Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl

Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (Full Version)

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John III -> Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (3/30/2005 5:08:15 PM)
Greetings! This will be a new AAR based on Scenario 16. Specifications: Japanese Subs off and everything else on. Reinforcements are fixed and ship commitment is 100% Allied and 140% Japanese. A little history of the two opponents for this 15 Round Heavyweight Match: I am a Professor of Military History in La Salle, Colorado and my worthy opponent, Dan, is a lawyer in Rome, Georgia. Dan is currently thinking about getting his Ph.D. in History. We are huge fans of what Matrix has accomplished and wanted to contribute. This Scenario has already been started by us about six weeks ago and we are on late-August there. My, Japanese, carrier fleet got destroyed by all FOUR US Carriers and the scenario has completely transformed into something really different. We began bantering about starting an AAR and decided to re-start the exact same scenario. With a new beginning comes news hopes and dreams that have NOT been sunk by US Dauntlesses! [8D] I tend to be a pretty aggressive player. This worked to my detriment in the earlier scenario. I intend to be a little more controlled here but will lunge when I see an opportunity. Basic Plans: 1. Quick grabbing of GG and Buna through Fast Transport missions. GG gets the 5th SNLF and Buna 75th NG. These will then be re-supplied by FT until I can gain control of the air. 2. Reinforcement of Lae with South Seas Detachment and large convoy. SSD will then be used to clear Wau of enemy. 3. Truk detaches four Convoys for the following: a. Begin Fuel runs to Shortlands b. Base Force and NG to Rossel and Irau c. 17th Army, 35th Brigade, and all CD units available to Lunga d. Subs loading mines for Cooktown, Cairns, and Townsville. 4. Aerial Phase a. Train up Bombers for the inevitable first convoy into PM. b. Move two squadrons of Fighters into Lae to begin sweeps of PM and cover Convoy when it appoaches in several days. Last time we started this, I made an immediate grab for PM and had rather poor results. This time I want to slowly build-up pressure and make a decision whether to go for it or not. Additionally, an assualt on Luganville may not be out of the question. As the Japanese, I like to at least make an attempt at either one or the other. It is my intention to run a narrative instead of showing ENDLESS combat screens. I like the AARs that tend to give you more thinking then statistics. This is how I teach history and it seems to work best for me. We shall see! Dan will run his own seperate thread and I hope you enjoy the match! "We who are about to die salute you!" John

Canoerebel -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (3/30/2005 9:07:30 PM)
Allied AAR separate

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (3/31/2005 10:16:29 AM)
Scenario started on June 1st and it is now June 3rd. It appears that my esteemed competitor has pulled his LBA from PM. At least my initial fighter sweeps have been unopposed to this point. As normal the S-Boats have struck. One of my PGs got hit by a Torp from S-39. It always defies my imagination when the historically HORRIBLE American Torps always seem to hit from an S-Boat. I know that they were older and fired a slightly different Torp but it is depressing and frustrating at the same time. Have grabbed GG and Buna without issue. Convoy loaded for PM and we'll see if Allied LBA appears for that...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (3/31/2005 6:31:04 PM)
June 4th and all is well. Fast Transports returned from their GG and Buna runs. Immediately re-loaded them with 8th Naval Garrison from Rabual to go to GG. That unit plus 5th SNLF should be enough to hold position for now.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/1/2005 7:43:16 AM)
June 5th goes peacefully by. My scout planes have picked up a surface TF or convoy TF approaching PM. Still a couple days away; however, so I dispatch the 4 CAs (Aoba, Kinugasa, etc...) under Ozawa to a holding/patrol position near Rossul Island. If that convoy closes with PM, I will be ready to pounce! Nothing else to report beyond that...

CMDRMCTOAST -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/1/2005 4:18:23 PM)
Welcome aboard Gentlemen and have fun with it as this is a fantastic game and the AAR'S are great to keep the interest alive for the new guy's.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/2/2005 12:46:29 PM)
June 7-8 have passed and everything is VERY quiet along the SE Pacific. My convoy has completed unloading at PM and the South Seas Detachment is about to commence its overland assault of Wau. Convoys are rapidly approaching Irau, Rossel, and Lunga. Have spotted some ships along Australian coast but nothing to intercept. My Zeros have flown several sweeps over PM but noone wants to play... I have atasked a light Surface TF to cover the landing at Rossel. Several of the old CLs and DDs will provide close cover with Ozawa and 4 Cas hoping to get a chance to rumble if a target appears. We shall see...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/2/2005 10:21:57 PM)
June 9th and all is well. Today the South Seas Detachment started their scenic tour across lovely New Guinea. I have been thinking about start airfield development at one of the lesser sites. What does anyone think of Nadzab? Are there decent sites within NG that might be better for fighter bases and maybe single-engine bomber bases? I am emptying Kavieng right now. The BF and AA are headed for Lae and the CD as well as INF is going to GG. This significantly adds strength to both positions and I can always put some replacements into Kavieng whenever needed later. I might make a play for PM later and want these positions strong enough to provide for that and/or resist the inevitable Allied advance. Convoy with reinforced regiment unloading at Lunga. Should provide enough strength to deter any early mischief from my opponent. Everything else seems to be going along well.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/3/2005 8:31:34 PM)
First blood has been struck! On June 10th, a pesky S-46 stuck its nose into the Rossel Island harbor. Immediate ASW attack put two Japanese ashcans on her and DOWN she goes. RIP American submariners! Ohhhh and along the way she managed to slip a TT into the side of IJN Aoba. Minor damage though (Flot 10) so a quick trip to Rabaul should fix that. Since I hate these damned S-Boats, I am happy for the exchange.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/4/2005 6:55:34 PM)
June 12th now and things are beginning to heat up. My search planes detected a convoy approaching PM. Ozawa is sent in! We shall see what occurs there. Another S-Boat made an attempt to interfere with my landings at Rossel. Put a TT into one of my CAs but did no damage! That was a pleasant surprise. My DDs dropped several ashcans but missed. We'll try again later. I have been training my three bomber squadrons since the start of the scenario and they are up from around 18-19 per squadron to 23-25. Since I moved the Kavieng BF into Lae, I moved them there and shifted their orders to naval attack. With two squadrons of rested Zeroes, I have high hopes of inflicting serious damage on the convoy as well. I got serious reinforcements this turn in Truk. I sent a fast TF of 3 Seaplane Carriers and 4 APDs to Irau with supplies and two small Naval Garrisions. They will then stay at Tulagi. Additional fast TF comprised of 4 CAs and DDs taking the large Truk NG to Rossel. They will then base at Shortlands. Next turn could rock!

