RE: KB hits Darwin

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: KB hits Darwin

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: KB hits Darwin

Page: << < prev 71 72 [73] 74 75 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 5:48:31 PM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

But you've probably also noticed that my LBA sweeps and bomber missions don't have those 2-3-4 ac tailing behind the main attacks?
In general I'm experiencing less problems with this than you do CT. Would be interesting to hear about other players experiences for comparison!

my opponent and Andy for example seem to have the same happening. I refuse to use pp to change squadrons to an air HQ in range because it has never shown any effect for me, everything else is so perfect, the Japanese can never reach such a state with up to 5-700 aviation support, several air HQ and hundreds of thousand supplies at a base. I�ve got several such level 9 airfields and it just isn�t any different from a level 2 jungle base with a single USAAF base force with the next HQ being a dozen hexes away.

_____________________________

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2161

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 7:54:46 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

A good start PzB. Take care with pickets or some other early warning device so that his CVs don't interrupt your landings and perhaps Waingapoe will be re-taken. You have achieved air and sea superiority indeed. Keep it up!

_____________________________

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 2162

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 8:23:19 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Have you checked that you have good air leaders in your Air HQs CT?

Good advice Cribtop; I actually sent out 2 AVs with 9 Jakes aboard today to scout areas I don't want to contain surprises!
Still struggling to close Waingapoe but our air strikes are becoming more effective and frequent.

A sub hit the Colorado today; 114 enemy ships spotted at Port Hedland.

We now got the first non-restricted George unit. Giving it elite pilots and prepping for action.
Little action elsewhere, the Allied Luganville invasion is a total FUBAR.
- Some ships at PH, CVEs included. Quiet in Burma as well!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 29, 43

Sub Attacks

Yeah! The Colorado was still around, hopefully this will send her down.
Huge armadas spotted at Port Hedland.

Sub attack near Exmouth at 50,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Saufley

SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Colorado
I-168 diving deep ....
DD Saufley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Saufley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Saufley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Saufley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Saufley fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Hedland at 57,129

Japanese Ships
SS I-154, hits 6

Allied Ships
KV Commandant Duboc
BB Resolution
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
DE Sutlej
AM Tumult
APA Fayette
APA Doyen
APA Joseph T. Dickman
APA Leonard Wood
LSI(L) Empire Pride
APD Herbert
AKA Aquarius
xAP Rangitiki
xAP Maui
xAP Santa Paula
xAK Clan Macdonald
DD Vampire
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD Alden

Captain of SS I-154 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
I-154 bottoming out ....
DD Vampire fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Schley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chew fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Alden fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chew fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Chew fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Chew attacking submerged sub ....
DD Chew fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth at 50,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
DD Saufley

SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

We've had high detection levels at Waingapoe all the time but after yet another dissappointing
bombardment run I ordered 3 Dinah III units to start daily recon runs to assist our slant-eyed friends...

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Nagato
CA Aoba
DD Hatakaze
DD Amagiri
DD Usugumo
DD Urakaze

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1
Port supply hits 1

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at 33rd Infantry Division
BB Nagato firing at 33rd Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Aoba
CA Aoba firing at 7th Infantry Division
DD Hatakaze firing at 7th Infantry Division
DD Amagiri firing at Waingapoe
DD Usugumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Urakaze firing at 7th Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 58
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 82

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 2 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 54
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 32
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
15 x Ki-61-Ib Tony sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
36 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
26 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
12 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 31
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 54
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 34

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pentecost Island at 120,151
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gwin
DE Arrow
DD Russell
DD Thanet
DD Gansevoort

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Thanet dead in the water ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Nookanbah (66,130)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 122 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Defending force 322 troops, 0 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 34
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd RAN Base Force /1

Defending units:
11th Tank Regiment
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hunting grounds

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 2163

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 8:27:51 PM

Hortlund

Posts: 2884
Joined: 10/13/2000
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Looking at reinforcements coming in I see that in addition to the forces already in place at Memboro we can insert a further 4 divisions, 1 regiment and a tank regiment within a week or so.
7 divisions is enough to smash Waingapo!

This isnt Stalingrad, and you are not Hitler.

Stop obsessing over that base. It is lost, live with that. You are seriously contemplating putting all your eggs in one basket here, and have that one basket defended by the KB. What happens if you put 7 divisions on that island and then lose air superiority in the region? What happens if you lose the ability to move units by sea?

