AVD reach Luganville and PBYs are staged in. Next turn I will be able to start flying PBYs from Funafuti and then perhaps I can spot KB and other IJN fleet movements before something bad happens. Erstad tried to sneak yet another surface raider TF into my convoy lanes and this time its a group of DMS's that stumble across it: Day Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 155,159, Range 15,000 Yards Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses No Japanese losses Japanese Ships AMC Aikoku Maru AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk Allied Ships DMS Zane DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1 DMS Boggs DMS Lamberton, Shell hits 1 Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards Range closes to 15,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 15,000 yards Range closes to 9,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 9,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 9,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 9,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards Range increases to 6,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 6,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 6,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 6,000 yards Range closes to 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards Koh, A. orders Japanese TF to disengage AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards AMC Hokoku Maru sunk by DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards Range increases to 10,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 10,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 10,000 yards Range increases to 15,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 15,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 15,000 yards Task forces break off... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 154,159, Range 14,000 Yards Japanese Ships AMC Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire Allied Ships DMS Zane, Shell hits 1 DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1, on fire DMS Boggs, Shell hits 1 DMS Lamberton, Shell hits 2, on fire Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards Range closes to 14,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards Unoike, M. crosses the 'T' AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 14,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 14,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 14,000 yards Range closes to 8,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 8,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 8,000 yards Range closes to 6,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 6,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards Range increases to 7,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 7,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 7,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 7,000 yards Barker, J.R. orders Allied TF to disengage Unoike, M. orders Japanese TF to disengage Range increases to 10,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 10,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 10,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 10,000 yards Range increases to 18,000 yards AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 18,000 yards Task forces break off... Im a bit surprised how well the DMS ships performed against the bigger gunned IJN AMCs but I will take it. THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z Erstad finally calls off the dogs as Force Z reaches Australia. DD Stewart and unscathed DD Balmer also make it out of harm's way but DD Tenedos and DD Barker were lost in action. Force Z will need some time in the repair yard from all the high speed runs its conducted over the last few days. BURMA One of the most important early war ops for me as the Allies is to send 150,000-250,000 suppies to Rangoon and then have the supply sucked into China. So far I have dropped off some 50,000 supplies already in Rangoon with more on the way. Unfortunately, after days of dropping paratroopers on Lashio, Japan finally captures the important road hub between Burma and China: Ground combat at Lashio (62,46) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 459 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32 Defending force 608 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 4 Japanese adjusted assault: 21 Allied adjusted defense: 10 Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-) experience(-) Attacker: shock(+), supply(-) Allied ground losses: 149 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units retreated 1 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /2 1st Raiding Rgt /3 Defending units: 102nd RAF Base Force There is no way now for me to move the additional supplies into China plus the intrinsic supply from the Burma road is also cut. I had bought the 88th Chinese Division from 11th Army and it was only 1 turn out from Lashio when it fell. I will fly some of the AVG and some Buffaloes on LRCAP over Lashio to try to stop aerial reinforcments as the Chinese and the Burma Corps move in to try to recapture the town. [image]local://upfiles/14495/12C505FA004B469388355309971178DE.jpg[/image]

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/9/2011 2:27:36 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z Erstad finally calls off the dogs as Force Z reaches Australia. DD Stewart and unscathed DD Balmer also make it out of harm's way but DD Tenedos and DD Barker were lost in action. Force Z will need some time in the repair yard from all the high speed runs its conducted over the last few days. How would you rate the operation? You lost a modernized battlecruiser and a couple of old DDs. You sunk a big CA. How much of the Asiatic Fleet actually escaped after Force Z uncorked the bottle?