jeffs -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/5/2005 9:37:01 AM)
So you did start an AAR afterall![:D][:-] Good luck!

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/5/2005 9:51:57 AM)
June 13, 1942 Action has been joined at last! As promised, the Japanese Sea Eagles struck at a double convoy of Transports and Escorts. Results, with air-to-air, were quite impressive. In a series of four seperate raids from Rabaul and Lae, three Squadrons of Zeroes hammered a large number of P-39 and P-40. Starting with nearly 50 fighters, my Zeroes managed to shoot down 18 P-39 and 14 P-40! This was done at the cost of 7 Zeroes. 32-7! Very impressive. My torpedo squadrons did not do as well. I managed to sink the TR Esterance Bay, damage 3 more TR, and a DD. This was for the cost of 3 Nell and 2 Betty. Pretty light losses but not as good of TT work as I had hoped. There is always tomorrow! Speaking of tomorrow...my planes plan to attack again and Ozawa will hit PM with 3 CA, 3 CL, and 4 DD. I will bet on a glorious brawl there! That is if Dan doesn't flee from my wrath! We shall see... Everything else is rolling along. Irau and Rossel TF are fully unloaded and deading home. Work has begun on airfields and harbors. Nothing else to report for the meantime.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/5/2005 9:55:26 AM)
Jeff, You weren't interested in starting one of these and I REALLY enjoy reading the other scenarios as they unfold. For readers--Jeff and I are playing the great 'what if' scenario where Japan sends everything South instead of Midway. Jeff is kicking my enture %&$_*^% in that one. Though plans are afoot...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/5/2005 6:00:40 PM)
June 14th was a terrible disappointment for the IJN. As feared, Dan fled the approach of my surface TF. No action--DAMN! This being said, the USS Farragut discovered the hard way how to find a minefield at Townsville! The day wasn't a complete waste. Surface TF headed to Rabaul and another Fast Transport group is now approaching Rossel to drop off Truk NG. Am restarting fighter sweeps of PM. If he doesn't want to play, I will shift to bombardments... Don't have any real, substantial reinforcements arriving for about 10 days so we'll sit back and jab at each other 'til then.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/6/2005 7:17:00 PM)
June 15th--weare half way through and our first month and I am a frustrated Japanese player! Dan refuses to engage. This may be because of how I ravaged his shipping in our previous scenario. Though I lost damned near EVERY Japanese carrier in a horrific CV engagement, I had sunk nearly 70 Allied merchant ships. Action for the last two days: 1. I disbanded one of my squardons of Nells so I get them back at a good time. They raised the strength of the other squadron to well-boynd normal complement. I like this method and it works fairly well for getting a bomber squardon back at a VERY useful time later in the sceranio. 2. I have engineers at Nadzab building a fighter strip for my future squadrons of Zeroes. 3. The South Seas Detachment is now at Salamaua and headed for Wau. 4. Irau and Rossel are building up nicely and are well supplied. 5. I have sent in my first bombardment TF to PM and (using it as a distraction) have split off a Surface TF to try to catch his shipping at Townsville. We'll see...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/7/2005 3:15:01 AM)
June 17-18, 1942 pass into the mists of history. I have commenced strafing and bombing runs on PM since Dan won't come up and fight air-to-air. He has bombers there; however, since they mangled one of my APD runs to GG. Lost two APDs (34 & 35) to Beaufort's TT off Dobadura. Have now taken Nevea and am setting up shop there. I have heavy reinforcements arriving at the end of the month. Once that occurs, I will begin some real operational planning. The goal will be to lure his CVs into battle. I have found out the rough way in our other scenario that once they are gone...the other side can do whatever it wants. [:@] Additionally, my other goal will to cripple his shipping capablity. By sinking those AP and AK, I can make my life easier in the long run. If I can seriously dent this area of his campaign then that will make him more careful in launching operations and going after the Japasese bases. The taking of these outer bases, Irau, Rossel, and Nevea, will also serve as an attritional step in keeping him from the real prizes. No commander will leave operational bases within striking distance, air and naval, directly behind him. If so, he leaves himself open to coutner-attack and raids along his supply line. I believe that was the entire point of Colonel Travis at the Alamo. This is a similar mentality...