Do you remember how you reasoned when you pulled out of Darwin? "It cannot be held in face of allied airpower, and the bases makes it too easy to trap units there".

Take two steps back and think about what you are doing and why.

_____________________________

The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2164

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 8:35:09 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

This was the turn we really hammered Waingapo; no further enemy air activity as the base is hit hard in clear weather.

By now we have all but completed the buildup of the region.
Air reinforcements have arrived and battle weary units have been rotated to the rear for R&R.
- Need to keep an eye open for Andy's next move. I would under no circumstances advice him to return to Waingapo

It's possible he will change focus to another area but it takes 3 months to prep invasions forces so any ad-hoc operation won't stand
much chance of success.

Enter October....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 30, 43

Bombardments

After increasing recon activity bombardment results improved markedly.

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
CL Kinu
DD Natsugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

BB Mutsu firing at 7th Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
CA Ashigara firing at 33rd Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Takao
CA Takao firing at Waingapoe
CL Kinu firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Natsugumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Akigumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Yugumo firing at 7th Australian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Over 170 Helens hit Waingapore in clear weather!
Oh bliss...

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 61
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 50

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 49

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 60
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 91

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 30
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 60
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 6000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

In total 107 T-bolts have been destroyed.
If I'm not completely off the T-bolts start arriving in July 43 at a rate of 55 ac.
We should therefore have destroyed 2 months of reinforcements.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2165

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 8:54:40 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

PzjgH; I appreciate your concerns but I fail to see the situation with quite the same pair of eyes as you do!

1. We have reclaimed air superiority in the region and Andy can only temporarily contest it if he sends in all his carriers.
2. We're not putting all the eggs in one basket; all other bases and regions have their garrisons and defenses prepared.
- By gathering the reserve divisions we now have the opportunity of destroying a large Allied force.

What else do you suggest I do with these divisions?
- Let them continue training at Rabaul, Singapore, Soerabaja and Makassar?
- Send them to 3-4 other bases and hope that Andy invade them under the mantra that the only way to defeat an invasion is to defeat it during landing?
The odds for putting them at the exact base Andy plan to invade next can be compared to winning in the lotteries

Our defenses and bases in the "Prosperity Line" is something quite different than Darwin; in Northern Oz the Allies had many advantages!
1. The opportunity of using restricted LCUs against our un-restricted
2. Heavy tank units in open terrain
3. The ability to constantly outflank our forces
4. Already established bases with large number of 4Es in inland bases that we couldn't touch
We also didn't have enough troops to cover both Northern Oz and builp up our forces and reserves in the SRA region.

As things have played out now the advantages are mostly ours.
By threatening with the destruction of an Allied Army we may force Andy to act rashly and fight a battle over our own prepared turf.
What else can we beg for in late 43?

But again, I'll keep my eyes open and try to rat out what Andy's next moves will be.

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2166

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 9:08:19 PM

Mynok

Posts: 12108
Joined: 11/30/2002
Status: offline

Well, I'm sorry my comment didn't get in timely enough to save your bombers. In my 2x2 game, I was kinda forced into keeping my Vals on anti-naval configuration (15k) and boy did they get hurt. Probably should have not even sent them in but we had to close the airfield to make the landings we were doing at Darwin.

C'est la guerre.

_____________________________

"Measure civilization by the ability of citizens to mock government with impunity" -- Unknown

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2167

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 10:17:44 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Well that's ok Mynok, so many minute details in this game that it's impossible to remember them all; will not forget this lesson anytime soon

- Would have been kewl to be able to set different altitudes with the main and secondary attack targets for airgroups!

More of the same and this was the last turn for the weekend.

I'm fairly certain that Allied TFs are still around Perth - Port Hedland region.
The question is whether they're loading up for another round; guess Andy got more targets he wish to hit.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 01, 43

Bombardments

Bombardment TFs should also have a priority target list...90% of the shells are aimed at dug in ground units!
Well, it's a slow but safe way to inflict attrition.

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Haruna
CL Ninaru

Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at 33rd Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at 7th Infantry Division
BB Haruna firing at 33rd Infantry Division
CL Ninaru firing at 7th Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The Luganville invasion TF just hangs around south of the target and absorbs damage.
The Gwin was hit today and the magazine went up.