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/11/2011 3:44:25 PM)
Wirraway_Ace....I thought that I had an opportunity to not only sink 2 IJN CAs but also get shipping out of Manila that had been bottled up. If you would have told me before the operation started that I would lose a BC from Betties based at a level 3 AF at 15 hex range then I probably wouldnt have attempted it. Erstad thought that down the road the trade of a BC for an IJN CA was almost worth it. Personally, I think that its importanat for the Allies to have a "fleet in being" in the early war on the western side of the map. At least most of the high value shipping made it out of the area. Two of the 3 AS ships are still afloat heading to safety as are 5 of the 8 AKLs/AKs that were loaded with the Cavite and Cebu base forces. And I actually didnt lose DD Tenedos....she evidently sailed the long way around northern New Guinea and escaped mini KB, the Betties at Rabaul.....and then last turn escaped from KB in the Coral Sea. 12//21-12/24/41 MALAYA Japan invades at Mersing but is beaten back by the Aussies: Ground combat at Mersing (51,82) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 2151 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 93 Defending force 2544 troops, 35 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 103 Japanese adjusted assault: 19 Allied adjusted defense: 119 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 1) Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: leaders(-) Japanese ground losses: 93 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 15 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled) Assaulting units: 56th Infantry Regiment Defending units: 22nd Australian Brigade 30 Battery/3 HAA Erstad must have thought that I pulled back the Auusie brigade here. He is going to have to land a lot more troops here if he wants to establish a beachhead. CBI I LRCAPed Lashio with 3 fighter squadrons last turn but Japan was still able to fly reinforcements with transport AC.....the size of Japan's garrison there was doubled from 500 troops to over 1000. He will have too large a force for me to dislodge once the bigger Burma Corps units arrive so regretfully I have to now write off Lashio and the Burma Road. Erstad also tried to hit my AKs unloading at Rangoon: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 7 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 9 Buffalo I x 16 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 2 destroyed CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Raid is overhead No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44 Tojo x 8 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 9 Buffalo I x 5 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses H81-A3: 1 destroyed Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet * CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 18 G3M2 Nell x 12 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 2 Buffalo I x 1 Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses H81-A3: 1 destroyed Allied Ships HDML 1104 HDML 1100, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk HDML 1101 HDML 1103 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-30 Ann x 12 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAK Santa Elisa Aircraft Attacking: 12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Moulmein at 55,55 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7 Ki-51 Sonia x 3 No Japanese losses Allied Ships xAKL Illinoian, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb Erstad is on to my resupply effort at Rangoon. With the Burma Road cut permanently, I think I will unload supplies for another turn or 2 and then cancel the operation. In China, Japan is on the move near Kaifeng......Erstad has 3 divisions moving SW of Chengchow with more on the way. I think he will now make his major offensive thrust in the plains of central China. The 38th Division is heading back towards Canton to help break the Chinese siege there. PHILIPPINES The IJA 48th Division captures San Fernando. Its time to pull all the Allied troops back to Clark and Manila. With recent Japanese activity in the DEI Luzon is almost completely cut off. Im still going to try to withdraw a fragment of the Bataan Base force but it will be difficult. DEI Japan captures Kuching, Sidate and Namlea. IJA troops land at Balikpappan, Samarinda and Tarakan. Manado was the key to the central DEI....once it fell the rest of the central DEI is collapsing like a house of cards. At least the minefields at Balikpappharboran claimed a couple of victims: TF 6 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97) Japanese Ships BB Hyuga, Mine hits 1 DD Wakatake, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage TF 106 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97) Japanese Ships xAKL Totai Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage Japanese ground losses: 36 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Erstad LRCAPed Tarakan and Balikpappan and I lost 6 extremely valuble transport AC last turn.....no more unit withdrawals by transport AC in the central DEI now. Japan will capture Balikpappan next turn and the turn after that Erstad will have Betties and A6M2s in range of Soerabaja.....I will have to empty the harbor at Soerabaja over the next couple of turns now. CENTRAL/SOUTH PACIFIC Japan captures Tarawa. KB suddenly appears in the Coral Sea as it coveres an invasion force heading to Port Moresby: Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,132 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 11 D3A1 Val x 22 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 1 damaged Allied Ships xAK Anshun, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Anshun Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 92,133 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships CM Gouden Leeuw, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage AS Platypus, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Gouden Leeuw Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,137 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 13 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged Allied Ships AVD William B. Preston, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk DD Bulmer DD Stewart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo DD Bulmer uses up another one of her 9 lives as she escapes destruction yet again. I tried to reinforce Port Moreby the best I could but it wasnt nearly enough to withstand a determined