A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – GAME ABANDONED

A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – GAME ABANDONED (Full Version)

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CrackSabbath -> A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – GAME ABANDONED (3/27/2014 8:43:03 PM)
As all good n00bs must do, I’ve recently embarked on my first PBEM journey in WitPAE. I decided to go all in and start with Iron Babes C (ext map, lowered cargo ~ Hist 1st turn off, Dec 7th surprise on). I asked for an experienced Japanese opponent, and Kaleun was kind enough to accept the challenge. My hope is to learn some hard lessons, become a better player, and eventually take the plunge and play the Japanese side. My expectation is that Kaleun will smack me around regularly until eventually the weight of American industry can cover for the many stupid mistakes I’m sure to make. As Kaleun recently informed me that he is going to publish an AAR of our campaign, I decided to do the same. I’m sure some day in the future I’ll be able to look back at the blunders made with painful, but well earned self-awareness. 1st official AAR post to follow soon . . .

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/27/2014 11:47:21 PM)
From the personal diary of Adm. Holden McGroin Feb 2nd, 1942. Naval Station, Pearl Harbor. Only 57 days since the date that the President says shall live in infamy, and 47 days since that poor sod Kimmel was sent packing. I wonder how long I’ll last. I wonder too why I was chosen over the likes of Nimitz, or even King himself. I suppose my deft handling of the 32nd Port Dredging and Harbor Maintenance Flotilla won me the honor. As I broke my fast upon a light repast of steak, eggs, bacon, sausage, flapjacks, grits, home fries, toast, coffee (just a splash of bourbon – it’s a work day), orange juice, grapefruit juice and a pack of Lucky Strikes (I’m cutting back), my gaze was drawn from my manicured front lawn to an empty Battleship Row. While the damage done to those beautiful ships on the 7th of Dec was severe and the loss of life tragic, none were actually sunk. Ironically, the worst damage was suffered by the poor USS Arizona weeks after the cowardly attack while she was under way to Bremerton Naval Yard for dry-dock repairs. She’ll be back in action by early ’43 I’m told. I take that attack as a personal affront, Arizona being my home state (hence my natural nautical inclinations). Only the hapless AVD-7, USS Preston, currently resides on the bottom of Pearl Harbor. Admiral Halsey had the poor taste to say the Japanese did us a favor bombing Battleship Row, as now “our carrier task forces can make 30 knots.” Maybe he has a point. Needless to say morale at Naval HQ is rock bottom. Every communication received brings more bad news. Hong Kong fallen, Singapore isolated, Japanese ships running rampant through the Dutch East Indies, the Japanese Zero fighter all but unbeatable, and disaster in the Philippine Islands!! I can’t even look my mess steward in the eye for the shame! Luzon has all but fallen! Our forces are surrounded in Manila. Yesterday that maniac Gen. MacArthur launched a disastrous shock attack against the Japanese aggressors. My communiqué clearly stated that a deliberate local counter attack should be taken . . . or did I check the wrong box on the attack requisition form. Hmmm . . . I may need new glasses. The only bright spot so far in this damnable war was in early January when the Japanese launched an amphibious operation at Mersing along the Malaysian coast north of Singapore. While the landings ultimately were successful, a powerful Japanese task force reportedly made up of 2xBB, 2xCA, 4xDD fled during the night from a much weaker Dutch task force (2xCL, 6xDD). Sadly, the Dutch commander failed to find the amphibious force. I wonder if the Japanese Admiral committed Hairy Cary or whatever they call that. Even more curiously, the Japanese lacked air cover, and over the next few days, the mixed force of British, Australian and Dutch planes continuously attacked the Japanese, reportedly sinking five cargo ships (full of troops I hope!), and damaging a heavy cruiser and battleship. However, by the middle of the month those damned Zeros appeared and our air forces took a licking. Well, enough for now . . .

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/28/2014 3:35:40 AM)
Evening, Feb 2nd, 1942. Naval Station, Pearl Harbor. I keep a copy of the following contact report on my desk. It’s from Dec 17th, ten days after the sneak attack on Pearl. The USS Stingray had what we believe was the fleet carrier Akagi in its sights. Four torpedoes fired . . . four! . . . and no reported hits. That big bastard should be on the bottom of the Pacific right now, the crew who killed our boys at Pearl fish food! Damnation!! Those pointy headed sons of bitches at BuOrd need to pull their thumbs out of their asses and figure out what the hell is wrong with our torpedoes!! Every damn day reports cross my desk of torpedoes fired, and no detonations. Duds!! Nobody expects every torpedo to hit, but when they do, they’re not exploding! What damn good is a torpedo that doesn’t explode?!?!? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Nagoya at 110,62 Japanese Ships CV Akagi BB Kirishima CA Chikuma CA Tone CL Abukuma DD Akigumo DD Kasumi DD Arare DD Tanikaze DD Hamakaze Allied Ships SS Stingray SS Stingray launches 4 torpedoes at CV Akagi Stingray diving deep .... DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Arare attacking submerged sub .... DD Tanikaze fails to find sub and abandons search DD Hamakaze fails to find sub and abandons search DD Kasumi attacking submerged sub .... DD Arare fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kasumi attacking submerged sub .... DD Kasumi is out of ASW ammo DD Kasumi is out of ASW ammo DD Arare fails to find sub and abandons search DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, enough bitching for now. Now we have to figure out how to win our part of the war!

CaptBeefheart -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/28/2014 5:13:29 AM)
Good luck, Admiral Holden McGroin (with aide-de-camp LCDR Heywood Jablome by any chance?). Cheers, CC

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/28/2014 5:34:22 PM)
Thank you Cdr Cody! Do you know Lcdr Jablome from the Academy, or perhaps you know his family, the Nantucket Jablome's? I was lucky to take him with me when I left the 32nd Port Dredging and Harbor Maintenance Flotilla. Strategic situation update to follow . . .

