RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A)

RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (Full Version)

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Yaab -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/6/2018 5:49:13 AM)
You can feed Auckland, NZ from Rangiroa by long-legged TKs. On the last leg of the journey you ditch Auckland-Sydney route because the route is obvious. You move the fuel from Wellington,NZ (or even Christchurch, NZ) to Melbourne, AUS. It takes SOME tailoring of TKs to match the route lengths and to build up the ports, but it can be done. Japs can interdict the Rangiroa - Auckland route, but would have a hard time intedicting off map-Rangiroa and Wellington-Melbourne routes. If you can sever the Rangiroa-Auckland route, then yes, the Pacific links between USA and Australia are cut.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/6/2018 10:03:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Yaab You can feed Auckland, NZ from Rangiroa by long-legged TKs. On the last leg of the journey you ditch Auckland-Sydney route because the route is obvious. You move the fuel from Wellington,NZ (or even Christchurch, NZ) to Melbourne, AUS. It takes SOME tailoring of TKs to match the route lengths and to build up the ports, but it can be done. Japs can interdict the Rangiroa - Auckland route, but would have a hard time intedicting off map-Rangiroa and Wellington-Melbourne routes. If you can sever the Rangiroa-Auckland route, then yes, the Pacific links between USA and Australia are cut. You make a good point. If I can take Fiji and the Samoan Islands, he will be reduced to one route: the Tahiti-Auckland route to build up fuel and supply depots in SoPac. This would give me an opportunity to sink more TKs and AOs. I really think that nothing will slow the allies down more than destroying TKs and AOs. We are very far ahead of events, however. I will just be happy to land on Fiji without losing a division and half my CV force at sea. Suva is a size 6 airfield, and he has at least 160 LBA fighters, 5 CVs, 3 CVLs, and at least 3 BBs in this theater now. I am sailing 2 divisions into the entire allied air and naval forces and I make my initial landing out of range of most of my LBA cover.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/7/2018 7:14:44 AM)
The June 10th turn is away. I worked on this turn for 5 hours, and I am still certain that there is something that I forgot. The CVs, 2 BB groups, and the first wave are moving into position for the invasion of Fiji. This will be the most dangerous amphibious operation that I remember conducting, landing directly adjacent to an unsuppressed size 6 airfield in an area where the majority of the allied fleet is located. It is essential that I bombard Suva. The main BB group will move into a position 1 space to the SE of the CVs and the first wave amphibious group, 7 hexes from Suva and 6 hexes from Nadi. The first wave and the CVs will remain 8 hexes away from Suva and 7 hexes from Nadi arranged for very heavy CAP and lighter escort. The B5N1s have been removed from Shoho and Zuiho and replaced with A6M2s, so there are 30 A6M2s on each of the small CVLs. Akagi also has 30 A6M2s. Kaga, Ryujo, Junyo, Hiryu and Soryu have 27 A6M2s. Zuikaku and Shokaku have only 18 each. So there are a total of 261 A6M2s available to 1st Air Fleet. The Kates and Vals are limited to a range of 6 for this turn to avoid flying into a heavy CAP trap at Nadi, which is one hex from Suva. Approximately 70% of the CAP fighters are set to ¨leaky CAP¨ with a range of 1 to cover the the BB group, which will be 7 hexes from Suva (and possible set a CAP trap for unescorted LBA or LBA escorted by F4Fs flying at extended range) The first wave will move into Nadi next turn, but because it will be 8 hexes away, it will only have 1 unload impulse next turn. Tanaka, in command of Nagato and Mutsu, will cover the landing. The main BB group, commanded by Bunji Asakura (who is rated slightly better than Tanaka at 91 Naval and 85 aggression) will begin next turn 7 hexes from Suva. Much depends on Asakura´s group bombarding Suva effectively next turn and then withdrawing to Luganville. The first wave will go in with cover only from the 60 A6M2s on Zuiho and Shoho. The CVs and Ryjuo will move to a position between Suva and Noumea to try to intecept the allied CVs if they sortie. There has been little radio traffic from the major allied ports in the past few days. There was heavy radio traffic at Vava U 3 days ago, when I suspect that Apbarog withdrew something in case KB moved south to port-strike that port (I attacked Pago Pago instead). There was heavy radio traffic today at Sydney, which may be the U.S. CVs sortieing. I am gambling that the U.S. CVs were in port in New Zealand or Australia and not east or southeast of Fiji. There is a CL group roaming the area, which disappeared from Noumea today. So long as Tanaka can keep those CLs away from the amphibious group, Asakura can bombard Suva, the U.S. CVs do not unexpectedly strike from the east and hit the CVLs and the first wave, allied submarines do not torpedo multiple ships, and nothing else unexpected happens, the IJA will be ashore on Fiji. The odds of all of this happening according to plan are very low, but that is why the game is fun.

