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

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RE: Help Requested - 6/21/2010 4:24:41 PM

CapAndGown

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From: Virginia, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: bklooste

I also have doubts they will react to Hosho as it is a piece of crap...

Speaking of which if you know he will be close why not park 30 subs there... He wont be flying much ASW or intensive close range Naval search. If teh subs get lucky come in with KB.

Is it worth luring him away and than striking the landings ? ala Leyte Gulf .

If he is landing in Fiji, then I really don't care. It would be nice, I suppose, to kill a bunch of landing ships. OTOH, if they are covered by BBs then I could lose my own capital ships.

The most important thing I want right now is to hit his carriers before the Essex class start showing up in large numbers which should be starting in June. I will be at my maximum relative carrier superiority in May. Therefore I want to bring his carriers to battle during that time frame before I lose my edge. At Leyte the Japanese were aiming for the landing. This will be more like (and more successful I hope) the Philippines Sea.

I will send out some subs. But they were particularly ineffective when he invaded Somoa. All I got were 3 sunk subs, lots of damaged ones for only 3 cargo ships. I would not expect the subs to be able to deliver. Maybe they can rescue some of my pilots.

(in reply to bklooste)

Post #: 421

May Day, 1943 - 6/22/2010 12:34:21 AM

CapAndGown

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Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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May 1, 1943

Today was a day when new airframes became available.

First was the Oscar IIb. I switched over a Tojo factory to begin producing this plane. I will now be producing 140 Tojo's a month and 50 Oscars (once the factory is repaired.)

Next up, the transport version of the Helen. One Helen factory was switched over and the Thalia factory as well. 130 Helen bombers will now be produced per month and 50 Helen transports.

The Jill also became available. The Kate factory was switched over and we will be making 60 Jills a month.

In two days all our April upgrades will be completed and the Combined fleet will sail for the Solomons. Once there they will find 200,000 tons of fuel waiting for them at Rabaul, along with a replenishment TF with 150,000 tons. Fuel will not be a problem, at least for a while. All our CVs except Junyo and Hiyo have upgraded their Vals for Judy's.

From there we will be seeking out the enemy fleet and will attempt to bring it to battle. I am also getting ready to evacuate the New Hebrides. Once the Combined Fleet arrives in the Solomons, it can cover this evacuation.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 422

RE: May Day, 1943 - 6/22/2010 5:35:47 AM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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May 2, 1943

The fleet has sailed.

Perhaps the largest concentration of warships in the world has set sail today from Singapore. They are heading to Hollandia where they will be joined by additional ships of the Combined Fleet coming down from the Home Islands. Hollandia was chosen as a rally point because it is not infested with those infernal coast watchers and because it is somewhat removed from the normal patrol pattern of allied subs. The fleet is not completely organized because of the need to add in the ships from Honshu. Once everyone reaches Hollandia I will carefully assess the TF and ship commanders as well as air group commanders. After that, the fleet will look for an opportunity to bring the allied CVs to battle either by intercepting an invasion of Fiji, or making a demonstration there with its surface components.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 423

Savusavu Invaded - 6/22/2010 4:09:42 PM

CapAndGown

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May 3, 1943

Savusavu was invaded today. Two allied divisions face two Naval Guard units and some base forces. Level 3 forts and Jungle-Rough terrain. Japanese supply has dwindled to almost nothing from the constant supply hits from his bombers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Savusavu (134,159)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2737 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 146
Defending force 13862 troops, 422 guns, 286 vehicles, Assault Value = 606

Assaulting units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Naval Guard Unit
50th JNAF AF Unit
36th JNAF AF Unit
4th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
27th Infantry Div /546
41st Infantry Div /541

Fortunately, I have cadres of all these units at Rabaul waiting to be rebuilt as soon as their parent units die. I was actually worried that witpqs might bypass some of the islands down in Fiji meaning I would not get to rebuild these guys. I am eager to see them die!