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/29/2014 5:56:59 AM)
Feb 4th, 1942. It’s been a hectic couple of days so I haven’t been able to put together my strategic summary. The latest bad news (and it’s all bad lately) comes from an area of extreme strategic importance – Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. An Australian Amphib TF (2xCA, 2xCL, 2xDD, 4xAP, 1xAK) was landing a reinforced regiment of infantry along with a base construction unit and supplies. This TF was screened by a Surface TF (3xCL). Our intention is to build an air base there to help stem the Japanese advance in the Solomon Sea. We knew sending these forces in without air cover was a calculated risk. The 1st two days of unloading proved the risk worth it as attacks by Betty bombers from Rabaul were ineffective. However, we now know where those damn Jap carriers are! 265 planes swarmed the Amphib group – so there are at least three Japanese carriers in the area! While the attack was devastating and three transports were sunk (damnatnion!!), we were lucky that they had unloaded all but a handful of equipment (a few artillery pieces and vehicles). Loss of life was mercifully light. The damaged ships are limping towards Sydney Harbor. As to the Japanese TF, the last contact report has it steaming NE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 55 B5N2 Kate x 109 D3A1 Val x 101 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 13 damaged D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 1 CM Bungaree, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires CA Australia, Bomb hits 6, on fire DD Vampire DD Voyager xAP Rangitata, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage xAP Maori, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage xAP Rangitiki, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires CL Hobart, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1 xAP Sarpedonia xAK Cycle, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires Allied ground losses: Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled) Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 11000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Maori Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Bungaree Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Rangitiki Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Rangitata --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/1/2014 5:39:53 PM)
Stepping out of "character” here. I'm doing fine keeping up w/sending my opponent turns, but the AAR is more work than I thought. I'll keep it going, but more along the lines of updating major events & battles, not a turn by turn recitation of every depth charge dropped. At the least those of you following kaleun's AAR can enjoy some schadenfreude as you watch me make n00b mistakes and play right into his hands. 1st some advice please. I’m at a loss what to do in Northern OZ. I’m building up Darwin as an important base, but at a loss what to do with the isolated bases, especially Exmouth and Port Headland. They are truly isolated, and difficult to supply. My inclination is to abandon them. Broome, Derby & Wyndham have road links, so at least can be supplied somewhat via that route. I’m still leaning towards pulling out of Broome & Derby. Your thoughts?

richlove -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/1/2014 8:20:18 PM)
Can we get a map of the area? Supply won't work very well over the roads, but you should be able to send dinky 1 VP xAKLs from Perth to most of them. You almost certainly don't want to defend them now, but it might be worth keeping an LCU in there just to make kaleun commit more than (say) a Bn of troops. Darwin is very easy to cut off. I'd be very cautious about building it up at this point in the game.

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/1/2014 10:04:54 PM)
Feb 13th, 1942. Sydney, Australia I arrived in Sydney, Australia yesterday after island-hopping across the Pacific in a B-17. I’ll be meeting with General Sir Robin Brave, commander of ABDA, this afternoon to discuss our strategic plans in Burma, the DEI and Northern Australia. First, some bad news caught up with me as we were on a fueling stop in Suva. Manila fell on Feb 10th after weeks of hard fighting. The final assault kicked off after a devastating night bombardment by two Japanese surface task forces. Intelligence ID’d the following ships: 4xBB (Hyuga, Ise, Fuso & Nagato), 2xCA, 4xCL and 10xDD. May their hulks soon litter the floor of the Pacific! More troubling, what of the Japanese carriers? The last sighting was the afternoon of Feb 4th after they sent three transports to the bottom of Milne Bay. Did they return to Truk to refuel? We have four fleet subs circling that base, but no sightings. What mischief are they up to now? What of our carriers you ask? We’re being cautious with our CV’s, maybe too cautious. We did raid Wake Island back in January, but the only tangible result there would be for the propaganda copy writers We’ve organized our four fleet carriers (Yorktown, Enterprise, Lexington, Saratoga) into four TF’s, operating in pairs. For the last several weeks, Yorktown and Enterprise have been covering a major reinforcement effort along the Noumea, Suva, Pago Pago, Tahiti line. We’ve moved two regiments of Marines, three regiments of Army infantry (24th Inf Div), numerous supporting units (HQ, artillery, AAA, base force units), tons of fuel and supplies, and finally a good chunk of the II Fighter group (P-39 & P-40s) and V bomber group (B-26 (B-17’s ferried themselves)). The overall mission has been a success. The only serious loss was the sinking of the transport USS Steel Ranger which had VMF-221 embarked. Eighteen beautiful F-4F3 Wildcats sunk by a submarine – fortunately the flight crews were rescued. Two squadrons of Dauntless dive bombers made it through. So we feel we have a good start at reinforcing that portion of the line. While we don’t fool ourselves that they are impregnable, the forces there can at least put up a fight, and keep the vital US to Oz supply line open. Sweet Sara and Lady Lex were covering a similar reinforcement of Palmyra and Christmas Island, then were sent to lurk SE of Ocean Island after a Japanese attack there. We hoped to catch the next Japanese thrust south, but it hasn’t materialized (yet). So we allowed both groups to bomb the hell out of the Japanese troops on Ocean Island. Yorktown and Enterprise are off to the Coral Sea to cover the next phase of our New Guinea operations (after a quick refuel stop in Noumea). Sara and Lex are heading back to Pearl Harbor. We’ll refit them one at a time and get rid of those ridiculous 8 inch turrets. I’m off to the meeting with Sir Robin Brave. Next entry to follow soon

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/2/2014 4:20:53 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: richlove Can we get a map of the area? Supply won't work very well over the roads, but you should be able to send dinky 1 VP xAKLs from Perth to most of them. You almost certainly don't want to defend them now, but it might be worth keeping an LCU in there just to make kaleun commit more than (say) a Bn of troops. Darwin is very easy to cut off. I'd be very cautious about building it up at this point in the game. Here is the map. My thoughts on Darwin is yes, ships could be cut off, but LCU's could at least march south. [image]local://upfiles/12252/F4131593E8014CB28D01BD8B2D013068.jpg[/image]

BBfanboy -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/2/2014 4:32:32 AM)
The Japanese tend to land with a few tank units and Australia at this stage only has armoured cars, and very few A/T guns. Troops trying to march south are harassed and blocked by the IJA tanks until their infantry can come up and engage. They will also quickly place bombers with longer range than yours on the northern bases and take a heavy toll on troops in the open. AA defences are also poor in early 1942 Aus. Not saying you shouldn't try to hold Darwin, but you need to protect the flanks all the way back to Alice Springs. Since access by sea is the only way to effectively supply and reinforce N Aus., you need to wait until you can have some control of the sea before committing much up there.