A lone AM was also spotted west of Timor and sunk.

Airfields and port facilities at Waingapoe are all but wrecked.

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 139

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed on ground
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 74
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
32 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 62,117
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Kelowna, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Kelowna dead in the water ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,152
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambrym at 121,152
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 19
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD Thanet
DD Russell
DE Arrow
DD Gwin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/44th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

Thanet dead in the water ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stand off

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by PzB -- 2/20/2011 10:22:54 PM >

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to Mynok)

Post #: 2168

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 10:34:37 PM

inqistor

Posts: 1813
Joined: 5/12/2010
Status: offline

Remember, that you can bombard at day, with better results. That would require to set cruise speed, and begin turn at certain range from target, probably.
Also, it would be useful to send radars onto possible targets for 4Es, and keeping CAP nearby. That way, CAP will be sucked onto attacked base.
What is the unloading rate of tanks in 0lvl port? Sending Armor Division from Java could be last chance for them, to fight against non-AT-killer enemy.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2169

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/20/2011 10:57:23 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Yes, I know but not too keen on letting the TFs hang around during daylight hours.
As we do now we don't expose our capital ships to enemy CAG in case they sprint in.
- The Helens will have to handle daylight operations; 140 of them should be more than adequate.

The plan is to rotate from Helens to naval bombers if the enemy comes back.
Having 300 fighters to escort them together with KB should provide enough mass to punch through the enemy CAP.

Well, in 1 turn 2/3rds of a tank regiment was unloaded at Waingapoe together with 2/3rds of an inf regiment.
The Port unit with 50 naval support certainly helps.

I really don't plan to send the tank divisions out of Java, there are other units that can be used instead.
Moving out a few tank regiments from Burma, mostly sending these to Sumatra; want more reserves there.

Another question is whether Andy is going to care for the Solomons - New Britain are at all.
I'm quite confident that we can slowly trickle troops out of that region, first into Central and Northern New Guinea and later on to the DEI.

I've used the absence of US ships and subs to transport more fuel to Christmas Island.
This is a great place to operate our Central Pacific subs from. Been repairing and holding back 15 subs there now and is planning to release them, just have to
find the best place to operate.

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 2170

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 2:56:03 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Has something changed from a patch regarding shore bombardments? The manual specifically states in section 6.4.3 that "Naval bombardment gunfire is MORE likely to target airfields, base structures, enemy ships at anchor, and coast defense units than it is to target other ground units." So what gives with these bombardments concentrating on the ground units? I feel your pain PzB and if this is now WAD...well

. It's a shame if bombardments no longer reflect what was previously stated in the manual. From what I've learned reading AAR's players seem to have two main reasons for shore bombardment, disruption of CD guns and closing airfields down, actual disruption or casualties on defending troops seems to be much lower on the list of target priorities. I believe one patch increased the amount of gunfire directed against CD guns, perhaps they tweaked it too much in that regard and included concentrating on ground troops.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2171

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 4:13:28 AM

Xxzard

Posts: 440
Joined: 9/28/2008
From: Arizona
Status: offline

It seems in this case the best thing to do (if possible ofc) would be to allow the player to designate the main target of the bombardment attack.

Sometimes, we want to target ground troops and CD emplacements, that is really vitally important for some bombardments.

But other cases, such as this example here, attacking the airfield is 10x more important than attacking the large stack of ground troops.

This would be a useful feature to implement. I know that the debate on the subject goes back a long way. There has always been discussions over whether the current "bombardment" tf model, of the "dash in dash out" variety should be changed/another type of tf added to more directly assist in ground support operations.

_____________________________

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 2172

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 6:14:47 AM

LoBaron

Posts: 4776
Joined: 1/26/2003
From: Vienna, Austria
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Looking at reinforcements coming in I see that in addition to the forces already in place at Memboro we can insert a further 4 divisions, 1 regiment and a tank regiment within a week or so.
7 divisions is enough to smash Waingapo!

This isnt Stalingrad, and you are not Hitler.

Stop obsessing over that base. It is lost, live with that. You are seriously contemplating putting all your eggs in one basket here, and have that one basket defended by the KB. What happens if you put 7 divisions on that island and then lose air superiority in the region? What happens if you lose the ability to move units by sea?