anarchyintheuk -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/8/2005 7:11:28 PM)
It's been a while since I've played this game (and I've never played this scenario, so I don't know the order of allied air reinforcements which effect most of the following), so ignore this if you want. As the IJN/IJA el supremo you can either disperse or concentrate your air power. Generally, I like the latter. Nadzab is difficult to support because of the supply rules and malarial effects on your base forces. Its a small base and you will have to rotate your base forces by walking there. One decent bombing run and your base will fall below the level of support needed by a zero squadron. In addition to that, supplying it will require either single ship runs to Findschafen (sp?) or a diversion of support to protect a convoy. Some of those same arguments apply to Rossell Isl. and GG as well. Although it takes a while to build up GG, it does allow for some concentration, the potential for long range betty strikes and it's outside of p-38 range from Cooktown, I think. It's also a good place to try to fight the big CV battle around. Irau and Nevea are a vunerable and a pain to build up, but, unfortunately, vital to the IJN/IJA. I'd only bother building forts in both locations. Can SFTs react to Irau and Nevea from Lunga? Anyway, looking forward the aar.[:)]

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/10/2005 12:25:43 AM)
Time has relentlessly marched on and it is now June 26th. I have been taunting Dan to come out and play. He complains about his lack of forces and resources. Little does he know that I am the same way. I have moved EVERYTHING forward and am now hoping to bluff him into NOT doing anything! [:D] I am just a few days away from real reinforcements. I'll be getting surface forces and then a Carrier TF built around Junyo and the two light Carriers. Have to be careful with them but they will immediately be used for a little commerce raid... No other real news. Irau is now a Lvl 1 field and port, Rossel is about to be, Lunga will be a Lvl 3 airfield within 2-3 days so I can project some airpower. Convoys running to all points including the above as well as Lae, GG, and Buna. Am stockpiling fuel at Tulagi and Shortlands. One NEVER has TOO much oil...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/10/2005 2:11:22 AM)
June 26th and action might be impending. My search planes picked up a Surface TF that could either be going to GG or Rossel. With a 50-50 chance, I'm betting on Rossel. Ozawa with nearly every Ca (7 total available) with strong escort is sortieing out of Shortlands to meet this TF. Might be too late to catch Dan but it is worth the effort. My attack in Wau has knocked down his Fortification level but I noticed a new Aussie Bragade appearing out of thin air (and it IS thin at Wau). This can only have been done by Air Transport. If he continues doing it, I now have a squadron of Zeroes on long-ranged CAP there. Might get some east kills... [:D] Pulled my two bomber squadrons back to Rabaul hoping to catch some cripples from the impending (hoped for) surface fight. There is squadron of Zeroes ready to escort them. We wait for the return of the turn...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/11/2005 1:56:07 AM)
It is now the end of June and I haven't posted the last few turns due to my frustration with the AI. I had sent my CA force to PM to bombard the port. The computer decided to have Ozawa show up there during the DAY so he could have the experience of being POUNDED by Allied airpower. While dodging a lot of bombs and bullets, the PM flyboys managed to put 2 TT into Yubari and she sank the next day with another attack. Have you guys had this sort of issue? Should never have happened... The only good thing to say is that I shot down and damaged a HUGE number of aircraft. My serious reinforcements have showed up and I sent a BB (Kongo/Haruna) force to bombard Luganville. Haven't done much over there so I am hoping to surprise Dan in doing this. The Battle of Wau has just gotten named! Dan is trying to send in Aussie troops with C-47s and I am now shooting them down in decent numbers. Nothing like slow-moving troop-laden targets for the Zeroes to improve their skills on I have dispatched more troops from Lae to the site and am resting the South Seas Detachement before having another try... Bases are all now well-supplied. GG and Buna are at 20,000+, Irau and Rossel are over that, and Lae/Lunga are sitting around 45,000+. Always good to cram as many supplies as possible into these bases before Allied air makes that impossible. My first batch of CVs will be here within a day or two and we'll see about tdeploying them. I am hoping for Shokaku/Zuikaku quickly so I can do some serious raiding and try to lure his CVs out for a fight. Would like to do that before he gets ALL 4! I accidently put this out as a new thread and didn't mean too...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/13/2005 11:09:46 PM)
It has been a few days since I updates my side of our AAR. I've been grading papers from my college kids and they, unfortunately, take precedence. Here is a synopsis for the last week of action: July 2nd Serious fleet units are arriving daily at Truk. I have created two strong surface TFs at Tulagi (Port now 3 almost 4) and Shortlands. Each unit has atleast one BB, 3-5 cruisers, and 8-12 DD. These units are strong enough to lunge at any Allied convoy that becomes open for destruction. My carriers: Junyo, Zuiho, and Ryujo are training at Truk and awaiting the arrival of Zuikaku (about July 14th). Once I have Zui, then I will be ready to rumble. Whenever Shokaku and/or Hiyo shows up I might consider splitting them into two TFs. Any thuoghts on this from the readers? Irau and Rossel are now solid, established bases. Each has their airfield up and running, port expanding, and forts building. They are tough enough to hold out if attacked. All of my search planes are operating from these two bases. There isn't an area on the Allied side of the board that I can't see with these planes. I have based 3 AV at Tulagi and placed all their seaplanes (about 25-30 planes) on ASW sweep. That should frustrate Dan's subs. I have decided to make Nevea into a decoy. There are some troops present there and I am sending small convoys into it. My intention is to make it 'seem' like I am building it up in an attempt to get Dan to lunge at it. Provided I have my carriers ready, I hope to hit him with LBA from Lunga and CBA at the same time. Thoughts? July 3rd Have a small convoy unloading at Nevea and have sneaking suspition that Dan will try to hit it. I am sending my surface TF from Tulagi to cover. July 4th Independence Day DAMMIT! I was right. I've wanted a surface TF to hit a helpless convoy since the game started and it sure enough finally happened--TO ME! My 2DD and 4TR were nailed by 4CA and 11DD. Down go Oite, Tanikaze, and 3TR. Did a little damage back but nothing serious. In frustration I convert the Tulagi TF mission into hitting Luganville hoping to catch Dan's ships there. Additionally send two Bombbardment forces against PM and Townsville. July 5th No luck. One of my DDs hit a mine going into Luganville and is sent back to Tulagi. Since my ships are Ok and have plenty of fuel, send them to Efate and see what is there. Other Tfs are approaching PM and Townsville. July 6th Bombard PM and Townville but don't catch any ships. Same for Efate. This is frustrating. Everyone is headed home except PM bombardment group. Will send them back in tomorrow. July 7th Bombard PM. My search planes pick-up a convoy suspitiously moving up the eastern edge of the mapboard near Luganville. Dan may be making a move on Nevea. I give it a lot of thought and then decide to send my 3Cvs south to a cover position well to the North of Nevea. If he is going to hit there, then I want to be able to move in and beat him up. Coincidently--Lunga on this day moved up to a Lvl 3 airfield! You know what that means--Bombers are moving in. Both of my bomber squadrons are at full strength. Will move two squadrons of Zeroes for support. That catches us up on the happenings... In other areas: the Battle of Wau is stalemated. I have the South Seas Detachment there and he has two Aussie brigades opposing me. His C-47s are trying to keep the units supplied and I am shooting down 2-4 per day. This is providing great experience and practice for my flyers... I think that about summarizes everything!

