RE: Rushmore

RE: Rushmore (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports

Message

John 3rd -> RE: Rushmore (9/8/2015 10:19:11 PM)
Greetings All. We got back last night around 9pm from our trip to the Black Hills. Man---that is beautiful country! Felt like we were right at home traveling up the canyon here in Colorado. Cannot wait to post of couple of pictures. Got to touch a B-29 and B-52--that ROCKED! We rode the 1880s train, played with fossils, and went to an ole' fashioned chuckwagon dinner. Good times. Got to get back to the war and do a turn. We've had some action in the WAY DEEP South Pacific as well as a tightening of things in India/Burma. Western China is now fully under way and the bad guys KNOW it!

pws1225 -> RE: Rushmore (9/8/2015 10:47:08 PM)
Ah yes, the war resumes. :)

John 3rd -> SoPac Action (9/9/2015 12:05:51 AM)
Combat Report July 17-19, 1942 South Pacific I've been waiting to see when Michael would make a move along the south edge of the map board and looks like he is doing precisely that presently. Air Search had picked up a TF of several warship way down at Teboe Island just off the edge of the board in the Gambier Islands. This 'loitered' for days and simply struck me a bait. After watching a while I sent BC Ishitaka, 2 CL, and 8 DD to sweep into the hex. These ships were covered by a bunch of Zeros flying from my three CVEs. If it was a trap I wanted to be able to put up a fight and if not... July 17th The Japanese TF runs into CL Dallas and 4 DDs. In what SHOULD have been a quick fight, a real brawl develops with the Japanese crippling two DDs and putting some solid damage onto Dallas. In exchange have two DDs damaged and use up ALL our Ammo. CRAP! To the east a pair of AMCs run into a troop convoys. The AMCs do well sinking a KV and pummeling two PCs as well as hitting 4 AP. The convoy is loaded as I get the message of 335 casualties. Hmmm... Before I can celebrate, 4 US DDs intercept the AMCs and sink them: DRAT! One CVE flies a strike that sinks DD Stockton in the afternoon. Air Search picks up numerous TF to the east. Order the CVEs back as well as the empty BC. Form a STF of 2 CL and 4 DD to try and catch a TF... July 18th No activity. Air Search picks up the massive set of TFs moving west slowly. Decide that the TF is enough to warrant an attempt at getting in a lucky intercept by my 2 CL and 4DD. Send them east hoping for a night engagement. July 19th No engagement and, instead, they are caught by a large American strike while retiring to Tahiti. Five hexes away (SE) several US CVs launch a massed attack of 103 F4F, 68 SBD, and 14 Avengers. The planes do horribly but do hit my two old CLs with 2 and 3 bombs. A mouseover reveals NUMEROUS warships and TFs. Goodness! The CL continue their retirement NW as the CVEs and Ishitaka depart Tahiti for Pago Pago. Deploy five my I-Boats (total now 9) in the line of Allied movement. We'll see what happens next... CLARIFICATION: It is not my plan to fight at the edge of the map board with the Imperial Fleet. I am a pretty good believer in the Japanese distance reduction/attrition belief. We'll let my I-Boats and small forces work to whittle down the Americans if possible. This will force Michael to start his offensive a LONG WAYS AWAY! The entire Kido Butai is headed for a rendezvous at Kobe. All ships will get a solid rest and CARDIV1 will get its upgrade. We stay long enough for the first Shokaku-Kai to be completed and join the Fleet. Want another month for fuel to get where it is needed in the Pacific so we can continue operations without issue. PLANNING: 1. I am still convinced that Michael will come after the Aleutians before winter sets in. This is what I shall bank on for our next Fleet Engagement. 2. In case those CVs move towards the IO (to help Burma Coastline Offensive), I shall deploy enough assets at Cocos Isle and the edge of the mapboard there to tip me off of it occurring. 3. ALL seven BBs are now shuttling between Pt Blair and Cox's or Singapore and Cox's. I want Michael to continue moving troops into Cox's and between Akyab and Cox's so I have a shot of taking Chittagong from the interior. Will soon have 4 ID and 3 TK Reg available to strike... [image]local://upfiles/18041/6C1F063B003F4018A2E4D01243BF88A9.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> SoPac Action (9/9/2015 4:33:26 PM)
July 21, 1942 South Pacific Attritional strategy? I-172 has scurried down into the deep South Pacific hunting a large gathering of Allied shipping. She and nine other sisters and cousins are spread out hunting this mainly American formation of shipping. Since 0400 this submarine has been waiting patiently as a large number of ships closed on its area. Sonar picked up very faint sounds and now they are deafening. Just after dawn on July 21st, the skipper of I-172 raises his periscope and finds himself in an immensely 'target rich' environment. At a range of 2,500 Yds he spots the unmistakable silhouette of an American Yorktown-Class carrier. Though at a poor angle he fires a full salvo of four Torps at this important target. Roughly two minutes later his shot is rewarded when a large geyser of water erupts on CV Yorktown's midships starboard side. NICE! Taking the I-Boats down to 200 Ft the Captain easily avoids the depth charges hurled his way by three DDs. Nearly 3/4 of an hour pass (as his TT are reloaded) when he raises his scope again and spots an American heavy Cruiser just 1,000 Yds away. This one is a sitting duck. Once again all four tubes are used and this time two torpedoes smash into the vulnerable cruiser in the engine room area. A huge gout of escaping steam erupts from the hits and the ship shudders to a halt listing badly to Port. A concerted depth charge attack follows but no damage is done. Raising his scope, the Commander of Imperial I-Boat I-172 spots the heavily damaged, perhaps sinking, cruiser moving slowly away. He quickly sends out a contact report to his follow I-Boat commanders pinpointing the area of the attacks and description of ships seen and damaged. Perhaps her sisters can add to this pleasant showing... [image]local://upfiles/18041/8C024E7269C548BE8F314270C1087F02.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> SoPac Action (9/10/2015 4:24:46 AM)