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/2/2014 8:17:45 PM)
Thanks BBfanboy. I fear I was a bit too cavalier assuming my interior lines of communication would be more helpful than would be realistic. I'm adjusting my plans for Darwin a bit - I'll kep building the defenses, and keep it well supplied, but won't send large #s of troops in there, and will have some defences along the N. coast. They will probably end up being speed bumps, but I have to trade space for time in '42. Just as long as I don't give up too much and trigger a Japanese victory in '43. I'll disperse some of the Dutch aux ships that I've been evacuating out of DEI to Darwin (per the orders of General Sir Robin Brave, Commander ABDA [;)]).

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (4/6/2014 3:55:37 PM)
14 Feb, 1942. Sydney, Australia My meetings with Sir Robin Brave seemed endless yesterday. The man’s hangdog expression, droning voice and drooping red moustaches wear on one’s patience. One can understand how the dire situation with ABDACOM would wear on any man’s resolve though. The command itself is a desperate hodge-podge. Being blunt, I believe with the exception of northern Australia and Burma, the whole command area is doomed. Manila fell days ago, and with it the last significant resistance in Luzon (one battalion of Marine AA gunners are holding out, bless their leather-bound hearts). The rest of the Philippines are manned by small garrisons of 2nd line troops, God help them. The situation in Maylasia is no better. Singapore is isolated. While the polyglot air forces in the area fought bravely and have made the Japanese pay dearly in the air, their overall affect on the ground campaign has been practically nil. It pains one to see good me give their all and die in the face of such odds. The forces in Singapore itself are formidable on paper, but they are isolated, and if the Japanese choose, they can starve them out. I’m glad Sir Robin Brave was forced to ship the two Australian Brigades from the 8th Division back home at the insistence of Australian PM Bruce Mc Bruce. Likewise, the bulk of the Royal Navy squadrons in the area were evacuated to Ceylon, where they will be crucial to our future plans. The British bases along Northern Borneo barely slowed the Jap advance, poor sods. The Dutch are doing what they can to shore up their defenses in their holdings in Sumatra, Java and Borneo. We all know this is the prize the Japs are after, and damnation there is little we can do to deny them the crucial oil reserves in the area*. I’ve had the remaining surface forces in the area pulled back. While they can fight bravely against Japanese surface TF’s and bombard Japanese ground forces, they’re sitting ducks without adequate air cover. We’re keeping a significant submarine presence in the entire area, but only the Dutch torpedoes seem to actually explode. I’ll discuss our plans in Burma and Northern Australia in my next entry.

