The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom

The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (Full Version)

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toraq -> The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/18/2004 7:22:21 PM)
Our second game, but this time I´ll play the IJN. Just some characteristics 1) We play scenario 8, 100% commitment, Japs subs off, and some house rules a) No more than 70% of CAP over CV TF b) Land based air units not able to operate from CV c) Only 2 sqd. can attack at night d) No decoy TF 2) This scenario is 3 months long (Oct 42- Dic 42), with Allies up 100 points. 3) Allies are well spread out the Coral Sea: Lunga in Marines hands, as well as GG and PM. 4) Forces available As I´m now (in scenario 19) playing as Allies I know well how many forces they have. I´ll make some comparisons: a) Air power 8 Zero Datais, 1 Oscar Datai, 4 Betty Datais and 3 Nells Datai: 205 Zeroes, 79 Betties and 42 Nells, 36 Oscar vs. 3 F4F sqd, 5 P-40 sqd, at least 6 sqd of P-39(or P400): 70 F4F, 100 P-40 and 120 P-39 6 to 8 B-26 sqd, 8-10 Heavies, 2 Hudson sqd, 2 B-25 sqd, 2 A-20 sqd: 100 B-26, 100 B-17, 36 Hudson, 36 B-25, 36 A-20. Also got 5-7 C-47 sqd, which give him a lot of flexibility Allies are quite superior in numbers but quality is in our side. 100 Heavies are enough to put any airport out of action in one attack. Naval Power I got 6 BB!! 2 CV, one 1 CVL and one CVE. many CA and DD, 5 APD, 4 ML, 20 APs... Reinforces will come in the form of 2 CV!!! (53 a/c each) 2 BB and more CA and APs My opponet has 1 BB and one to two CV. I calculate 10 CA, unlimited DD, deadly CL and enough APs Here the superiority of the IJN is obvious. But Allies got enough power to strike back and to defend quite hard. Surface Power I got some regiments in Guadalcanal, in Tassafaroga?, but need supplies now. In the Shortlands rest my crack regiments He has the entire 1st Marine Division and also 1 Rgt of the second. Americal Division, 2 more INF Rgt are present in Noumea. Troops presence in GG and PM, but it seems to me that some Australian cities are without INF Rgt. Marines will put a fierce fight and he has enough reserves to reinforce any weak point in his defensive line (PM-GG-Lunga) Strategic Options I need to get VP if I want to win the game. I need to take the offensive although I don´t have a overwhelming power. On the other hand, his power gets bigger everyday so the sooner the better!! Now I´m studying two options a) The invasion of Lunga: bomb, isolate and assault the island. This would give me about 240 VP and as many as that figure if I exterminate his Marine garrison. This could give me the victory. b) The invasion of GG: GG has 180 VP. It´s a good base from which I can threaten some Aus. bases (Caims and Cooktown) which got 1200 VP. This wil surely give me the victory but it would be far more difficult to get.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/18/2004 9:52:36 PM)
Some action...allied activity is minimun. I know why. He is deploying BF, support units and planes to the front line. This will take some time, but not much. To prove the brave of my pilots I launched 2 sweeps missions to PM. Air to air losses 4 on jap. side vs 6 on allied side. A small victory [:'(] AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/02/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 11 P-40E Warhawk x 12 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft J1N1-R Irving x 2 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 11 P-40E Warhawk x 11 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 5 damaged And here is a map of the Guadalcanal area [image]local://upfiles/14447/Bz782118207.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/19/2004 8:51:18 PM)
Here is the last combat report. Due to a terrible headache [sm=00000007.gif] (a friend´s birthday is guilty), I was unable to post another one. Not much to say but no presence of Allied forces except an air attack to Buna. 6 P-39 shot down due to AA [;)]. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/04/42 Weather: Thunderstorms Sub attack at 21,30 Japanese Ships DD Isokaze Allied Ships SS Sculpin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40 *First Tokio Express with 2 BB and 2 CA escorted by DD** Allied aircraft Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed Allied ground losses: Men lost 186 Vehicles lost 1 Airbase hits 9 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 66 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,37 Japanese Ships ML Hoko Allied Ships SS Grampus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 34,37 Allied Ships SS Grampus

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/19/2004 9:32:06 PM)
More strategic thoughts Well, I don´t know where to hit (yet). Lunga or GG. I decided to wait and see what happens. My naval presence in Short (just in the middle) allow me to strike GG or Lunga. If my opponent reinforce Lunga massively (which he could) I will have to invade GG. Or if he decides to empty GG to hit Buna, I will surprise him with an invasion. Now I sum up some information about different things Lunga It seems to me that he is not reinforcing the Garrison there. No troops, no planes, no supplies. Maybe he doesn´t want to commit more troops to avoid high supply requirements. I think he is making a mistake. Now I have my entire fleet there. I divided my warships in three TF which will turn to bomb Lunga everyday. Tomorrow I will have mined the route to Lunga and Tulagi, making it difficult to FT supplies or troops. Soon, I´ll get two more CV which will allow me to completely isolate