Japanese attack. It also appears that there is another Japanese invasion force just east of the Solomons heading south.....Erstad might be headed for Luganville. INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE I always count the SAA divisions at the start of a campaign to try to figure out the intentions of my opponent. Here is a list of IJA formations identified so far: Malaya: 2nd Division, 18th Division, 5th Division, 56th Division Luzon: 48th Division, 16th Division, 65th Brigade Manado: 33rd Regiment According to Sigint, elements of the 55th Division are on an AK heading to Rabaul and elements of 4th Division are on an AK heading to Truk. Still unaccounted for are the Imperial Guards, 33rd and 21st Divisons. If the Imperial Guards and the 33rd Division make an early move into Burma the defenses there will quickly collapse.....but if only 4 divisions are sent to Singapore then it will probably require a sustained siege to take it as I should have over 800 AV there when the IJA troops arrive. The sigint reports of 55th Division and 4th Division heading to the south Pacific is ominous and makes me think Erstad will be making an early invasion of New Caledonia. Sigint also reports that the Tonei Heavy Gun Regiment is planning for Auckland and both the 11th Independent Regiment and the 12th Independent Regiments are planning for Chittagong. Im not sure whether this is real intell or if its counter intelligence. There has also been a conspicuous lack of IJN sub activity off the US west coast and in the sea lanes bewteen the west coast and Hawaii.....it looks as if Erstad is using his subs more for scouting...there are IJN subs off Canton, Palmyra, Pago Pago, Auckland, Noumea and numerous chokepoints around the map.... it looka as if Erstad is trying to use his subs to scout Allied TF movement....and I think he is especially trying to locate the USN CVs if they attempt to put into any ports. I have cruisers embedded in the large transport TFs and all my naval search and ASW is being done with float planes...no carrier AC are involved. So if Erstad gets a message "sub spotted by Allied float plane" he wont know if its a carrier TF, surface TF or a transport TF. To further confuse him, Ive taken a couple of TBD squadrons off my carriers and am flying naval search with them from remote islands in the south Pacific....so of Erstad gets a "sub spotted by Allied torpedo bomber" he will think he has located one or more carriers. [image]local://upfiles/14495/A0F1108CAA154620A1DD233612C79920.jpg[/image]

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/11/2011 4:24:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance Wirraway_Ace....I thought that I had an opportunity to not only sink 2 IJN CAs but also get shipping out of Manila that had been bottled up. If you would have told me before the operation started that I would lose a BC from Betties based at a level 3 AF at 15 hex range then I probably wouldnt have attempted it. Erstad thought that down the road the trade of a BC for an IJN CA was almost worth it. Personally, I think that its importanat for the Allies to have a "fleet in being" in the early war on the western side of the map. Understood that the Betties were a lucky, but the risk to the capital ships seemed inherent. A single long-lance from the engagement and a ship would be too slow to escape. Though I am with Erstad that the IJN CAs are like gold and loss of Repulse for an IJN CA and the escape of the other shipping makes the operation at least a draw.

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/11/2011 4:33:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance CBI I LRCAPed Lashio with 3 fighter squadrons last turn but Japan was still able to fly reinforcements with transport AC.....the size of Japan's garrison there was doubled from 500 troops to over 1000. Erstad LRCAPed Tarakan and Balikpappan and I lost 6 extremely valuble transport AC last turn.....no more unit withdrawals by transport AC in the central DEI now. Japan will capture Balikpappan next turn and the turn after that Erstad will have Betties and A6M2s in range of Soerabaja.....I will have to empty the harbor at Soerabaja over the next couple of turns now. I have trouble duplicating Erstad's success with intercepting transports. How many transports of his did you down over Lashio?

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 3:49:02 AM)
Wirraway_Ace.....here are the combat events from this turn: AIR TRANSPORT PHASE L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted AIR TRANSPORT PHASE L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted I shot down exactly zero transport AC this turn....the Buffalo I fighters are worthless. Meanwhile.....Erstad shot down 6 out of 6 C-33s from the ATAC squadron the turn before. 12/25-12/26/41 SOUTH PACIFIC Japan invades at Port Moresby: AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 89 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130) Japanese Ships DD Amagiri PB Shoei Maru PB Nikkai Maru PB Kyo Maru #8 6 mines cleared -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 103 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130) Japanese Ships DD Yukikaze, Mine hits 1 Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Japanese Ships BB Mutsu CA Myoko CL Kiso CL Nagara CL Kashima DD Kamikaze DD Suzukaze DD Umikaze DD Kawakaze DD Yamakaze Allied ground losses: 80 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 8 Airbase supply hits 8 Runway hits 57 Port hits 14 Port supply hits 2 BB Mutsu firing at Port Moresby CA Myoko firing at Port Moresby CL Kiso firing at Port Moresby CL Nagara firing at Port Moresby CL Kashima firing at Port Moresby DD Kamikaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force DD Suzukaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Suzukaze DD Umikaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Umikaze DD Kawakaze firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Kawakaze DD Yamakaze firing at Port Moresby Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 73 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships BB Yamashiro DD Amagiri xAK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 1 PB Shoei Maru PB Nikkai Maru PB Kyo Maru #10 PB Kyo Maru #8 xAK Nishimi Maru Japanese ground losses: 51 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 17 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled BB Yamashiro firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at BB Yamashiro DD Amagiri firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Amagiri 