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/14/2005 3:38:13 AM)
July 8th My search planes have detected a lot of Allied ship and convoy movement. Carrier TF is moving south and will be in an ambush position in about 2 days. MY LBA is ready to go. I am holding it in readiness for a massive strike (IF the computer will allow me...). NEWS! I had I-2---that is correct a JAPANESE submarine--make a successful attack and SURVIVE the ASW response. Scratch the MSW Cairns. Doesn't count for much but it is something!

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/18/2005 6:56:02 PM)
Long time since I have posted. It seems to me that placing about a week's worth of AAR in at a time is rather nice. Gives things some ebb and flow. Things have certainly heated up in the SE Pacific Region! My carrier have been on a rampage for little to no loss and that is always a good thing!!! [:D] July 9-13 were spent moving TFs around. I have started a semi-regular bombardment of PM and occasionally Efate. The point is to keep him on his toes, knock out some aircraft, and try to catch some ships. Zuikaku showed up as I was lurking with the rest of my carriers north of Nevea. Sent all carriers to rendezvous at Shortlands. July 14th Bombardment of PM and Efate. Catch the little DM Preble off of Efate and BLOW HER TO HELL! Wasn't very fair... My subs have been hitting (and SURVIVING to tell about it) fairly often recently. On this day I-31 hits AP Crescent City with 2 TT and lives to tell about it. Combine carrier into 4 carrier TF with 200 available aircraft. Should be able to handle up two enemy CV with that. July 15th His sub S-43 hits one of my PG coming back from a reinforcement run to Rossel. Doesn't sink but is damaged. Minor Bombardments of PM and Cooktown. I am sending the majority of my fleet out tomorrow to raid the Coral Sea. I have seen lots of activity throughout Australian ports and would to catch some. In an attempt to cloak my CV, I send TF, in addition to my CV, out of Shortlands to raid PM, Cooktown, and Townsville. Hope the coastwatchers focus on Mutsu and nagato and DON'T spot Zui, Junyo, Zuiho, and Ryuho! 35th Brigade, with lots of artillery, arrives in Truk. I am going to send it to PM to break the stalemate at Wau and then use it elsewhere. Form big convoy for that. July 16th I successfully slip into Coral Sea with CV not being spotted! [8D] Crescent City finally sinks and another DAMNED S-Boat scores on a small transport near Truk. July 17th OHHHHHHHHH YAAAAAAAAAA! We finally swing into action! On the way to hit Coottown, my surface TF catches AP Moreton Bay and blows her out of the water. Nice to see those big Allied AP go down. Carriers have not been spotted. There is shipping at PM. My Betties swing into action for the first real time. Nearly 40 with escort swarm all over a CA--DD TF. At the cost of 4-5 Betties, I sink CA Salt Lake City, Damage CL Achilles, and DDs case and Lamson. Carriers announce their GLORIOUS presense by lauching a long-range bombing strike on same TF. Additional damage done to CLs Honolulu and Achillies for only 2 vals and 2 Kates! I would say that was OK! July 18th. Allied shipping is running for cover! They can't get away..."from Hell's Heart at Stab at Thee!" (Moby Dick quoted by Khan Noonian Singh). Bombard PM and Cooktown. Additional raiding by CVs (Betties resting) claim AP Zeilin, CL Phoenix, and DMS Zane. NO Japanese plane losses. Got damaged but none lost. That is GREAT! [:'(] July 19th Sending carriers south for a day and then home. Hope to raid Cooktown and Towsville if anything isn't hidden in port. I don't want to get caught if he sallies forth with his carriers so this raid will be short. To summarize in five days of activites: I've sunk 1 CA, 1 CL, 2 DM, and 3 Large Transports as well as damaged 2 CL and 2 DD. This is all at a cost to my carriers of only 4 bombers. Pretty good so far...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/21/2005 5:12:35 PM)
This report covers action from July 20-27th. We left off with my Japanese CVs sailing happily around sinking and/or damaged anything within range. July 20th I lose my first sub when I-31 is sunk off of Noumea. As my CVs sail down the Australian coast (about Townsville), they come under heavy air attack by LBA. I got pretty nervous when I saw that there was over 40+ fighters escorting nearly 24 bombers! MY CAP intercepted and HOLY COW they went to work. Each Sea Eagle is getting promoted one step in rank and given two rations of Saki. When all was said and done, I lost 1 Zero in exchange for 9 fighter, six bombers, and damage to an additional 21+ planes. Most importantly NO DAMAGE to my ships! July 21st S-39 nails AO Sato south of Truk. Doubt if she will make it back. I HATE S-BOATS! I continue my CVs south a little and then we shall head for Rossel to refuel. July 22nd My damaged AO sinks. I-2 nails CL Honolulu with a TT and survives counterattack! Unfortunately this target too close to Brisbane and will, probably make it into harbor. [:@] My subs have definately been more successful this campaign. DD Dewey hits a mine near Nevea and is damaged. I have been laying mines wherever possible. My CVs are at Rossel refueling. This is nice. I haevn't used Rossel as a way point before but it has real possiblities... My search aircraft spot enemy carriers for the first time north of Noumea. There are several convoys spotted heading north. I will cautiously investigate... Just in case, I transfer 54 Zeroes and 71 Bombers to Lunga. July 23rd S-47 hits small Maru with a TT. My thoughts here about S-Boats are well-documented... 15 Nells surprised 3 DD at Efate. Unfortunately they only hit Ralph Talbot with 2 TT. Probably sunk... Shouldn't complain though. My Nells got shot up but all made it home to Lunga! [:'(] DD Craven also hits a mine near Luganville. My mines are actually doing something... With bad weather, no one spots my CVs moving east. Don't see his carriers again but maybe I can hit a convoy. 35th Brigade, with NO interference, is unloading at PM. July 24th Nothing happened this day. I want to be careful about getting into the Luganville area. He has bases there, at Wunpuko, and Kourouratopo (what a name...). I don't understand why he has established THREE bases in close proximity to each other. It would seem to be a waste of resources at this point. Order my CVs to patrol north of this area for a day or two. July 25th Nothing exciting. No action. 35th Brigade is fully unloaded and on the way to Wau. He has airlifted two Aussie Brigades as well as the original Kanga Force there. I want to knock them back and send them packing for PM. Send a surface TF to Bombard Efate. July 26th No good hunting in Luganville area. I send CVs home to Shortlands. Don't want to give them TOO much system damage. I'll let them rest up and recover some before sending them out again. Decide to cause some trouble with Dan and send a Minelaying TF of SEVEN ML to plant a field at Kourouratopo! That should put some steel into his britches...I mean hulls of his ships! July 27th S-45 damaged another small Maru [:@]. Irau upgrades its airfield to size 2. I move a squadron of Zeroes and Vals there. That should provide some punch if Dan comes close. My TF is attacked by 10 Avengers just short of Efate. CA Mogami is hit by 1 TT. I shoot down sevel and damage the rest. Wonder if that is why I saw his carriers a couple of days ago. Did he send his CBA to these islands rather than risk the ships??? Interesting and cheesy.... We'll see... Summation Not a bad week of action. With the exception of losing the AO and I-31, I only had damage to Mogami and two small Marus. My carriers and LBA didn't get hurt at all. 35th Brigade with a HUGE amount of supplies made it into and were safely dropped at Lae. I now have nearly 100,000 supply there. My CVs are returning to Shortlands with hardly having lost a plane and taken no damage. On the Allied side, I shot down a decent number of aircraft and damaged CL Honolulu and 3 DD--Ralph Talbot might have sunk. Not as good as last time but this was a pretty productive week of action.

