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Lunga Falls! - 6/2/2006 6:25:53 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		10/29/42:


Yes!




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 31
Consolidtion Phase - 6/4/2006 2:37:53 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		11/4/42

Lunga's poat and airfield have been repaired, and all of Taivu Point's troops have been ****ed to Lunga. Most of Irau's personnel have also been transferred; Lunga's airfield is now at Level 6.

The B-26s have been transferred to Lunga, along with virtually all of the SBDs, F4Fs, and TBFs. Daily raids on Shortland have resulted in several IJN APs and DDs being hit, as well as a few bombs landing on (but not penetrating though) the armor of the Yamato and Mushashi in port there. One of their covering CLs wasn't as lucky...

Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3 Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Nana Maru, Bomb hits 2
AP Azuma Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kirishima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Katsuragisan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2

One IJN CS was sunk of Buin by 500# bombs from the B-26s, the Japanese are also building up a base at Buin.

I'm sending up the USMC 1st Raider Batallion to take Vila. I'll then fast transport in some seabees and EABs, and build up an airfield there, which will put me within fighter range of Shortland. Then Shortland can really get pounded by air.

Shortland or Buin will be the next major sites of ground combat in the Solomons.

In New Guinea, I'm airlifting the New Guinea Force and a base force to Nazdab; it's a level one airfield, now with some FBs to give Lae a hard time. The B-25s, etc from PM have taken Lae's airfield damage up to 100%, so now they will start working over Lae's port. I'd like to get enough forces into Nazdab to attack Lae from the ground, rather than risk a seaborne invasion launched from GG. I still have very healthy respect for Rabaul's Betties and Nells---they are dangerous ship killers.






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 32
The Slot turns ugly... - 6/4/2006 7:00:17 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		11/9/42

A forward airbase has been established at Vila, reinforced and supplied by nightly fast transport runs using DDs out of Lunga.

The IJN is not pleased.

The IJN sends a supply TF towards Lae in New Guinea. I bite, and transfer most of my Lunga SBDs and TBFs to the enlarging bases at Buna and Nazdab, where their vulnerable transports will come in range of these dive and torpedo bombers.

Only problem is, the IJN sends a BB-led TF down the Slot---

I guess that the target will be my exposed outpost at Vila, and send a surface TF including BBs South Dakota and Washington from Irau to intercept him: they miss.

He heads for Lunga, a classic night-time bombardment attack, and all I have at Lunga are some PTs and vulnerable transports offloading troops and supplies.

Darn!

So the festivities begin:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/09/42

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
DD Ariake
DD Murakumo
DD Shikinami
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Ushio
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
PT 114, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
PT 115, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PT 124
PT 120
PT 122
PT 128, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
The PTs get cleaned in inning one!


Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Ariake
DD Murakumo
DD Shikinami
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Ushio
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
PT 123
PT 121
PT 142, Shell hits 1
PT 143, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PT 146
PT 121, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
The PTs get some revenge in inning 2!,

But then, the DDs protecting transports get their clocks cleaned after the BBs get thru the PT belt!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Ariake, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Murakumo
DD Shikinami
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Ushio
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
DD Anderson, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sterett, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP American Legion, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harris
AP Wharton
TK Suamico
TK Tallulah
TK Pecos
TK Bishopdale
TK Kurumba

The IJN then bombards Lunga (a weak effort!)-
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 16 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 37

Lunga's airpower strikes back at the retreating IJN BB bombardment TF:

Air attack on TF at 34,37
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
B-26B Marauder x 21
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2
CA Haguro, on fire
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugiri
CA Mogami, on fire
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nagatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Oboro, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio
DD Murakumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The Japanese LBA out of Shortland decides to get involved!
Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34
Allied Ships
DD Jarvis
BB Washington, Bomb hits 4
BB South Dakota
CA Portland
DD Fletcher
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Meanwhile, at Lae...
Air attack on TF at 11,34
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
A-20B Havoc x 12
no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Jusan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koei Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

And, at the end of a very confusing day, the picture below shows the disposition of forces:

His BB-led, damaged bombardment TF is caught in the Slot between Lunga's LBA and the South Dakota/Washington surface TF loitering near Vila...

Every available allied bomber will be working over the Slot tomorrow...

It looks like "Guns! Guns! Guns!" I hope we win this one....