the island. Moreover, in a week or so, a new airport will be ready in Vella Lavella so I will LCAP Lunga to avoid air supply. When he feels the lack of supplies he will have to do big efforts to supply the Garrison. This will be a good opportunity to force a favourable naval battle. Submarine Warfare This is one thing that worries me a lot. He has many SS. I´ve already discovered some near Rabaul, Short and Truk. I´ve send 3 CS packed with floatplanes which will protect ships around Lunga. (especially when Tokio Express is around) I´ve changed the usual routes to bomb Lunga just to avoid the subs. near Short. Some Vals and Emilys have been cahnged to ASW patrol, TF with 10 or more DD are patrolling hot areas. No success yet. Air opperations I´m building Buka, Buin and Short airports, along with a new one in Vella Lavella. This will give me some flexibility to maintain an air offensive against Lunga (or GG). I have to avoid great concentrations of aircraft in Rabaul: good target for heavies. However I made an exception today. My recon flights have detected almost 400 planes in PM. I decided to send all my bombers there, escorted by Zeroes and with a previous sweep mission. I don´t expect a great success but I want him to feel threatened and thus spending many planes in CAP. Naval warfare My entire fleet is busy transporting troops (mainly to NG) or ready to strike Lunga. When the first thing is done, I will put more DD on ASW patrols Nueva Guinea To my surprise, there are not many Jap. troops here. I´ve ordered many movements. This is the natural area where my enemy has to act. He has a good airport (PM) and many VP available (Buna, Lae). Buna and Lae will be reinforced. 2 Rgt and a strong NG unit will be the main forces in Buna. Also I have to avoid easy invasion of Salamaua or Finschafen with FT missions. Naval Garrisons ordered to these places also. My air presence here will be minimal. I attach a picture of the area. [image]local://upfiles/14447/Ca810888654.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/19/2004 11:07:57 PM)
Well my surprise attack to PM ended in a bloody air battle. Losses have been high for both sides. If I hadn´t lost so many Betties and op. losses, it would have been a IJN success. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/05/42 Weather: Rain Sub attack at 32,32 Japanese Ships BB Yamato [X(][X(] But finally the torpedo missed. Allied Ships SS Sturgeon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on Buna , at 12,38 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 19 P-40E Warhawk x 8 F-5A Lightning x 5 B-26B Marauder x 44 A-20B Havoc x 29 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: Men lost 39 Port hits 2 Port supply hits 1 *******Well he has learned the lesson. His aircraft made the run at 15000 feet. No many losses** SURPRISE ATTACK TO PM** Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft The fighter sweep finds strong CAP A6M3 Zero x 16 Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 18 P-40E Warhawk x 42 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged P-40E Warhawk x 8 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 4 damaged COL K. Kira of 24th Sentai is KILLED This was an excellent pilot [:@] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 45 G3M Nell x 10 G4M1 Betty x 48 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 9 P-40E Warhawk x 28 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged G3M Nell x 1 damaged G4M1 Betty x 9 destroyed ****Too many Betties lost, his CAP manage to reach the bombers***** G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-40E Kittyhawk x 3 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 9 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 3 damaged P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed *On the ground* P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged PO1 V.Murakami of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 2 LCDR F.Ibusuki of G1/Kisarazu Daitai is KILLED Allied ground losses: Men lost 13 Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 19 G3M Nell x 15 G4M1 Betty x 9 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 5 P-40E Warhawk x 20 Japanese aircraft losses G3M Nell x 2 damaged G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 6 destroyed P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed *On the ground* P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged ENS C.Fujiwara of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 2 Allied ground losses: Men lost 12 Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 15 **Second sweep mission of the day**** Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28 Allied aircraft P-40E Kittyhawk x 15 P-40E Warhawk x 15 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 damaged P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged WO E.Green of 8th FS is credited with kill number 3 *My aces only got 2 victories* SLDR L. Jackson of No. 75 Sqn RAAF is KILLED ALLIED NAVAL ATTACKS Many air activity. The 9 SBD of Lunga showed its teeth... Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 17,32 Allied aircraft Beaufort x 12 no losses Japanese Ships PC Ch 12 AP Boston Maru Attacking Level Bombers: 3 x Beaufort at 15000 feet *Too high to get a hit** 9 x Beaufort at 15000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 17,32 Allied aircraft Beaufighter VIC x 24 Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter VIC x 2 damaged Japanese Ships CL Yura CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1 DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire This I call it luck. In our last PBEM, my Beaufighters were quite useless against DD. But here they score 2 hits. Damage from 20 to 30. I guess they will be able to operate in some way -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on TF at 36,35 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 SBD Dauntless x 9 no losses Japanese Ships ML Hoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire At least he was able to mine Tulagi. He is not heavily damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air attack on TF, near Buin at 28,33 Allied aircraft Beaufighter VIC x 21 Allied aircraft losses Beaufighter VIC x 15 damaged ***3 lost**** Japanese Ships BB Haruna CA Haguro Well I think this turn ended in a allied minor victory. They scored some hits, but this had to happen. My ships are spread all over the map and sometimes they take some risks. I had many losses during the attack to PM. I can´t have such attrition rates, specially in bombers. However, this has shown him that PM is not a safe place and thus strong CAP is needed. Also, it is not a good place for heavies.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/19/2004 11:16:42 PM)
The air losses yesterday were (more or less): Allied 21 Warhawks[:D] 8 Kittyhawks 4 P-39 3 Beaufighters Japanese 12 A6M2 6 Oscar 8 Betties The Oscars perform quite well against P-40s. However the morale of the Sentai has dropped to 23, I think due to the loss of the Sentai Commander. Betties did suffer a lot but their morale is still high. Zeroes suffer 6 Op. losses. So only 6 were lost in air to air combats.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/20/2004 1:30:34 AM)
Not much action since I have ordered all my Datais to stand down and rest after yesterday´s big battle. Submarine warfare Today I formed a TF with 18 ships on ASW patrol. They´ll go to the slots Sub attack at 34,36 Japanese Ships PC Ch 6 PC Ch 16 Allied Ships SS Grampus, Shell hits 2, on fire **Well, the first victim of my great ASW effort in the Slot. I´ve already spotted 4 and counting.* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 20,3 Japanese Ships DD Nowaki Allied Ships SS Wahoo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 32,35 Japanese Ships ML Hoko, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (and sunk) Allied Ships SS Sailfish Here, first blood to the US Ground attacks He attacked Lae. I think hoping to catch my planes there (the ones that made the sweeps last day). They´re resting in Wewak! Naval warfare** A lot of movements to avoid submarines. My naval bombers unable to launch an strike against Lunga. [&:]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/20/2004 3:36:19 AM)
Little things to report Lae A-20 attacked the airport. Runway is 90% damaged. Buna Visited by B-26, attacking port facilities. I guess he wants to reduce my supply points. The good thing is that I can supply it with fast transports, with almost no risk. Allied aircraft B-26B Marauder x 40 no losses Japanese ground losses: Men lost 47 Port hits 3 Port fuel hits 2 Port supply hits 1 Lunga I sent the Tokio express today but I forgot to change the order to bomb the place so I failed to strike the base. However I sent some Betties to say hello. No CAP present, so the bomb run was a clear success. Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 19 G3M Nell x 15 G4M1 Betty x 25 Allied aircraft no losses Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: Men lost 124 Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 40 To my surprise he still doesn´t have any AA or CD units there. So I can send my bombers at 3000 feet without losing any of them. Soon Zeroes will fly sweep missions at 100 feet to strafe everything Naval warfare My CV are around Lunga to avoid any enemy attempt to reinforce the place by sea. I´m taking many risks here (due to subs mainly). But this won´t last forever. An island invasion It´s an experiment. I need a place close to Lunga and close to my main Airports to provide a place (beach) when my Tokio Express retires from Lunga. With this I avoid the slot (and thus, his subs). I may use this tactic sometimes Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 249 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Bolitei base !!! Points I´m losing some points. The reason is that he can build bases more quickly than I can. I have to check this up.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/20/2004 3:58:02 AM)
Operational MAP [image]local://upfiles/14447/Vt560963422.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/20/2004 6:18:29 PM)
Lunga I bombed again, scoring many hits in the Airbase facilities. After that, my naval bombers did their job quite well, bombing everything that moved down there. My escort figthers were unable to intercept the enemy CAP and one Val was shot down. My air offensive against Lunga is going quite well. Not so well under a naval point of view, as you may see now Submarine warfare Almost a heart attack. Two submarine attacks to the Tokio express. One on a BB, the other on a CA. No hits scored, but this turns the Tokio express a very dangerous thing. He got the entire SS fleet there, but he is diverting the attention of Buna and NG. My ships go there, again and again with no opposition. Two ASW patrols activated. One with PC (for short range) one with DD to hit subs near Lunga without being attacked by SDB. More DD will be put on ASW in a week or so, when my reinforce effort in NG come to an end. NG Lae´s airport still damaged. Oscar´s morale below 50. I think I´m going to put them in Vella Lavella, close to Lunga to get easy victories to increase the morale. One SNLF in its way to Salamaua from Kavieng One SNLF will reinforce Lunga from Rabaul 4th NG complete (100 assault points) in Buna + one AA unit I put some bombers in night naval attack. I´ve never tried. Let´s see if they can only launch an strike. Air warfare Still no B-17 presence. This a surprise to say the least. I don´t want to be confident, so I rotate my datais almost everyday using the available airports of the Solomons Island