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (9/17/2014 12:02:21 AM)
Hello fellow WitPAE nut-jobs, As I feared, the AAR was biting off a bit more than I can chew right now. I’m keeping up with the game (we’ve had a bit of a lull as my opponent is moving to a new home), but too much is going on in life to give the AAR the time it requires. Full disclosure: I’m also playing PBEM games of Flashpoint Campaigns and Combat Mission. So my lack of time is somewhat self inflicted I’m afraid. So far in the campaign we’ve had the usual Japanese blitzkrieg and two major carrier battles. The game is currently in turn #260 (23 Aug, 1942). My opponent is leading with 17,148 vp with the Allies having 9,773 vp. This is a 1.76:1 ratio, so I’m not in immediate peril of an automatic victory. Hopefully I can keep it at this level by Jan ’43. Here is a summary of the current strategic situation by zone/front: Eastern Pacific/USA-Oz supply line: My engineers are beavering away building up bases to the max or beyond in the Continental US, and I’m furiously training air crews. I’ve reinforced to the best of my ability key bases along the US-Oz supply route (Christmas Island, Pago Pago, Tahiti, etc). Most have at least a regiment of infantry, an AA unit, 1-2 base units and at least one squadron each of fighters, light bombers and patrol planes. None would last long to a concentrated assault, but all can defend themselves to some extent, and will provide some measure of early warning should a big TF appear in the area. • Threat level – low. So far my opponent seems content not to cause any mischief here. I need to keep my guard up tho as he certainly has the ability to send some raiders in and sink a lot of tankers and cargo ships, whose convoys are lightly escorted. Submarines continue to be a threat, but nothing like the first few months of the war when every sortie out of port was done with white knuckles. I have a good number of ASW TF’s (sub chasers and PC’s mostly) plus several well trained PB squadrons on ASW duty. I’ve also learned to sortie an ASW screen ahead of any major task force leaving Pearl, San Fran etc. Central Pacific: Very quiet. Too quiet. I did re-occupy Canton Island and have an AV with a squadron of Catalinas on Baker Island in a half-assed early warning set up. I sense Japanese engineers are digging some very deep bunkers in the Caroline, Marshall and Marianas Islands. There will be blood. Australia: Just like the Continental US I’m rapidly expanding all major bases, and training aircrew and LCU’s. So far no major disruption to my supply lines. I’ve been pushing massive amounts of fuel into Perth, Melbourne & Sydney from the US and Cape Town. • Threat level – moderate. It doesn’t appear my opponent has any appetite to invade Australia at this time. Nevertheless the entire Eastern seaboard is heavily garrisoned by a mix of Australian and American troops, as are Darwin and Perth. I’ve also pushed a large force of fighters, medium and heavy bombers to Oz. Many are training and/or cycling in and out of the Papua-New Guinea theater, or in the case of the bombers attacking targets in NE New Guinea. Much like the US there continues to be a significant sub threat both in Eastern and Western Australia. I’ve beefed up my ASW forces on both ends, which lead to a very interesting (but mostly ineffectual - whew) raid carried out by my opponent which I will detail later. Papua-New Guinea/Solomon Islands: This is where I have drawn my “line in the sand” in the SW Pacific, and the action here has been hot. I began reinforcing Milne Bay in March ‘42, which lead to an ignoble defeat. I had two CV’s (Yorktown & Enterprise) covering the op, when Yorktown took a torp from a Japanese SS, and had to limp to Sydney for repairs. I took the gamble and kept the op moving forward, landing the final of three INF regiments (there was also a base force and two squadrons of Kittyhawks there). That TF ran afoul of the KB (or a big part of it) and was smashed; CV Enterprise, CA’s Portland and Canberra, CL Phoenix and 3xDD were sunk, plus the CA Houston and CL St. Louis were heavily damaged. OUCH! I suppose the good news is the Amphib TF escaped after landing the troops. A short time later the Japanese landed a strong force which quickly pushed out my green troops. My stalwart Aussies did retreat in good order, and marched up the coast, arriving at Port Morseby just in time to tip the balance in that battle, as my opponent had landed a strong force there as well. The next phase of the Battle of New Guinea began in May, and led to the 1st big carrier battle, which I will describe in a separate post. Currently I hold strong, well supplied land and air forces in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Terapo. I have begun an overland probe of Buna. That battle will begin to heat up soon. As to the Solomon Islands, my opponent advanced as far as the Shortlands, leaving Guadalcanal open, which I have just occupied following the 2nd large carrier battle of the campaign, also to be described later. I have a heavy submarine presence in the Solomon Sea and in the areas surrounding Rabaul. • Threat level – high. I don’t anticipate another attempt at an invasion of the West coast of New Guinea, but a long, bloody fight is just beginning there. I’m working on my combined strategy for this area. Philippines: Fallen. I shall return. Maybe. • Threat level – n/a. (My final outposts on Mindanao are just being cleared out). DEI: Fallen. I used a “Sir Robin” strategy here, preserving much of the British, Dutch and US surface forces in the area. I’m not sure if I’d follow that course again – kind of a lose-lose for the Allies here. I did pump out as much fuel as I could to Oz during the campaign. • Threat level – n/a. I have many subs (mainly Brit & Dutch) staked out on likely shipping routes from Palembang etc. to Japan. This hasn’t born much fruit . . .yet. Wait until the USN gets some good torpedoes. Malaysia: Fallen. While Operation Sardaukar ([;)]), the evacuation of Australian INF units was a success, I did a poor job here. Against the AI I was able to set up a good line in front of Singapore to slow down the advance, and build up supplies etc. in Singapore. My opponent didn’t oblige me thusly. I shall return. Maybe. • Threat level – n/a. I have a moderate sub presence near Singapore. Burma: Fallen. I think I did a decent job here of making a fighting retreat. My air forces inflicted credible damage on enemy air and land forces, and my poorly trained LCU’s drew enough blood to withdraw with honor. I also pumped as much supply from Rangoon to up north as possible. My secondary line around Mandalay/Shwebo held for a bit, but I pulled back just in time to prevent being cut off. I did punish the Japanese forces advancing through the clear terrain hexes with constant attacks by medium bombers – often inflicting 100+ casualties per day. • Threat level – n/a. India: I’ve created a strong (I hope) defensive line running from Chittagong through Comilla, Imphal, Dimapur on to Lahore. It’s no Maginot line , but it is definitely stronger than what I had in Burma; well supplied troops who for the most part have planned 100% for their locations, have trained up to or are approaching the national max, good fortifications (all LVL3), and I’ve been steadily replacing poor commanders and assigning them to one of three Corps HQ who are within command radius. • Threat level – high. So far the Japanese assault units are hot on the heels of my retreating forces. Both attempts to delay were brushed aside. The jungle will slow them . . . a little. I’m anticipating the Japanese divisions will continue to pursue my retreating forces into India. I have the LCU’s in the defensive line mentioned above. I do have some Armor LCU’s in the Comilla area which can attack Japanese units who appear in clear terrain hexes. Likewise, I’ve amassed a strong force of fighters and tactical bombers (US & British). I’ve also moved what I’m calling a composite/light division of US troops – 2 Inf regiments, a tank Bn, combat enginner bn, 2x base force and an arty bn into my defensive line. I need a snappy name for that defense – Phase Line Rubicon or some such. China: It’s a mess. OK, that about gets us current with the game so far. I’ll post the details of the two carrier battles and my short range plans soon. I’ll try to post more often to keep up with current events. [image]local://upfiles/12252/7AE6E2EBD7844772913552A636335783.jpg[/image]