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 33
Air brawl in the Solomons - 6/5/2006 12:33:16 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		11/13/42:

A major airborne brawl breaks out throughout the Solomons. I seem to have located the Yamato, Mushashi, and the CV Hiyo---now if only I can do something about it!

A submarine surface duel at night off Buka:

Japanese Ships
AP Keisho Maru, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin, Shell hits 8

An allied air raid on a IJN CA limping towards Truk:Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3

SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1


Then the allies attack the IJN BB task force in harbor at Shortland:

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 6
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 44

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Musashi
DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tenryu, on fire
CA Atago, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze

An air raid in the waters near Buin:
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 8

Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze
TK Nissan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The IJN attacks shipping at Lunga:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 93
G3M Nell x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Zeilin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

The IJN also raids Vila:
Air attack on Vila , at 32,36

A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed

F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed


Vila-based Catalinas locate an IJN carrier TF west of Lunga:

A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo !!!!! (Darn--and me completely "carrier-less for now!)

Vila-based SBDs again raid the BB TF in Shortland harbor:

SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 3
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Matsukaze
BB Yamato


Another air attack goes in east of Buin:
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 3

TK Nissan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


IJN carrier-based air tries to attack shipping offshore of Lunga, but the US DDs avoid damage, and Lunga’s CAP wins this exchange:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 5
B5N Kate x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Tomorrow should be an interesting day to see just how many cripples can't escape...




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 34
RE: Air brawl in the Solomons - 6/5/2006 11:22:06 PM   
Nicholas Bell

 

Posts: 549
Joined: 4/10/2006
From: Eagle River, Alaska
Status: offline 		Thanks for the interesting reports! I enjoy reading them. Currently I'm playing Scenario 19 vs the AI, so I see some similarities. Anyway, just want to let you know your efforts are appreciated.

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 35
The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/7/2006 6:31:52 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Thanks, Nick!

11/21/42:

Thunderstorms lashed the SWPAC for the last 10 days, giving every hurting ship from the last series of air/surface battles a chance to limp towards safety, with minimal threat of further damage from above.

A few air raids tear up some transports, but the center of gravity has definitely shifted from GG/PM to Shortlands/Vila.

PTs out of Vila raid Shortlands nightly, sinking some barges. There is no sign of the IJN carrier TF; it was last seen clearing Choiseul, heading north to Truk for refitting. Their surface forces also disappeared heding north between New Britain and Bougainville, apparently on the way to Truk as well.

The Solomon Sea has at last come under allied air superiority, if not air supremacy...few IJN surface assets dare voyage there, although the occasional air raid out of Rabaul doesn't hesitate to strike at PM, GG, Vila or Lunga when an opportunity arises.

My next move will be a 2-pronged approach: First, to reinforce the forward Nazdab airbase by air from PM, sending the largest pieces of equipment over the Owen Stanleys. Once Nazdab has sufficient assault strength, it will attack Lae and subsequently Finschhausen by land, rather than run Rabaul's air gauntlet with an invasion by sea out of GG.

Meanwhile in the Solomons, as Vila builds up I'm transferring the 2nd MARDIV there...from that base the next attack will either be an amphip assault directly into Shortlands, or more likely onto nearby Buin, to cut Shortlands "off on the vine," behind my forward assets. Let em' die there alone without hope of resupply or reinforcement!

Hey---when you don't have carriers to protect an invasion TF, island-hopping under the cover of LBA is the only way you can advance safely.

Here's the current AAR, and the picture in the central Solomons-------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/21/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortland Island at 29,34

A Vila based PT raid:
AG 122, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AG 2060, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air attack on TF, near Vila at 32,36

A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 10 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged


F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
CL Boise, Bomb hits 2
CLAA San Juan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air attack on Shortland Island

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oyashio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 138
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 4






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Nicholas Bell)
Post #: 36
RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/7/2006 9:36:56 PM   
Mike Wethington


Posts: 60
Joined: 4/12/2006
From: Austin, TX (A Blue Atoll in an Ocean of Red)
Status: offline 		How many B-26s (# of planes & # of squadrons) attacked Shortland and at what altitude (I assume it's a Port Attack)? This looks to be a much more successful raid than I am used to seeing flying 2-3 squadrons of B-26s at Ports.

Just curious.

