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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> After Action Reports >>

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- 4/24/2002 5:55:32 AM

madflava13

Posts: 1530
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From: Alexandria, VA
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Just wanted to clarify that my points were with regard to the Pacific theater... I am certainly no expert on Atlantic/Med ops.

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Post #: 331

- 4/25/2002 10:01:53 AM

byron13

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Hello? You bagging the game now that it's gone gold?

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Post #: 332

- 4/25/2002 10:37:32 AM

IChristie

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From: Ottawa, Canada
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I wasn't planning to.

I have played out to mid Nov but haven't had a chance to post the results yet.

My wife's sprained ankle and the need to make some progress on some WITP work out of the way (not to mention, this annoying need to sleep I seem to have developed) have been conspiring against me.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

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Post #: 333

- 4/25/2002 8:34:08 PM

byron13

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Look, just wheel the wife out into the backyard in the wheelchair and forget about her! Give her a cell phone so she can order pizza out there. As for WitP, I certainly understand that priority and wouldn't want to interfere, but don't forget public relationships! You've still got weeks to go before the drooling ravers can get their hands on UV. You are still responsible for keeping us under control (though many ravers are now at the WitP site).

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 334

- 4/25/2002 9:51:03 PM

IChristie

Posts: 673
Joined: 3/26/2002
From: Ottawa, Canada
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Aye, Aye Sir

OK, let me just wheel my better half out onto the deck...

now where was I...

Oops, there she goes down the stairs again...

What's that honey? Broken? No, it doesn't look broken. It always hangs at that angle from your knee. The blood, Oh don't worry about it, just some pressure on it, I'll be right there.

What's that? No, Honey, I don't think we should have your Mother come visit to help out...

NO, really that isn't necessary.

HONEY! Put the phone down! DO NOT CALL YOUR MOTHER!

............. Oops gotta go!

-

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 335

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. - 4/27/2002 11:03:02 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
Joined: 3/26/2002
From: Ottawa, Canada
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When last we left our heroes, dawn was breaking on 24 October, 1942 the day after the battle of Luganville sound in which the US fast battleships Washington and South Dakota along with a force of cruisers and DD's took on the two cruiser TF's defending the Japanese supply convoy unloading in Luganville sound. The battle was a tactical draw with significant damage inflicted on both sides. Overall the action was a strategic victory for the IJN as the supply convoy was untouched and the heavily damaged US cA's were caught the next day by LBA and sunk. In addition, both US fast battleships sustained damage and might well be out of commission for some time.

25 Oct - The damaged ships from the two covering force TF's are despatched for Truk. The remainder of the ships are combined into a single TF. Many of the ships are badly worn out from two months of constant action. SOme of the DD's are up into the high teens and even 20's for system damage. The combined TF is sent back to Rabaul for a rest. A heavy CA TF (formed from the CV escorts is formed in Shortland and moved down to Noumea to replace Yamato & co who are also starting to show some wear and tear. Another CA TF is formed in Truk and ordered to Rabaul to take the next rotation.

My luck finally runs out as B-17's from Noumea get through to L'ville and hit Mutsu with 3 bombs and start her on fire. In return 14 Betty's from Port Vila go after ships in Noumea harbour and all are shot down by the CAP (numbering more than 90 fighters). I REALLY wish they would stop doing things like that!

26 Oct - The convoy unloading is complete so I pull Yamato & Co out of Luganville to Nevea for a rest. On the way to Nevea the Mutsu drops out as she is not able to keep up. She will be sent back to Truk and probably returned to Japan.

I start loading some serious troop Reinforcment convoys for Luganville in Truk. Reinforcements are already on the way from Rabaul and Lunga

27 Oct - 41st Regt arrives at L'ville. The Reg't embarked at Rabaul about a week ago. One of the tpt's was torpedoed on the night of 24 Oct but they still seem to be in decent shape. I have used small AP's (100K) for this convoy so we can get troops ashore quickly.

While the convoy is in the harbour a raid arrives from Noumea. 22 bombers get throught the CAP (of about 30). Luckily no hits are scored.

The US transport squadrons are hard at work again this turn attempting to resupply L'ville. They are chewed up pretty well by my CAP.

