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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> The Battle of the Marshall Islands

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The Battle of the Marshall Islands - 1/30/2009 1:57:42 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

7 September 1943

In the midst of running so many turns, I lost track of the date in the AAR. THe last three reports are all off by two days.

Wow! Don't know how to write this up. Today was a pretty clear victory for the Allies more specifically the USN.

The Battle took place south of Eniwetok. In summary, only two Judy's penetrated the US CAP for no hits. That's right, no hits on the USN at all! I am going to split this into two posts. Before I start, LBA hit Kwajalein and Maeolap hard

First the USN strikes on the IJN CV force.

The AM Strikes

Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 21
A6M5 Zeke x 76
A6M3a Zero x 10
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 27
TBF Avenger x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 10 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 20 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 13 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 2 (Tough cookie - both hits bounced)
CV Hiyo

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 43
A6M3a Zero x 5
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 25
TBF Avenger x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 10 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
F1M2 Pete : 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBF Avenger: 18 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CL Yahagi
CV Taiho
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Amagi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 32
A6M3a Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7
TBF Avenger x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Taiho
CV Amagi

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 40
A6M3a Zero x 4
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 32
SBD Dauntless x 42
TBF Avenger x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 19 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F1M2 Pete : 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 21 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22
A6M3a Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Taiho, on fire
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (critical damage - she later sinks raising the total to 7 BB sunk)
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 47
A6M3a Zero x 8
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 20 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
CL Sendai
BB Musashi
CVL Ryuho

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 44
A6M3a Zero x 7
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF Avenger: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (pretty sure she is a goner)
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CS Nisshin

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet

PM Strike - the TF's reacted one more hex and were thus all in the same hex for the PM phase

Day Air attack on TF at 76,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 12
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 75
SBD Dauntless x 60
TBF Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed
F1M2 Pete : 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 20 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1
CL Sendai
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage (another likely victim)
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (flooding critical - here's hoping)
DD Maikaze
CL Jintsu
DD Makigumo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by vettim89 -- 1/30/2009 2:06:37 AM >

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 571

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands - 1/30/2009 2:32:59 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

The Japanese stikes on the USN

AM Strikes

Day Air attack on TF, near Mili at 84,89

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Tumult, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (this was out of Kwajalein an the MSW din't make it)AO Monongahela

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,82

This was the main strike of the day. Surprisingly many of the bomber squadrons ran as the kills rang up

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 20
D3A Val x 20
D4Y Judy x 41
A6M3a Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 56
B6N Jill x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 111

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 6 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 19 destroyed
D3A Val: 15 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 32 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N Kate: 19 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N Jill: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Washington

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet (our lone leakers)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,82

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6
D4Y Judy x 8

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,82

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6
B5N Kate x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

PM Strike - again all four CVTF are in the same hex now
Day Air attack on TF at 77,81

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D3A Val x 4
D4Y Judy x 6
B5N Kate x 21

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 159

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 8 destroyed
D3A Val: 4 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 3 destroyed
B5N Kate: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 damaged

Image shows the AC losses for the day. The Puny PM strike from KB and the meager PM CAP tells me there are a lot of damage airframes too. My CAP is in pretty good shape with several squadrons having no damaged airframes. Keep in mind that two of the TF's did not see the AM strikes. I am moving my TF a few hexes west to try to pick up any stragglers. There is one Japanese TF heading EAST listed as a BB and a DD. This is likely Musashi trying to make Kwajalein before progrssive flooding takes her. Not a good place to hide. I may not be able to sink her but there is no way she will make it out of there alive. Doing a BDA, Taiho, Hiyo, Ryuho, Kaga, an Unyo likely do not have functioning flight decks anymore. From the ships I know are present, that leaves Amagi and Chuyo which both took single bomb hits. Barring missing some CV's all together (Akagi is unaccounted for as well as maybe two CVL's), at best the IJN might be able to put 45 Fighters and maybe 40 attack aircraft together. The IJN could not penetrate my CAP with four times that number. I was hoping for some CV's sunk but not in the cards. If I were Larry I would break off Amagi and run. I don't think she can save her cohorts. Better to live to fight another day. Tomorrow coul be an even bigger day when it comes to sinkings

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 572

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands - Final Thoughts - 1/30/2009 2:39:18 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

To add insult to injury, the turn ended with this:

Ground combat at Honan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 180796 troops, 1349 guns, 559 vehicles, Assault Value = 3264

Defending force 83531 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2580

Japanese max assault: 3200 - adjusted assault: 1132

Allied max defense: 2454 - adjusted defense: 2482

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
5611 casualties reported
Guns lost 111
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
1424 casualties reported

OUCH!