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 37
RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/8/2006 8:25:14 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Thanks, Mike. The B-26s were based at Lunga, and went in at Shortlands at 6000 feet, with 95 planes/6 squadrons accompanied by about 20 various fighters on escort.

They were programmed for Naval Strike first, with Port attack as a secondary objective, with the destination of Shortland.

My best guess is that they actually pulled off a port attack, and the IJN ships docked at Shortlands really took a pasting from all of the 500 pounders they dropped. The combat replay showed a raid on a port/airfield facility, not a naval attack against individual ships.

When a bunch of damaged ships are docked in port, this technique seems quite effective, although I've never actually seen a ship hit there actually "sink.'

More to come later on----work calls.....


Moondawggie

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Mike Wethington)
Post #: 38
RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/8/2006 5:48:44 PM   
Mike Wethington


Posts: 60
Joined: 4/12/2006
From: Austin, TX (A Blue Atoll in an Ocean of Red)
Status: offline 		Moondawggie:

Thanks for the info. I've been flying the Marauders lower and they are not doing as well. I'll up the concentrations and try again. I'd recommend positioning some subs near Shortland to pick up damaged ships redeploying to Truk.

The Japanese AI will hold the ships in port until they have no float damage, then 'truck' them back to Truk. The only ships I've managed to sink in harbor were AGs but I've bottomed enough stuff to keep them totally out of the war. Also, the more damaged ships in the harbor, the slower they all get repairs so your keeping CAs & CLs damaged by getting those DDs and AKs.

Keep 'em flying and keep us posted, your PBP is a good read.

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 39
RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/9/2006 12:27:29 AM   
british exil


Posts: 1686
Joined: 5/4/2006
From: Lower Saxony Germany
Status: offline 		Great AAR really enjoying it.
As a newbie I really find AAR's of great benefit.
Keep us posted on the war.
Your're doing a brilliant job
Thanks

(in reply to Mike Wethington)
Post #: 40
RE: The Solomons Quiet Down... - 6/9/2006 7:47:39 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		11/22/42: More blows are exchanged...

Weather: Thunderstorms (Again!)

The USN BB bombardgroup visits Buin, and enounters an IJN transport TF:
Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 50, and is sunk
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
TK Teiyo Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Shell hits 3
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 2
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 3
CL Boise
DD O'Bannon
DD Morris
DD Jarvis
DD Benham
DD Ellet
DD Farragut
DD Worden

Naval bombardment of Buin, at 28,33
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 42





Meanwhile, in New Guinea, an Air attack on an IJN TF near Finschhafen
Allied aircraft

A-20B Havoc x 14
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 72
Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayanami
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 1



Despite the bad weather, the aircrews at Vila are able to take off and reach Shortlands:
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Akebono Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD Ushio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 122
Guns lost 1
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4



In exchange, the Japansese send an air raid towards the retreating USN BB bombardment TF:

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Bomb hits 3
BB South Dakota


And back in New Guinea, Allied LBA finds some more IJN ships near Finschhafen

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 106
AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Nippon Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


So it goes. Elements of the 7th Australian Division are being airlifted unopposed to Nazdab, and Vila continues to be well stocked each turn by fast TFs out of Lunga.

A few weeks of build-up should lead to some rather interesting offensive action on my part.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to british exil)
Post #: 41
Let's see if I can pull a fast one here... - 6/10/2006 8:56:12 PM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline
On 11/23/42, PTs raid Shortlands at night, sinking a few IJN AGs. Recon during the day shows that Shortlands has repaired all airfield damage, and suddenly 93 fighters and 50+ IJN dive bombers are on the ground there-----maybe he's looking to attack my transports in the slot, at Vila, and at Lunga.

I have some minesweepers at Vila and the Washington/South Dakota BB TF coming up the slot; time for the BBs to go into Shortland on another Bombardment mission?

Voila!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/24/42
Weather: Overcast
Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AG 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 354, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG 362, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 369, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 2058, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG 2064, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Portland
CA New Orleans
CLAA San Juan
CL Boise
DD O'Bannon
DD Morris
DD Jarvis
DD Benham
DD Ellet
DD Farragut
DD Worden


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Shortland Island, at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 23 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 27 damaged
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 2, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 176
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 74
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Shell hits 2 (no biggie!)

Ouch: all in all, a tremendous thumping on all those IJN planes being readied for attack missions in the morning!