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/20/2004 8:30:18 PM)
Tokio express Again I made a mistake and a TF was sent to Lunga in surface combat and patrol orders. It could have been disastrous, but Lunga is so severly damaged that could not send some planes out. [:'(] Anyway, I have to be more careful. Lunga Today it was visited by my betties as it´s going to be tomorrow. No opposition was found and my Zeroes strafed and killed some men. Buna More than 60 bombers there. My CAP was able to shoot down 1. Poor results but he will surely send more escorts in the future. Buna supplies going down. Reinforces Tomorrow I get new ships. DD will be sent to escort AP or to ASW TF. CL will be used as FT to NG. They are maravellous doing this. [image]local://upfiles/14447/Nl296467572.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 4:39:38 AM)
Lunga My surface combat TF ("the mistake") arrived at Rabaul safe. Now all my battleships have been replenished and got fuel and ammunition to visit Henderson Field. Everything goes fine, faster than expected, mostly due to enemy inactivity. Submarine warfare I think most submarines are trying to intercept my carriers. No more sub spotting along the slots. Now they´ve moved inside the Coral Sea. My ASW patrols are failing to detect subs. so I send them to where naval search planes spotted subs last turn. Carriers I sent them in a hit and run mission in an area between Lunga and Luganville. No enemy ships spotted Air activity My planes bombed Lunga but my escort fighters again failed to intercept. Why?. They hit hard the place but Henderson Field is now operative. No more enemy activity. It seems that my enemy is waiting. Probably they will show their faces (better to sasy this in spanish, "jeta") when I send my invasion to GG or Lunga.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 6:51:02 PM)
Yesterday, South Pacific area Sorry for not writting yesterday (if anyone is reading). However nothing happened. I kept my pressure against Lunga one more day: a Tokio Express visit that ended with the Chikuma? torpedoed (although little damage was done, 13,13,0) and some Nells dropping bombs. Again his CAP intercepted my bombers without engaging my escort figthers. Rabaul´s was heavily bombed by B-17. At last they showed their teeth. I launched a night mission against PM with poor results TODAY´S REPORT Tokio express One more run with the same ships that raided tha airfield yesterday. But this time his retirement path was different. Set the Home Base Buna and they skip the subs in the slots. However they were spotted and attacked by beauforts from GG. No hits and 2 of them lost. And I guess morale´s squadron depleted. Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40 Allied ground losses: Men lost 119 Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 110 Port fuel hits 1 Air warfare No more air activity. My bombers are resting and my fighters are also resting or doing CAP missions. Incredibly his B-17 didn´t fly again. [:'(] Good, very good! Rabaul I guess he doesn´t know but his attack to Rabaul was so devastating that the airfield is closed. Runway damage was 81 and air service 30 or so. I got few engineers in Rabaul (60) so the bombers and fighters there are still trapped. I need them! This is the main drawback of deploying engineers in every airport. They are so few that it takes several days to open the runway again. I´ll try to solve it moving some engineers from Buna. I got 180, and they finally managed to build up another fort level. I´ll send some Emilys to fly them to Rabaul. Lunga Everything is almost ready for the big moment. In the next post I will write the details of operation Kentoku.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 8:02:05 PM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/16/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy Submarine warfare Another TK torpedoed. When they´re hit they burn like matches. I think this one will survive but not sure. Some escorts found a sub (don´t know exactly where) but they failed to launch depth charges. My ASW patrols found nothing![:@]. I need to clear the slot for the invasion of Lunga!!![:(] The good news: the CA torpedoed two days ago is almost repaired!!!. Only 13 sys damaged. Flotability reduced to 4. I realized that there is one ship in Tulagi´s port. I guess it is the SS previously hit, some turns ago. Air warfare B-17 over Rabaul. Rabaul destroyed from corner to corner. Some aircraft written off on the ground. Runway and Service damage are 91 and 56 [X(]. Morale among my bombers is still quite high (except the Nells heavily damaged during this day). Enemy lost 3 B-17 and 1 B-24. Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 15 **They fight with enthusiasm but with poor results Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 78 B-24D Liberator x 10 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed by a B-24 A6M3 Zero x 5 damaged G3M Nell x 4 destroyed G3M Nell x 9 damaged G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: Men lost 129 Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 8 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 114 Port hits 3 Lunga invasion** Preparing a map for this...