Sigint reported heavy radio transmissions coming from TF a few hexes east of Pearl Harbor. Hard to know what this might be. BBs returning to Pearl after being repaired on the west coast? A very, very large convoy? Or, perhaps, the arrival the the Essex! We are playing with variable reinforcement, so maybe the Essex has already arrived. This would give the US 7 fleet carriers. While this would mean my carrier superiority would not be as great as it was, this could also be a positive development. Perhaps it will increase my opponent's confidence and make him more eager to engage in a carrier battle. OTOH, it will make the use of "bait" carrier even more necessary since instead of potentially facing 207 fighters on CAP, we could be facing 243 unless some of them are drawn off to escort strikes. In addition, his fighter contingent will increasingly be made up of Hellcats rather than Wildcats. This will mean I will have an even tougher time fighting through the CAP. Anything that will reduce that CAP will be beneficial.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 424

RE: Savusavu Invaded - 6/22/2010 5:51:54 PM

Kwik E Mart

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Defending units:
27th Infantry Div /546
41st Infantry Div /541

quick question...what does /546 and /541 signify?

_____________________________

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Ron Swanson: Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 425

RE: Savusavu Invaded - 6/22/2010 6:15:02 PM

CapAndGown

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Kwik E Mart

quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Defending units:
27th Infantry Div /546
41st Infantry Div /541

quick question...what does /546 and /541 signify?

It means they have not yet fully unloaded. The parent unit is still on board the ships. These are the "fragments" you get when ever you load a unit on more than one ship or unload a unit before it is fully unloaded.

(in reply to Kwik E Mart)

Post #: 426

Another bloody day over Magwe - 6/22/2010 9:56:55 PM

CapAndGown

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May 4, 1943

It was another bloody day over Magwe. Allied losses were not as bad this time as last, yet were still over twice those of the Japanese.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 59
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 42
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 55
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 41
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 43
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 36
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 31
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 22
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 48
P-40K Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 29
Wellington Ic x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Liberator II x 28
Wellington Ic x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16

I count a total of 112 Hurricanes in 7 groups and 125 P-40s in 5 groups. 39 Hurricanes are reported lost and 27 P-40s as against 13 Nicks and 10 Tojos. Our fighter Sentai's claim a total of 39 kills while losing 2 pilots MIA, 7 WIA, and 4 KIA. Again, the target of the attacks was the oil centers. This time, however, only 15 oil centers were hit, leaving 63 operational.

Observations:
1) All except one of the high altitude sweeps were detected only about 20-40 NM away while the low altitude attacks were generally detected 120 NM away. This is pointing in the direction of a problem with the logic of the code. It also would seem to indicate that Kamikaze attacks should be conducted at super-high altitude.
2) Tojo's did better than Nicks, and P-40s did better than Hurricanes. While there may be some experience factors at play here (The Nick pilots are somewhat lower in experience than the Tojo pilots) the deciding factor seems to be speed. The faster plane will do better than the slower one on average. This has been the case since stock WitP, though it has been toned down some. Indeed, speed seems to trump durability and armor as a survivability factor. The Nicks are very durable and have armor, yet were more likely to be shot down than the Tojo's even though there were many more Tojo's. All the armor in the world is not going to help if an allied plane, with it very heavy armament, gets a bead on you.

I feel that witpqs is taking the wrong approach in this attempt to take out my oil. Were I him, I would flatten the airfields first, then take the oil at my leisure. The experience at Fiji has shown that Japanese airfields, even multiple airfields, can be shut down with relative ease. Since I only have two airfields operational in central Burma it would be relatively simple to shut them down and then bomb the oil centers unopposed.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 6/22/2010 10:02:02 PM >

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 427

RE: Another bloody day over Magwe - 6/22/2010 10:36:46 PM

crsutton

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From: Maryland
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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

I feel that witpqs is taking the wrong approach in this attempt to take out my oil. Were I him, I would flatten the airfields first, then take the oil at my leisure. The experience at Fiji has shown that Japanese airfields, even multiple airfields, can be shut down with relative ease. Since I only have two airfields operational in central Burma it would be relatively simple to shut them down and then bomb the oil centers unopposed.