Then dawn breaks:
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 18 at 6000 feet
B-26B Marauder x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 9 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 218
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 14
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

All in all all, a rotten day for the IJN!!!

The Shortlands airfield isn't looking too hot, and my BBs are refueled and reloaded at Vila---maybe it's time to pay one last visit!!!




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 42
Christmas in the SWPAC - 6/11/2006 11:11:24 PM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		12/25/42:
Weather: Clear

A lot has happened in the last month.

My 2-pronged strategy worked pretty well. The Aussies attacked Lae overland after being airlifted into Nazdab, and the Japanese forces have been driven back to Finschafen. Lae has been built up into a level 6 airbase, and now houses 225 SBDs and 63 TBFs on loan from SOPAC, as well as 117 LBs. The IJn tried to attack Lae twice, first with an air attack from the Junyo and Ryujo, which resulted in some USN APs/AKs geting roughed up in port, but in return Lae's airpower hit back, with the result that the Junyo was heavily damaged and the Ryujo sunk, along with a lot of DDs.

Last turn the IJN sent in a BB surface TF to Finschafen; Lae's air pulled a Prince of Wals/Repulse style airraid on these guys, who were without LRCAP...

For the loss of one TBF, the IJN pays a heavy price:

Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 107
TBF Avenger x 32
Hudson x 34
Beaufort x 27
P-40E Kittyhawk x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 12
A-20B Boston x 8
A-20B Havoc x 21


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged
Beaufort x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 33, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 22, Torpedo hits 5, on fire
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 2
DD Ikazuchi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri
DD Yunagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mikazuki
DD Kazegumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kuma, Shell hits 52, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ikazuchi, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Meanwhile, I've bypassed Shortland, and bases up and running at Buka and Buin. I'll bomb Shortland for a few more weeks; since they are now cut off from supply, they should get pretty disrupted, and be a set up for an amphibious assault.

Here's the big picture:





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 43
RE: Christmas in the SWPAC - 6/13/2006 4:37:25 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		1/7/43

Ah---a new year, and a new level 2 airfield at Buka, conveniently located only 6 hexes from Rabaul. And me with 3 experienced P-38 squadrons transferred to Buka, all with plenty of range and loitering time to reach Rabaul, and play with the zeros who liked to duke it out with unescorted allied bombers:

As they say in Red Flag, fight's on!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/43

Weather: Clear


Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 85
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged

1LT K.Schmax of 36th FS is credited with kill number 4

LTJG T.Muranaka of DIII-1 Daitai is KILLED



Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 5 damaged

CPT S.Greer of 36th FS is credited with kill number 7

LTJG N.Kawakami of DIII-1 Daitai is KILLED


Not quite like the Datai's glory days over PM and GG against rookie P-39s and P-400s.


Meanwhile, the rested and undisrupted 1st MARDIV is on it's way to Vila, to join up with the 2nd MARDIV, and then fast transport into Shortland.

So far 1943 looks quite promising...





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 44
In football, they call this a high/low hit... - 6/14/2006 7:36:19 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Ah, January in the Southwest Pacific... balmy breezes, fair seas, and preparations for carnage everywhere...

1/13/43:

In the Solomons, the 1st MARDIV made a virtually unopposed landing over the past few nights via fast transports from Vila onto Shortland. (Amazing what sending in the minesweepers and bombers can do in just one week to a base once its been cut off from resupply!)

The trapped 10,000+ Japanese troopers there can only mount an assault strength 6 bombardment attack on the beachhead; not a single Jarhead is injured.

Ground combat at Shortland Island
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3140 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 14626 troops, 102 guns, 98 vehicles

No USMC casualties!

Next turn, the marines will probe with a deliberate attack on their defenses. When the IJA strength is reduced to zero, I'll turn the tankers and riflemen loose in a shock attack, and hopefully send all of the defenders to the Yakasuni Shrine...

Meanwhile, in New Guinea, the Australian 7th Division has completed its march from Lae to Finschaufen. The IJA forces there have been trying to evacuate via APs and AGs; the Lae-based airpower has torn them up badly...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/13/43
Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33
Japanese Ships
AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tokai Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 201

Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 11,33
Japanese Ships
AP Tokai Maru, Shell hits 56, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The IJA counterattacks the Aussie's incursion:

Ground combat at Finschhafen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16259 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28501 troops, 155 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 325
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 102

The IJA counterattack at Finschaufen fails. Next turn will start the prep on these guys for the final clean-out as well...







Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 45
Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! - 6/15/2006 6:13:04 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		1/14/43

The 1st MarDiv probes Shortland's defenders with a deliberate attack: sometimes you get a lot more than you expected to:

Ground combat at Shortland Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13704 troops, 112 guns, 98 vehicles

Defending force 6972 troops, 177 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shortland Island base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 7851
Guns lost 153

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

Take home lesson: cutting the enemy off from supply makes all the fortifications in the world worthless!

I've learned something here: 10 USMC casualties to 7800+ for the IJA---somehow this seems much more satisfactory than landing on the beach without warning, and trying to pull off a costly shock attack on the evening of the landing.

Meanwhile, Finschafen will be a bit tougher, but the trapped IJA forces there seem equally doomed:

Ground combat at Finschhafen
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3779 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 28308 troops, 155 guns, 10 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7

Ground combat at Finschhafen
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24867 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 19466 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 564
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 274

Meanwhile, this is one pretty looking map of the Solomons:




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 46
RE: Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! - 6/16/2006 5:58:04 PM   
Mike Wethington


Posts: 60
Joined: 4/12/2006
From: Austin, TX (A Blue Atoll in an Ocean of Red)
Status: offline 		Huah MoonDawggie, Huah


(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 47
RE: Short(on)land, supplies, and bullets! - 6/17/2006 9:04:07 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Thanks, Mike! But it ain't over until it's over...

Time to regroup, refit, resupply, and then beat the stuffing out of Rabaul and (the linchpin) Kavieng...and then, just maybe Truk!

I can't wait until my F4Fs get upgraded to Corsairs and Hellcats---and I would really appreciate it if Pearl Harbor would release some CVs and CVLs my way---3 CVEs aren't enough to cut it with Shikoku still alive somewhere...Those IJN Daitais are still very lethal...




_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Mike Wethington)
Post #: 48
Finschafen falls! - 6/18/2006 5:00:49 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		1/26/43



The Australian 6th and 7th Divisions make a series of deliberate attacks on Finschafen after marching overland from Lae. LBA hammers the IJA troops there, fortifications are systematically reduced to zero, and ultimately the last IJA bastion in Papua falls:

Ground combat at Finschhafen
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 26515 troops, 155 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 17537 troops, 184 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Finschhafen base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10124
Guns lost 85
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 60
Guns lost 1


The next day, allied forces shock attack the remaining Japanese troopers caught in the hex:

Ground combat at Finschhafen
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 26499 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 3691 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5019
Guns lost 42
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 84

In all, the IJA suffers over 15,000 casualties in the final 2 days, compared to 150 for the allies.

Onward!


_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 49
The Shokaku reappears - 6/18/2006 8:46:03 PM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		2/7/43

One problem with taking Finschafen and Lae is that they need a lot of supplies and support to maintain the troops who captured those bases. So, I send a massive supply/transport TF commanded by Kincaid up to Lae loaded with goodies. Knowing that I would be well within range of Rabaul's LBA, I cover it with Spruance's carrier TF consisting of 3 CVE's---only 90 planes, but I manage to get to Finschafen unscathed, and start disembarking the supplies and reinforcements.

Then, who should come blasting down the Truk to Kavieng freeway but the Shokaku.

I've swarmed all of my subs into the Bismarck Sea, hoping for a lucky shot at Shokaku:

Standing about 7 hexes away from Finschafen, she sends an air attack against the ships there, which is beaten back with only minor damage by Spruance's Wildcats and LRCAP from P-40Es out of Lae. All the transports head south, CVE's in tow, trying to get clear of the Vals and Kates:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/06/43

Air attack on TF at 12,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 12
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Adelong
AK Bellatrix
AK Etamin, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Alchiba
DD Wilson, Bomb hits 2, on fireAK Alcyone


Then the gutsy litte S-40 makes my day!

Sub attack at 18,27

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-40

So, Shokaku has to be slowed down some: I send every SBD, B-26 and B-25 I have to Buka (a mere level 2 airfield; can they operate out of there?), to get them in range of Shokaku's last known position, and do the same with SWPACs Havocs and Bostons to Finschafen. The heavies (B-17s, Hudsons, etc) are poised at Lae. My CVEs are so slow and underplaned that I don't risk having them close on Shokaku and Rabaul: damn I could use a CV or two!