Do you remember how you reasoned when you pulled out of Darwin? "It cannot be held in face of allied airpower, and the bases makes it too easy to trap units there".

Take two steps back and think about what you are doing and why.

Panzerjaeger Hortlund, on this I tend to see it similar to PzB.

What else should he do?

Soemba has a function similar to Timor. It is a part of the southern defensive perimeter for the DEIs.
This is not northern Australia, if Andy can hold his position at Waingapoe this means attrition warfare
in range of the southern DEIs with the high danger of losing the war here. From Soemba Andy has
a staging area nearly as good as Timor for moving into the valuable ressource regions, after some time even without
carrier support.
And this means losing the war right at this island.

The only option is to close the gap in the defensiver barrier again, at least if PzB wants to see 1945 and I guess
that is part of the plan. And the longer PzB waits with a counter, the higher the forts grow.

Falling back is an alternative only if there is an option to isolate Soemba, which means re-invading Australia,
not really something that promises success this late. Do you see any other possible moves I am missing?

_____________________________

(in reply to Hortlund)

Post #: 2173

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 6:32:45 AM

pat.casey

Posts: 393
Joined: 9/10/2007
Status: offline

Its a bridgehead, not a breakout. Both reducing it and containing it are equally viable tactical options.

(in reply to LoBaron)

Post #: 2174

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 8:19:42 AM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

yeah, had the three leaders with the best rating in my test. No difference to what I�ve got in my PBEM where I don�t care at all.

Both players in my PBEM have tried all sorts of things but it has resulted in exactly nothing...

_____________________________

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2175

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 8:34:16 AM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

The way this starts to turn out I really get the feeling Andy can be kicked around at will. Sorry, but what on Earth is he doing? If I�m going with such an operation I�ve got this base running within two or three days at the latest and have got hundreds of fighters in the air, so many engineers that the base increases in size every couple of days and enough flak to at least keep you from bombing at 6000ft. Let alone he should have taken three or four appropriate bases within the first two or three days, heck, he had twice the time to do so when KB was completely out of position. Mmm, this all turns out to be very poorly performed and I can only wonder as it�s not his first game. How can one mount such a major operation and perform that bad in exectuing it? He�s got one base he can build up to level 8 but not level 9 (failure number 1), takes this base on an island with another Japanese base on the Northern part and doesn�t immediately take this base too (failure number 2), he comes in without adequate support at Waingapoe (failure number 3), he�s got Darwin but isn�t able to make use of it (failure number 4) and now he isn�t able to defend his single base let alone build it up (failure number 5).

I have been with PzJH in terms of the strategic situation but the way Andy is acting it seems he can be defeated at every stage of the war in every theatre.

If he has got 9 or 12 divisions he should have been able to land at 3 or 4 places and take at least 2 or 3 and start building them up. At every place 250+ av support plus 3 AA rgts plus 4 eng units wouldn�t be a problem at all. That�s how he should have done it, not going in, taking one base and not being able to defend it, not even when KB is a week long out of position. What more than a major, uncontested invasion do you need?

He failed so far and he soon is going to do more things wrong, how this is going I soon expect him to lose a couple of carriers, his units being out of supply and everything running away. Unbelievable but possible the way he�s acting. Like I�ve said earlier, Andy is a "nice" opponent for you to smack.

< Message edited by castor troy -- 2/21/2011 8:39:22 AM >

_____________________________

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2176

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 8:44:54 AM

Speedysteve

Posts: 15998
Joined: 9/11/2001
From: Reading, England
Status: offline

Not going to be too harsh since don't know all the facts but it does seem that Andy has bungled this Op so far....in terms of asset timing, placement, scheduling etc.

_____________________________

WitE 2 Tester
WitE Tester
BTR/BoB Tester

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 2177

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 1:36:04 PM

bigbaba

Posts: 1238
Joined: 11/3/2006
From: Koblenz, Germany
Status: offline

PzB is in a very good situation to cause some heavy loses for the allied here. this isnt guadalcanal because PzB has a good number of bases with LBA on them right around the corner. i realy would like to know what andys next steps are.

best thing would be to evacuate unit fragments and to try it elswhere in ew months with better preperation.