Also SS Tautog hit an AK both in the night phase and day phase sinking her

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 573

The Battle of the Marshall Islands Day 2 - 1/30/2009 11:17:57 PM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

8 September 1943

No strikes from Japanese aircraft. Heavy cloud cover prevented strikes on the western most two TF's where I know the least damaged IJN CV's are hiding. I won't post the combat report but the AM strikes hit the two CVE's: Chuyo an Unyo

Chuyo 13 bombs, 1 TT (sinks)
Unyo 1 TT (sinks)
CA Mogami 6 bombs
DD Suzanami 1 bomb
DD Sutsuki 2 bomb

The PM strikes hit TF's at Enitewok:

CV Hiyo 20 Bomb, 6 TT (sinks)
CVL Ryuho 2 TT
DD Hokaze 2 bomb

I have to believe Ryuho is in a bad way. She took 5 bomb hits yesterday and 2 torpedoes today. So that leaves CV Kaga, CV Amagi, an CV Taiho. As I had no counter strikes, either the weather prevente launching or there is significant amage to all three. In addition BB Musashi is hurt and CA Mogami has got to be in a bad way. My subs are repositioning along likely egress routes to try and pick up stragglers.

SS Pollack put a TT into an AK then surfaced and engaged/sunk a barge with deck guns. LBA out of Tarwa hit Kwajalein AB again an killed 15 Kate on the ground - assuming these are from the damaged CV's.

The plan is in the next post

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 574

The Battle of the Marshall Islands Day 2 - 1/30/2009 11:25:04 PM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

I originally sent my CVTF to Majuro at full speed where there are AO, AE, an CVE-R's waiting. My thought was to sprint back, fill up the air groups, replenish sorties and head back up to the Enitewok/Ponape area thinking the cripples might still be there pumping out. I actually was ready to send the turn.

Then I looked at the condition of the CVTF. Three out of four are above 80% sorties with the fourth at 71%. Fighter strength is excellant and attack planes are at about 50%. I thought I might not get another chance like this for a very long time. So I thought one more day steaming NW where the one TF with IJN CV's is indicated as its heading. That is it though. After that its time to go home. I need to get Enitewok occupiedd an built up then send my CV's back to PH for repair/refit. If I were to get lucky and sink even one or two more CV's, it will give me freedom of movement for a very long time.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 575

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands Day 2 - 1/31/2009 12:32:10 AM

ny59giants

Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline

AND........

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 576

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands Day 2 - 1/31/2009 1:17:02 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

9 September 1943

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

AND........�

The weather socks in all my CV's - no strikes, but.................

LCMDR Hartung, USS Growler meet your Navy Cross. Two hits confirmed.

Elsewhere:

CBI: one sq of Hurricane IIc's is now flying Juggs. One sq AVG now has shiny new P-38J's

So I set my CV's to head NW 3 more hexes. No opposition from Truk thus far but if I stray much further north, I will have to worry about the Marianas. Next turn is it. Here's hoping

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 577

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands Day 2 - 1/31/2009 2:50:33 PM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

10 September 1943

This turn the weather is clear over the carriers but thunderstorms over the IJN TF's. Finally in disgust i send the CVTF back to Majuro. Fuel is low and the air groups need rebuilt. These last fe CV battles are very reminiscent of the battles in 1943 and 1944 in RL. I have done massive damage to the IJN air groups but the flight decks slip away from me. That said, this battle was my "Turkey Shoot" and occurred nearly a year earlier than its RL parallel. Still, I feel like Nimitz had to feel about Shokoku and Zuikoku about Akagi and Kaga. I keep getting them in my sights but can't seem to be able to kill them. Kaga is my Sho - I have hit her three times only to have her come back again.

So Zuikoku and Shokoku are gone. Hiryu and Soryu are gone. Junyo an Hiyo are now gone. All the Japanese CVE are gone. Amagi is hit bad. Taiho is hit bad. Kaga is dinged. Akagi wasn't present so I assume she is still in the yard. How Ryuho is still afloat is beyond me - 5 100 lb bomb hits plus 2 TT should be more than enough to sink her. Perhaps she is gone an FOW has just not revealed it to me. That leaves Unyo and Kasaguri and I don't know where they fall in the schedule. I have to assume Larry is accerating them as fast as possible. I guess the only good news is that Larry's Navy pilot pool has been empty for a long time. With all these losses, whenever the Japanese CV's come back, their air groups will be atrocious.