The next day may gets quite exciting...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/07/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF at 18,27

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
SBD Dauntless x 6
P-38G Lightning x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 5 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 11 damaged

LCDR S. Komachi of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Tone, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
CL Tama
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

And who should be escorting the Shokaku but the Ryuho!

Air attack on TF at 18,27
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho

Another allied air raid from Buka goes in for the money shot!

Air attack on TF at 18,27
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 13
P-38G Lightning x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 7
B-26B Marauder x 6

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tama, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tone, Bomb hits 1, on fire

And the Lae/Finschafen's airdales are right behind:

Air attack on TF at 18,27
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
A-20B Havoc x 6

no losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 7 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tama, on fire, heavy damage


The Bismarck Sea is a real mess at this time. I hope the clear weather holds for one more day, and the subs lock onto their prey...






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 50
End of the Shokaku - 6/19/2006 1:57:12 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		On 2/8/43, the Shokaku ran out of luck.

LBA air from Buka (B-25s and -26s) found her one hex out of Kavieng. The escorting P-38s brushed aside the remaining CAP, and 45 twin engine bombers put 31 (count 'em, 31!) 500 pound bombs into her tough hide. 2 huge secondary ammo explosions, and one secondary fuel storage explosion sealed the deal; by the time By the time LBA from Lae (B-17s and Hudsons) appeared overhead, there was nothing left to drop on.


The next day, both the chasing subs and LBA from Buka/Lae caught the other cripples from Shokaku's task force, as well as a fast transport TF near Kavieng:

02/09/43
Japanese Ships

CL Tama, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

Sub attack near Meteiai at 17,24
Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

The Tarpon wins that duel!

Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 51
B-25J Mitchell x 20
B-26B Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 80

Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shimakaze
DD Arashi, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 125

Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 35
B-25J Mitchell x 9
B-26B Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashi, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 165


All in all, a very nasty outcome for the IJN in the Bismarck Sea: the only 2 USN ships damaged by Shokaku's airwing made it back to port safely in Finschafen; they are badly damaged, but the fires are out, the floatation damage is being repaired, and they will both ultimately back to Noumea and then Pearl, where they will likely sit out the rest of this scenario.

Here's the IJN damage update:






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 51
The Lex goes hunting - 6/21/2006 4:37:15 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/20/43

Weather: Clear

After the demise of the Shokaku, Pearl Harbor rewarded me with the return of the Lexington. She forms a one CV air TF and left Noumea for the formerly unknown waters between Rabaul and Truk. Meanwhile, Spruance's 3 CVE TF moved to Finschafen, where it provides air cover for some fast transports landing troops in Saidor, which falls easily, costing the IJA over 800 casualties.

Next, more Finschafen troops are lifted to Madang. Air from Lae keeps the IJA troopers under pressure, but they still shock attack the Aussie invaders on the day of landing---unsuccessfully!

Ground combat at Madang

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7676 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5593 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 193
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 102

Madang should fall within the next few days, now that I'm assured of holding onto the beachhead.

Meanwhile, the Lex finds some tankers and APs on the resupply route from Truk to Rabaul to Kavieng/Rabaul. They are easy game for Lexington's SBDs and TBDs. A few weak raids of unescorted Nells and Betties out of Truk counterattrack the Lex, but the with 80% CAp assigned, the 36-plane strong F4F VF-2 squadron doesn't let anyone score.

The next day the IJN sends a weak air TF build around the CVL Ruyho to challenge the Lex; the Lex spots the Ruyho first:


Air attack on TF at 20,10
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 30
TBF Avenger x 18

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged
TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mikuma

The Lex wins round one at little cost!


The Ruyho air wing counterpunches; 2 Kates make their way through the CAP, but neither scores...

Air attack on TF at 25,14
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
B5N Kate x 3
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington


A miss is as good as a mile!


Let's see if the Ruyho can make it back to port; I'm laying odds that she is done for...


Meanwhile, my LBA in Buka (now a level 4 airfield) continues to clobber Rabaul...

Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 15
P-38G Lightning x 53
B-25J Mitchell x 59
B-26B Marauder x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
J1N1-R Irving x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 419

Airbase hits 14
Runway hits 155

The next step will be to build up a New Britain base in a hex adjacent to Rabaul, fast transport in a few divisions after first staging them at Buka, and then attack Rabaul overland like I did Lunga/Taivu, rather than risk a direct Amphibious attack directly into Rabaul...


_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 52
RE: The Lex goes hunting - 6/21/2006 5:55:06 PM   
Mike Wethington


Posts: 60
Joined: 4/12/2006
From: Austin, TX (A Blue Atoll in an Ocean of Red)
Status: offline 		Moondawggie:

Could you tell us the altitude your flying your LBAs (especially your medium bombers) against Rabaul? I'm not gettting a lot of success on ground units flying similar numbers at 6000 feet.
Mike

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 53
RE: The Lex goes hunting - 6/21/2006 11:21:35 PM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Mike, the medium bombers (B-25s and -26s) are going in at 5000 feet. (The B-17s go in at 20,000.)

They medium bomber pilots are very experienced at this point in the war; average experience level is in the low 80s, ranging from 72 to a high of 98.

Good luck!

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Mike Wethington)
Post #: 54
MacArthur begins his return... - 6/23/2006 2:55:28 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		3/4/43

Relatively quiet the past several days in the SOPAC.

Buka is being flooded with supplies and land forces, which are just as rapidly fast transported to Ganai, the land hex adjacent to Rabaul. Seabees have finished a level 1 port there, and are working on an airfield. LRCAP from Buka covers these troops, but no IJA/IJN airpower has yet attacked this outpost. My only problem right now is a lack of base force support for the troops.

The Lex continues to hunt in the waters between Kavieng and Truk, but pickings are getting slim---only an occasional IJN DD shows up on the search patterns.

In SWPAC's sector, aussie and USA troops fast transported from Finschafen grew in numbers at Madang, and a series of deliberate attacks brought the fortification level down to zero.

The rest is history:

Ground combat at Madang

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15271 troops, 107 guns, 49 vehicles
Defending force 7883 troops, 101 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Madang base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3516
Guns lost 17

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32

Tomorrow I'll shock attack the survivors in Madang, start bombing Wewak from Lae, marshall a bunch of forces at Madang, and then start the move on Wewak. With enemy airpower so weakened, it will be time to try my luck there with a direct amhibious assault.

Here's the current map on New Guinea:







Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 55
The Lex feasts north of Kavieng - 6/23/2006 11:08:29 PM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		3/13/43

After refueling and refitting at Lunga following her last foray into the waters south of Truk, the Lexington TF ventures up there again to see what she can scare up.

On 3/11 and 3/12, she whups up on some TKs and APs trying to supply Kavieng, then heads further west to see if anyone is moving towards the Admiralties.

Who should show up to the northeast but an IJN carrier TF centered around CVL Hosho. Weather is clear, and both TFs detect each other at midday. The Lex hits first with SBDs and F4Fs, brushes aside the IJN CAP, and drops ten 1000-pounders onto Hosho's thin decks. In turn, 3 major secondary explosions cook off; one fuel storage, one ammo storage, and one "massive explosive damage."

Next, Hosho's strike comes in on the Lex, but 80% of VF-2 is on CAP duty, so I have 28 F4Fs against 6 zeros and 10 Kates. My CAP nails 2 zeros, and badly disrupts the Kates; 3 Kates fall to the Wildcats, 7 are gunned down by AAA, and not one Kate scores a hit. 2 Wildcats fall defending the Lex...

Still, although Hosho is a hurting puppy, she remains afloat and under power, and is only 12 hexes from Truk, making her way slowly north at the end of the day.

The Lex charges north to close on her, into the range of Truks LBA, in an attempt to take Hosho down once and for all---I'm thinking that Truk can't have much left in the way of attack planes. Tomorrow I will learn the correct answer to that question.

3/14/43

The Lex finds both Hosho and another IJN supply TF centered around a CS.

The SBDs strike northeast:

Air attack on TF at 21,10
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 17
no losses

Japanese Ships
CVL Hosho, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

(I don't think she's going to make Truk!)

Then, it's SBDs to the northwest:

Air attack on TF at 20,8
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 6
no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Bengal Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 1

Air attack on TF at 20,8
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 14
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Ujigawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Bengal Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 87

Altogher, a satisfying day for the naval aviators!