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/7/2018 9:40:05 AM)
Have you calculated embarked land units disruption by sea traveling? Where did they embark? What the total estimated sailing time to landing? Do you expect shore guns shelling, and mines? how thick is the escort screen? Do you think 2 divisions shall be enough? have you embarked support (I.E. naval and air support)? Are you bringing any artillery with you? any armor? Is there a supply convoy ready to come for after location's conquest? What air units have you planned to base at the FIjis? Do 1 eng have the range to fly there directly? Are you bringing miners and AMcs? Have you allocated the fuel to be stored at the fijies? do you plan to station any combat naval fleet at Fiji, as a deterrent for self defense but also for naval traffic attacks?

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/7/2018 9:40:30 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner Have you calculated embarked land units disruption by sea traveling? Where did they embark? What the total estimated sailing time to landing? Do you expect shore guns shelling, and mines? how thick is the escort screen? Do you think 2 divisions shall be enough? have you embarked support (I.E. naval and air support)? Are you bringing any artillery with you? any armor? Is there a supply convoy ready to come for after location's conquest? What air units have you planned to base at the FIjis? Do 1 eng have the range to fly there directly? Are you bringing miners and AMcs? Have you allocated the fuel to be stored at the fijies? do you plan to station any combat naval fleet at Fiji, as a deterrent for self defense but also for naval traffic attacks? Bringing AA as well?

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/7/2018 12:03:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner Have you calculated embarked land units disruption by sea traveling? Where did they embark? What the total estimated sailing time to landing? Do you expect shore guns shelling, and mines? how thick is the escort screen? Do you think 2 divisions shall be enough? have you embarked support (I.E. naval and air support)? Are you bringing any artillery with you? any armor? Is there a supply convoy ready to come for after location's conquest? What air units have you planned to base at the FIjis? Do 1 eng have the range to fly there directly? Are you bringing miners and AMcs? Have you allocated the fuel to be stored at the fijies? do you plan to station any combat naval fleet at Fiji, as a deterrent for self defense but also for naval traffic attacks? The landing will be at Nadi. I do not expect shore guns. The first wave is a TF consisting of a CL, 3 DDs, 3 APDs, 3 DMS, and 9 APs. It contains 2 regiments that are not fully prepped for Nadi (about 60% prep), so there will be some disruption and some disabled squads on landing. BBs Nagato and Mutsu with escort, commanded by Tanaka, will provide surface cover for the landing at Nadi. A TF containing Kongo and Haruna, the 3 Takao-class CAs, and escorts will be plotted to bombard Suva. The idea is to damage planes and reduce the number of allied LBA that can respond to the initial landing. The 2 regiments loaded at Rabaul and Tulagi and will be at sea 4 or 5 days before landing. 2 DMS will move 1 hex ahead of the first wave. A 2nd and 3rd wave are moving into position near Luganville. These TFs are also composed of a CL, DD escort, and APs and AK-ts. The 2nd and 3rd waves contain 2 regiments, a brigade, 2 artillery units, an combat engineer unit, and a recon unit. A fourth wave of 3 armored regiments and a port unit is on AKs and is nearing Tulagi. A fast Transport TF consisting of a CL, 5 DDS, and 2 APDs is 1 day from Ndeni and will embark a JNAF battalion to land at Nadi. A heavy CA group is also 1 day from Ndeni, where they will replenish ammo, load a 2nd JNAF battalion and move in as a fast transport/ cover group for the later waves. 3 AOs have recently replenished fuel for the 1st wave TF, so that it can move at full speed to Nadi. These AOs have 15K fuel left and will refuel the bombardment group at Luganville. 5 more fast AOs, loaded with 60K fuel are also nearing Tulagi. These will move down north of Ndeni and refuel the CVs, CAs, and Tanaka's group between waves. There are AKEs at Luganville, Ndeni, Tulagi, and Koumac. There is also a small stockpile of fuel at Luganville which I have been moving down for several weeks in YOs. This is big operation. Conducting this operation simultaneous with the landings at Luzon has put nearly every IJN combat ship into action at the same time, and I am desperately short of escorts. I have 4 heavy CAs doing nothing at this moment for lack of DD escorts. It would have been ideal to wait for the Luzon landings to be completed, but I did not want to give Apbarog any more time to build up his land forces in the region. He recently made a major move on Noumea, landing 20K troops which he brought from several bases, including Suva. Another week and he would have, no doubt, brought additional reinforcements to the theater. At Nadi, I will be out of range of LBA cover. I have 78 Oscar 1cs at Koumac and 90 A6M2s at Luganville: the crack Tainan and 3rd Ku sqadrons. There are 63 Betties in the theater, mostly performing naval search, 14 Mavis, 27 Jakes, and 2 squadrons of recon. There are 40 Vals in the Marshalls, 45 Betties at Moresby, and another 36 Oscars in Australia which can be in the theater in 2 days. There is an air HQ at Koumac. I will see what develops tomorrow. He has already transferred 1 squadron of fighters from Koumac elsewhere, probably to Suva. If he transfers a 2nd squadron, I may use Netties from Koumac with LBA A6M2 escort to cover the western and southern approaches to Fiji, and move the whole of 1st air fleet 1 hex from Nadi in full CAP mode tomorrow. We will see what develops.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/7/2018 10:42:20 PM)
In other war news, an ace pilot from Kaga was KIA when his plane crashed after a routine patrol yesterday. He is the first Japanese ace to be KIA. Also, J. Sasai appears not to have been badly wounded in the battle over Koumac 3 weeks ago. He has returned to action in his Tainan squadron. He lost 7 points of experience though as a result of his wounds. He was an experience 85 pilot. He is now an experience 78 pilot. It is good to have his 80 air and 80 defense back in the action even though he is no longer Tracom eligible. Interesting how injuries to pilots can reduce their experience. I wonder if he will still be able to conduct "head-on" attacks on 4-Es, which had been his specialty, performing 4 such attacks and netting 4 4-E kills. He also received a promotion upon his return and is now a squadron leader. I may give him his own squadron later in the war if he can avoid allied DB gunners. [image]local://upfiles/48678/AA5176A798264941B7B0754235594882.jpg[/image]