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 8,000 yards BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops DD Amagiri fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby TF 89 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130 Japanese ground losses: 47 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3 10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /4 10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships BB Yamashiro DD Amagiri PB Shoei Maru PB Nikkai Maru PB Kyo Maru #10 PB Kyo Maru #8 xAK Venice Maru xAK Nishimi Maru BB Yamashiro firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at BB Yamashiro PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops DD Amagiri fired at enemy troops Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 29 D3A1 Val x 44 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 11 Aircraft Attacking: 13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 1248 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 146 Defending force 3946 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132 Assaulting units: A Coy/NG Rifles 49th Australian Battalion C Coy/NG Rifles /1 2/1st Ind Coy D Coy/NG Rifles B Coy/NG Rifles Port Moresby Brigade Lark Bn /1 15th RAAF Base Force Rabaul Det. Base Force /1 Defending units: 144th Infantry Rgt /1 Invasion Support action off Port Moresby Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Matsue Maru BB Yamashiro xAK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 1 PB Shoei Maru PB Nikkai Maru PB Kyo Maru #10 PB Kyo Maru #8 xAK Nishimi Maru BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 5,000 yards BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 5,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Yokohama Maru BB Yamashiro PB Shoei Maru PB Nikkai Maru PB Kyo Maru #10 PB Kyo Maru #8 xAK Nishimi Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Yokohama Maru at 8,000 yards BB Yamashiro firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards PB Shoei Maru fired at enemy troops PB Nikkai Maru fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #10 fired at enemy troops PB Kyo Maru #8 fired at enemy troops Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 D3A1 Val x 40 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 6 damaged Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 4 Runway hits 3 Aircraft Attacking: 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 17 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 1153 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 144 Defending force 3964 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134 Assaulting units: D Coy/NG Rifles 49th Australian Battalion A Coy/NG Rifles 2/1st Ind Coy Port Moresby Brigade C Coy/NG Rifles B Coy/NG Rifles Lark Bn /1 15th RAAF Base Force Rabaul Det. Base Force /1 Defending units: 144th Infantry Regiment Well at least my sigint was right about elements of 55th Division being loaded on an AK headed towards Rabaul. Japan also captures Milne Bay and Shortlands and storms ashore at Salamaua. Erstad is gonna overrun this part of the map pretty quickly. DEI Japan captures Samarinda, Balikpappan, Sambas and Kudat. The Allies begin evacuation of merchant shipping from Soerabaja harbor. MALAYA IJA troops are repulsed by the Aussies again at Mersing: Ground combat at Mersing (51,82) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 2151 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92 Defending force 2439 troops, 35 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 99 Japanese adjusted assault: 39 Allied adjusted defense: 97 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1) Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-) Attacker: leaders(-) Japanese ground losses: 45 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 23 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 56th Infantry Regiment Defending units: 22nd Australian Brigade 30 Battery/3 HAA Im pulling back the Australian 22nd Brigade to Johore Bharu as it has been hit repeatedly by Japanese aerial attacks and naval gunnery the last couple of turns and is starting to become disrupted and fatigued. Im holding the railroads open in southern Malaya for a couple more brigades to rail back to Johore Bharu and then everyone will fall back into frotress Singapore and dig in. CBI In Burma, the IJA 14th Tank Regiment easily brushes aside a larger formation of Allied troops in 3x terrain......at 14:1 odds no less: Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 525 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 46 Defending force 750 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34 Japanese adjusted assault: 43 Allied adjusted defense: 3 Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein !!! Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-) experience(-) Attacker: leaders(+) Allied ground losses: 427 casualties reported Squads: 11 destroyed, 8 disabled Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Units retreated 2 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! Assaulting units: 14th Tank Regiment Defending units: Tenasserim BAF Battalion 6th Burma Rifles Battalion This shows how truly aweful Allied troops are in this part of the world and why a Sir Robin defense makes the most sense in Burma at the start of the war. Meanwhile, a series of desperate air battles continues over Rangoon harbor as the Allies attempt to unload vital supplies: Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10 Ki-44 Tojo x 3 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 14 Buffalo I x 10 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 1 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet * CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-30 Ann x 12 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 7 Buffalo I x 2 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Allied Ships xAK Hupeh, Bomb hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44 Tojo x 3 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 11 Buffalo I x 8 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44 Tojo: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses H81-A3: 1 destroyed Buffalo I: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 18 G3M2 Nell x 15 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 8 Buffalo I x 5 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses H81-A3: 1 destroyed Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Allied Ships HDML 1102 HDML 1101 