(in reply to Speedysteve)

Post #: 2178

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 4:45:50 PM

inqistor

Posts: 1813
Joined: 5/12/2010
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Another question is whether Andy is going to care for the Solomons - New Britain are at all.
I'm quite confident that we can slowly trickle troops out of that region, first into Central and Northern New Guinea and later on to the DEI.

Considering, what just happened at Luganville it would be better to still keep there troops, as local reinforcements. In case of Port Moresby invasion, it will be good to have troops for quick transport.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bigbaba
PzB is in a very good situation to cause some heavy loses for the allied here. this isnt guadalcanal because PzB has a good number of bases with LBA on them right around the corner.

Well, it actually is, but Allies are on the wrong side.

quote:

i realy would like to know what andys next steps are.

best thing would be to evacuate unit fragments and to try it elswhere in ew months with better preperation.

This is not Japan. Allies have limited number of all devices. IIRC US/AIF squads are produced at 70 per month, so giving ground now, will cost Allies 5 months of replacements per Division.
I even checked those Combat Engineers. US produce 24 per month, Australia 8, and the rest (NZ, Brit, SAfrica, and India) 4 in most cases. If there is British Division there, Allies can kiss it goodbye, with 18(?) Brit squads per month.

(in reply to bigbaba)

Post #: 2179

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 4:48:11 PM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

you may not forget all those commonwealth equpiment/squads arriving with convoys but I agree that losing complete divisions would be a mess for the Allied, not a disaster to lose three of them but a mess.

_____________________________

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 2180

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 11:00:18 PM

ny59giants

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

Posting air losses from Tracker will give you a more accurate account.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 2181

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/21/2011 11:01:38 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

I'm more uncertain about bombardments now than before; when we hit Darwin and all the other bases over the last year or so
port and airfield hits were more plentiful. Could be worth checking up on!
- Ground bombardment could be ok but 4 capital ships hardly send more than a couple of chefs to the sickbay with a serious case of headache.

As discussed before; Andy may have had - and may still have - many different targets and plans for his last offensive.
Suggest you post the not so positive comments directly in Andy's thread or leave it altogether.

Well, at some point in time I need to shrink the perimeter or reduce the garrisons.
It's becoming expensive to keep the hundreds of bases with fuel and supplies.
- Leaving a garrison of 100 AV with 5-6 fort levels in a jungle hex will still be enough to require a division sized enemy assault to take the place.
The rest of the troops will be of better use for us in the SRA and Central Pacific.

Yeah, destroying 3.5 Allied division would be sweet; it will be a tough task though but with air and sea support 7 divisions should be able to complete the job even
in a jungle hex.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 02, 43

Sub-ASW Attacks

This sub laid mines at Port Hedland; massive enemy presence there.
Sub requires R&R...but will live.

ASW attack near Port Hedland at 57,129

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64, hits 10, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
CL Richmond
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DE Sutlej
KV Commandant Duboc
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe
AK Bootes
AK Charlevoix
LST-484
LST-483
LST-480
LST-353
LST-340
LST-31
xAP Cape Neddick
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD Hull
DD Henley

SS RO-64 is sighted by escort
DD Schley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chew fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hull fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Henley attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

177 Helens hit Waingapoe in clear weather!
The irony is that 36 bombers cause 40% of the damage 143 does...
Guess I have to wary bomber altitude and try to get them to attack squadron by squadron to optimize effect.
- Not sure I need the surface bombardment runs anymore.

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 54
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 74
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 33
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 2182

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/22/2011 3:45:18 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

PzB,

Great job so far. I tend to agree with the other comments in terms of your current strategy. Fall back and wait to get clobbered doesn't appeal to me either. If now isn't the time to try a counterattack just when is? You have your assets in place and will have no better opportunity to strike another crushing defeat on the Allies. Could it all go wrong and you suffer a huge defeat...sure, but my hats off to you sticking to your guns and implementing your strategy. Regardless of whether Andy's play contributes to giving you a shot at a victory here or not, you've seized the opportunity to capitalize on his mistakes and possibly upset his entire DEI offensive timetable. Good luck and whether it works or not. Heck of a game, Banzai!

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2183

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/22/2011 8:44:03 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Thx Lemon! This campaign has just begun and many battles will be won and lost before it's decided.
In mid 44 Japan can only delay Allied advance; I still belive we can defeat them in late 43 in scen 2.
- So yes indeed, let's have fun while we can! Any mistakes made by Andy will be made good by Allied reinforcements later on; the time we win he won't get back.