tarkalak -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/8/2018 11:42:59 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Aurorus In other war news, an ace pilot from Kaga was KIA when his plane crashed after a routine patrol yesterday. He is the first Japanese ace to be KIA. Also, J. Sasai appears not to have been badly wounded in the battle over Koumac 3 weeks ago. He has returned to action in his Tainan squadron. He lost 7 points of experience though as a result of his wounds. He was an experience 85 pilot. He is now an experience 78 pilot. It is good to have his 80 air and 80 defense back in the action even though he is no longer Tracom eligible. Interesting how injuries to pilots can reduce their experience. I wonder if he will still be able to conduct "head-on" attacks on 4-Es, which had been his specialty, performing 4 such attacks and netting 4 4-E kills. He also received a promotion upon his return and is now a squadron leader. I may give him his own squadron later in the war if he can avoid allied DB gunners. [image]local://upfiles/48678/AA5176A798264941B7B0754235594882.jpg[/image] This is Sasai not Saburo Sakai. :) Sakai was wounded by a TB.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/8/2018 10:11:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: tarkalak This is Sasai not Saburo Sakai. :) Sakai was wounded by a TB. I apogize if the image is misleading and my explanation is confusing. The name circled is Junichi Sasai. He was the wounded pilot at Noumea in early May and the one who lost 7 experience. The pilot above him is indeed Saburo Sakai. Sakai was not wounded that day and had 3 kills in that battle in vengeance for his wounded wingman (see my post above for the details of the air battle). In the actual war (as opposed to my and Apbarog's game), Saburo Sakai was wounded by an allied gunner in a Dauntless SBD. He spotted what he thought were 2 flights of bombers: one a flight of 8 SBDs and the other 3 TBFs. (This was after the fact, however. Initially he thought that all the aircraft were F4Fs). Sakai claims, in his book, that he engaged what he thought were 3 TBFs and claimed to have downed 2 before being wounded. Therefore, he believed that it was a TBF gunner who wounded him, but no TBFs were reported lost that day in allied war logs. Therefore, it must have been an SBD gunner who wounded him, and both flights that he spotted must have been SBDs. He was shot in the head, so it understandable that his memory of the events of that day is not perfect.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 12:48:02 AM)
11 June 1942. The IJA is ashore on Fiji. This is going to be a very hard, long, and costly campaign: hopefully for both the empire and the allies. There are more U.S. troops here that I suspected. I knew that my poor Betty recon was underreporting the strength of the allied presence here, but even with this in mind, I did not expect to find so many allied units. The night-time hours began with two allied submarine attacks on the TFs approaching Fiji. In both cases the subs were forced to fire on escorts and missed. Then Bunji Asakura on the Haruna did his part, bringing his TF into Suva for an effective bombardment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Suva at 132,160 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 28 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground P-39D Airacobra: 27 damaged P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed on ground SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 damaged SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground SB2U-3 Vindicator: 7 damaged PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged Japanese Ships BB Haruna BB Kongo CA Chokai CA Atago CA Takao Allied ground losses: 251 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 31 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 14 (3 destroyed, 11 disabled) Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled) Airbase hits 10 Airbase supply hits 6 Runway hits 25 Port hits 1 Port supply hits 1 E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Haruna BB Haruna firing at Suva BB Kongo firing at Suva CA Chokai firing at Suva CA Atago firing at Suva CA Takao firing at Suva This set the stage for the events of the day. Chokai strikes again.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 1:02:54 AM)
CVLs Zuiho and Shoho along with CS Nisshin moved into shallow water 1 hex from Nadi. Tanaka's TF consisting of the BBs Nagato and Mutsu, CAs Nachi and Ashigara, Kitakami and Oi moved to Nadi to cover the first wave. First Air fleet moved to a position between Suva and Noumea to try to interdict allied forces responding to the invasion and avoid flying into a CAP trap at Nadi or engaging U.S. CVs near Suva with LBA support. The move of 1st Air Fleet was off by 1 hex. They ended their move 1 hex out of range of striking an allied CL group moving to contest the landings. Here was the situation as the action for the day unfolded. [image]local://upfiles/48678/4BBF293733514DBEB77AAFF0691D9F16.jpg[/image]