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-30 Ann x 11 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 1 Buffalo I x 2 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Buffalo I: 1 destroyed Allied Ships xAK Baroda Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-30 Ann x 9 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11 Allied aircraft H81-A3 x 6 Buffalo I x 5 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses H81-A3: 1 destroyed Allied Ships xAK Baroda Aircraft Attacking: 7 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2 planes vectored on to bombers No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead The AVG squadron and the Buffalo squadrons are at 50% strength at Rangoon now....the AVG will withdraw to Mandalay to take on replacements while all the Buffalo squadrons in Burma will be withdrawn to India and will train pilots until the new Hurricanes start arriving in 1/42. We will end the resupply effort at Rangoon next turn after Japan finishes off the remaining low value transports left in the harbor. SEAC bombers continue to hit the IJA paratroopers at Lashio with little apparent effect. The bombers are staged this turn to China where they will be used in an attempt to break up a major Japanese assault at Canton. In China, the IJA 38th Division reinforces the Japanese army at Canton. Erstad will launch a major attack at Canton this turn and try to dislodge the Chinese besiegers before the Chinese will be reinforced by a 4 more corps in the adjacent hex. My troops in the adjacent hex have moved 38 of the 46 miles need to enter Canton and are in combat mode on a major highway hex.....just in case Erstad launches his attack before the calvary arrives Ive got the AVG LRCAPing over the city and some 80 SEAC/Chinese bombers tasked with ground attack. In the plains of central China, Erstad has begun his offensive from Kaifeng as some 5-6 IJA divisions move to either cut off Chengchow or assault Nanyang. [image]local://upfiles/14495/220A2C47CF0E472E8B0277EE8E7A5A65.jpg[/image]

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 2:27:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance Wirraway_Ace.....here are the combat events from this turn: AIR TRANSPORT PHASE L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted AIR TRANSPORT PHASE L3Y2 Tinas flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted Ki-57-I Topsys flying to Lashio intercepted I shot down exactly zero transport AC this turn....the Buffalo I fighters are worthless. Meanwhile.....Erstad shot down 6 out of 6 C-33s from the ATAC squadron the turn before. Hmm, this was my experiene too, with the sides reversed. Erstad understands something about the mechanics of the intercept that I don't. My working assumption, as Erstad prefers to use units on 100% CAP and LRCAP for a day at a time, is that successful engagement during intercept increases more than proportionately at the higher levels of %CAP. Experience and gun value are certainly factors, but I was using A6M2s (gun value 12) with experience in the high 60s and could not get more than a kill every few days. He was using H81-A3 with a gun value of 14 in a unit of similiar experience to mine I presume (AVG).

racndoc -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 3:49:29 PM)
Wirrayway_Ace....you may be right about the %CAP %LRCAP tactics. I will need to experiment with this. 12/27-12/28/41 CBI The Chinese calvary arrives just in time as IJA troops are repulsed with heavy losses at Canton: Ground combat at Canton (77,59) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 38609 troops, 509 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 1161 Defending force 29628 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1075 Japanese adjusted assault: 1260 Allied adjusted defense: 997 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 2487 casualties reported Squads: 27 destroyed, 155 disabled Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 174 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled Allied ground losses: 349 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 50 disabled Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Assaulting units: 38th Division 67th Ind.Infantry Battalion 104th Division 68th Ind.Infantry Battalion 20th Ind. Engineer Regiment 19th Ind. Engineer Regiment 20th RGC Division Canton Special Base Force 2nd RF Gun Battalion 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 47th JAAF AF Bn 1st JAAF AF Coy 23rd Army 21st Mortar Battalion 5th RF Gun Battalion 2nd Mortar Battalion 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion 1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment 2nd JAAF AF Coy Defending units: 65th Chinese Corps 63rd Chinese Corps 25th Chinese/B Corps 62nd Chinese Corps 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 25th Chinese/A Corps 25th Chinese/C Corps 18th Artillery Regiment 3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment 1st Artillery Regiment 12th Group Army 7th Artillery Regiment 4th Heavy Mortar Regiment Ground combat at Canton (77,59) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 36537 troops, 509 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 1031 Defending force 29160 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1033 Japanese adjusted assault: 714 Allied adjusted defense: 961 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-) supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 2133 casualties reported Squads: 15 destroyed, 146 disabled Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 130 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled Allied ground losses: 555 casualties reported Squads: 3 destroyed, 34 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Assaulting units: 104th Division 38th Division 68th Ind.Infantry Battalion 19th Ind. Engineer Regiment 20th Ind. Engineer Regiment 67th Ind.Infantry Battalion 20th RGC Division 1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment 1st JAAF AF Coy 47th JAAF AF Bn 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion Canton Special Base Force 2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 2nd Mortar Battalion 23rd Army 10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion 21st Mortar Battalion 2nd RF Gun Battalion 5th RF Gun Battalion 2nd JAAF AF Coy Defending units: 2nd Prov Chinese Corps 65th Chinese Corps 62nd Chinese Corps 63rd Chinese Corps 25th Chinese/A Corps 25th Chinese/B Corps 25th Chinese/C Corps 18th Artillery Regiment 12th Group Army 1st Artillery Regiment 