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (9/29/2014 9:23:14 PM)
As I mentioned earlier, so far in the campaign with my opponent kaleun there have been two major carrier battles. While this game is so much more than that (it’s really a logistics game, isn’t it?), the carrier battles are what gets our collective blood pressure up, while getting that base stocked up for the upcoming push makes for dull reading. Unfortunately I don’t have the combat report for “The Battle of the Coral Sea” on this computer, so I’ll go from memory. I’d drawn a “line in the sand” in New Guinea and was determined to hold and expand Port Moresby and Milne Bay. Kaleun had other ideas, and soundly kicked my ass on land and at a sea. After my humiliation in March, 1942 (USS Enterprise plus 2 x CA, 1 x CL and 3 x DD sunk vs. zero Japanese losses), the Japanese landed troops in Milne Bay which was quickly captured, and soon after landed troops @ Port Moresby, which did not fall. By May I was ready to begin a counteroffensive with the goal of 1.) re-taking Milne Bay, and 2.) preventing further reinforcement of the Japanese troops battling for control of Port Moresby. I sent 4 carrier task forces (Saratoga, Lexington, Yorktown, & Hornet) into the Coral Sea looking for trouble. They found it. The morning air action of 10 May, 1942 was centered around Port Moresby, where I sunk two transports and a small escort (PB). That afternoon, our task forces finally found each other and launched major strikes. The Lexington and Hornet TFs were never spotted. Yorktown and Saratoga weren’t as luck, both being sunk along with the heavy cruiser Chicago and destroyer’s Mahan and Ellett. According to pilot reports and fleet intelligence ([:D]) I sunk the Japanese CV’s Hiryu and Soryu, and damaged the CV’s Akagi, Shokaku and Zuikaku. So in terms of damage done and ships sunk, it would probably be considered a draw leaning slightly in the Allies favor since more Japanese carriers were damaged. But from a strategic perspective it was a victory as 1.) this was the last attempt by Kaleun to reinforce Port Moresby and 2.) Within ~6 weeks I had cleared all resistance from PM and re-taken Milne Bay (which is now host to two squadrons of B-26 Marauders among other things). Next, the Battle of the Solomon Islands.

jeffk3510 -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (9/29/2014 9:45:37 PM)
All I know is you have a badass profile pic, therefore you should do fine. Have fun, man!

jeffk3510 -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (9/29/2014 9:53:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: CrackSabbath Stepping out of "character” here. I'm doing fine keeping up w/sending my opponent turns, but the AAR is more work than I thought. I'll keep it going, but more along the lines of updating major events & battles, not a turn by turn recitation of every depth charge dropped. At the least those of you following kaleun's AAR can enjoy some schadenfreude as you watch me make n00b mistakes and play right into his hands. 1st some advice please. I’m at a loss what to do in Northern OZ. I’m building up Darwin as an important base, but at a loss what to do with the isolated bases, especially Exmouth and Port Headland. They are truly isolated, and difficult to supply. My inclination is to abandon them. Broome, Derby & Wyndham have road links, so at least can be supplied somewhat via that route. I’m still leaning towards pulling out of Broome & Derby. Your thoughts? Creating an AAR and keeping it up to date and interesting is as much or more work than the game itself IMO.. .especially when you really get through the first few months, and your turns take 15 minutes to do.. if that.

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (9/30/2014 12:19:35 AM)
@ jeffk3510. Thanks man! I just wish I didn't look so much like The Dude. [;)] I'm just about "caught up" with the action. I don't know if I'll get back into character, or just give a blow by blow. We'll see. On that note, I did get my hands on the May 10th combat report, and my memory, just like The Dude's, is faulty. The initial airstrikes were in the AM. Here it is in all it's bloody glory (just the CV batlle). AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 10, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 30 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 31 B5N2 Kate x 61 D3A1 Val x 49 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 38 F4F-4 Wildcat x 19 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed, 13 damaged D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3 CA San Francisco CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 3 CA Chicago CA Chester CA Salt Lake City DD Benham Aircraft Attacking: 22 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 47 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 36 F4F-4 Wildcat x 19 SBD-2 Dauntless x 15 SBD-3 Dauntless x 63 TBD-1 Devastator x 29 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged TBD-1 Devastator: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese Ships CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1 CV Soryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire CV Akagi, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires CA Takao, Bomb hits 3 CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire BB Hiei CA Atago CV Hiryu BB Yamashiro DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires BB Haruna, Bomb hits 5, on fire CA Aoba, Bomb hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 7 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 14 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 11 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 6000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 1 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes Ammo storage explosion on CV Zuikaku Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tanikaze Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4 Allied aircraft SBD-3 Dauntless x 17 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged Japanese Ships xAP Tsingtao Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires xAP Keihuku Maru Japanese ground losses: 128 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: 264th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (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 17000 Raid is overhead Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Tsingtao Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 9 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 11 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (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 11000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 9 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 13 F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 41 Allied aircraft TBD-1 Devastator x 15 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Haruna, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 21000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 22000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,137 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft D3A1 Val x 13 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 11 F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak No Allied losses Allied Ships DD Hughes CV Saratoga Aircraft Attacking: 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,137 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 30 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 20 B5N2 Kate x 103 D3A1 Val x 96 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 28 F4F-4 Wildcat x 14 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 27 damaged D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Chester CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Benham DD Phelps, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Salt Lake City CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 6, on fire CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Gwin DD Meredith Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 11000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 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 41 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Yorktown Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Saratoga Fuel storage explosion on CV Saratoga -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 43 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 25 F4F-4 Wildcat x 12 SBD-2 Dauntless x 13 SBD-3 Dauntless x 52 TBD-1 Devastator x 37 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged TBD-1 Devastator: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak Japanese Ships CV Shokaku CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage BB Haruna, Bomb hits 7, on fire CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Takao, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CV Zuikaku, on fire DD Akatsuki DD Hamakaze DD Arashio Aircraft Attacking: 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp. 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 14 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp. 9 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp. 12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: 13th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 Raid is overhead Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (10/1/2014 12:27:12 AM)
By early August the bulk of the fighting (excluding the long slog of the China campaign) was in the New Guinea/Solomons theaters, and in Burma, where my forces were being quickly and methodically pushed into India. My attempt at a hit and run raid on Rangoon by British CV’s and a bombardment force in early June was an unmitigated disaster. My bombardment TF (followed by the CV TF) stumbled across a Japanese carrier TF in the night, but failed to engage (arrghh!). The Japanese carriers then blew the CV Formidable out of the water the next day. I beat a hasty retreat, and ceded the eastern Indian Ocean to kaleun (The Queen was not pleased). Outside of Burma and China then, it seems kaleun has stopped his advance. My assumption at this point is he is digging in on his periphery, pumping as much oil as he can out of the DEI, and waiting for the arsenal of democracy to begin the long task of bashing down the castle gate (so to speak). One positive note was on July 25th the sub USS Herring, while patrolling near Kochi, reported that it hit the CV Hiyo with a torpedo, and that said torpedo actually detonated! Hell yeah! According to Fleet Intelligence [:D] the Hiyo was sunk (I’m still skeptical about that little tidbit. Maybe Japanese damage control really is that bad, or I got a lucky hit on a magazine). Up to this point, I had been building up my bases on Christmas Island, Tahiti, Pago Pago, Suva, Noumea and Luganville without any opposition from the Japanese. Noumea and Luganville, in particular, have substantial bases, and from there on Aug 15th, 1942 I kicked off operation Towerwatch [;)] – the occupation of the hitherto unheard of islands of Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Clever, eh? To cover the amphibious and surface forces, I had three carrier task forces centered around the CV’s Lexington, Hornet and Wasp. I had to decide whether to place my carriers south of Guadalcanal where they could provide CAP coverage, but would be less at risk, or to be a bit aggressive and patrol north of the island, and put them along the main anticipated threat axis. I went for the second option. As it turns out, kaleun was looking for trouble too . . . The battle details are below, but the summary is I (apparently) sunk the Japanese CVL’s Ryujo and Shoho, and inflicted heavy to moderate damage on two CV’s and another CVL. In spite of ferocious attacks, and due to some heroic damage control efforts, none of my ships were sunk. In fact, although the Hornet took 8 bomb hits and had severe fires burning, she currently is steaming with 52 system damage, 11 engine damage, and zero flotation. The single torpedo the Lexington took did considerable damage, though she now only suffers 21 system, 2 engine and 10 (major) flotation damage. All three CV’s are heading to the US for repairs and or refit. I’ll claim a minor victory in this battle, both in terms of direct damage inflicted, and the fact that I have been able to quickly build up strength on Guadalcanal (31x F4F Wildcat, 14 x SBD-3 Dauntless. 15 x TBF Avenger) and Tulagi (15 x F4F Wildcat). On the downside, I only have one operational carrier in operation in the Pacific (I’m using my two CVE’s to ferry FG’s to Oz, etc), and I’ve learned my lesson about CV’s operating alone. Don’t do it! So, major Amphib operations won’t be happening until at least late Nov, Dec. I’ll discuss one other interesting battle and the current strategic outlook in future posts since we’re pretty much caught up now. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 16, 42 Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 26 D3A1 Val x 15 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 35 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed D3A1 Val: 3 damaged D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed Allied Ships CA Northampton, Bomb hits 3 DD Bagley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 46 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 20 B5N2 Kate x 10 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships DMS Chandler CL Helena AP William Ward Burrows -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 117,131 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 92 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 44 SBD-3 Dauntless x 79 TBF-1 Avenger x 30 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 22 damaged SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire CV Kaga CV Junyo CVL Shoho CV Shokaku CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1 CA Chokai CA Chikuma CL Kitakami -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 116,135 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 30 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 43 B5N1 Kate x 18 B5N2 Kate x 42 D3A1 Val x 75 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 17 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak D3A1 Val: 15 damaged D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak No Allied losses Allied Ships CV Hornet, Bomb hits 8, on fire CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 2, on fire CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CL Boise, Bomb hits 1 CLAA San Diego DD Mugford, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Henley DD Craven CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Drayton DD Sterett DD Case DD Blue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 117,131 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 47 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 16 SBD-3 Dauntless x 38 TBF-1 Avenger x 35 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak Japanese Ships CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire CA Aoba CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1 CV Kaga CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 4, on fire CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Chokai