28 oct - The small AP's pay off as the 41 Regt finishes unloading in one day. I decide to try the US ground strength with a Limited attack with 41 Regt and 35th Bde. The result: 1400 Japanese Casualties vs 94 US. They may be hungry but they still have ammunition apparently!

Recon over Noumea reveals 100 fighters in the CAP!

30 OCt - Not much going on. L'ville is resupplied by air again this turn the resupply is opposed by the fighters operating from Port Vila.

31 Oct - A small convoy makes a run from Noumea. The convoy is caught by Val's off shore with no effect. I switch the Betty's back to Naval attack (I turned them off to prevent any more suicide attacks against shipping in Noumea harbour). I also move a CA TF down from Noumea (these are the ships from Shortland the I moved over last week when Yamato & co. withdrew).

Another air resupply attempt. I think things must be getting desperate in L'ville

1 Nov - The Betty's hit one AP with torpedoes. The CA's arrive in Luganville and scare the convoy off. They go back to loitering off shore.

3 Nov - After a couple more air attacks the US convoy gives up and heads back to L'ville apparently without landing any supplies.

The reinforcements from Lunga arrive in L'ville sound. They are met by large scale air raids from Noumea which damage 1 AP.
Ooops, the L'ville airfield is back in operation with P-38's and F4F's. Maybe some stores did get landed, hmmmm...

40 TBF's from Noumea attack my APD's resupplying Port Vila. They are at extreme range and carrying bombs. The ships suffer no damage.

I prepare to send Yamato & co. back to L'ville to have another go at the airfield. I have built up LCU strength to the point where I now outnumber the US. I think it's time to start planning a ground offensive to finish off L'ville once and for all.

Over on New Guinea, the US raids have switched from Lae to Buna. I have not even been opposing the air raids.

No sign of the US carriers yet. It may get interesting yet if they show up. Realistically though the AI is in bad shape in this one. To avoid auto victory it has to recapture both Koumac and Port Vila and prevent L'ville from falling. Also the 2nd recon is gradually working it's way down New Caledonia and will be in position to attack Basse Poya in another couple weeks. IF that base is lightly defended, that might mean another base "south of 52" in allied hands.

Truth be told, this is not the most exciting phase of the game. There really is not much going on. The evisceration of the US fleet has pretty much forestalled any more major naval action for a while and the air war has settled in to a predictable pattern of large raids on Buna and L'ville from Port Moresby and Noumea respectively. Supplying the beachead is starting to get a bit precarious as the US air from Noumea is growing more effective every day.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 336

ATHABASKAN???? - 4/27/2002 11:29:58 AM

Ron Saueracker

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Your damage.jpg list includes the DD Athabaskan. What? What is she doing there? Is this HMCS Athabaskan, the Tribal? Sounds weird to me...don't even think she was commisioned in 42, let alone in the Pacific.

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Yammas from The Apo-Tiki Lounge. Future site of WITP AE benders! And then the s--t hit the fan

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Post #: 337

- 4/27/2002 11:31:32 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
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From: Ottawa, Canada
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Yeah, she shows up in the fall of '42. Don't know if it's HMCS or not (was there another Athabaskan?).

Don't even know if that's a beta artifact or not.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 338

Ahistorical - 4/27/2002 11:36:12 AM

Ron Saueracker

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Hopefully, this was a mistake. Too many "what ifs" can ruin a game if they are not optional.

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Post #: 339

Strange for her to be here - 4/27/2002 5:45:17 PM

mogami

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Hi, ship losses must be very high if they are transfering from the Atlantic. (not to mention speeding up construction) But hey this it what the forums are for.

HMCS ATHABASKAN (the first there have been 2 more. Number 3 is still active)
In September 1939, the RCN decided to order new ships to replace the old destroyers previously transferred from the Royal Navy (RN). The RCN preferred the Tribals with their heavy gun armament because they wanted to take the war to the enemy instead of relying on purely defensive vessels. Originally all of the Tribals were to be built in Canada but this was not practical at the time since Canada did not have an extensive ship building industry. The British Admiralty agreed that the UK should build the first ones and they also acted as agents, arranging for the Canadian Government to buy the Tribals by a system of direct instalments while Britain paid cash for the corvettes being built in Canadian yards for the RN.