Absolutely, even a half dead airfield will put up fighters with lower morale and cause more operational losses. He is doing this all wrong. Lead with the heavies, then sweep with fighters and pound with the mediums. Rinse and repeat.

_____________________________

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(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 428

And Again - 6/23/2010 2:16:11 AM

CapAndGown

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May 5, 1943

No let up in the attacks on Magwe. I was expecting a break. Apparently, the allies had a few fresh formations. They may have also reran some formations that attacked yesterday. Certainly the fighter cover was not as heavy this time. A number of the lighter bombers were shot down.

We lost 4 pilots MIA, 3 WIA, and 6 KIA, while our Sentai's claimed 54 kills. Several new aces were created and several new 80+ experience pilots will soon be graduated to TRACOM as soon as replacements arrive.

The oil center did not take too many hits. 50 are still operational.

Again, note the behaviour of the radar: long detection distances for medium level attacks, short detection distances for high level attacks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 51
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 22
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 39
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
Liberator II x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 23
B-25C Mitchell x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 25
P-40K Warhawk x 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9
Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15
Wellington Ic x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16

The first allied deliberate attack at Savusavu achieve 1-2 odds and dropped the forts from 3 to 2. Japanese casualties are much higher than allied. I suppose the base will fall tomorrow.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 6/23/2010 2:25:24 AM >

(in reply to crsutton)

Post #: 429

RE: And Again - 6/23/2010 5:24:11 AM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

CNG,

Nice work on the exchange ratio. I hope I can do as well against the gaijin in 1943.

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Post #: 430

RE: Savusavu Invaded - 6/24/2010 1:16:13 AM

Kwik E Mart

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kwik E Mart

quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Defending units:
27th Infantry Div /546
41st Infantry Div /541

quick question...what does /546 and /541 signify?

thanks...so you have at least 546 fragments floating around?

It means they have not yet fully unloaded. The parent unit is still on board the ships. These are the "fragments" you get when ever you load a unit on more than one ship or unload a unit before it is fully unloaded.

_____________________________

Kirk Lazarus: I know who I am. I'm the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude!
Ron Swanson: Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 431

RE: Savusavu Invaded - 6/24/2010 1:54:07 AM

CapAndGown

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From: Virginia, USA
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I have no idea how the fragment thing works, particularly when unloading.

(in reply to Kwik E Mart)

Post #: 432

Savusavu Captured - 6/24/2010 4:11:40 AM

CapAndGown

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May 9, 1943

Savusavu was captured today.

B-17s and B-24s have been regularly pounding my Naval Guard unit at Horn Island. Today it was completely destroyed. I pulled out a fragment earlier and it is now at Rabaul rebuilding. I imagine there will be a paradrop there soon. I am afraid the heavies are next going to turn their attention to New Guinea.

To get ready for the allied turn to New Guinea and the Solomons, I am evacuating everyone that is left in the New Hebredies and New Caledonia. A huge fleet just set sail from Rabaul so that I can pick everyone up very quickly and have them spread across multiple ships should we run into subs. There are 8 aviation battalions, 1 air flotilla, 3 AAA units with Ta-Chi 7 radar, 3 engineer units, 3 SNLF units, and an infantry regiment down there. Adding these forces to the Solomons will significantly strengthen my defenses.

Lessons learned from allied conquest of Fiji:

One of the main reasons I had to give up on Fiji is because the allies got bases within range from which they could sweep my bases with Corsairs. Between the 4E bombing and the sweeps, my fighter formations were no match. They had to pull out or be destroyed. This is not really a lesson, simply an explanation of one of the problems I faced in Fiji.

As to lessons learned, I found that even multiple bases can be shut down by allied 4E if there is not adequate engineering support. Therefore, I am grabbing additional engineers from places where I judge their presence less vital and moving them to the Solomons/New Guinea.

I will also have more, and more closely interlocking bases in the Solomons/New Guinea than in Fiji. This way spill over CAP from one base can support a base under attack.

Radar was another issue. I was not getting adequate warning of raids to have my fighters intercepting the bombers before they released their loads. To deal with this, I am going to be installing Ta-Chi 7 equipped units at as many bases as possible.

