PzB74
Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000 From: No(r)way Status: offline
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Here's a bonus tale for you! In my other AE game against Al (Wobbly rematch) we just had a series of clashes between LBA and carriers and now lastly a major carrier battle. Since such battles are far between (and since it ended rather favorably) I'm going to post it in order to dwell on the results and tactics. (Sorry Al!-) This has happened in the game: Scen 2 similar to the AAR game. - I went all out for New Zealand and have captured everything between there and up to Guadalcanal. Fiji is under siege and is under blokade while Jap bases have been built to suppress the Allied presence at Suva and PagoPago and nearby bases. In a not so glorious moment both the Hiryu and Soryu were sunk by the US carrier fleet; just like in the old days and the Battle of Phoenix Islands they went down without inflicting damage on the enemy... This put the US in a stronger position and the Carrier Fleet was sent to hit our flanks. - They succeeded and damaged 3 Ise and Fuso type battleships enroute to a bombardment mission as well as damaging many other ships. Our LBA response (50 Zeros and 50 Nells) got 12 elite Netties through the enemy CAP and they placed no less than 5 torpedoes into the Saratoga (3) and Yorktown (2). A large number of enemy carrier airplanes were reported OPS losses as their motherships had to shut down flight operations. The following turn saw the enemy carriers withdrawing, trying to bombard one of our bases south of Suva. In these actions the KB closed in and together with LBA inflicted significant damage on a number of enemy warships while loosing a Furutaka class cruiser in the process. This the stage was set for a pursuit; the KB with all Jap carriers and escort carriers moved north east of Suva in order to engage the fleeing enemy fleets. After ordering the CVE Fleet to sprint in order to catch up with the KB fuel reserves were relatively low. - After 3 turns we were still 10-11 hexes behind the enemy and they were slipping to safety. At this time I had no idea what had become of the damaged carriers. So last turn I separated the carriers with the most fuel and sent the Shokaku, Zuikaku, Akagi and Zuiho on a flank speed run to catch up. The rest of the fleet trailed behind and provided long range Zero's both as strike escorts and as LRCAP. We ended up in a favorable position 6 hexes away from the enemy's main carrier fleet (at this time consisting of the Hornet, Enterprise and Wasp - we were thus rather evenly matched but we still had support from more fighters and our torpedo bombers had slightly longer legs than the Avengers. One important factor: the Jap fleet was covered by moderate rain squalls while the US fleet was only covered in moderate clouds and later on clear sky. Our strikes crippled all 3 enemy fleet carriers and also located and sank the limping Saratoga. You can study the battle in more detail below; AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 20, 42 Air Combat Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 158,121 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes (only 15 minutes!!) Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 66 A6M2-N Rufe x 4 B5N1 Kate x 6 B5N2 Kate x 47 D3A1 Val x 53 Allied aircraft F4F-4 Wildcat x 44 (relatively low number and only 6-8 got onto our bombers) Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 12 damaged D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 18 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed Allied Ships CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1 CV Wasp, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage DD McCall DD Hammann DD McCalla CA Vincennes Aircraft Attacking: 20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 5 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 17 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Wasp Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 153,123 Weather in hex: Moderate rain <- Notice Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 47 minutes (spotted by radar 47 min before arrival!!) Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 55 A6M2-N Rufe x 4 Allied aircraft - Our CAP reduced the enemy strike package to ca 44 SBDs and 8 Avengers F4F-4 Wildcat x 18 SBD-3 Dauntless x 65 TBF-1 Avenger x 17 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 15 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese Ships - only 3 bomb hits were scored and damage is light to moderate CV Akagi, Bomb hits 2, on fire CV Shokaku CA Chokai CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire CL Kuma CV Zuikaku BB Haruna CA Kako Aircraft Attacking: 5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo 2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers 5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes 6 planes vectored on to bombers Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes 6 planes vectored on to bombers Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes 12 planes vectored on to bombers Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 152,118 - the crippled carrier was west of the main US fleet, Al tried to spread his eggs out but we found a good spot in the center of it all! Weather in hex: Heavy rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 8 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied Ships CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Lexington dead in the water ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 159,120 -> This TF was 1 hex north of the carriers and our strike went in from 7 hexes, Val's only carrying 60kg bombs. Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft D3A1 Val x 12 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged Allied Ships BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 7 CA Canberra Aircraft Attacking: 1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' * Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' * Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' * Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb Carrier support unable to supply air cover.. <- Notice this intersting message! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 159,125 - Another TF was spotted to the east Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 11 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged Allied Ships CLAA San Juan Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Several smaller follow up strikes followed from the now crippled Allied carriers. Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 153,123 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 46 A6M2-N Rufe x 3 Allied aircraft SBD-3 Dauntless x 10 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed CAP engaged: Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 153,123 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 41 A6M2-N Rufe x 3 Allied aircraft TBF-1 Avenger x 17 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed CAP engaged: 5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Was afraid that these ones would hit the Akagi again but we escaped further damage! Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 153,123 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 38 A6M2-N Rufe x 3 Allied aircraft SBD-3 Dauntless x 12 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed Japanese Ships CV Akagi, heavy fires (firs were out next day but caused additional sys damage) BB Haruna Aircraft Attacking: 6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes 5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our PM strike: the Kate's went for other targets, slightly annoying but the Val's did well in clear weather! Another 3 heavy cruisers were pummeled and all crippled carriers were hit by more bombs. Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 158,121 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 24 D3A1 Val x 40 Japanese aircraft losses D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged Allied Ships CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires CV Hornet, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 3, on fire CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 5, on fire DD McCalla Aircraft Attacking: 7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Minneapolis Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 152,118 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 12 B5N2 Kate x 15 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Allied Ships DD Patterson CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo Lexington dead in the water ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 159,120 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 9 B5N2 Kate x 19 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged Allied Ships BB North Carolina CL St. Louis Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 159,125 Weather in hex: Heavy rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 17 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 11 B5N1 Kate x 10 Japanese aircraft losses B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied Ships CLAA San Juan DD Dunlap, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In total we hit the Hornet with 11 bombs and 2 torpdoes, so she's sinking. The Enterprise was hit by 6 bombs and will probably try and make a run for it. The Wasp was hit by 6 bombs and set ablaze, I expect her to be finished. In all 210 enemy carrier ac were reported lost, half of this as OPS losses. Jap losses were ca 70 ac. I took a big chance and gambled by sending a lone Car Div to battle the US Fleet but luck favors the bold and the margins were on the aggressors side (as it often is).
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"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without" - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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