The first two ships were laid down as IROQUOIS and ATHABASKAN but IROQUOIS was delayed by bombing while on the stocks. ATHABASKAN was therefore renamed IROQUOIS and launched as the lead ship while the original IROQUOIS was launched as ATHABASKAN. After her commissioning on 3rd February 1943 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, she was assigned to the British Home Fleet but ATHABASKAN was plagued with mishaps during her very short service life.
The ship left on 29th March 1943 to patrol the Iceland-Faeroes Passage for blockade runners. Weather induced stress caused hull damage This took five weeks to repair at South Shields, U.K. In June 1943, ATHABASKAN took part in Operation Gearbox III, the relief of the garrison at Spitsbergen. On June 18, she collided with the boom defence vessel BARGATE at Scapa Flow, resulting in a month of repairs at Devonport. In July and August of 1943, she was based in Plymouth, carrying out anti-submarine patrols in the Bay of Biscay and on August 27 was hit by a glider bomb off the Spanish coast. She managed to reach Devonport where she remained under repair until November 10.

Returning to Scapa Flow in December, she escorted convoy JW55A to Russia but in February 1944, rejoined Plymouth command and was assigned to the newly formed 10th Destroyer Flotilla. On 26th April, she assisted in the destruction of the German torpedo boat T 29 in the Channel off Ushant and three days later on 29th April, was sunk by a torpedo from T24, an Elbing class destroyer, north of the Ile de Bas. Her Captain, John Stubbs and 128 men were lost, 83 taken prisoner and 44 rescued by HAIDA

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Post #: 340

- 4/28/2002 1:26:30 AM

Rich Dionne

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This is definitely not a "what if" guys, and appears to be a mistake. We have three ships of this class in the database: Arunta, Warramunga, and Athabascan. As Mogami mentions, Athabascan was active in the North Atlantic. She was hit by a glider bomb on 27 Aug 43, and sunk by Elbing Class Destroyer T24 in the English Channel on 29 Apr 44, so it looks like a mistake alright.

I'm not sure if it was originally intentioned that the 3rd ship be Bataan, but I don't think she entered service until 1945.

I'll look into it. It's probably just the start of a bunch of corrections I'll be making to the database when all you experts get ahold of the game. Our excellent team of playtesters have already given me a good workout!

Regards,

Rich

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Post #: 341

Non-historical Scenarios - 4/28/2002 1:56:55 AM

norsemanjs

Posts: 145
Joined: 5/11/2000
From: Enderlin, ND, USA
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Just how variable are the non-historical scenarios. I have read how the IJN carriers survived Midway in some scenarios. Are some of the old battleships from Pearl Harbor available for some? Or British/Dutch units available that were historically not available.

Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

It's been a long wait, I know this is my first post in about a year. I've really enjoyed your AAR's

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Post #: 342

- 4/28/2002 2:15:12 AM

Rich Dionne

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Ships sunk prior to 1 May 42 are not included in any scenarios. Non-historical scenarios allow for the possible availability of ships lost at Midway.

Regards,

Rich

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Post #: 343

is it soup yet? - 4/29/2002 4:05:32 AM

mogami

Posts: 12789
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From: You can't get here from there
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Hey IChrisite have we got to Dec yet?

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I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!

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Post #: 344

- 4/29/2002 8:36:27 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
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From: Ottawa, Canada
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No not yet :( .