Another lesson that was not really applicable to the Fiji situation, but was nonetheless emphasized by the results there, is the necessity of surface naval forces to protect my airbases. I did not choose to commit surface naval forces in Fiji and looking back, I would still have made that choice. Fiji is not vital and I was not going to risk high value assets to defend it. This is not the case with New Guinea/Solomons. There I will have a large commitment of surface naval forces. These forces can intercept invasion fleets and bombard enemy air bases.

The value of concentration was also driven home. More bases, more fighters and more aviation support.

The ability to reinforce threatened bases was not tested in the Fiji operation. Part of my plan of defense for the Solomons and the DEI is to have ready reaction forces set to sail at a moment's notice when an enemy invasion materializes. I have a division in reserve at Rabaul. Another division is in reserve at Singapore. And I plan to have another division in reserve at Kendari in the near future. This concept, however, was not tested and so I cannot say if it will work. Also, the idea of flying in paratrooper units as reinforcements was not tested, which is also part of my defensive plan.

One area that was successfully tested was the ability of LBA to atrit allied carrier CAP. Although we only achieved one hit on a CVE, our Tojo's did very well at shooting down carrier based Wildcats. Of course, in the future we will be facing Hellcats instead of Wildcats. Yet it still seems that our LBA should be able erode allied carrier CAP before our own CVs are committed.

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 6/24/2010 4:14:38 AM >

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 433

RE: Savusavu Captured - 6/25/2010 5:15:17 AM

PaxMondo

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Watching and reading with great attention. I like you review of lessons learned from Fiji ... even better how you used Fiji as a test ground to see how your opponent will be attacking.

_____________________________

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(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 434

4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/25/2010 6:50:14 PM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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May 15, 1943

As I suspected, 4E raids on New Guinea have commenced. Milne Bay was attacked first by P-38s on sweep and then by B-17s. Supposedly 13 P-38s were lost and 4 B-17s while 10 Tojo's were destroyed.

It would have been nice if I had a few more days. I have aviation support coming up from the New Hebrides to install on the bases around Milne Bay to increase the defenses there. They are about 5 days away from establishing fighter strips there. Already, engineers are working on fortifications; I don't want the strips to go active until I have aviation support in place, so I stopped building the airfields just as they were almost done. As soon as the aviation support arrives it will only take one or two turns to have operational air strips.

So far the evacuation of the New Hebrides has gone off without a hitch. The convoys mate up tomorrow just west of Luganville and then everyone heads for the Solomons where some will take the aviation battalions over to the Milne Bay area to establish my new fighter strips. Others are going to the Guadacanal area which I expect to come under attack after the allies set up bases in the Santa Cruz Islands.

The Combined Fleet has been thoroughly reorganized at Hollandia. I spent a lot of PPs getting all my ship captains up to stuff, including even destroyer captain. The Fleet is now sailing for Rabual where the last of the Val units will be upgraded to Judy's. From there I am thinking of sailing south where I expect the allies to launch their next invasion, most likely at Fiji, but also possibly at Noumea.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Watching and reading with great attention.� I like you review of lessons learned from Fiji ... even better how you used Fiji as a test ground�to see how your opponent will be attacking.

Thanks for the feedback.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 6/25/2010 6:51:56 PM >

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 435

RE: 4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/25/2010 7:12:27 PM

FatR

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From: St.Petersburg, Russia
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A good delaying action. Southern Pacific islands certainly served as useful forefield there, even if because your opponent decided to be conservative. Can you give us a rough estimate of air losses taken by Japan and Allies over Samoa and Fiji, as well as Japanese pilot losses.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 436

RE: 4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/25/2010 7:33:06 PM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: FatR

A good delaying action. Southern Pacific islands certainly served as useful forefield there, even if because your opponent decided to be conservative. Can you give us a rough estimate of air losses taken by Japan and Allies over Samoa and Fiji, as well as Japanese pilot losses.

I am afraid I don't really know how much I lost down around Fiji. A number of bomber pilots were lost when I tried naval attacks. Fortunately, I have lots of trained bomber pilots, both IJA and IJN.