Combat Report July 22, 1942 SoPac During Guadalcanal it was called Torpedo Junction. The American warships operated in a known area and the Japanese flooded that location with Subs. Well gang...here we go... Sub Action Ro-66 fires 4 TTs at CA New Orleans and MISSES I-156 fires 6 TT at the massive BC Constellation and SCORES TWO direct hits with Engine Damage and an additional Explosion. BANZAI! CA Rome shows up sinking this round. Hmmm...wouldn't that be nice? No way Constellation sank but she is a LONG WAY from any useful Port and is obviously in a bit of trouble. Surface ACTION Off to the west, 3 Japanese DD launch a probable suicide lunge at possible shipping at Manareau. The DDs make contact with a Troop Convoy in broad daylight. The TF found is the same one my two sunk AMCs attacked several days ago. The DDs go in finding only the damaged DD Decatur and a PC defending two AVP, 4 AK, and a bunch of AP. Range starts at 17,000 and rapidly closes to 2,000 Yds as the Americans try to get underway. A flurry of 5" shells and Long lances crash into numerous ships. An AVP, PC, and 3 AP sink with a firther DD, 3 AP, and 2 AK hit. Over 2,000 casualties are inflicted by the sinkings and several sinking sounds add to the carnage later in the turn. Amazingly enough the DDs are not attacked as they run like HELL for Tahiti. Job well done! Looks like we bagged a bunch of engineers. Nearly 150 non-cobat squads are destroyed. NICE! [image]local://upfiles/18041/C11A379452F247CA9951682FB7FA4A28.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> SoPac Action (9/10/2015 4:26:11 AM)
Here is the screenshot from my intrepid DDs: [image]local://upfiles/18041/AD91519A69B048F1A857CD7A8E0C176C.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> SS Operations to Present (9/12/2015 4:59:57 PM)
Japanese Submarine Operations A Glorious Way to Die Between the Storms Lite Started: September 11, 2015 As stated in one of my earliest Posts in this AAR, high hopes were expected of the Japanese sub fleet. Considering the success over recent days, I felt it would be good to Post a complete updated sinking--damaged record for the sub arm. My master copy has SUNK ships bolded and, unfortunately, that does not translate well into the copy/paste of this Posting. It seems crazy but the most successful sub in the Fleet is an Ro-Boat... Here are the current totals: July 5, 1942 Ro-Class Ro-33 DD Trippe Siquijar 1TT 12-07-41 AP Legaspi Siquijar 1 Sh/1TT 12-08-41 AKL Luzon Siquijar 19 Sh 12-08-41 AP Neptuna Siquijar 2TT 12-08-41 TK Gertrude Kellogg Lucena 2TT 12-09-41 CL Java Kalidjati 2TT 01-23-42 CL Boise Broome 2TT 04-02-42 AVP Merel Port Hedlund 1TT 05-06-42 Ro-34 TK LaEstella Caltex Lucena 2TT 12-09-41 AP President Madison Tarakan 2TT 12-16-41 AK GG Maurice Long Esperance 2TT 05-25-42 AKL Merendoeng Esperance 1TT 05-25-42 Ro-61 AP David Branch Port Heiden 3TT 03-14-42 Ro-63 AV Langley Tawi Tawi 1TT 12-09-41 R0-64 AKL Escalante Davao 20 Sh 01-01-42 Ro-65 AKL Correigidor Parmekasan 1TT 12-26-41 Minelayer SS I-122 AK Tai Sang Singapore 12-08-41 AK Wulin Singapore 3 Sh/1 TT 12-08-41 I-123 AP Candesa Taytay 1TT 12-08-41 1-124 AK Tantalus Sibuyan 1TT 12-09-41 I-126 TK Paula Semarang 2TT 12-08-41 AKL Mauban Biak 2TT 12-15-41 I-127 AKL Isla Philipinas Zamboanga 12-08-41 AK Si Kiang Jolo 1TT 12-10-41 AKL Magallanes Tarakan 1TT 12-21-41 I-Boats I-1 AM Doomba Anatom 1TT 01-08-42 I-2 DD Bagley San Diego 1TT 04-02-42 I-3 AG Wanaka Warnamboal 1TT 03-10-42 I-6 AK Manulani San Diego 4TT 01-03-42 AKL Loyaute Kingscote 1TT 06-02-15 DD King Kingscote 1TT 06-02-15 I-7 AK Maine San Diego 2TT 04-26-42 I-8 AD Rigel Pearl Harbor 2TT 03-26-42 I-10 AS Fulton San Francisco 1TT 05-08-42 I-11 PC Kybra Ceduna 1TT 05-29-15 AK Era Whyalla 2TT 06-01-15 I-15 BB Colorado San Diego 2TT 06-01-15 I-19 AK Makawea San Francisco 3TT 03-18-42 I-20 PC Onodega San Diego 1TT 01-01-42 I-23 CVL King�s Mountain Victoria 1TT 01-05-42 I-24 AK Cape Alava Tacoma 2TT 04-06-42 I-25 AE Mauna Lea Hawaii 2TT 03-26-42 I-26 AK City of Dalhart San Francisco 1TT 03-17-42 AK City of Corrales San Francisco 3TT 03-17-42 I-153 AD Blackhawk Balikpapan 1TT 12-08-41 I-154 AP Van den Bosch Bandjermasin 3 Sh/2TT 12-11-41 AMc Batavia 1TT/2 Sh 01-30-42 I-155 SS KXIII Koggala 1TT 03-17-42 I-156 BC Constellation Mangareva 2TT 07-22-42 1-157 AK Nirvana Diego Garcia 2TT 12-16-41 AP Rajula Diego Garcia 3TT 12-16-41 I-158 AP Rohna Diego Garcia 3TT 12-21-41 AK Nirpura Diego Garcia 2TT 12-22-41 I-159 CL Dragon Muntok 2TT 12-07-41 I-160 AK Mundra Pt Blair 2TT 12-10-41 I-162 AK Wing Sang Trincomalee 2TT 12-12-41 1-164 AKL Pahang Sabang 1TT 12-10-41 I-165 AP Speelman Albany 2TT/1Sh 05-14-42 I-166 TK Aldegonda Oosthaven 1TT 12-08-41 CL Tromp Denpasar 2TT 02-15-42 I-169 AKL Kentuckian Prince Rupert 21 Sh 05-24-42 AM Chignecto Prince Rupert 1TT 05-30-42 I-172 CV Yorktown Mangareva 1TT 07-21-42 CA Rome Mangareva 2TT 07-21-42 I-173 KV Edmundson Cold Bay 1TT 02-12-42 AK Trento Cold Bay 1TT 02-13-42 AM Caraquet Sitka 1TT 07-05-42 Totals Warships SUNK CA Rome CL Dragon, Java, Tromp, Boise DD Trippe, Bagley, King SS 1 DAMAGED CV Yorktown, Saratoga CVL King�s Mountain BB Colorado BC Constellation Other Sunk--Damaged AD 1 1 AV 0 1 AE 1 0 AS 0 1 AP 9 0 AVP 1 0 TK 3 1 AK 15 2 AKL 8 1 PC 2 0 AM 4 0 KV 1 0 AG 1 0 TOTAL 46 7