Elsewhere, Victoria Point is finally clear of mines. Supplies are at 15000 and climbing. A TRANS TF is inbound with BF's. AV support has been lifted in but I am holding off on putting planes there until supplies climb over 20 k. Port damage is 2 and service damage is 20. No runway damage. Once VP is fully expanded I will have Tavoy at level 6, VP at level 6, and Rangoon at level 9. should be able to wreak some Havoc with this line up.

I have a "sea train" running just south of Nanumea - an almost continuous line of hexes with TF in it hauling troops to Townsville.

I have decided on a four prong line of approaching. CENTPAC will move on Wake and Marcus then eventually the Marianas. SOPAC will move up the Solomons then to Admiralty Islands and finally Woleai (Sp). SWPAC will move on Marauk then TImor. SEAC will move on Bangkok. China Command will try to tie as much force down as possible

< Message edited by vettim89 -- 1/31/2009 5:58:15 PM >

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 578

Thoughts for the Day - 1/31/2009 6:35:16 PM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

I have been considering the aftermath of this battle. Even though I am frustrated by the IJN flight decks escaping, I cannot really think of a better way for this to have turned out. Unless FOW comes through an reveals more sinkings and/or progressive flooding/fire damage claims some of my victims, the IJN still has six fleet carriers and one CVL either on the map or in the pipe (Akagi, Kaga, Taiho, Amagi, Unro, Kasaguri, an Ryuho). That said, at least three of them are probably out of action for at least three or four months. The thought that hit me was that I find myself much more sympathetic towards Halsey's actions at Leyte. I had always thought running away from the charges he was supposed to protect to get the carriers was borderline OCD. Now I understand why he did it. The mere presence of a depleted IJN CV fleet governs my actions from this point forward. Had Spruance been a little more aggressive at Phillipine Sea, Leyte Gulf would have been a different battle. Hindsight being 20/20, at the time Spruance's actions seemed correct at the time. Good for me to be thinking this because hopefully it will keep me from Halsey's error in the future

Second thought/mini-editorial. I have been very hesitant to criticize my opponent to this point as Larry has played not only a well thought out game but a very fair one to boot. That said, the way Larry (and some/many other JFB's whose AAR's I have read) has used KB is beyond my thinking. This whole battle started when KB swooped in to attack an unprotected TRANTF at Majuro. From comments Larry has made, KB was lurking up north of Kwajalein for some time waiting for an opening to strike unprotected transports. He even sai he wished he had gone south instead of north after the first day to get more AK's. Keep in mind, KB did not oppose the Tarawa op, the Makin Op, or the Majuro op other than lurking 5 or 6 hexes away and watching. Instead, Larry waits to Majuro is not only occupied but built up to a level 3 AB before he sends in the carriers. Here is the net result: I lost 4 AK an about 100 aircraft (with replacement aircraft an pilots with 65 EXP sitting 10 hexes away). He lost Hiyo, Chuyo, Unyo, Harauna, and at leat one DD. In addition he lost over 200 carrier aircraft and likely a fair number of pilots. Plus, at the very least Taiho, Amagi, and Ryuho are out of the war for a long time. In addition CA Mogami and CV Kaga are at least dinged up. Here's the irony, I have not four but likely 40 AK sitting in ports right now becasue I have no immediate use for them. In other words, Larry basically lost his entire carrier strike force for some time to sink ships I don't even need. The first CV battle of this game was fought while KB was out commerce raiding too. Larry lost 3 CV's to my 1 in that battle. I don't know if any JFB read this AAR or not but you might want to pay attention to this: the Allies have more lift than they know what to do with. Putting your carriers at risk for commerce raiding is, in this man's opinion, foolish. Not only do you risk losing your CV's, you are going to lose some pilots to op losses if nothing else. Then there is the whole matter of burning up all the fuel. In late 44 or 45 when your ships are all sitting in port for lack of fuel, you may wish you had the 100 k tons of it you burnt up chasing AK's in 1942 an 1943. To put it another way, I probably have more fuel and supplies in Samoa and the Gilberts than Larry has on the whole map (at least 1.5 million supply and 1 milion Fuel). End of editorial. We know return you to your regularly scheduled AAR

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 579

Calm After the Storm - 2/1/2009 5:07:26 PM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

11 September 1943

Not much this turn. Highlights:

* My CVTF are 120 nm West of Enitewok and hit the AB there for good measure.