My over all loses are:
KIA: 499
MIA: 275
WIA: 271

Most of the WIA will probably come back, so only about 750 have been permanently lost.

I try to keep pilot losses down by fighting over my own bases. My idea is to make him come to me. There have been very few instances where I will go to him so far.

Currently, I have about 500 pilots in the IJN reserve pool, and 350 pilots in the IJA reserve pool. The IJA has been doing most of the fighting since they have the better plane, the Tojo, and I had been trying to hold back IJN pilots for anti-shipping purposes. Now that my reserves in IJN pilots is greater than IJA pilots, I would like to see the IJN take over more of the workload. The problem is the Zero is just too fragile and slow. Until the George and Jack come on line it is hard to see the IJN playing much of a role in the LBA war.

(in reply to FatR)

Post #: 437

RE: 4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/25/2010 8:12:22 PM

FatR

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From: St.Petersburg, Russia
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Excellent work at preserving your pilots. I'll be happy if I lose only as much after four months of the war as Japan.

(in reply to CapAndGown)

Post #: 438

RE: 4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/25/2010 10:10:15 PM

CapAndGown

Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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May 16, 1943

As expected, 4E raids continued over Milne Bay. Today it was B-17F's (yesterday it was the E model) Two were shot down. Tomorrow I am expecting B-24's. Not sure if the P-38's will be back tomorrow or the next day. I expect a concerted effort to try to shut down Milne Bay.

In a few days that strategy will no longer be of much use as I will have 3 more airfields set up adjacent to Milne Bay. The evacuation convoy from the New Hebrides has set sail and many of those forces will be going to the eastern tip of New Guinea. The SS Gar did manage to torpedo one of my escorts, but the troops ships are still intact. I imagine we will run into at least one other sub as we make the crossing from the New Hebrides to the Solomons.

I just got my first 4 escort ships equipped with anti-sub mortars. They just finished refit at Singapore and are heading up to the Home Islands as a dedicated ASW force, my first. Indeed, I paid some PPs giving them good captains and a good TF commander. There are beau coup allied subs up around the home islands, so it should be a good hunting ground to test this new anti-sub weapon. Their only drawback is their rather low experience which is only 45 both day and night.

Finished tweaking the KB. Today I went through and checked on squadron commanders, changing those that were not so good. I also set up the squadrons with the settings I want so that they are ready to go. Basically, each cardiv has around 3 CV with A6M3a's set at 15k, 20k, and 25k, with a max range of 15 hexes (using drop tanks). Judy's are set at 10k with a max range of 14 hexes (using drop tanks), while one set of Kate's are set at 14k while another is set at 19k. Kates are set with a max range of 7 hexes so they will only fly if they can use their torpedoes. I am looking to have both a layered CAP and a multi-level strike package.

(in reply to FatR)

Post #: 439

RE: 4E raids on New Guinea Commence - 6/26/2010 12:41:02 AM

CapAndGown

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May 17, 1943

Due to my evacuation of New Caledonia and the New Hebrides, I no longer have land based search capability down around Fiji. The runways down there are shutdown, so it would be pointless to fly anybody in. To make up for this deficit, I sent four subs with Glens down to Fiji to alert me if something is up. Well I just got a spotting report that may indicate carriers are at Savusavu. The rollover indicates CAs, but the audio from the spotting had the "send main body" message which is usually associated with carriers. So I am not sure what the deal is, but there is something down there probably worth taking a shot at.

The Combined Fleet reached Rabaul today. We topped up the tanks and converted some more Vals to Judy's. Only one squadron of carrier based Vals remains to be upgraded. After this top up, the fleet was ordered to set sail for the southern Pacific. If I am lucky, my fleet will show up just as an invasion is in progress. It is a shame I can't use Luganville as a forward fleet base, but I didn't want to wait too long before proceeding with the evacuation.