I have been up to my eye balls in WITP for the last week and not making much more progress on the campaign.

ic

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 345

- 4/29/2002 9:33:52 AM

Ron Saueracker

Posts: 12121
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From: Ottawa, Canada OR Zakynthos Island, Greece
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Whatever you do, don't slow down WITP:D

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Post #: 346

- 4/29/2002 10:06:25 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
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From: Ottawa, Canada
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I kind of thought that would be the prevailing opinion! ;)

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 347

Another week in the life... - 4/29/2002 8:36:35 PM

IChristie

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From: Ottawa, Canada
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4 Nov Another US convoy makes an attempt to resupply L'ville. They are attacked by LBA from Port Vial and 1 AP and 1 MSW are badly damaged. I send Yamato & Co. back to bombard L'ville airbase again

5 Nov - Yamato bombards L'Ville. Does over 75 points of runway damage. During the day an airstrike from Lville attacks the convoy. A couple of SBD's are included. This new activity may be more an indication that some supplies go through than an indication of the health of the field. Offensive operations can't take place unless a certain level of supply is maintained. In fact, the small convoy is spotted outbound and this may be an indication that some amount of supply got through. L'ville is near enough to Noumea that I may not be able to completely interdict all sea traffic by air, I may have to keep some surface units on station to make sure the blockade stays in place.

CAP interdicts and air resupply of L'ville

6 Nov - If the US have received some supplies, I figure a ground offensive would be a good way to burn some of them up. We launch everbody in a deliberate attack. The attackers suffer 2400 casualties and the defenders 450. Not exactly the offensive steamroller I had hoped considering that I have landed 2 more complete reg'ts and have more than 53,000 troops ashore. The defenders still number 47,000 though.

7 Nov - 2 MSW and a PG are sunk at L'ville by DD's escorting the convoys which are unloading. LBA attacks and AP in L'ville harbour. I think the supply situation must be getting desperate as the AI seems to be throwing everything at trying to relieve the siege.

The ground assault continues. The casualty ratio stays about the same but the intensity of operations is already down. Fewer than 1500 casualties on my side and only about 250 for the US.

11 Nov - SURPRISE! Over in Papua the allies land a Dobadura. The landing is unopposed. I move some LBA over to Rabaul to do a better job at interdicting shipping along that coast. With daily 100+ bomber raids of Buna, the AI is clearly building up to an invasion. I probably should be doing more about it, but I have to say that I am pretty much preoccupied over on the eastern side of the map. I don't think the AI is going to do that much damage in New Guinea before the New Year, and no matter what happens, I don't think I plan to play this one any longer than that (OK, so that's pretty "gamey" thinking - sue me").

Fuel is beginning to become an issue. The up and down from Nevea to L'ville has pretty much drained the tankers at Nevea. They'll have to go back to Truk. The next shipment is still days away. There is still a bit of fule at Lunga (10K) and Rabaul still has more than 30K, but over all the pace of operations is starting to tell. I think Yamato & co. are too much overhead right now for the job that has to be done. I think I'll head them back at least as far as Rabaul and leave the blockading to DD's and CA's.

The ground assault on L'ville has kind of petered out. Casualties per day are averaging 1500:150 which is not a good exchange rate and the "assault" values of all ground units have dropped to about 25% of full strength. Time to suspend the offensive and try something else. The last of the ground reinforcements have arrived so I have another fresh reg't and still maintain about 52,000 troops in the beachead. With several convoys having landed supplies, I could maintain offensive operations, but I think I will switch to bombardment and husband my resources. New units continue to arrive at Truk so I will probably send one more batch of reinforcements. I am sure that the US must be our of supply by now (another air resupply was interdicted today, and the airfield appears to be out of commission again), but I think I need to wait a while longer for the shortages to bite before trying another offensive.

On the other hand, getting troops and supplies into L'ville is becoming a more daunting proposition. Despite the presence of strong CAP (over 35 fighters). Large raids (35+) still make it through to ships off the beach. Their aim is also getting better and I am losing an AP badly damaged every couple of days due to air attack. Future resupply is going to have to be done from the small ships as I can't risk exposing them for too long. It also complicates the problem of blockading the port because ships on station are in grave danger due from the air attacks.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 348

Crazy Idea - 4/29/2002 8:52:24 PM

mogami

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Hey heres a crazy idea, with only 50 days to go, start moving the men from L'ville to one of the victory bases already under your control.

_____________________________

I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!

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Post #: 349

- 4/30/2002 12:27:39 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
Joined: 3/26/2002
From: Ottawa, Canada
Status: offline

An intriguing suggestion.