* SS Dragonet torpedoes wounded CL Nagara 120 East of Truk and sinks her

* Two SS combine to sink an AK in the South China Sea

* A SC TF attacks S-28 east of Townsville for 3 hits.

* 4E/2E Bombers out of Rangoon hit Bangkok HI for 14 hits

Included the image of the Townsville Choo Choo - the train of TF's heaing there with support troops

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 580

RE: Calm After the Storm - 2/2/2009 5:10:56 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

12 September 1943

Again a slow turn. Highlights

* SS ALbacore puts three fish into Mogami an she sinks

* LBA hits Bangkok again for 41 HI hits.

* TF Approaching VP with BF and supplies. This base will be active in two days

* Truk is being bloackade with subs

* USN CVTF are 180 WNW of Kwajalein. They put one bomb into stricken Ryuho (how she is still afloat is beyond me as that is the 7th bomb plus 2 TT that have hit her) at Enitewok and sink I-7 in port at Kwajalein.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 581

RE: Calm After the Storm - 2/3/2009 4:58:33 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

13-14 September 1943

Very slow right now. Highlights

* Larry is pushing hard in China and I am pushing back. He is attacking Pakhoi daily and losing airframes every time

* Fighters are now at Victoria Point. As this number grows, I will eventually be able to take the RN carriers off this duty

* SS Pago suffers a heavy ASW attack 60 nm NW of Truk. Intel indicates a BB in the attacking TF. Likely Musashi heading to Japan. Other subs in area are moving into position

* The USN CVTF's are at Majuro refueling an rebuilding their air groups.

* Munda is now a level 3 AB and has P-40N-5 and F4U sq there now

* Supplies are all out of whack in SoPac. Too much where I don't need them and not enough where I do. THe Enitewok op is being delayed a couple of days as the units are located at Savali which only has 8 k supplies whereas Pago Pago just 120 nm east has 600 K supply. Remedying that now. Good new is my Gilbert/Marshall bases are looking good as far as supply goes. I want to take a lot of supply to Enitewok as it is a little exposed. I don't want to have to divert carriers to escort convoys in an out.

My lift situation is improving. I now have enough lift in the Coral Sea area to do some modest ops. First task will be Buin. I have a goo amount of lift in the Samoa area so the Enitewok operation is well supplied in that category. In aition, I have been receiving a surge of lift in the past few weeks at SF. They seem to come in bunches vice spread out

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 582

RE: Calm After the Storm - 2/3/2009 6:00:16 PM

vettim89

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15 September 1943

Not a good turn. An I-boat snuck into Majuro and hit not one but two AO's there. My usually spot on ASW forces forgot how to drop DC's it seems. Will likely lose one AO and the other will be out of the war for a while. While it is mostly surplus right now, it will not be long before I need every AO I can find.

A US sub hit a DD 120 NW of Truk. This is likely the TF with Musashi in it. Still hurting a DD is never a bad thing

Two RN subs with short legs arrived at Aden. I am sending them to Rangoon to operate in the Malaya region

There is a FG with 72 A-36 at Karachi repairing. This group is heading for China.

I tried a Shock Attack NE of Changsa and failed miserably. Base AV there is 1300 for Japan and 3700 for Chinese. Attack came off at 0 to 1 - not even close. Lost 8000 troops to 400. The Chinese suck on offensive

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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 583

RE: Calm After the Storm - 2/5/2009 3:08:13 PM

vettim89

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To be honest I don't know our date for sure. I think this is for 15-18 September 1943

Quiet few days in the Pacific. Highlights of the last few days

* US SS torpedo and sink a damged DD near Pagan - believe this was a refuge from the Marshall Is Battle

* One of the aforementioned AO's sinks but the other one makes port safely.

* Supplies arrive at Savali and units for Enitewok will begin loading next turn.

* Munda is a level 3 AB/Port expanding to level 5 AB eventually (maybe) There are P-40-N-5 sq there plus an F4U sq and A-24's/SBD's. All units are in place for the Buin op which should go off in the next week.

* Supplies are now 10 k strong at Madang. The support units I sent to SWPAC are beginning to arrive. A couple of BF's are headed to Thursday Island and will be lifted in soon.

* An Av RGT will be landed at Cooktown next turn. This unit will then be air lifted into PM to allow the 4E to relocate.