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (10/14/2014 12:53:07 AM)
Hola WitPAE friends. We’re grinding away with game-time now Sep 11, 1942. No major shifts in the VP ratio lately. It currently stands at Turn: 279 Date: 9/11/1942 Japan VP: 17,587 Allied VP: 10,081 Ratio: -1.745 : 1 Just a few game days ago we had our first major surface action of the campaign. I’d been pretty much reinforcing and expanding Guadalcanal at will. Japanese attempts to sink the reinforcement groups by air attack were unsuccessful, with only on AK suffering moderate damage, and my Marine fighters racked up a pretty impressive kill tally (now three aces on the island). On Sep 7th, he afternoon air patrol spotted a Japanese TF about 120mi from Guadalcanal. Unfortunately it was spotted too late to send an air strike. against the reported 3 CA's. I was sure there would be a few BB's and a swarm of DD’s, so I had my two reinforcing TF’s flee to the south at full speed. They were about 80% complete with their unloading. My surface TF of 4 x CA, 3 x CL, 1 x CLAA and 8 x DD sped north, leaving 1 x CLAA, 2 x DD, 2 x DE and 4 x APD’s to escort the transports south. The night action that ensued was bloody, and a Japanese victory. I was right about the BB’s, but there weren’t any DD’s present, which was a relief considering the well deserved reputation of the Long Lance torpedo. The CA Louisville and DD Hughes were sunk during the night, and CA’s Houston and Quincy both went down within 48 hours of the battle. My TF got their licks in, but only the Japanese CA Kako seemed to suffer serious damage. The following day’s airstrikes did yield several hits (details below), but none appeared to be fatal. Fortunately, when the Japanese TF passed through the Tulagi and Guadalcanal beachheads, they didn’t shell the LCU’s, and only found a few PT squadrons waiting for them. My PT crews were brave, but were crushed without inflicting any damage. On the plus side, my after a few days of hiding southwest of Luganville, my transports have returned to finish their offloading. I now have three squadrons of Marine Wildcats, two Dauntless, and one Avenger stationed on Guadalcanal, plus a Navy squadron of Catalina’s and 5 float planes from damaged cruisers providing naval search and local ASW respectively. From my POV things will slow down in the Solomon’s until probably Dec when my three CV’s will be back in action and I can pursue further amphibious actions. I do have a ground attack underway in Buna. Not sure if I can dislodge the Japanese garrisons there, but at the very least I will discomfort my opponent and cause him to react to me for once. I do fear I’m about to get my ass kicked in India. More on that later. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 08, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Rekata Bay at 114,134, Range 8,000 Yards Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Mutsu, Shell hits 20 BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 20, on fire CA Tone CA Chokai, Shell hits 1 CA Aoba CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1 CA Kako, Shell hits 10, heavy fires CL Naka, Shell hits 1, on fire CL Kuma, Shell hits 3 CL Tama, Shell hits 5, heavy fires Allied Ships CA Northampton, Shell hits 3, on fire CA Houston, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Louisville, Shell hits 15, and is sunk CA Quincy, Shell hits 8, on fire CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 1 CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1 CL Helena, Shell hits 2 CL Honolulu, Shell hits 2 DD Gwin DD McCalla DD Hughes, Shell hits 4, and is sunk DD Russell DD Morris DD Bagley DD Patterson DD Sterett, Shell hits 2, heavy fires Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 114,134 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Allied aircraft F4F-3A Wildcat x 7 F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 SBD-3 Dauntless x 15 Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak Japanese Ships CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1 CL Naka, Bomb hits 1, on fire CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1, on fire BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/10/2015 1:09:55 AM)
From the personal diary of Adm. Holden McGroin, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Oct 26th, 1942 It’s been quite some time since I’ve made an entry in my diary; there honestly just hasn’t been time for such malarkey . . . and there was the small issue of breaking both of my hands after smashing the bridge table in frustration when my (ex) bridge partner LtCdr Jablome made the “faux pas” (as he said) of putting up the diamond jack on the opening lead instead of playing the eight. Well, Ensign Jablome can contemplate that “faux pas” while trying to keep warm on Adak Island. It challenges the imagination to believe that 323 days have passed since the cowardly sneak-attack on Pearl Harbor began this infernal war. Those early months were dark days indeed, with every day bringing a new crisis or disaster. Base after base captured – ships sunk daily – Allied aircraft falling from the skies like pigeon st. . The Japanese onslaught seemed unstoppable; and yet, outside of China, it seems that stop is exactly what they have done. Stopped. What is going on one wonders. Burma:The Japanese juggernaut rolling northwards from Rangoon crushed all in its path. Major General Sir Robin Brave, after bravely running away from Singapore, was re-assigned as commander of the Burma Corps. While he didn’t exactly run-away, his forces didn’t even classify as a speed bump. Rather, they just were pushed steadily towards the Indian border. Such reinforcements that were available were rushed into theater, and the Chittagong-Imphal-Ledo defensive line was thrown into place. The unforgiving jungle terrain gave us time to build up a credible defense. We now have five full divisions along that line, with two regiments of US infantry and the East African Brigade as reserve in Comilla, plus numerous engineers an d base forces. Close to 200 fighters and 50 medium bombers man the lines as well. We were bracing for the attack, as at least two Japanese strike forces were moving through the jungle. Our recon planes successfully tracked them, and we bombed them mercilessly. Brave Sir Robin gambled and committed his main reserve two weeks ago, moving the 19th Indian Div into position to counterattack, but the Japanese have simply melted southwards into the Jungle. Our recon forces are still searching for the elusive enemy. In the meantime we have begun planning an limited counter-offensive for Jan ’43. Papua New Guinea:** All I can say is God bless those Australian troops! As of today, Buna is ours! Those magnificent Aussies have done what we were told was impossible – marched over two divisions of troops along the Kokoda trail and captured Buna! Also, only a few short weeks ago they absolutely surprised the thin Japanese garrisons and swept into Salamaua and Wau, capturing them as well! Looking back at an entry from Feb, I was desperate to keep possession of Port Moresby. Now it seems the long, bloody months of battle on land, air and sea have paid off and Southern Papua is ours, and the direct threat to Australia has been abated. What next? I will soon detail plans for our first real offensive of this War in the Pacific . . . Operation Short-Round. The amphibious invasion of the Shortland Island, and the proud return of our remaining fleet carriers to combat operations. (for those keeping score, here it is) Turn: 324 Date: 10/26/1942 Japan VP: 18,864 Allied VP: 11,165 Ratio: -1.690 : 1

