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RE: Luganville Invaded

 
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RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/3/2010 9:00:40 PM   
PaxMondo


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How did you advance the B6N2 so much?  That's over 4 months early.  Great job doing it.  10 hex torp plane against his 6 hex range.  That's big.

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Pax

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 481
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/3/2010 9:34:05 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 13, 1943

Turns out that TF was not going to Horn Island. It was going to some dot base that I did not even see. My carriers did not attack it. I sat through the replay wondering why. When it rolled around to the orders phase, my "new and improved" spotting report indicated there were a bunch of LCVP's in the TF. My understanding is that these are treated the same a barges and so are immune to conventional air attacks.

Hmm, maybe I should have set some Zero's to naval attack at 100 feet. Oh well, too late now, the turn is sent. Besides, the Zero's would probably be eaten alive by LRCAP out of Cooktown.

Anyway, the carriers are going back to Torokina to refuel from a TK TF.

As to the B6N2's being advanced by four months, well I could tell you how I did that, but then I would have to kill you. Operational security, you know.

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 482
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/4/2010 12:48:34 AM   
PaxMondo


Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

As to the B6N2's being advanced by four months, well I could tell you how I did that, but then I would have to kill you. Operational security, you know.


Well dang good security and good to know it is possible. I haven't been able to advance anything more than 2 months. Got really close to 3 months twice, but got a bad couple of rolls. But 4 months, and actually a bit more as you have them built and deployed. So maybe even 5 months early. WOW!


_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 483
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/4/2010 3:36:05 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 14, 1943

Two days now and no attack on Milne Bay. My fighter Sentai there needed the rest! I found out they got clobbered last time because they were not flying at 30k feet, our agreed upon max. So naturally, the P-38s bounced the crap out of them. With more and more games putting in place a house rule about maximum altitudes, one wonders if Matrix will issue a fix for this problem.

I feel like I am to-ing and fro-ing with the KB. This turn I decided to start it towards Sorong again. I judge the Solomons to be well defended by surface forces and LBA. The KB can supplement that, of course, but I feel the need to protect the DEI is more critical.

A TK convoy encountered the SS Trout in the South China Sea and took a depth charge that caused some engine damage.

A note on my convoys: I run very big convoys. I do not have lots of little ones running around. If I have to, I will wait for enough troops, oil, resources, supply, whatever, to accumulate before sending out a convoy. As a result, I don't have a lot of convoys running at any one time and thus I can provide them with substantial numbers of escorts. For instance, I only have 3 TK convoys running between Singapore and the Home Islands. Each of these convoys has 15-20 TKs and 10 E class ships. Between the small number of long haul convoys and the large escort contingent for each, I rarely encounter subs and when I do, the escorts are often able to protect their charges. Combine this with witpqs's earlier reluctance to enter shallow water and his new found aversion to the Java Sea (thanks to my flooding the zone there earlier) I have only lost two TKs for the entire war. Of course, now that I have bragged about how wonderful I am at protecting my TKs, I will lose one this next turn.

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 484
Crunch Time - 7/5/2010 5:25:53 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 18, 1943

The first attack at Kweillin came off at 1-2 odds. The base had level six forts that are now down to level 5. The Japanese took slightly more casualties than the Chinese. The Japanese have an unadjusted assault value advantage of 2-1 but terrain and forts greatly enhances the assault value of the defenders. Disruption is generally in the teens so all but one brigade will attack again tomorrow. I would imagine the Chinese suffered some disruption as well. Apparently, the supply situation in China is not too bad and may even be quite good. Witpqs has been running a lot of transports over the hump as is apparent from the ops losses suffered by Skytrains. All the more reason to run an offensive against the Chinese since battle eats supply and if I can actually force a retreat on those units, they will lose all their supply and need to draw on whatever reserves he has at other bases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 70915 troops, 642 guns, 658 vehicles, Assault Value = 2640
Defending force 31005 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1147

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 1754
Allied adjusted defense: 3075

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 5)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2626 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 131 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 137 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2099 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 104 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 167 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 44 disabled

Assaulting units:
64th Division
68th Division
63rd Division
41st Division
116th Division
3rd Tank Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
14th Construction Regiment
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
17th Construction Regiment
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
10th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
9th Group Army
16th Group Army

Witpqs has left Milne Bay alone for several turns now. He may be shifting his forces around for an offensive elsewhere. He may have also felt that loses to his bomber force were becoming more than he liked. Or they may just be resting.