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Post #: 440

Gau Island Invaded - 6/26/2010 4:00:09 PM

CapAndGown

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May 18, 1943

Gau Island was invaded by 112th Cavalry Regiment. My only unit there is an aviation battalion. Glad to see he is going to kill it, since I have a fragment back at Rabaul. The other fragments (which have now become the parent units) are rebuilding very, very quickly. Pretty soon I am going to be awash in aviation support in the Solomons/Bismark theater.

Milne Bay was attacked by P-38s and B-17Es. The fighter exchange went fairly well with slightly more P-38s (~19) shot down than Japanese planes (10 Tojo, 5 Nick). No real damage to the bombers, but they, in turn, did not cause that much damage to the airfield. 45 Lightnings were involved. With something like a 40% loss rate, I wonder if he will keep sweeping or switch to just relying on the bombers. I suppose the B-17F's will be back tomorrow, or perhaps some B-24s.

KB is now east of the Solomons heading south. But first I need to avoid a submarine operating in the area. I have had two CVs torpedoed so far. Although neither sank, I would like to avoid a repeat of that. I would also like the presence of the KB kept secret.

I don't know where the allied CVs are. They are probably upgrading their Wildcats to Hellcats right now. Perhaps a raid down around Fiji can draw them out. Another option I am considering is another surface raid in the northern Pacific. Last time I did that he sent out his carriers to look for the raiders and their replenishment source. If I could get him to do that again I could have the KB waiting in ambush.

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Post #: 441

So much for avoiding subs - 6/27/2010 12:16:17 AM

CapAndGown

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May 20, 1943

My attempt to avoid the allied subs around the Santa Cruz Islands was a failure. Witpqs now knows that I have something down there heading his way. He knows I have BBs and at least the mini-KB. The question is: how will he react? At least we scored two solid hits on the Peto, though not enough to sink it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Stewart Island at 119,137
Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
DD Akatsuki
DD Wakaba
DD Shinonome
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
SS Peto, hits 1

SS Peto launches 6 torpedoes at DD Maikaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Reef Islands at 120,139
Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo
CS Mizuho
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio
DD Oshio
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Satsuki
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
SS Peto, hits 2

SS Peto launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Taiyo

No 4E bomber raids on Milne bay today. Yesterday the B-17F's gave it a shot. Supposedly 2 were shot down and 2 were ops losses. OTOH, the Forts shot down about 8 of my planes, though only 2 pilots were WIA.

Also yesterday, one of my picket boats out near Marcus Island hit the Plunger with a DC pretty hard. Plunger is reported sunk. I doubt that, but it is possible since that boat appeared to be limping home after being hit by my ASW planes around Kyushu.

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Post #: 442

Mapping the Empire - 6/27/2010 1:45:28 AM

CapAndGown

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Thought I would provide an overview of the strategic map as of May 21, 1943.

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Post #: 443

RE: Mapping the Empire - 6/27/2010 6:12:28 AM

CapAndGown

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May 21, 1943

I have decided to recall the fleet. Instead of continuing towards Fiji, it is now going to Nauru while I look for a better opportunity to engage the allied fleet. I don't have enough intelligence about the composition of his forces; surprise is gone; and most importantly I would be fighting over his bases rather than mine, giving him the advantage of LBA support. I very much wish to engage the allied fleet when it is at some distance from its own bases and especially where I can bring to bear my own LBA.

The fleet ran across the Peto again. Apparently it was limping back to Samoa. It launched four torpedoes at a CL which missed. So it now seems to be out. Some more DCs hit home, but still did not sink it. I was tempted to detach an ASW group just to try to finish it off, but decided I want the escorts to deal with other subs in the area.

Our ships delivering troops to the eastern end of New Guinea were spotted and attacked by 6 B-25C's. Three were shot down and the remaining three failed to hit their target. Aviation support, engineers, AAA, and naval guards will be landed on Goodenough, Normanby, and Ferguson islands tomorrow. The Normanby airfield went to size one today. I had planned on having the aviation support in place before I let the airfield grow, but forgot to turn off construction in time. Just as well; I moved in a sentai of Tojo's to defend the ships offloading the aviation support.