John 3rd -> CBI 7-24-42 (9/12/2015 5:32:16 PM)
Combat Report July 24, 1942 CBI Theatre China The western China Offensive is now fully revealed to Michael and he is scrambling to move troops westward to counter the Japanese attack. Mengtze The dot hex falls on July 24th with a two division assault. Follow-on engineers and base force are on the way. The 3rd Infantry Division in this Corps was not present for the assault so Michael only knows of TWO and not THREE here. Paoshan The Imperial Guards arrive here about the 15th and have been under heavy air attack everyday. Japanese fighters continue to exercise in futility as Zeros and Oscars are swept aside by multiple waves of P-38s. Michael has used the off map air purchase system to buy out nearly 100 P-38 early. This would have been a steep cost in Political Points but they have taken control of the air over any location they want. MISTER Tojo just went into production and on it I pin my hopes. The Sweeps are followed by afternoon bombing by B-26, B-25, and B-17. They have been quite effective in raising Imperial Guards disruption to nearly 60%. The GOOD news is the arrival a second infantry division tomorrow. It has not been touched and shall shock attack across the river. Any suggestions on LRCAP from a Japanese point-of-view would be most helpful! East of Kunming Four TK Regiments are about to take the road hex and cutoff reinforcements for a while. They won't be able to hold for long but I do hope they can for a few days allow me to get to Kunming... Kunming/Kweiyang The Airfields have pretty much been closed down by Sally and Helens. I have two large Sentais attacking each location and four smaller Bomber Chutai's hitting troops along the road to slow their march towards Kunming. India--Burma Cox's/Akyab Region The Allies are moving here IN FORCE. So far two British IDs and the 7th Australian ID have been located. The 7th Armored Brigade is also at Cox's. It would 'appear' that the other Aussie ID is about to enter the hex between Cox's and Akyab (7th Aust ID present now). More troops are presently moving into the area. I am LETTING them do so. Really WANT Michael to fully commit everything here. An Inf Div is about to take Kalemyo (SW of Imphal). There are 4 TK Reg with it. This will present a direct treat to his flank from that direction. There are three ID presently on course for Rangoon. A fourth will soon follow. This large conglomeration of power needs to be used for a powerful counter-stroke. The question is how? OPTIONS: 1. I've really seriously been toying with the idea of landing with all four ID at VIZA NOW. The problem with that is it does not directly threaten his army on the coast. 2. Overland--We could move up to Kalemyo and then move against Chittagong. 3. They could be moved north to attack Imphal--Ledo and DRAW AWAY the Allies. 4. Could land directly against Chittagong. 5. I have two Parachute units available to augment the 4 ID. Opinions to these choices and anything I might not have thought of would be welcome. [image]local://upfiles/18041/1384EA65F2864B8EB154CF9635A307BC.jpg[/image]