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/22/2005 8:34:02 PM)
Going into our weekend, I decided to do a short update on yesterday's turns. Dan and I usually get two-three turns in a day. July 28th After the complete and uninterrupted landing of the 35th Brigade and LOTS of supplies, my Zeroes at Lae returned to their fighter sweeps over PM. I sent one squadron of A3s. For one loss, I got five kills. Not TOO bad... 35th Brigade starts on its march to Wau. Send a light bombardment group to hit PM again. It should follow a BB bombardment tomorrow. I always hope to catch a TF of cargo ships in doind this. Also keep supplies going to PM at a trickle. If 35th and South Seas can drive the Aussies out of Wau, then maybe they will start to march downhill towards PM... July 29th Busy day! I-21 (north of Noumea) makes an attack on a MSW and misses. She survives the counter-attack. Bombard PM. Two squadrons of bombers (15B & 15N) attack a transport force at Efate from Lunga. There is NO CAP over harbor!!! [:D] My bombers nail three AK and two AO. One AK sinks for sure. All others got 1-2 TTs each. I lost NO bombers! VERY NICE! There is a lot of convoy movement along the Southern edge of Australia. Thinking it might be worth a small risk, I send Zuikaku and Ryujo (110 Planes), 2 Ca, 1CL and 5DD due south from Shortlands. If they are not spotted for the next two days then I will strike at the shipping. If they do get spotted, then I will evaluate the possible danger... I have a small supply convoy entering Nevea. That might draw some action... Dan sent a MSW into Nevea to clear mines. he might be prepping for an attack there. I detach from Tulagi a STF of 1BB, 1CA, 2CL, 8DD to patrol north of Nevea hoping for a chance to strike. Recon Kourouratopo. That might make Dan think about what I MIGHT be doing. Got two new bomber squadrons at Truk. Sent them to Lae so I have a viable strike force there. Got a ton of Base Forces as reinforcements. Am sending them to: 1. Rossel 2. GG with a Construction Unit 3. Munda with a Construction Unit 4. Gasmata with a Construction Unit. Will begin base construction at GG, Munda, and Gasmata. That is it for the moment!