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 1:25:46 AM)
As dawn lightened the South Pacific, a storm broke over Fiji, covering the Japanese TFs and hindering U.S. air ops: a divine wind, no doubt, blowing at the back of the imperial advance. The combination of bad weather, Asakuri's effective bombardment, and a disjointed allied air command trying to coordinate USAAF fighters with USN and RN bombers resulted in several small disjointed attacks on the TFs near Fiji. The A6M2s from Shoho and Zuiho and the A6M2-Rufes from CS Nisshin that were covering the landings took a serious toll on the allied attack planes. First came a well escorted strike on the 2 CVLs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,159 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 35 A6M2-N Rufe x 9 Allied aircraft P-40E Warhawk x 29 SBD-3 Dauntless x 9 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Shoho CVL Zuiho Aircraft Attacking: 2 x SBD-3 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 Then a group of stragglers. Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,159 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 21 A6M2-N Rufe x 4 Allied aircraft SBD-3 Dauntless x 10 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed A strike on Tanaka's BB group followed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 35 A6M2-N Rufe x 3 Allied aircraft P-39D Airacobra x 7 SB2U-3 Vindicator x 10 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed SB2U-3 Vindicator: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed by flak Japanese Ships BB Mutsu Aircraft Attacking: 4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb More stragglers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 35 A6M2-N Rufe x 3 Allied aircraft Vildebeest IV x 7 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed In the afternoon, the allies try to mount a second raid on Tanaka's BBs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 32 A6M2-N Rufe x 6 Allied aircraft P-40E Warhawk x 7 SBD-3 Dauntless x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 1:30:48 AM)
Air losses for the day show 55 allied planes downed to 6 Japanese. Another good day for the A6M2. No hits were scored on any Japanese ships and the 17th and 24th regiments were able to land at Nadi. One of my plans actually worked. Now the question is: was it a good plan? [image]local://upfiles/48678/AD96B4CE6B9F42408056D66B278F0E4A.jpg[/image]

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 1:56:22 AM)
There are 2 USMC regiments and a combat engineer battalion at Nadi: double what I was expecting to encounter. There are probably 2 additional USMC regiments at Suva, so the 17th and 24 regiments are in a precarious position. They also suffered heavy losses in the landing. Some 60 combat squads disabled, so their AV will be reduced from 260 to 200 from the landing alone. My problem is this. I was hoping that these 2 regiments could capture Nadi, and I could land the 2nd and 3rd waves at a friendly base. The brigade and the other 2 regiments are prepped for Suva. If I land these units at Nadi, without control of the base, they will suffer heavy losses on the landing. However, I will need more at Nadi if I am to hold against what appears to be 4 USMC regiments. To take the island, I will need 2 full divisions, in good order, with all the support that I have en route. I have barely enough, I think, to capture Fiji, but to bring it ashore without having far too many disabled squads is a serious problem. I am not sure what move is best. I could try to reinforce the position at Nadi, but landing units prepped for Suva there will cause major casualties. I could also try to land directly at Suva. If he moves his regiments from Suva to reinforce the position at Nadi to try to repel the invasion... I may be able to capture Suva by landing there directly with a brigade and 2 regiments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Nadi (131,160) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 9321 troops, 96 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 348 Defending force 3100 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 105 Japanese ground losses: 12 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Assaulting units: 5th Marine Regiment 7th Marine Regiment 2nd Fiji Battalion 2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion 37th RNZA Bty Defending units: 17th Infantry Regiment 24th Infantry Rgt /5

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 4:12:39 AM)
As part of the action for the day, I plotted the Ki-43 Ics at Koumac and the 3rd Sentai to sweep Noumea. Recon yesterday showed the fighter strength there had dropped to 24: 1 squadron. The rest had been transferred to Suva, no doubt. Fortunately for me, none of the sweeps flew, because Apbarog transferred additional fighters to Noumea from Australia bringing the allied fighter total there back to 104: 4 squadrons. For 1 day, I dropped my CAP over Koumac, and Apbarog happened to choose this day to bomb the port and airfield. The airfield raid accomplished little, but the port strike was very effective and from high altitude. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 6 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AG Natsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Port hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 19000 feet * Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 6 Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged Japanese Ships SS RO-67, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage AV Sanyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Port hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 19000 feet * Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb Massive explosion on SS RO-67 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Allied aircraft LB-30 Liberator x 6 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AG Natsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage Port hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 19000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb The AG was sunk, and the fires on the AV are serious: 37. It may sink as well. I have been thinking about this "coincidence," and I do not think that it was a coincidence at all. In the past, Apbarog has bombed Koumac with 4-Es prior to moving TFs into the region. He has been doing this, I think, to damage large numbers of fighters and ground them for the next day, so that I cannot strike his TFs. I think he plans to move TFs into the theater tomorrow, probably under the fighter cover of Noumea. I have had heavy radio traffic now for the 3rd day from Sydney. I think I will see a U.S. SCTF (containing PoW) and the U.S. CVs near Noumea tomorrow. The question is, what should I do?