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 8:09:35 PM)
I forgot to tell you. A IJN ML was attacked when mining a place near GG. He fired with everything and shot down 1 Beaufort. A medal is underway!!! This is why I like UV more than WitP. I enjoy this little battles, and watch them without skipping. In WitP only big battles are looked with interest. Small battles are mostly skipped. Combat replays are too long Allied aircraft Beaufort x 7 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort x 1 destroyed Beaufort x 1 damaged Japanese Ships ML Hirashima But finally was caught by those devastating torpedoes!. I think he will survive. Allied aircraft Beaufort x 3 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort x 1 damaged Japanese Ships ML Hirashima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Fux -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 8:50:06 PM)
I really enjoy reading the AARs from you and your opponent Mr. "Viking" Timtom [;)]. I especially like those maps! Exzellent read and a lot to learn from you! Suerte para la invasión de Lunga! Fux

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 9:03:37 PM)
Operation KENTOKU IJN forces committed for Lunga invasion Carrier Force 1: commander Fujita CV Zuikaku, Junyo CVL Zuiho Escorts: BB Yamato, 2 CA, 5 DD A/C: 64 Zeroes, 44 Vals, 40 Kates Carrier force 2: commander Joshima CV Shokaku, CV Hiyo Escorts: Mutsu, 1 CA, 5 DD A/C: 46 Zeroes, 44 Vals, 27 Kates Mission: provide CAP to invasion TF. Prevent any enemy attempt to attack invasion TF with air or carrier forces Invasion TF Invasion group 1 10 AP, 5 DD, 1 MSW, 1 PG Troops carried: 16th and 29th Rgt (2nd Division), 2nd division HQ, 9th Ind AT. Invasion group 2 11 AP, 3 DD, 1 MSW Troops carried : 228th and 229th Rgt (38th Division), 38th Division HQ, 4th FA Rgt Troops ready to be transported by FT missions 230 Rgt Plus elements of the 38th ARM, 1 Recon Btll., elements of 29th Rgt. which refiused to load into the transports!! Mission: support landings in Lunga, avoiding enemy counterattack while disembarking Assaul troops in Tassafaronga 3 INF regiments (35 brigade and 2nd Division) reduced to the streght of 1 Rgt. 3 ART Rgt. (elements) Mission: support landings in Lunga, avoiding enemy counterattack while disembarking SURFACE TF TF Gold: commander Komatsu BB Nagato and Musasi (plus probably Yamato) 2 CA, 1 CL, 5 DD Mission: defend invasion TF from enemy surface units TOKIO EXPRESS TF Tanaka: Commander Tanaka 5 CA, 5 DD Mission: Fast reaction TF, and Tokio Express TF TF Kongo: Commander Nishimura BB Kongo, BB Hiei 3 CA, 5 DD TF Kirishima COmmander Matsuyama BB Kirishima BB Haruna, 3 DD Mission: hit and run Henderson Field, avoiding further use of the airport ASW PATROLS TF Bear: 15 PCs, DD and PG TF Wolf: 16 APDs. DD and PC Mission: search and destroy enemy subs in the slots FALSE CARRIER FORCE 1 CVE, 2 CS, 5 DD A/C: none only float planes Mission: confuse enemy spotting, so he think some CV are North of Lunga. Attract enemy subs. AIR SUPPORT In Vella Lavella: f2/ 1st Datai, 24 Sentai Number of planes: 26 Oscar, 24 Zero Mission: LCAP invasion TF Shortlands: f2/Tainan Datai and F1/Tainan Datai Numbers: around 40 Zeroes Mission: LCAP invasion TF Buin: 2 Datais of Betties, 1 of Nell. F1/6th Datai Numbers: 53 bombers and 20 Zeroes Mission: attack Henderson Field facilities Buka: f1/ Tainan Datai and F1/253 Datai Numbers: 42 Zeroes Mission: Tactical reserve SUBMARINES 6 SS Mission: cut enemy supply lines to Lunga Ufff the entire IJN fleet is committed for this mission. Exceptions: planes trapped in Rabaul and some DD in FT mission. I didn´t mention the ML which are mining hexes in Lunga and TK and so. As I said, every ship is supporting thius operation.

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 9:04:43 PM)
THE MAP with the position of every ship [image]local://upfiles/14447/Lj237031537.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 9:05:50 PM)
Sorry that was NOT the MAP!!!!!!!!!!![:@] THIS is the MAP [image]local://upfiles/14447/Nl293309003.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 10:41:01 PM)
Thx Fux. I really appreciate your words. I´m spending a lot of time doing maps but I think the moment deserves it. OPERATION ORDERS Destroy enemy air capacity Carrier divisions will escort the two invasion TFs for one turn. Then they will launch a massive strike against Henderson Field using Vals and Kates. After that they´ll move to a place southeast of Lunga, just to threaten any enemy movement to hit the invasion group. I don´t want a carrier battle because I can lose more VP that I can get. (Damaged carriers are very weak to sub attacks). My primary mission is to invade Lunga and avoid future reinforcement efforts. Protect the ships TF Gold is a very strong surface combat TF which is ideal to protect the invasion ships against any enemy attempt to sink the AP. Intelligence says that there is no CD presence at Lunga [:)] Tokio express The other TF will hit Lunga continuously, doing runs every turn, using the clockwise route. If some enemy ships are spotted, they will help to destroy them. Spot enemy presence One AV will be sent as an alarm ship. Its mission will be to spot enemy ships approaching to Lunga area from Noumea or Luganville. Air cover Once the invasion group reaches Lunga, land based Zeroes will provide LCAP. This is when the invasion group is weaker. That´s why I send my carriers to avoid massive air missions (especially from his SBD) ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO AVOID OPERATION KENTOKU 1) Carrier strike: enemy power is maybe two CV. Fortunately CVE don´t come until late 42. (if my memory is right). 2 CV are not enough to beat my CVs, but who knows?. Anyway, IJN CV mission is to scare away enemy CV not to engage them! 2) Surface TF to Lunga: 3 BB including the best IJN ships should be enough also. And IJN carriers are around 3) Massive air strikes from Henderson. That´s why my Tokio Express is going to hit Lunga everyday (if possible). 4) Massive B-17 air strikes: I´m sure he will use them in Lunga battle. If he put them in naval attack I don´t know what could happen. Anyway he was attacking Rabaul two days ago. That means two or three days needed to deploy them within Lunga range. 5) Submarine attacks: His powerful resource. My ASW didn´t hit any in the last week or so. But I have to keep going. No other choice I guess

