Q-Ball
Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002 From: Chicago, Illinois Status: offline
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Combat Report, Jan 13, 1943 I am finally back from the Beef run, and had a chance to look at the turn. It was truly a disaster for the IJN. I thank everyone for the comments, too numerous to respond to them all and it's getting late. Overall, I think Cuttlefish made some tactical errors, and then I got lucky. The tactical errors were not detaching DDs to deal with the PTs, and also staying a couple turns in range of Allied LBA. This was not fatal, but he lost so many Zeros that for the third day, there wasn't enough CAP left over those carriers. The fact that TF strayed was luck on my part, and in the end the USN CVs, which were completely fresh, finished the job, as well as fresh LBA I flew into Lautem the day before. Based on comments, the result will stand, though I wouldn't blame Cuttlefish for quitting at some point; it's going to get real bad real fast for the Empire. If there are takeaways for players: 1. Send DDs to deal with PT Boats. Don't let them roam around. 2. Every day CVs tangle with LBA they get weaker; avoid that at all costs. Battle of Banda Sea: Everyone knows by now the broad outline. Apparently the PT boats intercepted the CVs, causing a couple ships to collide, they withdraw, and otherwise are in the wrong positing at daybreak. 5 USN CVs, plus TBFs and SBDs from Lautem, and escorts from Ambon, unload on the TF. In addition to Zuikaku, Shokaku, Hiryu, and Soryu,, the Japanese for sure lose Kirishima and Mikuma, and Hiei suffered alot of damage; so much that I should be able to finish her tommorow if she didn't sink today. Losing 4 CVs is bad enough, throw in a couple KONGOS and it's REAL bad. I should probably rename one of the reinforcement carriers USS Banda Sea now! What Next?: I had put Kendari on temporary hold, but we are going ahead with this invasion. I need to get some transports to Koepang to pick-up units, but we should be landing in a couple weeks. This will be followed by landings at Makassar.
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