I actually have another week's worth of progress to post (played it last night, haven't had a chance to write it up yet). I think I''l defer detailed discussion of that option until then.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 350

Now, you're up to date! - 4/30/2002 7:25:21 AM

IChristie

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From: Ottawa, Canada
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12 Nov - Two of my resupply convoys leave L'ville. Yamato & co. are duly sent off to Rabaul. I move a CA/DD TF from Rabaul to Nevea to replace them. I also detach 3 DD's from convoy escort and send them back to L'ville to enfrorce the blockade. No raids on L'ville today as Noumea is socked in.

13 Nov - Buna is being hammered daily. No raids again today at L'ville. I start a bombardment attack which nets 70 casualties on the first night. The US bombardments have dropped to just a couple rounds of mortar fire. The supply shortage seems to be having an impact.

The last convoy pulls out of L'ville harbour

14 Nov - HEADS WILL ROLL! I have been wondering why the Sam Hill I was not finding any shipping to attack lately. Turns out I managed to set my patrol aircraft to "Naval Search" with "Naval Search Level" set to 0! This has hampered my efforts to locate enemy shipping somewhat. The latest disaster in Papua is that the allies have landed a large force at Buna with no interdiction whatsoever. That will be the last time that happens. Tomorrow, the torpedo squadrons have been ordered to drop the patrol squadron ops officers (suitably hog tied) as well as torpedoes.

Also, another convoy of small craft (SC's PG's) sneaks into L'ville harbour. LBA spots them in harbour and bombs two SC's (probably sinking them). In return air from Noumea puts bombs into two of the blockading DD's. Not exactly a fair exchange!

The 2nd Recon arrives in Basse Poya to find (apparently) only a base force in residence.

15 Nov - The allies capture Buna in a shock attack. The undersupplied and overbombed defenders never really stood a chance. With search patrols now operating the allied shipping is suddenly vulnerable. Bettys and Nells from Rabaul torpedo 5 separate transports. Over in L'vill harbour the Port Vila LBA also gets busy and severely damages 2 more SC's and a DD.
This time the level bombers join in. I find that I have to leave them set to ground attack when there is no convoy around or they will hare off to Noumea looking for ships in port and get shot to pieces by the CAP.

The SS Tunny, north of Espiritu Santo has a good night, torpedoing not only a damaged AP limping home from L'ville but also finishing off the two DD's damaged by the Noumea B-17's yesterday. OUCH!

16 Nov - Basse Poya is captured! I now own three bases south of the magical 52nd hex row - Koumac and Basse Poya on New Caledonia and Efate Port Vila in the New Hebrides. Basse Poya sports an intact size 9! airfield. However, it's only a long spit from Noumea so I don't know that I'll actually be able to keep it supplied.

LBA from Rabaul continues the Papuan blood bath. Today they hit three escorts and 3 more transports.

The US surface units withdraw from L'ville and head back to Noumea. They get out of town just in time as I had a CA force travelling down to bombard.

CAP at L'ville interdicts an air resupply attempt

17 Nov - 5 different transports are torpedoed off Dobadura. Also 1 MSW is sunk. Once again I forget to set the Port Vila level bombers off of Naval Attack and they stage a raid on Noumea. This time they drag some of the fighter jocks along for cover. Noumea now typically fields a CAP of 120 planes. The results are sadly predictable. I lose about 50% of the raiding a/c and nothing is accomplished.

18 Nov - Another fast resupply attempt at Luganville? This time my lone DD intercepts 2 PG's and several SC's. The DD promptly sinks a PG. LBA sinks another one during the day. I have a surface combat TF loitering just North of L'ville (out of LBA range). I think I'll send them down to discourage any more attempts.

CAP at Noumea interdicts and air resupply attempt.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 351

Evacuating the Beach head - 4/30/2002 7:31:43 AM

IChristie

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From: Ottawa, Canada
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Now to return to Mogami's suggestion...

Yes, I have thought about evacuating some of the LCU from the beachhead and moving to some of the other bases in the autovictory zone.

But, I'm not sure whether any large scale troop movement is wise under the wings of the Noumea bomber force. I think that if convoys spend very long in the region, they are going to suffer heavily. I don't even want to think about how much of a hammering they will take trying to unload at Basse Poya or Koumac. Moving troops over to Port Vila might be a better bet, but I still think I will probably lose some transports (and hence troops).