Meanwhile, Ganai is fully stocked with over 3 well-rested divisions: next turn they will begin the march overland into Rabaul---





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 56
The USMC and USA enter Rabaul - 6/24/2006 2:47:50 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		Since the last post, the Chitose sank on 3/15 . An IJN surface task force raided Madang, but caused little damage. They tried getting away to Kavieng, but I sent two BB-led surface TFs out of Buka to head them off; they then drove east into Rabaul----bad decision; Buka's LBA caught them there before they could dock, and every IJN BB, CA, CL, and DD seeking shelter in Rabaul ate some thousand pounders. The Lex came south and also tore into them with SBDs and TBFs; now they are heavily damaged and sitting in port. 2 IJN CAs sank in Rabaul harbor outright, along with 4 DDs.

Then on 3/24, my land forces finished the march from Ganai into Rabaul. Tomorrow I'll lead off with a bombardment attack to see how strong the infantry there are after weeks of bombing and no supplies. The trapped ships there are in for a very nasty surprise.

Rabaul is going down hard!







Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 57
Rabaul: A real knife fight develops - 6/24/2006 5:07:56 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		3/25/43

One thing you can generally count on is that once land forces tear into a hex, anybody who really doesn't have to stay there usually hits the road ASAP.

Today is a perfect example: some IJN DDs hiding in port at Rabaul decide now is the time to bug out, but some Buka-based PTs interrupt their hasty exit:

Weather: Overcast

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28
Japanese Ships
DD Onami
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 123
PT 120
PT 146, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PT 151
PT 152
PT 157
PT 162
PT 163
PT 167
PT 168
PT 169
PT 170
PT 171
PT 176

Still, the PTs slow them down, and when dawn breaks, Buka's LBA finds them at sea, out of ideas, but with some aircover from Rabaul's Japanese flyboys :

Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 85
F4U-1 Corsair x 42
SBD Dauntless x 163 Damn! I'd hate to have to watch 160+ SBDs drop on me!
B-25J Mitchell x 48
B-26B Marauder x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nokaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Onami, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

Ouch---all the sudden losing a PT seems acceptable.

After the destroyer action, I launch my first deliberate attack at the IJA land forces in Rabaul: it is going to be a very tough nut to crack. Still, with air supremacy and sea-lane superiority, I think that ultimately 40,000+ IJA troopers are going to be removed from the equation...










Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 58
RE: Rabaul: A real knife fight develops - 6/24/2006 5:11:00 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		The land battle AAR for 3/25/43 at Rabaul:

Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7009 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 94019 troops, 791 guns, 427 vehicles

No casualties!

Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59216 troops, 677 guns, 289 vehicles

Defending force 46891 troops, 452 guns, 19 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 325

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 381
This is going to b a slog...




_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 59
Slow going at Rabaul - 7/2/2006 12:43:40 AM   
Moondawggie


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/18/2003
From: Placer County CA
Status: offline 		I'm back after a week touring the Seattle area: great salmon and halibut (the Copper River salmon run was in!), and a great time checking out all of the planes at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. I got to walk thru the first Air Force 1 (saw the lavatory where Nikita Kruschiev and JFK got to take care of businesss) as well as walk thru a Concorde. The Red Barn had a great display of the Wright Brothers paraphenalia, and the WW1 and WW2 static displays were impressive, as were the more recent aircraft---Dark Star is pretty wild looking, and I've always liked the looks of the "Habu" (what we called the SR-71 when they seemed to appear near Kadena Air Force base on Okinawa).

Check it out if you ever get the chance!

Back to 4/2/43:

The IJA is well entrenched at Rabaul: despite my having 4 Divisions landed there, the fortifications are at 9, so each deliberate attack ends up with each side losing about 500 men, and no reduction in fortifications---allied assault odds 0 to 1. So, right now a stalemate.

I'm going to bring in more and more troops, bomb and bombard Rabaul mercilessly (the thunderstorms of late haven't helped the B-17s/B-24s do their jobs), and ultimately take down that base.



Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6730 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 97370 troops, 862 guns, 426 vehicles (Good grief: I have a lot of men there!)


Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 59843 troops, 835 guns, 36 vehicles

Defending force 44035 troops, 430 guns, 19 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12




_____________________________

"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."

General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg

(in reply to Moondawggie)
Post #: 60
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