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/23/2005 7:46:56 AM)
Dan played hookie today from his Lawyering and I didn't have my college classes today so we got a bunch of turns in! Five days worth of action report: July 30th My subs continue to strike and, generally, survive. I-158 hit President Adams with 3TT and sank her. No damage in return! A large strike of 54Z and 15B struck a convoy at Kouro with no result. Move my STF centered on Haruna closer to Kouro for a look see. Spotted a convoy at PM and swing Zuikaku and Ryujo to a SW heading going south from Rossel. July 31st Bombard PM and destroy a few planes. He starts Recon of nearly every base I have. Wish I had some SPARE bombers for that! I got my STF too close to Kouro and got jumped by a squadrom of Dauntlesses. I HATE those planes! He manages to plant two bombs on Haruna, and 1 bomb on a CL and DD. Not TOO much damage since they carried only 500lb bombs. Still...learn a lesson. A smaller strike of Avengers and Hudsons add to the excitement. One DD takes 3 bombs. NOT GOOD! I decide to send in the STF on a quick hit-and-run so it can then go back to Tulagi. I've picked up several ships groups moving out of Noumea today so I think I'll do this and get out. MY carriers still haven't been spotted so they go in to raid the NE coast of Aussie land. August 1st This month starts off terribly! DD Henley hits the minefield I just laid by SEVEN MSW around Kouro. I am an IDIOT! Sent in that STF to hit Kouro and it, for some ungodly reason, decided to stay after hitting the base and NOT head for Tulagi. DAMNED AI!!!! [:o] I was right about those Tfs coming out of Noumea. He has sent out ALL four American Carriers (in two groups of two) to cover a landing at Nevea (probably). They pound the Holy Hell out of my TF. Lose a CL and take severe damage to every other ship. HATE THAT! [:o][:o][:o] My carriers strike near Townsville and sink an AK. Not much return; howver, since ALL of his carriers are to the NE, I decide to move southwards with Zui and Ryujo to try to bag some more shipping. I'll have to watch for his carriers to move towards me. I'll hgh-tail it out if that happens. August 2nd CRAZY DAY! It is terrible and great at the same time. His carriers finish off my cripples. Down goes Hauna, Haguro, Kuma, and a DD. Additionally, I-24, an AK, and a MSW go down. TERRIBLE! I-29 bags DM Gamble and survives. I-22 misses an AK but survives. His carriers move towards and they hit the minefield I had laid several days ago with SEVEN minesweepers. CATCH THIS--DD Henley, CV Saratoga, and CV Enterprise all hit mines! GLORIOUS! [8D] While they are playing in my minefield, a strike from Lunga arrives and my LBA gets into the fray. 50Z and 13N tangle with over 55 Wildcats. I was pretty dispondant over their chances until I watched the fight. I lost 11Z and 2N but shot down nearly 25 Wildcats. My intrepid TT pilots then accomplished a MIRACLE...they put a TT into BOTH Saratoga and Wasp! Three carriers taking mine and/or TT damage in one day! BANZAI! I want to sortie Junyo and Zuiho out but am cautious. They won't get there until he has retreated to Efate and/or Noumea. Vector 4 subs into area though... August 3rd Bombard PM He retakes Nevea with two Marine Regiments. They might be vulnerable... I think a plan might be forming with possiblities...[:'(] There ships all around Kouro and my LBA launches the attack I wished they launched yesterday against his carrier. 57Z and 40 Bombers sweep into area. No CAP! [:D] Multiple TTs crash into DDs Cummings, Stockton, and Jarvis with single TTs going into two other DD. Lose 1 Bomber for effort! Nice work. My carriers finally bag major game by hitting Brisbane. NO CAP again! Multiple strikes hit 4AK, 4SC, 1MSW, and DMS Trevor. YUMMMMYY! Don't lose a single plane--even better. My search planes pick up a convoy heading into Brisbane from Noumea. I'll take a shot at it tomorrow and send the fleet home. Once Lord Neptune accepts these gifts, the tally for the days ends up at 3DD, 1MSW, 4SC, and 1-2AK sunk. Pretty good work for a day. Sort of balances the crap on my dead TF. can't believe I lost a BB for no real reason... For the 5 day period here are the losses: Japanese BB Haruna, CA Haguro, 2DD, 1 I-Boat, and 1 MSW. I shot up his Carrier and LBA pretty well (by notes about 80+ aircraft). American 3DD, 1MSW, 3-5AK, 4SC with Major Damage to Saratoga, minor damage to Enterprise and Wasp as well as several DDs and AKs. I only lost a few planes in all this mess. By my count (from notes) I only lost about 20 total planes. That is pretty darned good. Had that Surface TF not gone insane, it would have been a GREAT week. As is, I will call it...intersting...