I think the only really safe way to go will be to evacuate using fast transports to reduce the amount of time they spend on station. This will require a lot of ferrying though.

As a test case I am sending a DD flotilla from Lunga to Basse Poya with an SNLF embarked. I want to see if they can deliver the troops and get out without getting mauled by the LBA from Noumea.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 352

They're Baaaaack - 5/1/2002 1:19:55 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
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From: Ottawa, Canada
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19 Nov - The SC's at L'ville head back to Noumea.

A new replenishment group arrives in Nevea with 29K of fuel. That will give me a little more freedom of movement. I have two CA groups each consisting of 2CA's, 2CL's and 6 or 7 DD's. It looks like their main function is going to be enforcing the blockade at L'ville. The AI appears to be using his light units to run a sort of Luganville express from Noumea.

The LBA from Rabaul sinks two AK's off Gili Gili this turn.

20 Nov - The SC's make another run for L'ville. In a fast and furious night time action they are discovered by the patrolling DD Asahio DD which promptly sinks 5 of 6.

LBA from Rabaul is active again. Today they hit a convoy off Buna, putting torpedoes into 4 separate Transports.

21 Nov - The Luganville express picks up steam. Several US TF's move to L'ville including several DD's and DM's. They catch one of my supply convoys and sink 4 out of 8 AP's. In return the Asahio once more savages a group of SC's, sinking 3 out of 5. This is the only retribution I am able to dispense because my reaction force doesn't. They sit 50 miles North of Luganville enjoying the tropical breezes as the AP's along with their supplies, head for the bottom. I had been hoping to keep them out of the harbour to avoid air attack, but have them close enough to interdict. Apparently they were not close enough. I can't risk another incident like this one so I order them into L'ville. I also order the second covering force to finish fuelling and make all deliberate speed for L'ville. If they want to put their head in the noose, I'm going to make sure we can pull on it sharply!

Meanwhile I shuffle the fighter groups around to try and get bigger and fresher groups into PV to provide more effective CAP.

By the end of the turn, I note that the US bombardment has picked up slightly (a few rounds of 155mm), meaning that some supplies are getting through.

An air resupply attempt is interdicted by CAP over L'ville at the end of the day.

22 Nov - Oh Very Exciting! A US CV is back in theatre! I'm not sure which it is yet, but it launches a/c against the CA's making their way down from Nevea. Only 10 SBD's with a small escort. Since the TF is not under the unbrella at L'ville there is no CAP. There are a few tense minutes but the Dauntlesses score no hits.

Scouting reports indicate a single CV with an escort of 1 CL and 2 CLAA's. Not a huge TF but capable of gumming up the works pretty substantially. The CLAA's are bad news as they will probably chew up my airstrikes pretty well and number of serviceably a/c is one of my primary concerns.

The appearance of the enemy carrier galvanizes staff that have been taking it easy for a while. Somebody is sent off to wake up the crews of the carrier TF at Shortland I. The CV's are ordered down to Lunga where they can marry up with an escort screen (most of theirs was pulled off to provide blockading units). Also some of their air groups fly on ahead to Renell and Lunga where they can stage to PV if necessary. Some idiot sends two groups of Kates to Koumac where they manage to land and cannot take off again because of the runway condition (Ooops!). I will actually probably keep the CV's in port unless strictly necessary. I have pretty good LBA coverage and there is no sense risking ships when there are nice long paved runways to operate their aircraft from. From Lunga harbour their a/c can stage directly to PV where they will be able to operate against the US carrier if it threatens L'ville.

Rabaul LBA hits four more transports of the Papuan coast. The screen is now dotted with green TF symbols all along the shipping route as teh sick, lame and lazies limp out of the combat zone as fast as they can. It is testament to the size of the allied shipping fleet in late '42 that there are any left at all. It has been a complete turkey shoot for two weeks with raids of up to 25 Betty's and Kates dropping torpedo after torpedo. With all the naval losses in August and September there are hardly any escorts left.