3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment 7th Artillery Regiment 4th Heavy Mortar Regiment Japan suffers some 4600 casualties in the 2 attacks vs 900 Chinese. Our defensive position at Canton seems to be secure for the time being as more reinforcements are on the way. In Burma, the Blenheim IF bombers seem to be as ineffectual as ever but at least they provide an unexpected piece of intell: Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 55,58 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Allied aircraft Blenheim IF x 9 Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IF: 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 6 x Blenheim IF bombing from 5000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 40 lb GP Bomb 3 x Blenheim IF bombing from 4000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 40 lb GP Bomb So the 112th Regiment is in Burma. That means that Erstad has split up th 55th Division with the 144th Regiment landed at Port Moresby. With the 4th Division heading to Truk and the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards divisions still unaccounted for....it makes me think that Erstad is planning for an additional operation with an as yet unknown objective. SOPAC The IJA 144th Regiment is ashore at Port Moresby. So far there have been no followup invasions here and 1 IJA regiment is not enough to take the base. Evidently Erstad thought he could rush Port Moresby with a single regiment but with the Allied reinforcements he will need to bring more to the party. No additional IJN troop convoys are spotted in the area. KB hovers just offshore at Port Moresby. Japan invades at Guam and captures Salamaua. MALAYA Japan captures Mersing as the Aussie 22nd Brigade withdraws towards Johore Bharu. So far, I havent spotted any IJA units outside of 2nd, 18th, 5th and 56th Divisions in Burma. Without additional reinforcements I think that Japan will be tied down in a siege at Singapore for some time. DEI Japan capturws Muntok. The IJA 9th Regiment is ID'ed at Balikpappan and the 20th Regiment was ID'ed at Samarinda...this means that Erstad has split up the 16th Division and only has the 48th Division and the 65th Brigade ashore on Luzon at full strength.....that only is not enough to take Luzon but its not even enough to bottle up the Allies at Clark/Manila. Manado has been enlarged into a level 4 airfield and the Betties/A6m2S there dominate the area. Mini KB ventures within 9 hexes of Soerabaja(just out of Vildebeest range) to hit Allied minesweepers at Pakemasan: Morning Air attack on TF, near Pamekasan at 57,105 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 16 B5N1 Kate x 12 Allied aircraft B-339D x 4 CW-21B Demon x 4 75A-7 Hawk x 7 P-40B Warhawk x 11 P-40E Warhawk x 4 Japanese aircraft losses B5N1 Kate: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses 75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed Allied Ships AMc Ardjoeno AMc Kawi Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: 1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 4 planes vectored on to bombers 3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers 24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers 35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers Ardjoeno dead in the water ... Kawi dead in the water ... Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pamekasan at 57,105 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 7 B5N1 Kate x 15 Allied aircraft B-339D x 1 CW-21B Demon x 4 75A-7 Hawk x 1 P-40B Warhawk x 2 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied Ships AMc Tjerimai, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk AMc Kawi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk AMc Gedeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk AMc Ardjoeno, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 10 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 14000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: 1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead Tjerimai dead in the water ... Kawi dead in the water ... Gedeh dead in the water ... Ardjoeno dead in the water ... SS Sealion puts a torpedo in TK Syoyo Maru off Tawi Tawi...she must have been full of fuel as she in burning fiercely from stem to stern. [image]local://upfiles/14495/8DD466517B4D49DEBA869EE1179B3DEB.jpg[/image]

Bradley7735 -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 4:22:34 PM)
Are you thinking of going on the offensive at Luzon? If he didn't bring enough to bottle you up, do you think you can force a couple of retreats?

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 7:12:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance So the 112th Regiment is in Burma. That means that Erstad has split up th 55th Division with the 144th Regiment landed at Port Moresby. With the 4th Division heading to Truk and the 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards divisions still unaccounted for....it makes me think that Erstad is planning for an additional operation with an as yet unknown objective. Your intel officer would probably say with an insufferable smile , "we already knew that sir. The 144th is detached from the division and assigned to a different HQs as part of the standard task organization and is the only infantry regiment available to Japan in the Coral Sea Area of Operations at the beginning of the war. The remaining rgts of the division cannot be recombined, so we anticipate their use in Burma, with as much armor as can be found, to rout the weak commonwealth resistance or against other weakly held targets in the DEI where the resiliance of an entire formed division is not needed. Note sir, that the 56th Division also has a detached regiment (146th) somewhere in the Celebes unless he has made the effort to change its HQ and ship it to link up with the rest of the division. The remaining divisions we have not seen yet committed may be preparing for an early invasion of Sumatra (at Palembang) or Java. The key oil fields and the highly defensible nature of the terrain at Palembang make it a likely target. The enemy will not want to see us successfully reinforce. " SOPAC The IJA 144th Regiment is ashore at Port Moresby. So far there have been no followup invasions here and 1 IJA regiment is not enough to take the base. Evidently Erstad thought he could rush Port Moresby with a single regiment but with the Allied reinforcements he will need to bring more to the party. No additional IJN troop convoys are spotted in the area. KB hovers just offshore at Port Moresby.