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/24/2005 10:35:08 PM)
This portion of AAR covers from August 4-10, 1942. While events have settled down some from the craziness of Dan grabbing Nevea and my Carrier raid along Australia's coast, things remain active. Throughout this week of activity my search planes consistently placed Dan's carriers at Luganville. I expect Saratoga to be repairing a while but the others probably are OK. Wasp, with a TT in her, might be out for a week or two as well. This means his intact (undamaged) carrier strength is Hornet and Enterprise. I would like to provide a fleet action but feel ill-prepared to do so. I'm going to ponder that. August 4th Sub activity remains high: S-38 Sinks a small AK Ro-34 Does the same Another large raid from Lunga tries to get at Dan's carriers in Luganville. This time the result isn't very good: 33Z and 6B engage nearly 100 Wildcats [X(]. The only good news is that I lost ONLY 8Z and 5B for the same number of Wildcats. I'm going to rest my pilots and let my bombers squadrons rebuild their numbers some. August 5th Ro-34 engages another small AK and sinks it! Withdraw all bomber squadrons from active duty for R&R. I have major air reinforcements due on the 7th and Yamato [:D], plus escorts, due on the 11th. I would prefer Shokaku... August 6th DD Asagumo succumbs to fire one hex from Tulagi. [:@] She had been damaged in the frackus earlier at the start of the month. With Zuikaku and Ryujo coming back towards Shortlands, I sortie Junyo and Zuiho to cover their return. In all that raiding along the Australia coast, I only lost about 10 planes from Zui and Ry! Not bad for what we sunk. I don't understand why Dan didn't put up CAP to resist my port attacks... Since EVERY plane I had was at Lunga, I redeploy aircraft back to Lae to get back to business there. I do like being able to shuttle my planes around to meet the threat on either flank. Interior lines is a good thing. Dan can't say the same... August 7th NO MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY! August 8th S-37 engages one of my TK on the surface NE of Rabual. I don't think that Sub's captain new what he was in for! While hitting my TK with 2-3 deck gun shots, the TK pummeled his boat with SIX hits!!! [:D] Rather entertaining... I-158 sinks SC644 with 3TT. Talk about overkill... Meanwhile the Batlle of Wau begins to heat up. I start attacking again since 35th Brigade is about to arrive... August 9th The active I-158 misses an SC this day. APD Colhoun strikes a mine at Gavigamma. My mines as well as subs have really been working out better then I had hoped. I have another ML mission heading for Nevea and Gavigamma in a few days. Losing the ML isn't terrible and I like these offensive mine missions (especially when his carriers hit them!! [:D][:D]) 35th Brigade arrives and casualties climb at Wau. Get an email from Dan saying "That is an AWFUL lot of artillery..." Damn right BABY! We'll bombard those Aussies for a day or two and then clean-up! August 10th I-22 sinks SC 637 north of Noumea. I'm trying a WitP tactic here. I have a line of 3 I-Boats acrost his path from Efate to Noumea. In front of them are 2 Ro boats. They seem to be doing rather well. DD Benham hits another mine at Gavigamma! Spots lots of activity in shipping around Luganville, Gavigamma, Wunpuko, etc... August 11th No major activity. I think he is very worried about his three brigades in Wau. He sent a B-17 raid to try to disrupt my attack. I have a good amount of AA there and managed to damed nearly all of his planes. GG moved up to a Lvl 3 field and I have moved a Zero Squadron as well as Val Squadron there. Once my Betty's rebuild a little, I am moving them there. Those planes will be a REAL threat to Aussie Land! Of course, once he realizes this... Sent a BB TF against PM this round. Haven't done that in about 10 days. Also sent a STF against Gavigamma. That is a little more risky but might yield results... My Wau attack this round yielded: 350 dead Aussies for 80 Japanese. Summation Slower week but still active. My subs and mines continue to perform far better then what I had hoped. Losses: Allied--2 AK, and 2 SC with an APD and DD damaged Japanese--1DD and 1AK Light planes losses as well. PLAN I am considering a counter-offensive. Operation is to be called Southern Wind. He has extended himself northwards from Luganville pretty heavily. He has bases at Wunpuko, Gavigamma, Kouro, and Nevea. They aren't heavily defended and I think isn't willing to risk TOO much keeping them supplied. Am considering a multi-prong offensive. The Sendai Division isn't long in arriving. Send it against the Marine regiment and Para Battalion at Nevea and send two Regiments after Kouro where he has one army ground unit and several engineering regiments. Combined Fleet would voer and seek and fleet engagement. My LBA would be ready by then as well. Tentative plan would be to commence this operation October 1st... Does anyone have a thought about this??? Feel free to give your advice!

toraq -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/24/2005 10:59:39 PM)
Don�t see what you see, so I have one question Is your intention to invade PM? How many bases have you in the area? What happen with his CVs? An invasion in October is risky due to allied air power. If you want to avoid his CVs, you need a FT invasion...And if you want to overwhelm the garrison you need aircover, many troops...I don�t see how you�re going to get it. In my current game against my brother I decided (without much planning, I must admit) to invade Nevea with a regiment. To my surprise, a full allied regiment was guarding the place (with 1 tank unit). Since I haven�t developed Irau, I can�t attack the place heavily or even protect them from air attacks from Luganville. Actually my rgt. is waiting for a FT evacuation!!![:@]

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/25/2005 9:00:03 AM)
As a planner, I keep bouncing thoughts for this campaign. I have three options: 1. Stay building up my bases and wait for his first real move--then hit him with everything possible. 2. Attack to the East and go after his Islands that are spread out. 3. Try to take out Port Moresby. I tend to be aggressive so I am tossing option 1 out pretty fast. Attacking East might be interesting if I look at it as a hit-and-run raid. I could use 30+DD, CLs, and CS's to move a regiment+ and try to bushwhack one of his bases. Leave them for a day or two and then pick them up. This would need Bombardment cover, LBA cover, and a sortie by my carriers. Might provoke him into a rash move... Attacking PM is a real option. I have GG with a Lvl 3 airfield and Lvl 4 Port, Lae is at Lvl 5 and 5, and Buna is Lvl 1 and 2. If I could isolate the battle field, with LBA, and bombard the base closed, I could land Sendai and 2 Regiments for an assault. His commitment of 3 Aussie Brigades at Wau probably weakens him further. He would be forced to sortie his Carriers out of Luganville, sail across the whole board, and then go into combat. All the while, I am waiting and attacking... This is very tempting... THOUGHTS from the EVER Insightful Peanut Gallery???? [&o][&o]