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 8:06:15 AM)
1st of all, super congrs for the NUCLEAR bonbardment of Suva, super well done! Secondly, full kudoz for your organization in particular for the strong air escort over the landing; must be said, you've been lucky too, even very lucky, not being hit by the first SBD wave, so you had luck on your part as well; the severe storms, btw, do not seem having had been much influentials on the strikers... So what surprises me, is 1st the supposingly big number of airplanes at Suva; 2nd, that so many took off for the strike after the nuclear bombardment; 3rd, no hits at all on your CVLs (we need some luck as well sometimes); we see also a big concentration of subs in Nadi on the screen shot - please, be careful; you need a very thick escort screen; I like very much the way you divided your carrier fleets; Also that you allocated, and took the risk of, forces to occupy the minor islands around, mind blowing. So you had luck also with your sweeps over Noumea; or , maybe, that's because the AI opted not to launch the strike after having received the new recon defending fighters intelligence (strange)? BTW how much big are the airfields at Koumac? Where did his bombers fly off from? If Apbarog is seemingly moving to contrast you in big forces over the Fiji-New Caledonia: and if you have some more push available, to strike-invade also somewhere else, maybe in australia? Or, to raid somewhere, maybe in the IO-Australia routes, with your remaining available surface ships?

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 9:26:51 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner 1st of all, super congrs for the NUCLEAR bonbardment of Suva, super well done! Secondly, full kudoz for your organization in particular for the strong air escort over the landing; must be said, you've been lucky too, even very lucky, not being hit by the first SBD wave, so you had luck on your part as well; the severe storms, btw, do not seem having had been much influentials on the strikers... So what surprises me, is 1st the supposingly big number of airplanes at Suva; 2nd, that so many took off for the strike after the nuclear bombardment; 3rd, no hits at all on your CVLs (we need some luck as well sometimes); we see also a big concentration of subs in Nadi on the screen shot - please, be careful; you need a very thick escort screen; I like very much the way you divided your carrier fleets; Also that you allocated, and took the risk of, forces to occupy the minor islands around, mind blowing. So you had luck also with your sweeps over Noumea; or , maybe, that's because the AI opted not to launch the strike after having received the new recon defending fighters intelligence (strange)? BTW how much big are the airfields at Koumac? Where did his bombers fly off from? If Apbarog is seemingly moving to contrast you in big forces over the Fiji-New Caledonia: and if you have some more push available, to strike-invade also somewhere else, maybe in australia? Or, to raid somewhere, maybe in the IO-Australia routes, with your remaining available surface ships? There is no question that I was lucky to reach Nadi without losing troops at sea, either to submarines or DBs. We will see happens tomorrow. All of my TFs are heavy with escorts. The SCTFs and CV groups have more DDs than capital ships. The amphibious group has 4 DDs, 5 APDs, 3 DMS, and 12 APs, so it has an equal number of escorts to ships. (That is why I am so short of DDs). Asakuri's bombardment group did not use half their ammunition to achieve those results. The BBs and CAs still have over half their ammunition. That is my best SCTF. Kongo and Haruna have seen significant action. They sank 3 allied TKs in the DEI and the 2 Australian CAs at Koumac. So they have high-experience crews, especially at night. Chokai has been a terror, with 7 allied ships sunk to its credit, including the CAs New Orleans, Pensacola, and Minneapolis. Atago was part of the TF that sunk the U.S. CAs as well so its crew has seen some action and has improved their night experience. Asakuri is as capable a TF commander as Tanaka. I landed at Hoorn Islands 2 days ago with a SNLF on xAk-ts with 3 PBs escorting, while KB was bombing Pago Pago. This will be a critical base, I think, if the Fiji campaign is long-term (which it appears it will be). It is 8 hexes from Suva: out of range of most allied fighters, but in range of A6M2s and Oscars. I have a Marshalls base force, another SNLF, and 2 construction battalions en route to reinforce and build-up the base. This landing was diversionary, and successfully so. It appears that APbarog sent his PT boats at Suva off after the