* USN CVTF raided Enitewok and put two more 500 lb hits into Ryuho which did not sink. Then then headed west and hit Truk's port sinking 3 I-boats, another DD, and a MSW while heavily damaging an AR and an AS. They will stop at Enitewok on the way back to try to sink Ryuho.

*5 Chinese Corp are one hex out of Tavoy. Once there, the massive stack will head towards Bangkok. Once the Bangkok op starts, I will cease offensive ops in China as my transport a/c will be needed in SEAC to keep the momentum up.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 584

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands - 2/5/2009 4:20:04 PM

ny59giants

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Looks like both your Ops and Logistics Depts are working 24/7 trying to get troops sent to the proper place and the ships needed to support the next invasion. So much for those short turns for you.

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Post #: 585

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands - 2/5/2009 7:05:32 PM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Looks like both your Ops and Logistics Depts are working 24/7 trying to get troops sent to the proper place and the ships needed to support the next invasion. So much for those short turns for you.

Wholeheartedly agree. At this point the front has moved so quickly that everything is out of position. Samoa had been the major staging point but now is a backwater. That is why I had the oops at Savali. I had been moving supplies forward to the Gilberts and Marshall that I failed to notice the levels dropping low. There are BF's and CB units at Nukefutau and Nanumea that don't need to be there right now. Problem is my lift is busy moving combat troops around.

Right now, I am having to think further out than I ever have. I need to be able to have supplies where I want them before I can commence operations. I finally have plenty of supply in OZ but I lack fuel. Perth ran out of fuel a few weeks back so my subs were stuck there while I moved it from Melborne.

So now I take a couple hours or more just doing logistics while spending maybe 30 minutes on actual combat ops.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 586

RE: The Battle of the Marshall Islands - 2/5/2009 8:34:40 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

So now I take a couple hours or more just doing logistics while spending maybe 30 minutes on actual combat ops.

New officers study tactics. Experienced officers study logistics.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 587

More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/6/2009 4:29:05 AM

vettim89

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Aha, it is 21 September 1943

The Allied counteroffensive is coming in waves now. The previous wave crested and subsided with the Battle of the Marshall Islands, the occupation of Madang, and the invasion of Victoria Point. The next wave is building. By theatre:

China

No more for me thanks, I'm full. My recent attempt at a counteroffensive here pittered out when my shock attack north of Changsha came off at 0 to 1 when I had a base AV avantage of 3700 to 1300. The Chinese cannot do offensive operations period in this mod. That said, they can tie down Japanese units which is just what I am doing. Focus here is to maintain just enough pressure to keep Larry from pulling units for defense.

SEAC

The bloodiness of the Victoria Point operation in terms of lift put any hope of a serious amphibious operation here in the near future to rest. Instead I am sending about half a million troops to Bangkok. If I able able to secure that base, I will then have to decide whether to head south towards Saigon or SW toward Singapore. That will be months away if at all. The Padang op is still on the back burner but I would probably need some USN CV help for it. Still a level 5 AB 4 hexes from Singapore and Palembang would hurt the Japanese worse than any other op I could do in this region. That is over the horizon for now.

SoPac

Units are loading this turn for Buin on southern Bouganville. Two full US ID are heading out to take on 7 k likely starving troops. The will be covered by LRCAP from Munda. Beyond that, SoPac senior staffers are considering where to plan their next op. The could hop up and around Rabaul to finish isolating that base but Larry has very little there and it already is behind the forward lines. The other option is to just blend the SoPac forces into the CentPac forces and head north and west. If that is the case, Ulithi will be the next likely target

SWPac

Mac's boys are busy. The focus is in three axes right now.
* Expanding Madang to a level 5 AB to make it a viable frontline base
* Moving support units to Merauk to build an AB capable of supporting a move into the SRA by Aussie troops
(nearly the entire Aussie Army is at Darwin fully prepped for Lautem)
* Eventual invasion an occupation of Admiralty Islands. At present, an ID and a Cav Div are heading to Oz
fully prepped for this base. Orginally I was thinking I would have to take a base on the east side of NG to
support this move but recon flights now should Dobodura empty. This is already a level 4 AB and would suit
my needs. Plan is to cream the AB at Admiralty Is then run in with troops and supplies to Madang before hitting
base itself

CentPac

Units are loading for Enitewok. US CV's returning from Truk hit the port there but Ryuho sinks during the night before they got there. Units are prepping for Nauru Island just to clean things up and Bikini Atoll - an unoccupied dot that will provide complete closure around the remaining bases in the Marshall Islands. At present there are c. 30 k troops at Kwajalein an Maeolap plus another 3 k at Jaluit and 7 k at Wotje. I hope these troops are comfortable because it is where they will spend the rest of the war. This command has basically taken over the war plans from this point forward. Units are prepped/prepping for Wake Is, Marcus Is, Pagan, and Saipan right now. The plan is to rush through these operations in rapid succesion to not give Larry a chance to recover.