John III -> RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl (4/29/2005 11:48:14 PM)
It has been almost a week since I updated the AAR. My wife and I went Las Vegas and got home late last night. GOD--I love that town! [:D] Things have gotten hot and heavy in the SE Pacific! To recap: last time I posted, I was debating on a weighted counter-stroke either attacking east towards Nevea or Kouro or making a REAL attempt at PM. I have decided to try PM for a serious shot of upsetting the Allied war plan. The 2nd Division and 3 brigades are being tasked for this attempt. With this in mind, I am keeping Dan's focus on the east and allow me to prep for the PM lunge. We'll see... Recap for the Week of August 12-17, 1942: August 12th Subs: I-1 makes attack near Brisbane--No success S-47 makes an attack near Truk--No Success I mine Nevea with 6 ML and they get jumped by LBA on the way out. 2 Heavily Damaged and 2 Lightly damaged Bombard PM and send Carriers south for another riad along the Australian coast. Battle of Wau (now serving as a diversion of Allied attention): 126 Japanese for 337 Aussies August 13th Subs S-47 sighted by escort but no attack Allied LBA raids on GG and Buna--no damage Dauntlesses hit a STF I had sent towards Nevea: CA Kako and CL Jintsu damaged Battle of Wau: There are now 4 Aussie Brigades battering away there. 60 Jap for 212 Aussie August 14th Subs Pickerel misses an attack near Shortland S-45 hits one of the damaged ML and misses Kako as they come back to Tulagi. I-156 hits DD Fanning MINES! Don and I are both using are mines a lot more in thsi game then the other one. He sowed a minefield at the entrance of GG and an APD of hit one. Got to do something about that... Send out a heavy STF with Yamato, Kirishima, 3CA, and 8 DD for Luganville. Want to try to draw down his CBA some. Assign 3 Zero squadrons from Irau for cover. See if that surprises him! Battle of Wau O Jap for 58 Auusie My CVs are now deep in the Coral Sea and have not been spotted. [8D][8D] Send them towards Brisbane for a raid... August 15th Subs Big day of activity. The Captain of I-33 goes through ALL his TT in one day near Luganville! He hits 2 AO (one for 3TT and one with 1TT) and will be promoted when he returns to Truk! S-41 misses an attack S-47 hits an AO w/1TT My STF stirs up some activity from outlaying American bases. Two squadrons of Dauntlesses attack and get chewed up by my CAP [:D] 11 Fall! Some damage sustained: Yamato 2Bombs (I sweep off the shards--LOVE that ship), CA Maya 1Bomb, and 2DD take a bomb each. I am still headed for Luganville! Want to draw his attention away from carrier raid and shot down his planes. Maybe (since he keeps CV at Luganville) I can engage his forces in a Surface Battle??? I doubt it but we will see! August 16th No Sub Actions (write this day down) Nail a Convoy at Luganville! Down goes 2 large and 2 medium AP to Long Lances! As my STF leaves Luganville the whole DAMNED American Navy sorties towards it. Four CV attack! This could be REALLY bad but it turns out pretty well. My Zeroes flying CAP have a good day: Shot down 19W, 15D, 2A, and 2Dev. I only lose 6Z! The damage to the STF isn't bad but isn't good either: Yamato HUGE--No damage despite several 1000lb AP, Kirishima moderate damage (25Sys), Chokai and Nachi mod dam (20-30Sys), and 4 DD hit. Battle of Wau: 0 Jap for 79 Aussies My Carriers are free to move in. Several convoys appear to be sailing routinely between Noumea and Brisbane. YUMMMMMM! August 17th Busiest day of the Campaign yet. Subs Pickeral puts a TT into a DD near Tulagi (DD should make it) S-40 hits a ML near Truk (should make it) Vector all my subs into Luganville area for some hunting... Mines A convoy is at Kouro and 1 AP nails a mine. His B-17s put in an appearance over Lunga and damaged one of my AP DD Akigumo sinks after repeated Avenger attacks. His CV retreat into Luganville. STF is able to retreat without trouble. LBA from Lunga makes an attempt at Luganville! YIKES [X(] 28Z, 11B, and 18N vs 127W and 7 P-400 All in all, it could have been worse, my Sea Eagles shot down 16W and 2P in exchange (air-to-air and ack-ack) for 15Z, 10B and 4N. OUCH! No damage to ships... GG makes its presense known by hitting a convoy at PM twice against NO CAP! [:-] Sink 2 AP and severely damed two more. Suffer damage to just a couple of planes. We'll attack from there again tomorrow. Battle of Wau O Jap for 42 Aussie Carriers STRIKE: Hit a convoy of 8 AP from long range (no TT [:@]) and damaged 6 for little to no loss. Several in sinking condition... I will keep CV in this area for another day and then head back to Rossel to refuel. Summation For the week of time: Japanese lose 1 CL, 1DD, and 1ML. Damage sustained to 2BB, 3CA, 5DD, 1AP, 1APD, 4ML, and 1 AO. Air Losses very light except for that raid on Luganville. Allied Losses: 6AP. Damaged: 2DD, 11AP, and 2AO. I am sure several of those AP will go down. Lost approx 40W and 40D/A. Good week I think. Plans: Operation Southern Wind has been greenlighted! Sendai and 3 Brigades shall invade PM. In about a week all LBA shall rest in preparation for attacks. I will continue to make him look to the East while I lunge South. Everything now at Tulagi will be diversionary forces. Shortlands shall repair and prepare for the attack! BANZAI!!!

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