xAK-ts at Hoorn, leaving Suva open for Asakuri's bombardment. Filling the 2 CVLs with fighters worked out very well, and I may employ this tactic in future CV engagements. If I can splinter an allied CV strike by diverting some of the strike aircraft to CAP-heavy CVLs, that could make a major difference in a CV engagement. I broke Chitose group, a size-36 squadron, into 3 groups of 12. I placed one group of 12 on each CVL and the third group on Akagi. Chitose group had been my low-experience group, but with so many pilots returning from injuries and with half of the pilots in that group reaching 70 experience, I was able to fill it out with 70+ exp. pilots. Instead of being the rookie group, it is now the wounded veterans group. The A6M2-Rufes scored 5 kills on the day: an impressive showing, because these were true rookies and flying low CAP. I have no additional ships available with the simultaneous landings on Luzon and Fiji. 3 repaired CAs and 3 CVEs are en route to SoPAC from Luzon, but are a week away. I have 4 heavy CAs in Singapore, but no escorts. The first squadron of KI-45 Nicks is also en route to SoPAC to station at Koumac so as to relieve the A6M2s of defense against the 4-Es from Australia that have caused so much difficulty. I am also behind on upgrading ships. The Kagero-class DDs are all due upgrades, and I have upgraded only 6 of them.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 10:08:55 PM)
One thing that I struggled to understand for the first year that I played WiTP was how land-combat, supply paths, and hexside control functioned in game. Hexside control is obvious and irrelevant in hexes in which you have friendly units and your opponent has no units. You control the hex and all 6 hexsides. In hexes that contain no units (yours or the enemies'), no one controls any of the hexsides and supplies for both sides will move freely through the hex. The situation is more complex, however, in hexes that contain units from both sides. In any hex containing units from both sides, one side or the other controls each of the 6 the "hexsides." Supply will only flow through hexsides that your side controls. Also units may only retreat if they can trace a positive supply path to the hex to which they are retreating. Isolated units cannot retreat and will be destroyed in combat. Concentrations of enemy units in supply, behind fortifications, in good terrain inflict disproportionate casualties on attacking units, regardless of unit quality and weapon types. Dislodging units in supply from good terrain is a costly and slow process. These units must be isolated. Therefore, understanding and exploiting the rules for hexside control are the keys to conducting effective ground operations. I am trying to maintain an unbroken line of hex and hexside control in China. In order to advance into enemy positions while maintaining this line, I must approach the hex from 2 different directions, in order to gain control of 2 hexsides and maintain an unbroken line. In South China, I wanted to advance on the Chinese line across the entire front, but with only 1 division in each hex. How do I gain control of 2 hexsides by moving 1 divion into the enemy controlled hex? I divide the division, move 1 combat team to the adjacent hex, and then have all 3 divisional combat teams move to the enemy hex from 2 different directions simultaneously. Once the 3 parts of the division have arrived in the enemy hex, I reassemble the division so as to be more effective in combat. In this way, 1 division can gain control of multiple hexsides when advancing on an enemy position, and an unbroken line of hexside control can be maintained, during an advance, with a minimum of units. Here is the current situation in south China. I have 1 division in each circled hex, yet I control 2 hexsides in each of these hexes. By dividing my divisions and moving into the hexes from 2 different directions, I have advanced on the Chinese position while maintaining an unbroken line of hexside control, so that the Chinese corps behind my lines remain completely isolated. To work the magic of isolation, units must be isolated and at 0 supply for several days or weeks. Each day that they have 0 supply their fatigue will increase until devices begin to become disabled and destroyed. Also, in combat, their effectiveness is reduced by fatigue in addition to lack of supply. A lack of supply alone is sufficient to reduce the combat effectiveness of a unit by 75%. When the minus for 0 supply is coupled with the fatigue that results from long term isolation, units become completely combat ineffective. [image]local://upfiles/48678/18EE3C3A42E44A4396FF519CDEB1F68C.jpg[/image]