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 11:12:19 PM)
OPERATIONAL MAP [image]local://upfiles/14447/Mk249638348.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/21/2004 11:47:57 PM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/18/42 Weather: Clear The power has been unleashed... Operation Kentoku is underway, just as planned. No enemy reaction yet!. I don´t know if this is good or bad. I put everything to get this right but, Is there any real threat that my enemy hides beyond my spotting planes? Tokio Express Good results. Tanaka always does a good job.[:)]. But one sub contact has made the clokwise route quite dangerous. Next turn I send 2 TF to bomb Lunga. If enemy decides to put his planes there he is going to meet a little surprise. Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40 Allied ground losses: Men lost 83 Airbase hits 10 Airbase supply hits 3 Runway hits 102 Submarines warfare Many contacts. Vals are doing a good job. SS-37 was reported hit and latter sunk. On the opposite side, ASW patrols are not as good sinking subs. SS-40 was attacked several times and I guess it may has some fuel problems now. Air attacks on Lunga Fighter sweep meet some success against Lunga CAP. I guess it´s the height. It´s frustrating to see how they manage to take off even when heavily bombed the previous night. These americans are tough guys. Vals and Kates bomb everything at Henderson. 1 reported lost due to CAP Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 28 D3A Val x 69 B5N Kate x 64 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 Japanese aircraft losses D3A Val x 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: Men lost 125 Airbase hits 11 Runway hits 58

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 1:59:25 AM)
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/19/42 Weather: Thunderstorms Lunga Yes!. My transports went through the line of enemy subs with no losses.[8D]. They didn´t unloaded any troops yet, but some elements of the 230th Rgt. were FT there and Tassafaroga troops arrived just at the expected moment. Enough troops to resist any attempt to overun Jap. position. When all troops land at Lunga, I will have more than 600 assault points there. This should defeat the Marines. But unloading this troops will take its time. Same with the FT troops. Only 400 sent today. All my CL have been moved there to help in this task. However, navigating across the slots is everything but save. In case my troops are not enough to overun the Marines, some reinforces have just arrived in Truk and are now on its way to Short. Submarine warfare Many contacts today. This time one DD was heavily damaged. Japanese Ships ML Tsugaru Allied Ships SS Swordfish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese Ships *near Rabaul* DD Urakaze Allied Ships SS Pickerel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese Ships TK Kokuyo Maru Allied Ships SS Snapper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 38,37 Japanese Ships ML Tsugaru Allied Ships SS Swordfish Sub attack at 34,37 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese Ships DD Minekaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage BB Haruna CA Atago Allied Ships SS S-46 No enemy activity. It is good but my resources are getting tired. Sys damage is increasing in capital ships and some good pilots dead due to op. losses. However, my fleet is almost entire. Today even the CA torpedoed some days ago joined his counterparts in another run to H. Field. Tanaka´s likes to visit Guadalcanal[8D]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 3:05:37 AM)
Lunga invasion Good news!. Most ground forces have already landed there. I got 500 assault points already and increasing. Next turn I´ll probably attack the Marines to see how many forts he managed to build. I think his supplies have to be very low cos, since I blocked Lunga (3 days ago) no C-47 nor FT have been sent to Lunga. Tokio express Allied ground losses: Men lost 59 Airbase hits 4 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 35 Port hits 1 I guess I said before but yesterday two Tokio Express runs were made. Good results. H. Field definately closed. Submarine warfare One more CL torpedoed by allied subs. Severe damage. It seems that most contacts occur with small TF. IJN ASW capabilities are a sht but there´s no other way, man. Due to weather, no subs were spotted by my airplanes.[:(] I´m thinking about increasing ASW TF to 20 or so ships. This may help, don´t you think? Air warfare* I plan to start bombing his forces. Some have been already damaged, as Tokio Express stated in his after action reports, but disruption is everything in ground combat. Moreover, due to his lack of supplies disable units and disruption will be difficult to remove. Rabaul If he doesn´t send his bombers again, tomorrow the airport will be open again. Yes, guys, all these days Rabaul was closed, with no air activity and 100 planes trapped there[:-]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 5:03:09 AM)