bigred -> RE: CBI 7-24-42 (9/12/2015 8:58:06 PM)
p-38e. should have a high maintence rating. Can u night bomb his bases.

John 3rd -> RE: CBI 7-24-42 (9/12/2015 11:16:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: bigred p-38e. should have a high maintenance rating. Can u night bomb his bases. Good idea. I just recon'd all his northern India bases and found Dimapur AF-7 (F-38, B-95, Aux 75) and Ledo at Sz-8 (F-72 and Aux-103). Ordered a coordinated strike tomorrow on Dimapur of 150 F and 150 B. Will strongly think on the night attack angle. Have never done well with those. Anyone had a GOOD experience with night stuff?

John 3rd -> July 25-26, 1942 (9/13/2015 3:08:38 PM)
Combat Report July 25-26, 1942 The first of three tightly packed veteran, full-strength Infantry Divisions pass by Singapore heading for Rangoon. Each of these Divisions has experience of 80+ and I intend to use them as a spear point to drive the Allies out of the Akyab--Cox's Bazar--Chittagong Region. Close behind these veterans comes the elite Japanese SNLF Paratrooper Brigade (Scen 1's SNLF Paras combined into one unit). They will join four TK Regiments waiting... North Pacific LOTS of Allied and Japanese SS activity and nothing else. Central Pacific Just had a Tanker and Supply convoy reach Pearl Harbor. Brought in 75,000 supply and 48,000 fuel. Got enough to go 3-4 months here without re-supply. South Pacific Suva The Japanese CVE's and BC Ishitaka arrive here for some R&R. They smacked the Allies some WAY DOWN SOUTH and are now going to chill a bit. Detach 2 old CL and 4 DD to be a raiding force south of Tahiti. Pago Pago Pick-up an Air Flotilla and get ready to take it to Tahiti. I want Michael to feel like MORE stuff needs to be brought in to garrison the far southern islands. A few Torps on planes tends to accomplish that... Air Bridge Am now setting up several bases and want to take the AF to Lvl-1 so I have an air bridge from Pago Pago--Suva south. I can funnel planes back-and-forth with ease then and it allows me the opportunity to bring in Kates/Vals KNOWING I can pull the them out when the time comes. Also helps set-up Emily observation... Planes Tahiti On the way to Lvl-3. Have two 18 plane Daitai of Zeros present and an equal amount of Kates. There are two Daitai of Betty waiting to move south from Pago Pago. These planes have 27 Zeros with them and a further reinforcement convoy of 48 Vals and 27 Zero on well on the way from the Home Islands. Allied Activity Appears Michael is landing troops and engineers to form a shield SE/SW of Tahiti. Splendid. This will take time and resources that are a LONG WAY from anything important. These moves provide opportunity for more Allied attrition. LIKE IT! Australia Busselton This base falls. Albany--Esperance will be mine within a week of time. Currently have two ID and two Brigades present in western Australia. Intend to deploy one ID at Kalgoorlie and one at Perth. The Brigades get Albany and Geraldton. Have an Army Para unit will hold Esperance. Central Aussieland Have Tennant Creek garrisoned by the 33rd ID. Have expanded the AFs at Katherine and Daly Waters to make supply flow to TC easier. Works fairly well. We've deployed three Armored Car units along all roads to warn of approaching Allied units... Burma--India Kalemyo This base falls on the 25th. The move brings about a good result. As expected the suspected 8th Australian ID stops its advance on the hex between Cox's and Akyab. Michael knows of the Inf Div there but can only guess as to the other four units arriving. Should make him nervous... Dimapur The Japanese strike this AF without warning. A force 48 Fighters and over 100 bombers pummel this large, expanded base in two strikes. The field is crushed with 95 hits, the base takes another 37, and lots of supplies are destroyed. More relevantly 5 B-26 and 3 B-17 are destroyed and nearly SIXTY more are damaged... Notice has been served...