B-17s hit Milne Bay again. 1 was destroyed by flak, while 2 more supposedly were ops losses.

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Post #: 444

RE: Mapping the Empire - 6/27/2010 5:30:18 PM

CapAndGown

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May 22, 1943

No attacks on Milne Bay or the shipping in the area today. One of our glen subs was sunk around Fiji by DE's. The sub was forced to surface and, amazingly, put a torp into one of the DE's, sinking it. Japanese subs are really just cannon fodder at this point. I am using them mostly for intelligence gathering. Their offensive capabilities are almost nil. I will admit that they are probably one of my best ASW weapons, though.

Airfields at Goodenough and Ferguson went active today and fighter sentais of Tojos were moved in. There are now seven fighter sentais on the eastern tip of New Guinea.

"Then the hearts of the Noldor grew hot, and their captains wished to assail their foes upon the plain; but Hurin spoke against it, and bade them beware the guile of Morgoth, whose strength was always greater than it seemed, and his purpose other than he revealed. . . . But the Captain of Morgoth in the west had been commanded to draw out Fingon swiftly from his hills by whatever means he could." - The Silmarillion

I am now in the position of the Captain of Morgoth; I must draw out the allied fleet onto favorable terrain by whatever means I can. To this end, I have set a division and a recon battalion to prep for Baker Island. Very soon that division, which is in the home islands, will be loaded up for transport to the battle front. Its initial destination will be set to Baker Island, although its final destination is actually Kendari. I will also start reconning Baker in a few days. I shall also send some BBs to bombard the island. Hopefully this maskirovka will convince witpqs that an invasion of Baker is in the works and bring the allied fleet into the vicinity of the Gilberts. Right now, the Combined Fleet is stationed at Nauru.

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< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 6/27/2010 5:33:17 PM >

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Post #: 445

RE: Mapping the Empire - 6/27/2010 6:42:52 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

May 22, 1943

...Japanese subs are really just cannon fodder at this point. I am using them mostly for intelligence gathering. Their offensive capabilities are almost nil. I will admit that they are probably one of my best ASW weapons, though.

...

Wow, didn't expect them to get so useless so early.

Curious (hopefully not a highjeck here, as not intended) if this was historical. I seem to remember them being effective into '44. But I freely admit, my background on the IN SS fleet is weak....

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Post #: 446

RE: Mapping the Empire - 6/28/2010 3:57:02 AM

bklooste

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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

May 22, 1943

...Japanese subs are really just cannon fodder at this point. I am using them mostly for intelligence gathering. Their offensive capabilities are almost nil. I will admit that they are probably one of my best ASW weapons, though.

...

Wow, didn't expect them to get so useless so early.

Curious (hopefully not a highjeck here, as not intended) if this was historical. I seem to remember them being effective into '44. But I freely admit, my background on the IN SS fleet is weak....

Indianapolis was sunk in 45 .. Historically the Japanese Submarine fleet lost its effectiveness about mid 43 , this was partly due to the better ASW being developed for the Atlantic and partly due to poor morale due to loosing the war , the Japanese subs just didnt attack. In 44 with allied air they became useless but this was more to do with the effectiveness of air (eg air search , mad , air radar )

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Post #: 447

RE: Mapping the Empire - 6/28/2010 4:21:51 AM

CapAndGown

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May 25, 1943

A long range patrol plane from either Baker Island or from the Elice Islands spotted at least one of our carrier groups at Nauru. Quite a long distance. So much for keeping the location of the KB secret!

Nevertheless, this could be good if it contributes to allied anxieties about an invasion of Baker and brings out their fleet. OTOH, it could be bad if his CVs are not in the Pacific, as I believe them to be, but are actually in the Indian Ocean. The Maylay barrier is well developed, but I still would not relish an invasion there, especially when the KB is on the other side of New Guinea.

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Post #: 448

Counter Moves - 6/28/2010 6:47:51 AM

CapAndGown

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May 26, 1943

My opponent claims that my carriers at Nauru were spotted by a flying sub based on the SSN Seaview. Fortunately, Japanese scientists have been working on a counter measure.