Well guys, I don´t know if my men are tired, but I´m almost broken. I´ve been playing against timtom the whole day and now I´m confusing orders and that kind of things. But I´m sure my troops deserve this and more. BANZAI!!![sm=00000036.gif] AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/21/42 Weather: Overcast Buna Bombed yesterday. Supplies below request number. Send more supplies using FT. Air attack on Buna , at 12,38 Allied aircraft A-20B Boston x 15 B-26B Marauder x 30 A-20B Havoc x 26 Allied aircraft losses B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: Men lost 54 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 1 Lunga invasion Like the Allies during the Normandy? landings, I expected enemy low attacks on shipping. But my Zeroes patrolled the skies and nothing was found. Nothing? Yesterday, Tokio Express could not bomb Lunga and this was the result: 1st attack Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 3------Allied aircraft losses: SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Kirishima 2nd attack Japanese aircraft *CAP over invasion TF* A6M2 Zero x 13 A6M3 Zero x 8 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 3----Allied aircraft losses: SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed 3rd attack Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 9 A6M3 Zero x 7 Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 3---Allied aircraft losses: SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed x 2 damaged Japanese Ships DD Kawakaze No hits were scored but what would have happened if instead of 3 they had been 13 or 30, with some escorts??? I guess some hit would have been scored... I think my enemy has lost the opportunity to hit me hard. I got 600 assault points there (and increasing) and I´ve ordered a deliberate attack. Let´s see what happens. Rabaul No man, I was wrong. Still closed 50, 50 or so. [:(]. Need those planes!! [image]local://upfiles/14447/Ge953642256.jpg[/image]

Fux -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 10:00:17 AM)
quote: I´m thinking about increasing ASW TF to 20 or so ships Although the manual states (11.4) that TFs with more than 15 ships only negatively affects their ability to defend themselves against air and surface attacks (and not sub attacks) and that the effectivenes of the ASW is also determined by the number of ships (11.3) I personally think that using more than 15 ships is a waste of ships for the IJN ASW Task Forces. I think better results are achieved when you increase the number of aircrafts searching for those pesky American subs. ASW TFs are good to show your opponent that you are actively searching his subs and part of the "mind game" [;)] with your opponent but in my experience the IJN is forced to play a more defensive orientated ASW-game, more avoiding hot sub spots than chaseing the sleeping bear out of its cave. [>:] Ah well, just some thoughts from a not so experienced player. Fux

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 3:16:31 PM)
Thx Fux, I guessit is not a matter of number of ships but the quality of ASW instruments. My FT CL again were attacked but my ASW patrol did nothing.[sm=00000018.gif] Yesterday events Yesterday I bombed Lunga with everything I got. Ships, Naval and Land based bombers. More FT ferried troops there. I got a 0:1 odd, about 500 men lost each one. TODAY´S EVENTS Much more action today. His CV appeared and caught my invasion TF almost with pant down. Althougth little damage was done. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/23/42 Weather: Clear Enemy CV attack My front line AV didn´t spot them. I guess that I planned it bad because I left one vast area of the map without being watched. Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40 Japanese aircraft *CAP over invasion troops. Poor results* A6M2 Zero x 10 A6M3 Zero x 5 Allied aircraft ******2 enemy CV´s**** F4F-4 Wildcat x 16 SBD Dauntless x 54 TBF Avenger x 15 no losses Allied aircraft losses*close distance, 1000 lb dropped** F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed **14 lost*** SBD Dauntless x 26 damaged TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed****1 lost* TBF Avenger x 14 damaged Japanese Ships DD Shirayuki BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1Did nothing, isn´t it maravellous??? [:'(]. Who said BB era ended?? CA Chokai CA Kinugasa CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, on fire*moderate damage BB Nagato DD Yugiri, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage*he is not going to make it 2nd strike Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 10Did nothing* A6M3 Zero x 7 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 26 SBD Dauntless x 8 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged Japanese Ships AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damagehe is not going to make it* So, to sum up 1CL damaged 1 DD with severe damage 1 AP with severe damage These two last ones won´t have any chances through the slots. But the resuilts have been quite poor. He risked his CV and he only got bombs on minor ships. I was lucky but also the AA fire was fierce and CAP did something to disturb the attackers. Tokio express Visited H. Field to keep the pressure on. 1 CL torpedoed after FT troops into Lunga Lunga Attacked with everything again. This time I got a promising 1:1 odd. and fort have being reduced to 1. I´m feeling optimistic[:)]. I ordered a shock attack for tomorrow. Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 41372 troops, 602 guns, 40 vehicles Defending force 19926 troops, 152 guns, 118 vehicles Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1 Japanese ground losses: Men lost 315 Allied ground losses: Men lost 364 Vehicles lost 1 Yesterday 37655 Jap troops attacked, so my FT are working well. I got 700 assault points, while Marines are around 200. This proportion should be enough to overrun them quickly. I can´t hold this huge effort for quite long.