Today the Allied carriers came out from Port Hedland; massive sightings and contacts
by air and sub. Our subs were fended of with heavy damage.

Is Andy on the way back to support his stranded whale?

2xbombardments of Waingapoe and not a single gun fired against ports and airfields

This is not good...

Our Helens did their job though.

Again our bombers sank a destroyer near Luganville; the price was 4 bombers.
A convoy was also spotted near the Marquesas. The Netties levelbombing doesn't hit anything, need some Judys down there.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 03, 43

Sub - ASW Attacks

Sub attack near Kangean at 62,104

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34
SC Ch 26
SC Ch 16
SC Ch 32

Allied Ships
SS Scamp, hits 1

Captain of SS Scamp elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Scamp diving deep ....
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 32 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 32 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 32 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 32 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Hedland at 59,125

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, hits 7, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Stanly
CA Vincennes
CL Mobile
CLAA San Diego
DD Schroeder
DD Terry
DD Taylor
DD Strong

SS I-29 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Stanly
I-29 diving deep ....
DD Terry fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Taylor fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Strong fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Stanly attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stanly fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stanly fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stanly attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stanly fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stanly fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stanly fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Broome at 60,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Montpelier
CLAA Reno
DD Fletcher
DD Bush
DD Brownson
DD Braine
DD Bennett

SS I-1 is sighted by escort
DD Bush fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Brownson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Braine fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bennett fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Broome at 60,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-32, hits 18, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
CL Phoenix
CLAA Juneau
DD Converse
DD Foote
DD Eaton
DD Dyson
DD DeHaven

SS I-32 is sighted by escort
DD Foote attacking submerged sub ....
DD Eaton fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dyson attacking submerged sub ....
DD DeHaven fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Foote fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dyson fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Foote attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-32 eludes ASW attack from DD Foote
DD Foote fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Foote fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Foote fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Exmouth at 52,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 7

Allied Ships
DD Wadsworth
TK British Justice
TK British Energy
TK War Sirdar
TK Eidsvold
TK William Strachan
DD Racehorse

SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Wadsworth
I-168 bottoming out ....
DD Racehorse attacking submerged sub ....
DD Racehorse fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Racehorse fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Racehorse fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Racehorse fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near San Francisco at 214,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-35

Allied Ships
xAK Cycle, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Cycle is sighted by SS I-35
SS I-35 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Cycle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Madjene at 64,103

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 32
SC Ch 16
SC Ch 34

Allied Ships
SS Haddo, hits 2

Captain of SS Haddo elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 34 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Nagato
CA Aoba
CA Atago
DD Uruyuke
DD Hatakaze
DD Amagiri
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsushima
DD Urakaze

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at 7th Infantry Division
BB Nagato firing at 7th Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Aoba
CA Aoba firing at 33rd Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Atago
CA Atago firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Uruyuke firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Hatakaze firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Amagiri firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Usugumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Hatsushima firing at 7th Infantry Division
DD Urakaze firing at 33rd Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Kongo
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
CL Kinu
DD Natsugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

BB Mutsu firing at 7th Australian Division
BB Kongo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
CA Ashigara firing at 7th Australian Division
CA Takao firing at 7th Australian Division
CL Kinu firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Natsugumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Akigumo firing at 33rd Infantry Division
DD Yugumo firing at 7th Australian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 25
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 79
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 58

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 33
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Runway hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Epi at 120,153
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
4 x Ki-46-IIIb Dinah sweeping at 15000 feet *

CAP engaged:
18th FG/44th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ua Huka at 194,164
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Firm
xAK Steel Age
xAK Alcoa Planter

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Epi at 120,153

Weathein hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Arrow
DD Russell
DD Gansevoort

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/44th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Epi at 120,153
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Arrow

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/44th FS with P-39D Airacobra (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 24000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

Thanet dead in the water ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact...

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 2184

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/22/2011 10:54:15 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

PzB,

I notice you are still using Dave's and Pete's as your float planes for BB's, CA's and CL's. Is this intentional, or something you haven't really thought about? I believe you can upgrade them all to Jake's if so inclined. The longer search range is worth it alone and I think they carry a better payload than the Pete's.