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/10/2015 8:47:44 PM)
From the personal diary of Adm. Holden McGroin, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Oct 26th, 1942. 23:20 hrs. My staff has just delivered the daily ops report. The day has been very quiet, which is a blessing. Our air forces in Papua New Guinea have mainly stood down after months of continuous ops. Likewise, the brave Aussies in Buna are taking a breather. They are physically exhausted, and in the case of the 6th Australian Division, in desperate need of rest and refit – they have done the lion’s share of the fighting in the Battle for Buna. The New Guinea volunteer units were also hard hit. We must decide soon if it better to move them back to Australia for refit, or perhaps just to Port Moresby. Likewise things are quiet elsewhere. We’ve lost sight of both enemy divisions which were moving north towards the Indian border from Burma. Have they truly retreated? I don’t think that word is in the Japanese vocabulary. The Japanese are mopping up the last pockets of resistance on the fringes of the DEI. It pains me that the only assistance we can provide those brave men are nuisance sub attacks. The S-37 positioned herself to attack the battleship Ise, but failed to score a hit. The SS Shad struck a mine off of Lae. Somehow she survived the blow, and is limping to Luganville for emergency repairs. She’ll eventually have to go to Sydney or Pearl for full repairs. There was some good news from China. Two Imperial Japanese Army divisions launched an attack in Pingsiang, and were repulsed after suffering heavy casualties, while our forces came away with relatively light casualties. I did receive a letter from one Mrs. Gladys Jablome, insisting that I re-assign her darling boy Heywood to a more temperate climate, as the harsh conditions in Adak are wreaking havoc with his delicate constitution. I think I’ll have him reassigned to Nome. Here are some of the more interesting actions from the day. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 26, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TF 101 encounters mine field at Lae (99,126) Allied Ships SS Shad, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Makassar at 65,107 Japanese Ships BB Ise BB Nagato DD Yukikaze DD Hayashio Allied Ships SS S-37 SS S-37 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Ise S-37 diving deep .... DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hayashio attacking submerged sub .... DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Hayashio attacking submerged sub .... DD Hayashio is out of ASW ammo DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 83,54 (near Pingsiang) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 22278 troops, 199 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 458 Defending force 37608 troops, 225 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 949 Japanese adjusted assault: 134 Allied adjusted defense: 1259 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 2348 casualties reported Squads: 9 destroyed, 170 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled) Allied ground losses: 235 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 40th Division 21st Division Defending units: 21st Chinese Corps 78th Chinese Corps 26th Chinese Corps 72nd Chinese Corps 3rd New Chinese Corps 3rd War Area

SwampYankee68 -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/11/2015 12:43:30 AM)
Very nice. Very ambitious! With your spare time you should AAR Case Yellow...