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 10:13:46 PM)
Here are my attacks on 1 of the Chinese corps that was isolated behind my lines. First a deliberate attack to reduce the firepower of the enemy unit while limiting my own casualties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 79,54 (near Hengyang) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 12522 troops, 98 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 405 Defending force 5281 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 154 Japanese adjusted assault: 409 Allied adjusted defense: 11 Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-) supply(-) Attacker: leaders(+) Japanese ground losses: 82 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 654 casualties reported Squads: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled) Assaulting units: 36th Division Defending units: 49th Chinese Corps The next day, a shock attack to strike the final blow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 79,54 (near Hengyang) Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 12450 troops, 98 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 398 Defending force 4739 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89 Japanese adjusted assault: 720 Allied adjusted defense: 3 Japanese assault odds: 240 to 1 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-) supply(-) Attacker: shock(+) Japanese ground losses: 74 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Allied ground losses: 4739 casualties reported Squads: 295 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 249 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 46 (46 destroyed, 0 disabled) Units destroyed 1 Assaulting units: 36th Division Defending units: 49th Chinese Corps An entire Chinese corps destroyed for 11 Japanese squads disabled. (The 16 squads disabled above is FoW). My 1 division is now ready to move on to the next isolated Chinese stack and will have all of its squads operational by the time it reaches the next isolated stack. Destroying enemy units without losing any devices will also increase a unit's experience very quickly. The 36th Division gained 4 experience as a result of these 2 battles.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/9/2018 10:46:44 PM)
Also, today is Roger's (Apbarog's) birthday. If you are reading both AARs, be sure to comment on Roger's AAR and wish him a happy birthday.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/11/2018 4:05:04 AM)
June 12th 1942 I detached 3 DMS from my amphibious TF and tried to move them into Suva at night to detect any minefields present (with retirement allowed, so as to move into the hex and then retreat). The PTs were still 4 hexes from Suva, and I assumed that they would return out of fuel and have to replenish at Suva. Unfortunatey, the PTs were able to engage the DMS, which were slow to withdraw. The PTs somehow were able to close to 3K yards without being engaged in daylight and sunk 2 DMS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 131,161, Range 8,000 Yards Japanese Ships DMS W-1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DMS W-4 DMS W-9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk Allied Ships PT-22 PT-32 PT-33 PT-34 PT-35 PT-36 Also, an allied SS was able to torpedo a small tanker near Ponape. I had not spotted any subs near Truk the entire game, and I assumed that all of his submarines were concentrated in SOPAC. I sent the small TK down unescorted to refuel some xAKs at Ponape loading a base force for Hoorn Island. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submarine attack near Ponape at 118,112 Japanese Ships TK Akatuki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Tuna Apbarog did not try to contest the landings at Nadi today by air with so much of his anti-naval planes destroyed or damaged yesterday. He did, however, strike from Vava U with 2-Es against the xAKs and PBs offloading supplies at Hoorn Island. A total of 20 2-Es targeted the ships and one scored a hit on an xAK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hoorn Islands at 138,157 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 0 minutes Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 4 No Allied losses Japanese Ships xAK Hokuroku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/11/2018 4:11:18 AM)
As I was about to be relieved that nothing went terribly awry on the day, the final combat event was not pleasant. An allied sub spotted the CVL Shoho and scored a torpedo hit, which caused an ammo storage explosion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Yasawa Islands at 130,158 Japanese Ships CVL Shoho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Sagiri DD Shirakumo DD Fubuki Allied Ships SS Grenadier Ammo storage explosion on CVL Shoho The Shoho is in serious trouble. It has 9 fires, 22 system damage, and 49 flotation damage. It will make it to Luganville if the fires can be extinguished and if it encounters no more submarines. I left the Shoho in its TF, which will move to link up with the main body and the 2nd and 3rd wave TFs. I removed all the pilots from both A6M2 squadrons into the general reserve. I am grateful, at least, for the opportunity to rescue the pilots, should something else go amiss. There were 12 TRACOM eligible pilots aboard, including 2 aces, and the rest were in the high 70s in experience. We shall see if Shoho can swim through the large concentration of allied subs to the safety of Luganville and then Tulagi, then Rabaul, then Honshu. If it does survive, it will be out of the war until late 1942. Tomorrow should be an interesting day. Apbarog has withdrawn all of his fighters from Noumea again. I wonder if he will try a CAP trap at Suva or Nadi tomorrow. If he transfers another large group of fighters into Suva, Tanaka may have a surprise for him, assuming those PT boats have to replenish some time. They fired all of their torpedos at the DMS and could not possibly have any fuel, so they should not be able to sortie in the PM phase to interfere with Tanaka's surprise. The DMS did not detect a minefield at Suba, but I do not believe that there is no minefield at Suva. The DMS performed very poorly... frustrating.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/11/2018 5:02:26 AM)
I think that I am going to land the follow up waves at Nadi without capturing the port. They are moving into position for a landing the day after tomorrow. They will suffer probably 40% or more of their devices disabled upon landing and not be in a condition to mount an offensive for a month or more, I would guess. This will be a long campaign on Fiji, so I will need to build up Hoorn Island and capture Tanna as well. I have 3 SNLFs prepped to nearly 80% for Tanna. Tanna is 12 hexes (extended range for A6M2s) from Nadi, but A6M2s there can cover additional movements between Luganville and Fiji (bombardment and resupply groups) when the CVs are not available. Invading Tanna an reinforcing Hoorn Island will be my next moves. Where are the U.S. CVs? When and how will they respond? Will I get another chance to destroy them in what appears to be a long campaign on Fiji similar to the historical campaign on Guadalcanal? I suspect that I will. Of course, the U.S. will have an opportunity to sink KB as well. Interesting times, and both Apbarog and I agree that the situation is in doubt there for both sides. Whatever the case, the longer the action is centered in SoPAC, the longer TKs can move from the DEI to Japan unmolested.