Sub Ops

After blockading the Gilberts and Marshalls for months, my subs have shifted west. I am trying to keep six or more subs surrounding Truk, the Marianas, Wake, and Marcus right now. I also try to keep five or six in the the South China Sea. In addition, there is a group operating out of Oz that tries to harass shipping in the SRA. The RN subs plus a few USN fleet boats, and the RNN minelaying subs operate in the BoB mostly acting as trip wire for any SCTF trying to exit the north end of the Strait of Molucca. That said an IJN ML hit a Dutch mine at Sabang this turn and sank - gotta love irony. Since the dud rate went down on US Mk 21 TT on 1 January 1943, US subs have sunk fourteen TK eleven of which are 12000 capacity size. That brings the total Tk loss for the war to fifteen. Some one commented a while ago that once I got beyond fifteen, Larry would start to feel it. Well, he's feeling it and I have just started.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 588

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/6/2009 12:36:17 PM

ny59giants

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You left out the North Pacific area. Why??

Remember to advance under the umbrella of your 4e bombers. Your fighters may not be able to reach everywhere, but you will need the "big boys" to keep the AF suppressed. Right now, I would push heavily for the Saipan area before he can get those mtn hex bases filled up to overflowing.

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 589

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/6/2009 6:18:39 PM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

You left out the North Pacific area. Why??

Remember to advance under the umbrella of your 4e bombers. Your fighters may not be able to reach everywhere, but you will need the "big boys" to keep the AF suppressed. Right now, I would push heavily for the Saipan area before he can get those mtn hex bases filled up to overflowing.

I have put off acting in NoPac. I figure it is too late in the year to effecticely do anything up there right now. I may use the impending bad weather to shield moving some troops up to Unmak and Adak. A spring offensive is planned. Plenty of troops up there now.

22 September 1943.

Two invasion TF's are almost ready to sail. One for Enitewok and one for Buin. Doing some recon in the SEAC trying to figure out exactly what bases have what at them. I have an idea forming in my head.

Most notable thing of the day is CV Katsuguri is spotted at sea near Hong Kong of all places.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 590

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/9/2009 5:22:40 PM

vettim89

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23-27 September 1943

As has been my habit, I am not posting when not much is going on in the game so any one reading will know that when I post, it is releveant. Still, I managed to fall off the first page.

The Enitewok invasion force is almost even with Abemama now. The transports will be joined by The CVTF's, a BOMB TF with old BB's, lots of DMS/MSW, and a supply TF that has been waiting at Tarawa. The game continues to do weird things to me. The one AMPTF was loaded and ready to go waiting for supplies to load on another TF. All of a sudden the troops spontaneously unloaded. That added a day.

My TF's arrived at Buin but unloading did not go as planned. Lots of mines here. Several AP/AK have hit mines plus a DD. AGain the game does weird things as only one of two AMPTF unloads only in the Night phase. The MSW only swept during the night phase. I opened the turn to find both AMPTF blissfully sitting in the hex labled "DO Not Unload".

LBA out of PM has been recucing Admiralty Islands to avoid intereference. Saw Jacks for the first time here. Allied losses were minimal and the base is closed. Focus shifts to Wewak as some Betty's launched out of there to hit the TF at BUIN - no hits but no CAP from Munda either

My 4E at Rangoon have stopped flying. I had a HI attack ordered at Hanoi for a week but they didn't fly. The B-25's flew twice but no Liberator III/B-24 raids. Beuforts and Avengers are now at Victoria Point to interdict shipping in the north end of the Gulf of Siam and Straits of Molucca. They sunk an AK at Bon Don this last turn. The UK AP's went over to Port Blair and picked up 2nd UK ID to take to Tavoy. On AP was hit by an I-boat in route and sunk.

Aggressive ASW efforts in the South China Sea have sent three USN fleet boats home in a hurting way over this time period. CV Kasagiri is running back and forth in this area for some reason. Purhaps it is an ASW effort. Wonder if this means Larry s up to something with repositioning troops.