Wirraway_Ace -> RE: AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A) (7/13/2011 7:19:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance Japan capturws Muntok. The IJA 9th Regiment is ID'ed at Balikpappan and the 20th Regiment was ID'ed at Samarinda...this means that Erstad has split up the 16th Division and only has the 48th Division and the 65th Brigade ashore on Luzon at full strength.....that only is not enough to take Luzon but its not even enough to bottle up the Allies at Clark/Manila. He was probalby planning on using the 38th from Hong Kong, but your investure of Canton required the commitment of that division.

crsutton -> RE: NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN (7/13/2011 10:57:50 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance 12/13-12/14/41 SUBS SS I-122 sinks AK Fatshan off Hong Kong. SS KXI puts a torpedo in AK Tihuku Maru near Patani. SS I-122 sinks AKL Soochow off Hong Kong. SS I-121 pumps 9 shells into AK Palawan near Donggala. SS I-122 scores a hat trick by sinking its 3rd vessel this turn.....AKL Yat Shing.....off Hong Kong. SS KXI lands a fish on AK Hukuyo Maru near patani. NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN The Allies have a lot of shipping trapped in port at Manila.....and some of the AKs in port have loaded elements of the Cavite Base Force. One of the most important ops for me in the Philippines at the start of the war is to extricate the Cavite and the Cebu base forces.....I use these units to help build up Noumea and usually Port Moresby and then as the Allies advance across the Pacific I move these 2 base forces forward into the Marianas and the Paulaus. Cadres of both units have already been flown out of harms way but I like to get as much of the parent unit out as possible. Meanwhile.....IJN bombers at Vigan are hammering the Allied shipping in port at Manila: Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 18 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-27b Nate x 15 Ki-36 Ida x 9 Allied aircraft P-40E Warhawk x 10 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-27b Nate: 3 destroyed Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed Allied Ships xAKL Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage xAK Yu Sang, Bomb hits 2, on fire PG Asheville, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1, on fire AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1 xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage xAKL Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, on fire Port supply hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 8000 feet Port Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: 24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes 24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead Somehow I have to get rid of the IJN blockade off Manila with 2 CAs and 2 CLs. The subs and PTs I have sent to hit the IJN blocking force have been ineffectual so far. Force Z had just arrived at Balikpappan. I stripped away some of the lower endurance RN DDs and augmented the force with CA Houston, CL Boise, CL Marblehead and 4 longer ranged USN DDs. They are ordered to sail at full speed to Manila and hit the IJN cruiser blocking force off Bataan. P-40Es are flown in to Bataan and Batangas to LRCAP Force Z when it arrives at Manila. Force Z will refuel at Manila and then race back to Balikpappan. A fresh P-40B squadron at Tarakan will LRCAP Force Z on the return trip to Balikpappan. The only problem with this plan is I will have no LRCAP for Force Z on the end of the 1st day of the high speed run to Manila. Force Z should be in the southern Sulu Sea approximately 3 hexes NW of Zamboanga. Mini KB is currently in the Clebes Sea and should be out of range of Force Z at the end of the 1st day. The only other Japanese airfield that is within range of Force Z is the level 3 airfield at Vigan. Well at the end of the 1st day of the run to Manila, Force Z is hit by Betties flying from the level 3 airifeld at Vigan....at the extreme range of 15 hexes no less.....and they are carrying torpedoes: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 74,86 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 6 G4M1 Betty x 8 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed Allied Ships BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage BB Prince of Wales Aircraft Attacking: 7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Unfortunately....after BC Repulse is hit by torpedoes it is detached from Force Z with DD Electra as an escort and is sent back towards Balikpappan.....right into the sights of the Kates from mini KB: Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 71,89 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Japanese aircraft A5M4 Claude x 5 B5N1 Kate x 4 Allied aircraft no flights No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses No Allied losses Allied Ships BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo BC Repulse is lost with all hands. Bloodied but still undeterred, Force Z races up to Luzon and pummels the IJN blocking force off Bataan: Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses No Japanese losses Japanese Ships CA Maya CA Ashigara, Shell hits 9, and is sunk CL Kuma, Shell hits 3 DD Asakaze DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3 CA Houston CL Marblehead CL Boise, Shell hits 2 DD Barker DD Bulmer DD Stewart DD Tenedos Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards Range closes to 19,000 yards... Range closes to 17,000 yards... Range closes to 