(in reply to PzB74)

Post #: 2185

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/22/2011 11:06:33 PM

PzB74

Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline

Jakes are much bigger than Pete's and Dave's - so I've not upgraded them unless I was sure this was historical possible...

_____________________________

"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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 2186

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/22/2011 11:10:19 PM

beppi

Posts: 382
Joined: 3/11/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

Some things i want to mention:

1.) Try to create Bombardment TFs which contain more BBs. I have experienced that 1 TF with 6 BB deals more damage than 3 TFs with 2 BBs. This could be related that through the bombardment the detection is increased (just speculation).Has anyone any other experience on this ?

2.) Do not forget to get your BBs ready if there are any invasions or supply runs to hit the landing ships. If they are on the way home from a bombardment it will take time to refill their ammo and move them into position/into action. Bombardment is nice but winning some surface battles is worth more.

3.) Always keep some reserve divisions just in the case that something wonky happens. And i think i have written it a few times already but watch for your lvl 9 airfields. I see it in my current game how important they are. You need a lvl 9 base to mount a massive 4E campaign so any half decent allied player will go for them.

4.) How far away are the next gen. Japanese army fighters (Ki-84 for example). With them and good pilots you should be able to put quite a fight. As i am no Japanese expert i have no clue how far it can be accelerated.

I wish you good luck for your fight and it is quite enjoyable to read this AAR.

< Message edited by beppi -- 2/22/2011 11:11:26 PM >

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 2187

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/23/2011 7:35:30 AM

mikhail

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/27/2005
Status: offline

PzB great job! You have a big chance to sink some of the allies CV's. I read this AAR every day, so make your best :o)

(in reply to beppi)

Post #: 2188

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/23/2011 7:09:33 PM

inqistor

Posts: 1813
Joined: 5/12/2010
Status: offline

Just remember, that sea bombardment is probably now THE BEST way to weaken enemy, before you can try land assault. You will probably need also lots of independent artillery.
After 2-3 months of naval bombardment, every 1-2 days of Guadalcanal, I could brush defending forces with some token strength. I had less than 2 Regiments, and base have fallen after second attack.
And, since airfield is closed, you can set BETTYs secondary mission to ground attack at medium altitude.

And, since perimeter around Rabaul was not yet penetrated, keeping there forces could be useful. The safest Allied bet now, will be probably land campaign of New Guinea.

(in reply to mikhail)

Post #: 2189

RE: KB hits Darwin - 2/23/2011 8:35:56 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: inqistor

Just remember, that sea bombardment is probably now THE BEST way to weaken enemy, before you can try land assault. You will probably need also lots of independent artillery.
After 2-3 months of naval bombardment, every 1-2 days of Guadalcanal, I could brush defending forces with some token strength. I had less than 2 Regiments, and base have fallen after second attack.
And, since airfield is closed, you can set BETTYs secondary mission to ground attack at medium altitude.

And, since perimeter around Rabaul was not yet penetrated, keeping there forces could be useful. The safest Allied bet now, will be probably land campaign of New Guinea.

A note of caution here. This smacks to me of declaring a battle won that hasn't even really started yet. I somehow doubt that the Allies will idly stand back and admit defeat here at Waingapoe. Suggesting they'll land in New Guinea/Solomon's now is a possiblility especially with KB currently tied down, but I don't think there will be much focus there from the Allies at this point other than what can be accomplished locally. Full scale invasion of Timor or some adjacent islands is my guess. He's got to take the heat off Waingapoe and start stretching PzB's defences in the region, not in another theatre completely. I'd be very worried right now about a major effort to capture more bases immediately in the Timor line.

In my experience trying to close Allied airfields strictly by Japanese air power alone can't be relied upon. All it will take is a few consecutive days of poor weather and more Allied support units on hand and that airfield will be up and running. Add to that the possibility of more landings opening up more bases for Allied CAP and all the Helen's in the world won't close anything down. I don't think 2-3 months of bombardment against Waingapoe is even an option at this stage to weaken Allied forces and is pure fantasy. We are talking a couple of weeks at best, not months. Japan does not have the luxury of time, the longer things are focused on Waingapoe, the more can go wrong everywhere else. Hit it and hit it hard until it falls before the Allies change the situation with new invasions.

(in reply to inqistor)

Post #: 2190