John 3rd -> Initial Movements (9/17/2015 3:54:21 PM)
July 27, 1942 Sorry for the lack of updates but I have been under the weather and busy at work while Michael has been INSANELY busy. After ten days of peace and quiet, a large portion of the Kido Butai raise anchor and head for the primitive Port at Attu. All ships within this powerful Task Force are upgraded and completely filled out with aircraft. They head north while the other half of Kido Butai awaits Akagi--Kaga getting done with their upgrade. They also wait for the addition of the first Shokaku-Kai Class CV (due in ten days). While the fight is hot along the Burma--India Coastline, Western China, and the deep South Pacific I remain convinced that Michael will attempt to stage an offensive operation in the Aleutians PRIOR to winter weather. This is what we plan for. Having ALL of the KB present should enable Japan to crush the American carrier fleet. Going here has an additional advantage--it is close to home. Fuel is not a problem. Having he Fleet sit up here disbanded in a primitive Port will allow for Japan to continue prepositioning fuel at three locations in case the Americans try something else in the Central/South Pacific. Kwajalein--Pearl Harbor--Suva will be loaded with enough fuel to fuel the fleet two times over. The goal is three times, however, two is enough for operations in a pinch. Here is the initial TF headed north: [image]local://upfiles/18041/48786E931D4843EABA0D903C96E8F29B.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Building (9/17/2015 5:26:44 PM)
Here is the lovely new addition we are waiting on. The 1st Shokaku Kai: Kaimon is due in 11 Days. In RA, BTS, and BTSL there is no Shinano, Taiho, or Unryus. These ships are replaced by 6 Sho Kai and 3 Aso-Class CVLs. There is nothing after that. [image]local://upfiles/18041/E584C1200D5A4013B35A66CFA6D15D3B.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> August 1, 1942 (9/19/2015 2:50:42 PM)
WE have reached August! MISTER Tojo goes into production at a rate 175 planes a month. Let us see if that counters the CBI Issues... [image]local://upfiles/18041/7ABD5BB6FAB746778F12D01AEDC43C0A.jpg[/image]

Justus2 -> RE: Building (9/19/2015 10:01:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd Here is the lovely new addition we are waiting on. The 1st Shokaku Kai: Kaimon is due in 11 Days. In RA, BTS, and BTSL there is no Shinano, Taiho, or Unryus. These ships are replaced by 6 Sho Kai and 3 Aso-Class CVLs. There is nothing after that. I've never played RA/BTS, looks like a nice ship, but I was wondering about the 18 cruise speed - does the mod have any escorts that can maintain that cruise speed also? Otherwise it seems like it would be wasted. Similar to some of the Japanese xAPs they start with, that have cruise speeds of 20, but nothing to escort them.

JocMeister -> RE: Building (9/20/2015 5:38:45 AM)
John, could we see a "world map" please! [:)]

John 3rd -> World Map (9/20/2015 6:20:54 AM)
OK. Here you go Sir: [image]local://upfiles/18041/EA13C12CE74440EE96EC5A8FF8D994A6.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> RE: World Map (9/20/2015 6:27:52 AM)
Got an expensive piece of Intel today. Michael still has a massive amount of ships dropping off troops forming an arc around Tahiti. The Tahiti base just got a an Air Flotilla and so I flew in two Daitai of Betty. A Strike Force of 36 Zero and 54 Betty were ready to attack anything within 14 hexes. On August 3rd they do and two strikes are flown. They encounter over 150+ F4F. YIKES! The first attack is eaten up pretty well but the second one sees four Betty get through and drop TTs at Yorktown. Unfortunately they miss. Bet Michael was poised for instant tears had they connected! Lost 40 planes to learn that all of the available US CVs are still down here. My Fleet is long gone. Just disbanded the first portion of KB at Attu. Repairs proceed on several Japanese ships at Yokohoma. We'll send the balance of the Kido Butai up to Attu in about 7-10 days. We'll wait up there for an American move towards the Aleutians... August 1st allowed for my two CAV to begin their conversion to Fleet Carriers. In 270 days we'll gain two (roughly) Soryu Class vessels. NICE!