CaptBeefheart -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/11/2015 7:25:40 AM)
You need to take it easy on poor Heywood. That USN base force in Nome is harsh duty. That's some interesting carrier battles you've had there. Any idea on how many flattops ended up in Davy Jones' locker? EDIT: Ah, I should read more closely. You think 2 CVLs. Cheers, CC

Leandros -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/11/2015 12:22:11 PM)
CS, cool following your developing story! Quite useful for a Rookie like me, I find! Keep up the good work! Fred

HansBolter -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/11/2015 12:38:25 PM)
Kudos. You have had some truly amazing success engaging the Japanese in carrier battles in early '42 and giving as good as you got. Very impressed with the 20 hits each on the Japanese big boys in the surface battle as well. Keep up the good work.

CrackSabbath -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/12/2015 1:03:43 AM)
Thanks all! I'll keep the in-character posts coming, as we're back on a good pace after a long slow period (doesn't it suck when life gets in the way of a good game [;)]). We'll hear more from Ens. Jablome and his mom as well. As to my performance, I've definitely made some mistakes, and I think I've learned pretty quickly from them . . . most notably the loss of the USS Enterprise. One CV is a sitting duck. Never leave home with less than three. I've had some good luck as well. I'm still not convinced the CV Hiyo was sunk, as she was very close to port when I torpedoed her. Either way, I'm sure my opponent howled with rage when his brand new carrier got smacked before she got her first spot of rust That's a lesson I learned playing v the AI and from reading othe AARs . . . when sending a high value TF out of port, always have it follow a strong ASW screen for a good distance out. Base on current intelligence, here are the carrier losses so far. If I really did get the Hiyo, then he is leading me 1.3:1 in the carrier VP tally. He is at 1.6:1 in total VP, so not too shabby. CV Enterprise CVL Hermes CV Yorktown CV Saratoga CV Formidable 1,394 CV Hiryu CV Soryu CV Hiyo CVL Ryuho CVL Ryujo 1,059 @ Swamp Yankee. What little creative juice I have left will go into this. We'll have to enjoy Case Yellow on our own I'm afraid. If anybody is looking for a good PBEM opponent, I strongly reccomend 'ol Swampy. We have games going in Combat Mission, Decisive Campaigns: Blitzkrieg, and Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm. Good player, good attitude. Yes, we're having a bit of a bromance. [:D]

SwampYankee68 -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/12/2015 12:25:47 PM)
Haha! Well the DC:WtP AAR was rather tongue in cheek because I wouldn't be able to read it until after our game. You do have me wondering if I have the mental energy to add WitP to my ongoing games, tho... Question, does the game allow for multiple players to play on the same side & split commands such as 3 different allied players controlling Brits, Aussies & Yanks separately?

Sangeli -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/12/2015 6:51:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: CrackSabbath There was some good news from China. Two Imperial Japanese Army divisions launched an attack in Pingsiang, and were repulsed after suffering heavy casualties, while our forces came away with relatively light casualties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 83,54 (near Pingsiang) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 22278 troops, 199 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 458 Defending force 37608 troops, 225 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 949 Japanese adjusted assault: 134 Allied adjusted defense: 1259 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 2348 casualties reported Squads: 9 destroyed, 170 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled) Allied ground losses: 235 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 40th Division 21st Division Defending units: 21st Chinese Corps 78th Chinese Corps 26th Chinese Corps 72nd Chinese Corps 3rd New Chinese Corps 3rd War Area Yes, these are the exact sort of battles I remember as the Allies when I played Kaleun before. Completely mismanaged China in my game and in general was far too keen at launching attacks with very poor odds; there were numerous occasions when Dutch or Chinese forces were able to rout full Japanese divisions after their attacks went horribly wrong. Japanese ended up conceding when I was in the process of routing him in China and smashed the mini-KB and an invasion fleet in a botched invasion of Guadalcanal. Rabaul was the furthest advance of the Empire in SWPAC in mid summer 42; that shouldn't happen. Hopefully he has gotten better since then and since you're a beginner it sounds like its a good matchup.

BBfanboy -> RE: A N00B WHO SHALL LIVE IN INFAMY – Crack Sabbath (A) vs. Kaleun (J) (3/12/2015 8:46:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Swamp_Yankee Haha! Well the DC:WtP AAR was rather tongue in cheek because I wouldn't be able to read it until after our game. You do have me wondering if I have the mental energy to add WitP to my ongoing games, tho... Question, does the game allow for multiple players to play on the same side & split commands such as 3 different allied players controlling Brits, Aussies & Yanks separately? Several AARs have featured teams of players on each side. Check out Cap Mandrake and sprior - they have teamed over at least four AARs (two ongoing). Mandrake writes most of the AAR, but they share the command and control. I am not positive of the mechanics, but I think it involves player one (of the same team) receiving the file, coordinating by e-mail on any loan of units/ships between areas of responsibility, complete actions for player one and send the file on to player two (on the same team) with the password. After player two completes his actions the file is sent to whomever is responsible for turn execution. Loaning carriers to cover invasions is a good example of the kind of coordination needed.

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