Shadow of the Condor -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/22/2004 4:34:16 PM)
quote: Very good AARs from both yourself and your opponent. Enjoyable read and good information. [:)]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/23/2004 4:28:18 AM)
Thx Shadow of the Condor. I guess my opponent has a very good AAR. Or at least he has more hits than mine![;)] Not very good results today for the IJN, but I have to be patient. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/24/42 Weather: Thunderstorms Enemy carriers Well I didn´t pursue him. If I had done it, I would have had some chances to reach them (with the react movement I guess). But there was no way. Reasons: 1) My Vals and Kates were tired (not exhausted, but tired) because my previous attacks to his ground forces 2) Weather was thrunderstorms and thus, the chances to occur a carrier battle were few 3) My CV were almost with no fuel. If I had moved them far from my bases I would have run out of fuel. So no way to get an easy victory. Wether if I should keep my naval bombers only to destroy USN carriers instead of atttacking LCU, it´s a discussion topic and I´m open to opinions. But when they attack, one enemy Rgt. suffers 100% of disruption, as you can see in the picture I´ve attached later. Lunga Shock attack It failed. No way to do it quickly. My assault points are 644 after the attack. USN got 142 points in the information panel. Assault odds were: Allied 303 modified to 507 Japanese 1528 modified to 554 IJN reinforces More troops are being ferried to Lunga every turn. No more shock units, only remants of the main units there (support points, guns, etc). But in a day or two, 2 crack IJ Rgts will be unloaded in Short. and subsequently FT to Lunga as soon as possible. Supplies and Fuel Fuel is more scarce. Half of the IJN is paralized because the lack of fuel. But I was good planning this operation and some TK are now unloading it in Short and Rabaul. However I send most APs to Truk so they don´t drink the Short fuel. Enemy counterstrike Two actions detected already 1) B-17 carpet bombing: the 29th Rgt. automatically reached a disruption level of 100. He is taking off from Luganville, extended range. 3 lost today. I´ll LCAP Lunga with Zeroes. They don´t shoot down B-17 but I´m sure they will increase operational losses ratio. 2) Air transporting troops: elements of 182 RCT already in Lunga. This is a very potential threat, both for me and for the allies. C-47 can transport a terrible amount of troops that could change the assault odds in a few days. But if supplies are scarce, more mouths need food and that´s good for the IJN[:D] My CAP will have to deal with them also. I´m using three datais for this purpose and I plan to rotate them when tired. Fatigue and morale are also a problem now. But a maximun effort has to be done now if we want to overun Lunga. 3) Last turn I got a 1:1 which means he needs more troops and supplies. Troops are being air-lifted but supplies need to be carried by FT missions or transport TF.´If he feels he can loose Lunga I´m sure he will try a desperately attempt to ferry supplies or more troops. I have to be very careful. If I do it right, I can smash his forces with a surprise attack. I got the he11 out of mines there and subs are around. But only if I manage to deploy my carriers close to Lunga, I can avoid further enemy actions there. Submarine warfare Many contacts. He scored one hit on a retreating AP. No IJN ASW contacts. I have no more faith: soon I´ll change my ASW DD to FT missions. [image]local://upfiles/14447/Pm347155744.jpg[/image]

toraq -> RE: The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom (12/24/2004 2:21:21 AM)
Well another turn and Lunga stays in US hands. Hiei torpedoed and I think he the war is over for him Weather: Partly cloudy, October, 26 Lunga Again maximun Jap effort to change the history. Tokyo express put some shells over there: 6 Airbase hits, 2 Air supply hits and runway 66. New P-38 fighters detected there. 2 Air strikes, with a total of 21 Betties and 8 Nells killed some men of the 1st Marine Rgt. This is a poor number. I got more bombers but they don´t want to fly even though their morale is superior to 50. Due to clouds my naval bombers were unable to take off. A 28 Zero CAP protected the troops of the 16th Jap Rgt. (a crack unit) from the heavies (55 B-17 and 9 B-24). However it was not enough and disruption raised to 100 in that unit. Combat in the jungle US airlifted new troops. Two new units already detected there: 6th Marine Rgt (from the 2nd M. Division) and 182 RCT. This were the results: 0:1 odd Japanese: 42.740 troops, 604 guns and 63 vehicles---- Losses: 362 US: 24.000 troops, 226 guns and 123 vehicles----- Losses: 884 Well I lost the 1:1 odd of the last two turns[:(] He transported 2000 troops today, and 30 guns vs. 1000 IJN troops FT. Still got more than 640 assault points but my values have been reduced due to the last B-17 attack. Now I´m feeling pesimist [:(] Air losses Enemy paid a high price for his audacity and a total of 6 heavies were lost, 6 Dakotas and 3 B-26. He is using the B-26 to send supplies to Lunga and I guess he´s got some success. because he sent his P-38 there. He wouldn´t have done that if the supplies were few. Enemy CVs Spotted near wunpunko. Just one day range from Lunga. Enemy subs Hundreds of contacts today but with no luck for the IJN. But Hiei got one torp. and won´t be able to act again. The only way to fight them is by making them to waste their torp. against my ships. [:(] Next movements My main objective is to keep on with the pressure against the troops there, despite the last enemy reinforcement effort. I could stop my offensive, wait until more fuel and troops were ready and restart again. But I won´t do that. If my enemy brings another 2 Rgt there and supplies, there will be no more opportunities to overun US garrison. Due to the lack of fuel I have to do some strange movements with my ships. This could end in some big battles. Two strong TF have being formed around BBs and will continue the Tokyo Express raids. CVs around, some FT replenished today so this turn they will stay at Short. No more turns until the first days of January. Peace has arrived to South Pacific[sm=00000945.gif]

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