JocMeister -> RE: World Map (9/20/2015 6:35:29 AM)
Thank you!

John 3rd -> RE: World Map (9/22/2015 3:18:27 AM)
Have been working on a revised task Force layout for Kido Butai. Looks like we'll be going with four TF acting together. Using any TWO will pack between 350-400 planes. Keeping all four together yields almost 800 aircraft. Tentative Organization of Capital Ships: KB-1 28 Knot Speed Akagi--Amagi--Nisshin--Ryuho (90 Z--54 V--60 K--6 Recon: 210 Planes) BC Ishitaka KB-2 32 Knot Speed Soryu--Hiryu--Ryukaku (68 Z--50 V--51 K: 169) BC Kongo--Haruna KB-3 25 Knot Speed Junyo--Hiyo--Ryujo--Shoho (81 Z--42 V--58 K: 181) BC Hiei--Kirishima KB-5 32 Knot Speed Shokaku--Zuikaku--Kaimon (84 Z--75 V--75 K--9 Recon: 243) BC Kawachi--Kasuga Figure 2 CA, 1 Agano-Kai CL, and 8 DD (2-3 Moon-Class DD+good AA Fubuki) per TF.

John 3rd -> SoPac Success (9/26/2015 2:07:18 PM)
Turns have been very slow this week. Michael has been buried under work. I think we have done only two turns since Sunday. We got one in yesterday though and there was a nice, small success within it. Combat Report August 6, 1942 South Pacific The submarine arm has done reasonably well through the campaign. When the American Navy arrived in the deep South Pacific Japanese subs scored early and often. The last week of game time has been more difficult with two SS getting sunk by ASW Forces. Not to be deterred, however, I-157 raises its periscope near Mangareva and spots a TF of happy, fat full tankers. The Sub attacks on the SURFACE TWICE and plasters both TK Elsa and TK Hadnot with multiple Torps and Deck Gun hits. Scratch two targets. NICE! Sake is on me for the crew... [image]local://upfiles/18041/F29FAA08B042483FB22714718B19C41B.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> SoPac Success (9/30/2015 12:30:45 AM)
Sorry for no Posts last weekend. I was installing a vanilla copy of AE for my new match with Herbie and managed to totally screw up my Mods AE Folder. It SUCKED! My computer skills are marginal (at best) so it took nearly three days to get everything running again. This came on the heels of Michael only sending one turn last week due to heavy work schedule. We appear to be on the way now so this is good. Combat Report August 8, 1942 Dastardly NOTE I decided to do something similar to what Halsey was ordered to do by Chester Nimitz in mid-May 1942. A group of AOs was 'spotted' by an American SS and PBY on the 8th due west of Rarotonga Isle. The ships were about 14 hexes west of Tahiti. Michael KNOWS I only have AOs where my CVs are. I moved them in just close enough to make sure they were 'accidentally' spotted by the Americans. My opponent will now think that I have CVs way down SOUTH. They aren't but it SHOULD help him decide to make a move on the Aleutians SOONER then LATER. This is a case of PsyOps at work. There are seven CVs at Attu with six more due within 7-10 days. If Michael comes west from Kodiak and Prince Rupert---it--will--be--BLOODY! Course...I could be totally wrong but I do not think so....

John 3rd -> Still Running (11/2/2015 5:49:30 PM)
Greetings. I am recovering from a night basking in the GLORY of my Kansas City Royals World Series victory. Had to pull out my copy of the 1985 Kansas City Star's coverage of when they last won the BIG SERIES! Glorious. Michael has had computer issues that took nearly two weeks to get corrected and now he is up and running on his laptop waiting for good deals over X-Mas for a new computer. Haven't had much activity with Lew and I's other game so I spent time working on the AAR/Game with Herbie. Our game date is September 11, 1942 and it looks like things about to get highly exciting in three theatres at once: Burma, North Pacific, and South Pacific. Michael loves to do things simultaneously so we;ll see what he has in mind. Will do a comprehensive update next Posting.