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/11/2018 1:53:56 PM)
EVERY 12 HOURS you step on Fiji are just earned

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/11/2018 4:16:26 PM)
Apbarog's use of his submarines has been exemplary in this game. He has clustered his submarines in large concentrations around the Schwerpunkt of the Japanese advance and remained patient. Nearly 3 weeks passed in-game without any allied submarine attacks on any Japanese ship. Rather than dispersing his force and searching for targets, he kept them concentrated in the region. His submarines saved New Caledonia by hitting Hiryu and Soryu, of course, but more important, they torpedoed 2 CAs in a TF that was set up to run from Koumac to Noumea daily to bombard Noumea, disable the airfield, and soften the allied position for a ground attack. Hitting these 2 CAs with torpedos forced me to wait 3 weeks to complete the campaign on New Caledonia, because most of the fleet was in need of service after the rapid DEI campaign and then moving directly into the SoPac campaign. 3 days before I returned to New Caledonia to finish Noumea, he was able to reinforce the position. It is fair to say that, so far, his submarines have been his most valuable weapon and if I am unable to close the Pacific fuel and supply route to Australia, it is because of his submarine campaign. He has also been lucky with his subs. They do not seem to fire duds often when they have fired on my capital ships. In fact, only 1 torpedo hit on my capital ships has been a dud, and these have come mostly from U.S. subs.

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/12/2018 2:14:12 PM)
13 June 1942. I withdrew the 1st wave TF, though they had 7K supply yet to offload and sent Tanaka's TF into bombard Suva in an attempt to punish a CAP trap. The bombardment was not entirely effective and Nachi did not fire any rounds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Suva at 132,160 Allied aircraft no flights Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk: 30 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed on ground P-400 Airacobra: 4 damaged P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground C-33: 2 damaged C-33: 2 destroyed on ground F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 damaged PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground Japanese Ships BB Mutsu BB Nagato CA Ashigara CA Nachi Allied ground losses: 160 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled) Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled) Airbase hits 8 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 17 Port hits 6 F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Mutsu BB Mutsu firing at Suva BB Nagato firing at Suva CA Ashigara firing at Suva CA Nachi firing at Suva I failed to route one of my TFs correctly with waypoints, and it strayed 2 hexes from the main body. It came under attack by 12 Kingfishers. Fortunately, one squadron of Zuiho's fighters was still set to range 1 on CAP and they intercepted the Kingfishers, downing a few and preventing any hits on the TF (which is carrying 3 armored regiments). Air losses for the day show another 22 allied planes destroyed for 5 Japanese.

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/12/2018 2:16:50 PM)
Where are the CVEs? Philippines?

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/12/2018 2:41:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner Where are the CVEs? Philippines? A 3rd CVE arrived 2 days ago at Nagasaki. The other 2 covered the landings at Luzon and are now 1 day from Nagasaki to link up with the new arrival. They may then move to SoPac, or they move to the Indian Ocean to cover the coast of Malaysia and Rangoon along with a CA TF. After some bombardments of Bataan, the old BBs will move to Singapore and be available for action in the Indian Ocean as well later in 1942. My position in Burma remains weak, and I am vulnerable at the moment to a serious allied offensive in the West. Shoho survived the day, managed to extinguish the 9 fires, and even repaired 5 points of flotation damage. She has a chance now to get to safety. We shall see what develops today. I mishandled the planning for this Fiji campaign. I should have prepped all of my units for Nadi, especially given the very low quality of my recon and the fact that I had only 5 weeks of preparation time: not enough to reach 100% for either target. This second and third wave are going to be in poor condition after landing, and I will be delayed a month in launching the offensive on Suva because I will have so many disabled devices. Apbarog will have ample time to reinforce his position. The only way that I can think to turn this to my advantage is to try to ambush his move to reinforce the island and try to strike his CVs again. Building up Hoorn Islands will the key to any further success that I will have in SoPac. Apbarog seems a little tense and little frustrated. He does not realize, yet, that I planned this campaign poorly and that I will not be able to take Fiji rapidly.

adarbrauner -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/12/2018 4:42:02 PM)
He can be rightly frustrated only by your airfield bombardments...so then, if he met a capable opponent should he be frustrated because of this??

Aurorus -> RE: Argentina vs. USA: Aurorus (J) vs. Apbarog (A) (3/12/2018 5:13:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adarbrauner He can be rightly frustrated only by your airfield bombardments...so then, if he met a capable opponent should he be frustrated because of this?? It can be a very frustrating game. I have been frustrated recently in my other game with Opilot, receiving several poor performances from the IJN in major battles where I have been unable to score any clear victories despite having a superior force present for the battle. It is tense, I suspect, for the allies at this point in the war. I doubt that my Schwerpunkt will reach the destination of Vava'u and completely cut the Pacific route to Australia. However, the Japanese player wants to create the illusion of invincibility in 1942, and up to this point, I have been able to maintain the illusion. It is an illusion, however. In real terms, the Japanese fleet is actually smaller than the combined allied fleet. My air production, using so many engines for R&D, is not much greater than the allied air production. The "mighty" Schwerpunkt is 5 light divisions, and it exists only because I have 150 elite A6M2 pilots and a shorter supply line, especially for fuel, than the allies. Once Apbarog can sortie his entire fleet routinely and maintain a high pace of operations, the illusion, and the Schwerpunkt will crumble to dust. Apbarog knows this, but the illusion of Japanese invincibility can be hard to dispel, even for those who know it is an illusion.

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