BB South Dakota finally upgraded and is at syst 4. No hurry on getting her into the fray just yet. I sent the "pink" syst damge ships from teh CVTF back to PH to repair a bit. Only two CV's went in this group - mostly DD's and CL's

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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 591

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/10/2009 2:32:16 AM

vettim89

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28-29 September 1943

Unloading still going oddly at Buin. One or both TF's cease unloading one turn or the next. I hope it is the mines present causing this. Lots of damage ships here but got to press on. The MSW are doing their job an eventually this should clear (right?).

Raid on Wewak brings 27 A6M3a loss to 6 P-38. No bombers left there but a few fighters. Need to rest the bombers a little here.

US subs hit two separate AK's this last turn. Subs are picking up again.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 592

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/11/2009 5:37:11 AM

vettim89

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30 September - 1 October 1943

The Enitewok invasion blob is formed and is ENE of Tarawa. Lots of MSW/DMS present in this group plus CV, BB, Supply, etc. Recon shows only one small unit present at this base. Lift moving to Nukefutau to pick up CB an BF to move to Bikini. Once these two bases are in good orer, my CV's head back to PH for R&R then I move on Wake Island and Marcus Island in quick succession.

Troops finally about done unloaing at Buin. Mines an C have done a lot of damage to ships but troops are ashore in good order. Couple of days of bombarding then I'll try my first deliberate attack.

Air raid on Wewak yielded over 20 A6M3a on the ground plus about 5 more in the air and 5 Tojos to boot.

Four separate raids were launched against the lone RNN ML at Victoria Point. You can see from todays air losses, that was a huge sacrifice to put a few bombs in a tiny Dutch ship

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 593

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/11/2009 8:21:08 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

You can see from todays air losses, that was a huge sacrifice to put a few bombs in a tiny Dutch ship

A nice little bag of Rising Sun aircraft, all right. Interesting that the Spitfire V's suffered the highest Allied casualties that round.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 594

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/12/2009 5:11:47 AM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

You can see from todays air losses, that was a huge sacrifice to put a few bombs in a tiny Dutch ship

A nice little bag of Rising Sun aircraft, all right. Interesting that the Spitfire V's suffered the highest Allied casualties that round.

Spitfire VIII's are just coming online now. Have noticed that the SPit V does not do well vs Tojos in this mod. Still only 3 of 5 lost ATA. Todays battle was not as big. Did claim over 60 Japanese airframes including many on the ground when I raided Rabaul. There were 27 A6M3a lost alone. Go a couple of surprises for Larry in the tube

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 595

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/12/2009 7:19:58 PM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: vettim89

quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

You can see from todays air losses, that was a huge sacrifice to put a few bombs in a tiny Dutch ship

A nice little bag of Rising Sun aircraft, all right. Interesting that the Spitfire V's suffered the highest Allied casualties that round.

Spitfire VIII's are just coming online now. Have noticed that the SPit V does not do well vs Tojos in this mod. Still only 3 of 5 lost ATA. Todays battle was not as big. Did claim over 60 Japanese airframes including many on the ground when I raided Rabaul. There were 27 A6M3a lost alone. Go a couple of surprises for Larry in the tube

2 -4 October 1943

I make a liar out of myself. Larry tries a sweep out of Georgetown to Victoria Point on the 4th. He loses 27 Tojo and 7 A6M3a to my loss of 2 Thunderbolt II and 1 Spitfire V. The Enitewok invasion force is two days out. I release the MSW and BOMB TF to hit the island and soften it up. Weather has been crappy all over the map for the last few weeks. Very few missions flying right now.

Troops are unloaded at Buin. A new TF with supplies has arrived. Still a lot of mines there but falling daily.

TF has arrived at Merauk on SW NG and is unloading engineers and BF. Once this base is built to level 3 (its max), I will move on Aru Island. I want Larry to think I am moving on the Celebes vice Timor. Looking at the map, if I secure Timor and then Kendari, I will have put a plug in the Makassar Strait and the Celebes. This will force resource and oil shipments further west allowing me to focus my subs in the SCS (South China Sea). This ties into my move on Bangkok well. If I can take Indo hina and the SE SRA, the war is over as Japan will starve for lack of oil.

I wonder how bad that situation is now as my SS sunk another small TK on the 3rd. My focus for this game has slowly changed over the past nine months of game time. On 1 January 1943 I was just trying to start retaking some territory to keep Japan engaged. Now with my sweep through the Gilberts/Marshalls/Solomons, I am thinking of ways to end this war in 1944. I think it can be done if I have success where I am planning.