John 3rd -> Grand Planning (11/5/2015 3:37:49 PM)
September 14, 1942 North Pacific Planning As stated for some time, I FEEL that Michael will try to launch an Allied Offensive up in the Aleutians. He always seems to come back here in games we've played/spoken about. I truly hope this tendency can be taken advantage of. The Winter Season is fast approaching and he MUST come soon if he comes at all. For nearly six weeks the Kido Butai has sat at anchor at Attu. The pilots have been training and we've upgraded most of the Val Daitai to the newer model. The A6M5, Judy and Jill are just around the corner but right now we have the staples that started the war. In anticipation of a major action, the Fleet sailed on September 10th. The composition is three CV TF and a STF. This is a mighty Fleet for September 1942: SEVEN Fleet Carriers, two medium carriers, and three light carriers with six BCs, 10 CA, 13 CL, and 26 DD. Backing them is the Fleet Train carrying 54,000 fuel. The TF are comprised in this fashion: KB-1 CV: Akagi, Amagi, Hiryu, Soryu with 110 Zero, 80 Val, 80 Kate, and 6 Recon Kates 2 BC, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 6 DD KB-2 CV: Shokaku, Zuikaku, Kaimon (new Shokaku-Kai) with 82 Zero, 72 Val, 72 Kate, and 6 Recon Kate 2 new BC, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 6 DD KB-3 CV: Junyo, Hiyo, Ryukaku, Shoho, Nisshin with 99 Zero, 51 Val, and 55 kate 2 BC, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 6 DD STF 4 CA, 5 CL, and 6 DD Total Planes: 291 Zero, 203 Val, 207 Kate, and 12 Recon Kate The TFs shall rendezvous in two days and top off their fuel. They will then drift slightly SE staying out of PBY Search Range and WAIT. They will stay up here for up to two weeks. If Michael is coming then he will by that point. If he does not then we head for Pearl Harbor. The Aleutians are fully supplied, the men dug in behind Sz-4/Sz-5 Forts and nearly 300 aircraft wait for action. If Michael does come then it will be one heck of an ambush... [image]local://upfiles/18041/3CC0A4A657394EEB9633CC6AF69F75CD.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Grand Planning (11/6/2015 12:25:01 AM)
September 12, 1942 SE Pacific Planning This region of the ocean has been fairly calm as Michael has worked to build-up his bases and attempt to begin a push-back. There has been some back-and-forth but nothing too exciting. My I-Boat Glens picked up a set of TFs entering the board about a week ago. I-15 put a torp into AP Kota Radja causing 23 Casualties (so we know there are troops present) and then the following day (11th) she SANK DD Dunlap with two TTs. Nice work. My I-Boat screen watched this set of 4-6 TFs move slowly west. There are carriers present. The Japanese sortied their TF of CVL Ryujo and Zuiho plus CVE Taiyo, Ibuki, and Hosho. They have BC Ishitaka, 2 CA, 3 CL, and 8 DDs with them. All told, their plane complement is 87 Zero, 9 Val, and 36 Kate. Strong Fighters but weak everything else. Have 3 AOs with 15,000 Fuel there to keep them ready to go for a while. My gut tells me that this is a ruse by Michael to make me THINK there is action here. He does love to stage action in multiple theatres however so this could be a secondary thrust testing my waters and seeking me to move assets to the wrong place. well...we play with what we have. Supporting the small CVs are about 150 planes flying out of Ua Huka and Tahiti. There are four bases with AF at 1 growing but won't be ready for at least two more weeks. If he comes, we'll work to maximize damage while limiting risk. This theatre is soooooooo far from the primary concerns that I simply love him devoting time HERE instead of somewhere more vital. [image]local://upfiles/18041/1BBAFE537F784E6F9223D17443D1A8C6.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Sept 1942: Force Z (11/10/2015 11:35:53 PM)
Combat Report September 17, 1942 SoPac The Allied Task Forces are taking FOREVER to reach some form of objective in the far SE Pacific. If there weren't so darned many of them I would call this a magnificent decoy. In the time it has taken close the range, Japan has reinforced its SS component to the point that there are now 15 I-Boats and Ro-Boats here. The 18th witnesses no less then eight attacks against the Allied TF's. Six attacks are against DDs or APDs and they result in no damage. The OTHER TWO, however, are WONDERFUL! I-29 hits HMS Prince of Wales TWICE with an engine hit included on the first Torp. I-24 hits HMS Repulse TWICE also. How about that??!! BANZAI!

