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John 3rd -> RE: The Shattered Sword: John 3rd vs. Anachro--BTS (8/26/2019 2:37:28 PM)
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June 11-12, 1943
The Coral Sea
Once it became obvious that the vast majority of the Allied Fleet was deployed to the Coral Sea, the Japanese shifted into the more 'Confederate' mentality. The enemy's Fleet CVs have too strong of CAP to penetrate head-on so how can we hurt the enemy enough to move him AWAY from the bases that are threatened, lost, or in trouble?
The plan for the 10th was to send in the remaining CVs of the Japanese Eastern TF while coming in from the West with CVLs and a couple of faster CVE. Goal here was to bushwhack the retiring Allied shipping and draw the main American Carrier Force south away from Kavieng, Manus, and Hansa Bay. That plan worked with the Japanese carriers scoring a nice tally in the south of CVE Prince William, Copahee, Altamaha, several DMS and APA, a bunch of PT-Boats, with then damage done to BB Maryland and Washington, another CVE, and BC Constellation.
The plan WORKS as the 11th sees the Americans pull their carriers southwards to deal with the real threat to the rear of their lines.
June 11th
We'll so the damage base-by-base:
Kavieng--Fighters are moved into the Lvl-1 AF from Rabaul to provide direct CAP. The shipping at this base is subjected to multiple attacks from Rabaul and Truk. Even Japanese Emily are brought in as Torpedo Planes! Morning Strikes consist of 50 Jill, 7 Emily, 9 Emily, 7 Nell, 16 Nell, and 15 Emily. Afternoon strikes comprise: 7 Nell, 22 Nell, 11 Emily, and 7 Judy. Ships sunk include AP Matsonia, 4 AK, 3 AP, 1 APA, 1 DMS with torpedoes also striking 4 AP, 3 AK, and several smaller escort ships. Several THOUSAND troops and hundreds of vehicles are killed/destroyed.
Port Moresby--This base is bombarded by BB's Yamato and Musashi. Several planes are destoyed, over 50 are damaged, with 288 Cas, and the Runways take 26 hits.
Lae has 4 Invasion TF unloading at it. This does not look positive.
Manus--Troops taken from the now failed Kavieng Invasion begin landing here. High Landing casualties occur. A naval Guard defends here with 4 engineering units. That isn't much to fight with...
Horn Isle--Five DDs sweep south and destroy yet another 6 PT-Boats.
Hansa Bay--This juicy target is waiting to be plucked and a strike of 43 TB fly in only to lose their Fighter Escort and be slaughtered by just 18 F4F defending the landing forces. STUPID! Several do get through and put a Torp into CLAA Prince Rupert. An afternoon strike keeps its Zero Escort and 65 Fighters sweep into the anchorage with CVE Tangier taking a pair of TTs.
Namatanai (East of Rabaul)--A Strike of 18 DB sink 2 AK and damage an AP inflicting troop casualties.
A STF of CA Takao and 4 DDs find a set of AOs and pummel DD Caldwell and 2 AOs. NICE!
Total Allied losses for the day: AP-4, AK-6, APA-1, DMS-1, and PT-6. Damage is done to a CVE, CLAA, DD, 2 AO, 6 AP, and 5 AK.
Japanese Losses see that only that terrible strike at Hansa costs Japanese anything important.
Movement
1. The Eastern Japanese CVs move NNE towards Kwajalein and successfully disengage with out issue.
2. DITTO the Western TFs moving back to Horn.
3. The slightly damaged Japanese CVs and slower Junyo-Hiyo make for Kwajalein for fuel, replacement planes, and supply.
4. Order several STF into the fray to strike at Hansa Bay and Namatanai.
Plans
1. CV HIryu and Soryu come out of their upgrades--finally--at Singapore. CV's Akagi and Kaga are just five days past that.
2. We'll see what the enemy does? Will he move back north or stay south? Set the planes at Lunga to a strike range of 8 to see if anything comes eastward.
3. I have THREE Infantry Divisions approaching the area. Enemy's timing SUCKS in that these ID were destined for Wewak, Aitape, and Manus!
4. Move the warships away from Horn so we can join up with other carriers and bring the BBs up to Truk.
June 12th
LOTS of action. There is some give-and-take though this day.
Sea Action
2 DDs heading for Tagula run smack dab into an American BB TF with the modern South Dakota, Georgia (named for Mister Roper's proud state!), and North Carolina. The DDs try to get close but settle for damage to several enemy DDs and they dodge nearly all the enemy's shells. Hey--at least they live to tell about it!
Namatanai--CA Takao and 3 DD slam into a TF sinking several laden AKs and damaging Pres Coolige, 2 AP, 4 AK, and a DM. More troops are killed in the sinkings!
Hansa Bay--3 CA, CL Yubari, and a DD SMASH into an Invasion Force here. These warriors sink an APA, 2 AK, 2 AP, and 2 APD before heading for home (Hollandia).
Major Air Action
1. Sure enough, the enemy moves slightly closer to Lunda and strikes by 18 DB and 7 TB hit CA's Cornwall (2B) and Dorsetshire (1TT), as well as DD Henley (1B).
2. From Rabaul flies a strike into the central Coral Sea. The attack of 75 F and 52 TB blast through a CAP of 15 F4F and plant 6 TT into CVE ELy, 2 TT into CVE Langley, and 2 TT into CA Houston. NICE! Ely sinks during the combat replay.
3. DB from Rabaul hit several AKs and an AP at Namatanai.
4. A Liz Night Strike at Townsville hits BB Colorado and the crippled BC Constellation each with a Bomb.
5. As feared, the Allied CVs move back north and plant themselves between Manus and Hansa Bay. They fly two strikes at the Cruiser TF retiring from Hansa's glorious action. CL Yubari is sunk by 3 TTs and CA Ashigara takes a pair of TTs. Ashigara is OK and can make 18 knots. It will make Hollandia tomorrow. Move a BUNCH of fighters in to set-up a CAP Trap.
6. A strike by SBD sinks DD Ariake in the Coral Sea.
NEW ACTION
Addu Atoll in the IO is assaulted by five Allied Ground Forces in two Invasion TFs. Diego Garcia has a force of 18 Nells and they attack both day and afternoon. Total for the day there is 2 LCI(L) sunk and damage to an AMC. The Shock Attack is at 4-1 dropping Forts to ZERO. Addu will fall next turn.
No Allied aircover means these ships are vulnerable...hmmm...
Summation:
My SS ML drop two minefields blocking off the retirement through the strait west of New Ireland and east of New Guinea. They aren't much but 80 mines in each hex immediately score a pair of mine hits.
THREE Sinking sounds are heard during the damage phases of the turn.
KNOWN Sinkings for the day: CVE Ely, 1 APA, 2 LCI(L), 2 AP, 4 AK, and 2 APD.
Damage done to CVE Langley, CA HOuston, 3 AP, 4 AK, an AMC, and a DM.
Japanese losses are some strike aircraft who attacked the enemy carriers, CL Yubari, and DD Ariake.
The enemy adds an Inf Div to the Manus assault and takes the base. CRAP! Gonna have to deal with that.
Successfully withdraw the Cargo TF, 2 BB TF, and the CVL--CVE TF from Horn.
Pretty wild and confusing fight but those are the last couple of days worth of action. Hope it makes some sense...
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