If things will straighten themselves out in SEAC, I am about to throw a surprise at Larry that may set his defensive strategy way back.

_____________________________

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Post #: 596

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/12/2009 10:59:03 PM

ny59giants

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IMO, you have the upper hand in two out of three areas (air power and in naval strength). Continue to use them to meet your objectives. The Allied player has trouble when he gets into a protracted land battle whether it in on the mainland or over an island/atoll. Your idea of going for Wake and then Marcus puts the Home Islands at risk. You may want to go for the the western most of the Aleutian Islands to put you in a good position come early '44.

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Post #: 597

RE: More a whimper than a bang (Ryuho sinks) - 2/12/2009 11:50:59 PM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

IMO, you have the upper hand in two out of three areas (air power and in naval strength). Continue to use them to meet your objectives. The Allied player has trouble when he gets into a protracted land battle whether it in on the mainland or over an island/atoll. Your idea of going for Wake and then Marcus puts the Home Islands at risk. You may want to go for the the western most of the Aleutian Islands to put you in a good position come early '44.�

Little voices in my head, er, I mean AAR keep whispering The Aleutians to me. It is now October. By the time I reposition lift, it would mean a mid winter effort up there =====> not a good idea. I will make sure I am ready to go by 1 March 1944

Things are going nicely at Marauk. No interference at all. The base has a SPS of 1/1 not 1/0 as I thought. So a Level 4 AB is possible. I doubt I will take it that far as it is just a stepping stone. This SRA offensive is going to make Larry's life miserable

First deliberate attack at Buin is ordered this turn to coincide with a Naval bombardment. There is a Naval guard unit and 3 engineers. I have two full ID (Americal and 33rd) With the exception of likely high fort levels, this should go pretty quick. Reconning Hollandia. Admiralty Is. and Wewak are held in moderate strength. I will take the one most weakly held

Troops go ashore at Enitewok next turn. The screenie is my bemusement. After having the invasions of Tavoy and Buin tore up by mines, I send 2/3 of the PacFleet MSW/DMS there and they find nothun! I guess its the whole adage about preparing for the worst.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 598

Operation Dopey - 2/13/2009 2:13:06 PM

vettim89

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7 October 1943

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

On the 6th three TF with over a dozen MSW and DMS entered Enitewok and found not a single mine. On the 7th, the AMPH TF enters the hex and finds .......... MINES!!!!!!!!!!!! The mine warfare TF's do not even sweep at all on the 7th. I lost an LCI with another heavily damaged. Air raids from Truk result in a lot of dead aircraft but we did get a few leakers and one LST was hit - probably doomed. My sub line picked up a IJN TF 5 hexes NW of the island which I at first thought was a SCTF but once I opened the turn I find CV, CV, BB, DD, DD as the cursor intel. My CVTF were positioned SE of the island and will move NW a bit. This is a bit dicey now. My F6F were all set on LRCAP to cover the invasion force. WIth IJN CV's in the area I have to allocate my fighters to be able to both cover the Invasion and any strikes on Larry's carriers. I really miss those three CVE's I lost off Nanumea in February. Do I risk the chance that the LBA at Truk has shot its bolt? Why dod I continue to found myself in the Spruance/Halsey dilemma? The more I play this game the more sympathy I have for both men and understanding of both decisions - Spruance at Phillipine Sea and Halsey at Leyte Gulf

On the good news front, I finally got the transports loaded correctly and the entire 2nd Marines and 18th CBT ENG BTN offloaded in one phase. The subsequent shock attack took the base. To my surprise, the defenders were the South Sea Detachment which I thought had died at Midway. Larry must have gotten a fragment out. Well they will die this time.

First deliberate attack at Buin comes off at 2 to 1 and reduces Forts to 8. Losses were 100 for IJA to 250 USA. Just a matter of time now.

Once again, very little flew this turn. A few raids in China but that is all.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

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Post #: 599

RE: Operation Dopey - 2/13/2009 4:02:13 PM

ny59giants

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Rules:
#1 - Save your CVs!
#2 - Kill his CVs
#3 - Everything else is just gravy.....

Position your CVs one hex away from your transport in non-coastal hex and in position that any incoming strike "may" have to go through your CAP. Click on those possible hexes to double check on weather. I know that those forecast are not always accurate, but players can forget to check this factor and pay the price.

Looking forward to AE and getting away from "Mine Warfare in the Pacific."

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Post #: 600

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