15,000 yards... Range closes to 13,000 yards... Range closes to 11,000 yards... Range closes to 10,000 yards... Range closes to 9,000 yards... Range closes to 8,000 yards... Range closes to 7,000 yards... Range closes to 6,000 yards... Range closes to 5,000 yards... Range closes to 4,000 yards... Range closes to 3,000 yards... Range closes to 2,000 yards... CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards CA Maya engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards CA Ashigara engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards CL Marblehead engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Tenedos engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards CA Ashigara engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards DD Barker engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards Range increases to 6,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 6,000 yards CA Ashigara sunk by CL Boise at 6,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 6,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Bulmer at 6,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 6,000 yards Range increases to 7,000 yards BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 7,000 yards CA Maya engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards CL Boise engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards CL Marblehead engages DD Asakaze at 7,000 yards DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards Task forces break off... CA Ashigara is sunk and CL Kuma is damaged. Force Z arrives at Manila and is covered by USAAF P-40E LRCAP from the IJN bombers at Vigan. Now its time for Force Z to go home....and for all the Allied shipping in port at Manila to get the hell out of Dodge. Not only is mini KB waiting back in the Celebes Sea......but Erstad has placed a surface TF with 4 BBs in the Celebes Sea to block any ship from exiting to the south. So Force Z has 2 options: 1) Withdraw along the northern coast of Borneo under Allied fighter cover at Singkawang and then proceed to Batavia or... 2)Withdraw through the center of the Philippine archipelago.....through the San Bernadino Straights and into Leyte Gulf and then to a point 2 hexes NW of Sorong and thence into the Banda Sea. I decided on the 2nd alternative......USAAF P-40Bs and P-40Es are staged into Mindanao to cover the withdrawal. BB PoW doesnt have quite enough fuel to reach Darwin so Force Z will sail from a point just NW of Sorong to Tamerfane Island......just north of Darwin...where there are some pre-positioned tankers waiting at anchor to refuel the thirsty capital ships. As far as shipping in port at Manila.....I have some very high value targets including 3 AS ships and several AKs carrying the Cavite Baes Force. These will be sent through both the San Bernadino Straight and the Sulu/Celebes Seas back to safe harbor. As luck would have it....several AKLs are also just leaving Cebu with the Cebu Base Force. Mini KB will have a field day tomorrow. I staged 2 squadrons of Dutch medium bombers into Tarakan with B-339s and P-40Bs as escorts just to put a little caution into the Japanese. I will also flood the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea with a horde of low value AKLs and AKs just to keep mini KB busy. MALAYA IJA troops capture Alor Star and retreat the 15th Indian Brigade in the wrong direction. Additional IJA troops advance along the Kota Bharo/Temuloh highway and hammer the former defenders of Kota Bharu yet again. CBI Erstad drops paratroopers at Lashio but is defeated by the defending base force. I bought a Chinese 11th Army Division that is a couple days out from Lashio so hopefully they arrive in time. The Chinese capture Ichang as Japan withdraws from the town. Japan merely bombards at Hong Kong. The entire south of China is strangely quiet. DEI Japan captures Vanimo but is repulsed at Jesselton. Additional IJA troops land at Manado. SOPAC IJN troops invade at Lunga. Now Im really starting to become concerned about the rapidity of the Japanese advance in the south Pacific but at this point there isnt very much I can do about it. [image]local://upfiles/14495/88071612BE084DB8B13B478E8B892FFC.jpg[/image] It sounds like you are playing the last patch and not any of the recent betas. With the betas (they are excellent) you no longer need to evacuate cadres as you can purchase back any destroyed unit very cheaply and rebuild them. Base forces are very easy to rebuild as the pools of devices for them fill up fast. However, my point is that the official patch is going to come out fairly soon. Probably before you get more than a few months into your game. If you and your opponent plan on patching up when it is official, the you really should not worry about evacuating cadres now. Soon enough you will just be able to buy them back and don't have to risk assets trying to pull evacuations off. It is also questionable to evac cadres of Indian and Australian units at this point as it takes fully a year or more to bring the Indian units you already have up to strength, and you will never have enough squads for your Australian units. In my game, I bought all the destroyed Aussie and Indian units back that I could. I then realized that it would be only after 1944 that I could think of rebuilding the Indian units and that rebuilding the Australian units are a fantasy. In fact, now that I feel Oz is secure, I am disbanding some Australian units so I can flesh out those that are in engaged in combat.

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