23 Nov - Anticlimactically, the US CV TF heads back to Noumea without another shot fired in anger. The boys on Port Vila continue to sit sweatign in their flight suits just waiting for them to reappear.

During the day the blockading ships in L'ville endure several raids from Noumea, including a 40 bomber raid by Hudsons and B-17's that manages to hit a destroyer and put her out of commission. The CAP from PV and Nevea is managing to keep about 50 fighters over the ships and they do manage to shoot down several bombers, but there are just too many of them.

At L'ville the night gets interesting as the Luganville express collides directly with the Nevea Navy. The action, as they say, quickly becomes general. One of the CA TF's engages three separate pairs of allied DD's sinking them all (including the mysterious Athabaskan). The allies give almost as good as they get though, disabling one DD completely and putting a 1CA and 2 CL's out of action, effectively eliminating one of the covering task forces. That hurts considering that the list of available CA's and CL's is starting to get distressingly short. On the other hand, 6DD's has got to be a substantial portion of the escort vessels available. Other than the little SC's I am not seeing any other surface units (with the exception of the CV escort group).

24 Nov - The US CV TF Sails south west out of Noumea. They launch a strike at Koumac on the way, which does some minimal damage. So where are the going? Over to the New Guinea side to provide some cover for the Buna resupply attempts? Or are they just cruising to try and draw my CV's out. If they are, they are wasting their time. In order to hit anything of value they will have to come into range of LBA and I have no intention of taking any chances with my CV's until the LBA has at least softened them up.

The Luganville express is back in operation again. This time they are derailed before they even get into the station. Still smarting from missing the action of the night before, the remaining CA TF jumps on the 6 SC's and sinks them all in rapid succession. The hungry marines in town look on helplessly as tin after tin of their long awaited spam heads for the bottom of Luganville Harbour.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 353

Time to hurry - 5/2/2002 3:45:47 AM

IKerensky

Posts: 374
Joined: 6/7/2001
Status: offline

Hum Christie you are supposed to have a 5 size with double supply base to auto win... and you are already in December, time to hurry up with the transport , no ? I guess it will be devastating to miss the auto victory for 1000 lacking supply :p

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 354

- 5/2/2002 7:59:30 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
Joined: 3/26/2002
From: Ottawa, Canada
Status: offline

I think I'm OK, I actually have three bases that meet the criteria:
- Koumac
- Port Vila
- Basse Poya.
(well, I'd have to check the supplies at Basse Poya)

Also, the auto victory is triggered any time AFTER 1 Jan so I won't miss the bus if I'm short a few tons on New Years day.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 355

- 5/8/2002 3:03:36 AM

ftwarrior

Posts: 39
Joined: 2/28/2002
From: Springfield, VA
Status: offline

Hey, whatever happened on this thing?

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 356

- 5/8/2002 3:31:15 AM

Hartmann

Posts: 888
Joined: 11/28/2000
Status: offline

I'm wondering, too. I was a hidden lurker throughout the course of events, and actually, this AAR prompted my decision to preorder the game. I'd like to know the outcome. :)

Hartmann

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 357

:) - 5/8/2002 3:37:24 AM

Rob Roberson

Posts: 387
Joined: 5/1/2002
Status: offline

Its like being on the last chapter of a novel only to discover the printer didnt include it!

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 358

Back by Popular demad - 5/8/2002 9:44:58 AM

IChristie

Posts: 673
Joined: 3/26/2002
From: Ottawa, Canada
Status: offline

Sorry for the delay guys, I actually played these turns a while back but have not found time to get them written up. Enjoy.

25 Nov- More US SC's make run to L'ville. They are not intercepted. Some of my Betty's raid Port Moresby. OUCH! They are all shot down.

26 Nov- The LBA from PV finally gets into the act. Two DD's are bombed in L'ville.

Later that night Two more engaged by surface units. Both are sunk. In exchange however I suffer 1 CA, 1CL, 1DD damaged, and another DD disabled. The USN is definitely starting to get the better of these engagements. I think the months in almost constant action are starting to take their toll on my ships. I am having to scrape up DD's from anywhere I can find them to replace the operational losses.

Acting on reccomendations of the general staff I have also started evacuating Evacuating some LCU from. Most units destined for Port Vila.