John 3rd -> Sept 1942: SE Pac (11/10/2015 11:51:52 PM)
The screenshot shows it all. I don't know how strong his air support is. Does he have the Allied Death Star? Is just some CVE? The presence of Prince of Wales and Repulse makes me doubt my Aleutian Offensive idea but we'll have to see. Have 36 Zero, 36 Betty, and 18 Emily in the Marqueses NW of the Allied TFs. Set the Betty to Naval Strike with 40% Training and 30% Search, all Zeros on Escort. NEED to find out what his CAP is over those TFs but don't want to lose a bunch of planes. This MIGHT work... Tahiti has 48 Zero, 72 Betty, and 48 Val ready to go if needed or useful. The CVL/CVE TF carries 132 Planes: 87 Zero, 9 Val, and 36 Kate. PLANNING Until we find out just what he has here for CVs we are CAUTIOUS! The Empire shall bide its time and then try to nip at the enemy. The SS are doing well with hitting BB Prince of Wales, BC Repulse, sinking DD Dunlap, and hitting (maybe sinking) two AK. We'll let the SS do their work and watch what happens this turn. A STF of 1 CL and 5 DD is hitting his shipping SE of Makemo this turn and another STF of 1 CL and 4 DDs swings out to the SE hoping to catch that Support TF. If possible I would REALLY like a crack at his AO TF. If we could do some serious harm there ten he would have to worry about fuel. Could throw a serious wrench in his planning.... [image]local://upfiles/18041/F4DB4B562A2645FD9623F1192ECF51D9.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Sept 1942: Burma (11/11/2015 1:23:05 AM)
The Japanese continue to press an offensive into SE India that has yielded Kalemyo and--today--Imphal. The goal of this attack is to continue diverting troops away from the coast where the Allies are laying siege to Cox's Bazaar and--sort of--threaten Akyab. Just north of Kalemyo is an Inf Div and TK Reg while two ID and 3 TK Reg are at Imphal. Both IDs are now moving to threaten the next base along that line. What is not seen is three Inf Div moving out from Myitkyina headed towards Ledo--Dimapur. It is our PROFOUND hope to achieve limited surprise with this move and, perhaps, take one of these aerial citadels that harbors 100s of Allied aircraft. Michael--as expected--has massed nearly EVERYTHING in Burma--India. He has 4-500 fighters, 300+ 2EB, and nearly 150 B-17/B-24 operating from Calcutta--Dacca--Dimapur--Ledo. Japanese airpower does not stand chance against this and, even with Mister Tojo now, is facing a losing battle in air over this theatre. [image]local://upfiles/18041/F56E997910C94F6CAD751CCADAB21C5A.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Sept 1942: SoPac (11/14/2015 2:31:06 PM)
September 25, 1942 South Pacific The Allies storm ashore with a massed invasion of the SE Pacific. As planned the Japanese fight a delaying action designed to force the Americans to slow down, take time, and start WAY THE HELL FAR AWAY from anything vital. This is being accomplished beautifully. The Americans have a BUNCH of Allied vessels here: BC Ranger, Strasbourg, Dunkerque, and Repulse along with BBs Warspite and Prince of Wales. It would APPEAR that a portion of the American CVs are present. The Japanese STF in the area joust a bit and the CVL--CVE TF makes a nice piece of work catching a TF of 3 APD and 5 AP sinking them and ALL 6,000+ men on board. NICE! In the midst of all this, the Americans take the Marquesas using the 32nd ID and several Inf Regiments. All that was there was a naval guard and a base force. No big deal. Little do the Allies notice but a TF has slipped around the Allied rear. BC Ishitaka, a CA, and 4 DDs decided to 'retreat' from an approaching American TF when they were getting ready to bombard Mangareva. Instead of heading towards Tahiti they chose the most inconvenient direction to move (NE). STUPID! Making lemonade from lemons, I move the TF east and now am angling towards the Allied shipping. We plan to attack the Allied support shipping and then head towards Christmas Isle. With the end of September rapidly approaching, the Kido Butai leaves its ambush position SE of the Aleutians and is approaching Pearl Harbor. We'll refuel and move south. I was certain that Michael would go after Cold Bay, Akutan, and Umnak but appear to be dead wrong. OK. We can admit that. The Fleet will refuel and move south to be ready for battle. At least I can potentially link-up with my CVLs down there and that is a good thing. [image]local://upfiles/18041/492649F1976B4A81BD62143DDA47E5F3.jpg[/image]

John 3rd -> Overall (11/14/2015 3:27:45 PM)
Here is a screenshot of the Victory Point page. The war in the air has totally gone the Allies ways. Have to admit that Michael choosing NOT to fight at all in the air for the first six months was great boon to him. He rested and trained his pilots to a point they were in pretty good shape once the air war really began. Additionally, using the Allied plane early purchase system within our Mods, he has brought forward several large groups of superior airframes: read--P-38s! They have raised Hold HELL over Burma. The situation at sea has been much more in Japan's favor. Here is the tally of lost Japanese and Allied major warships: Japan: BB Hyuga, 2 CA, 1 new CL, 3 old CL, 22 DDs (10 of them the old Minekaze Class), and 10 SS. Allies: CV's Yorktown, Illustrious, and Formidable, 4 CVL/CAV/CLV, 9 BB, 1 BC, 2 CA, 10 CL, 35 DD, and 18 SS. Here is the screenshot: [image]local://upfiles/18041/A9841A0D524B48F9B63664693A791251.jpg[/image]

Page: << < prev 19 20 21 [22] 23 next > >>

Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

1.296875