27 Nov - A busy night in the teeming harbour at L'ville. 3 more pairs of US DD's run the blockade. In three separate actions 3 of the US DD's are sunk. In return, however, 3 IJN DD's are sunk 3 more are damaged and 1 CA damaged as well.

28 Nov - The US CV comes north toward L'ville again.

LBA from PV sinks a US DD damaged in the previous nights action. They also attack ships in L'ville and damage another DD.

Another night action off L'ville. This time 2 US DD's engage 3 IJN DD's. 2 IJN DD's sunk, 1 US DD is damaged.

I would really like to have a crack at the US CV so I have set some of the fighter groups on PC to escort. I also moved a couple more Val and Kate groups down to PC from the CV's at Lunga

30 Nov - The US CV TF disappeared back south again without any engagements being fought.

PV LBA attacks 2 US DD's in L'ville damages both.

The Transports are back at L'villefor another evacuation run. Covering force sent down from Nevea

The Noumea LBA seems to be concentrating on Koumac lately. Some truly huge raids (200+). The poor engineers stationed at the base spend most of their days underground watching the already pulverized runway get turned into dust.

1 Dec - PV LBA attacks USN DD's in L'ville - no effect. There is a loss of coordination which results in the covering force form Nevea arriving late and the US DD's get in amongst the convoys and sink 3 AP's. A large US convoy is spotted approacing L'ville from the south

2 Dec - Another night surface action we trade damaged DD's.

During the day LBA from PV hits 3 DD and a 1 DM. Late in the day another surface action results in the sinking of 1 DD, and another DM.

5 Dec - The pounding of Koumac continues. It is now common to see 175+ SBD's in the attacking forces. The place is a ruin, but still no sign of an invasion to retake it. I had a momentary scare when a large convoy showed up off shore, but it sailed right by, apparently headed for L'ville.

Bombers from Noumea damage an APD in PV harbour. After three false starts, I conclude that you cannot use regular transport TF's to "pick up unit". Meaning that I will have to use fast transport TF's to continue the evacuation of L'ville. I have already managed to get 5000 troops on PV including some of the more combat ready formations, so the defense should be pretty credible if an serious attempt to retake PV materializes before 1 Jan.

6 Dec - The convoy spotted of Koumac yesterday arrives at L'ville. They are met by a DD TF which immediately sinks Two AK's.

In a more ominous note the L'ville airfield is active again. Both P-39's and P-38's make sorties against ships in harbour at L'ville and PV.

Things are starting to get very dicey in the New Hebrides part of the theatre. Fuel reserves at Nevea have pretty much run out and the next replenishment is a few days away. Despite a pretty credible blockade for more than two months now, L'ville still seems to be able to generate a nightly bombardment attack and their is increasing activity at the airfield. In addition to that, there seems to be virtually no end to the number of light units that the AI can scrounge up to send in the melee at L'ville. The attrition on my ships, particularly DD's, CL's and small CA's has been fierce. I don't think I have single one in theater that does not have 15%+ system damage.

8 Dec - Once again the Louganville Express meets the Nevea Navy in a night surface action. A pair US DD's sunk. However a second pair manages to put some serious hurt on the CA acting as flag ship for my covering force. That and the fuel shortage will force the withdrawal of the sea blockade for at least a few days. This is unfortunate because and All out resupply seems to be underway.

_____________________________

Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"

- James Keelaghan

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 359

- 5/8/2002 10:12:29 AM

byron13

Posts: 1589
Joined: 7/27/2001
Status: offline

Gee, that rots. The darned endless production of the round-eyes. I've kind of lost track of the Yamato and company. Are they back at Truk? Sure would be nice to place some larger units down at L'ville to counter the DD runs. Any chance of placing some carriers down there to intercept on both ingress and egress? Or does the fuel situation completely prohibit the use of heavy capital ships at this point?

One other question. You mentioned that you "conclude that you can use regular transport TF's to "pick up unit". Based on the surrounding text, I gather that that is a typo and that your conclusion is that you cannot use regular TF's to pick up a unit. Is that correct?

(in reply to IChristie)

Post #: 360