Witpqs let me know not to expect the next turn for a while since he has "a lot of crunching to do." Obviously an offensive is about to be launched. The question is where? He has been reconning the southern Gilberts quite extensively. That could be his next target, or that could be a ruse. Certainly, he is going to grab Ndeni at some point. Yet I am still most concerned about the DEI and Malaya. The KB will reach Sorong next turn where it will be in position to move either west or east. My threshold for committing my carriers is much lower for the DEI than it is for the Pacific. I will not commit the KB until a) a force (any force) appears to threaten the DEI/Malaysia, or b) I have definitely identified the fleet carriers in the Pacific.

The last two turns have caused me to question whether I can achieve the superior tactical position with my carriers I had been hoping for. With my Judy's able to range out to 14 hexes with a 500kg bomb, I was hoping to engage the US carriers at a 11-14 hex range. What has brought this concept into question is the experience of a Nell group I have based at Umboi Island. For the last two turns I have gotten the message "20 x G3M3 Nell unable to locate target due to range or weather". This is for a target (reportedly 2 xAKL) at a 12 hex range. If long range naval attacks (over 10 hexes) are unlikely to occur, this kinda destroys my entire doctrine for engaging the US fleet.

A lot of ops losses for my search planes lately due to substantial enemy CAP being located closer to my bases. I have had to lower the percentages of naval search and increase the altitude dramatically (now 31k feet). I am getting a lot of spotting reports, but they are costing me. (The same thing happens with my ASW: if there are no subs around, then my aircraft are fine, but if there are subs around, then I lose several to ops losses.)

In 12 days the Shiratsuyu class DDs are due for an upgrade which includes the Type 22 radar. These will be the first Japanese ships with surface search radar. I have sent them all off to Manila in preparation for the upgrade. I don't want to risk them before they can get this valuable addition. Once they are ready, they will be doled out to my various surface combat groups so that each group will have at least one ship with surface search radar. Although the IJN probably still has a night experience advantage over the USN, I imagine this could be negated by USN radar, giving the Americans more opportunities to surprise my task forces. Hopefully, by having ships with surface radar in my task forces, the chance of being surprised will be lowered. The Shiratsuyu's will be ready in August. I hope I will not have lost my entire fleet by that time.

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 485
RE: Crunch Time - 7/6/2010 12:18:55 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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June 19, 1943

I see lots of people updating their AARs today. Must be a holiday.

Another attack at Kweillin. This time both sides decided to commit bombers to support the ground pounders. It is kinda amusing seeing the pitifully small strikes both sides have:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 76,54 (Kweilin)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Tank Division, at 76,54 (Kweilin)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 27

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 68th Division, at 76,54 (Kweilin)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 9

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

I have brought down some Fighters from Nanking to Canton. After resting a turn, I will have them LRCAP Kweillin. I am afraid, however, the results will not be all that great since all my fighter groups in China are training groups with a bunch of noob pilots. Well, I figured, this is one way to train!

As for the land attack, another 1-2 result that lowers the forts down to level 4. Now it is time to rest since disruption is now in the 30s for most of my units. Again, fairly even casualties with the Chinese taking slightly more than the Japanese.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65874 troops, 626 guns, 658 vehicles, Assault Value = 2508
Defending force 29616 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1072

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 915
Allied adjusted defense: 2243

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1102 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 146 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 145 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1312 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 105 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled

It looks like witpqs is moving reinforcements from Chengte to Kweilin. If they show up tomorrow or the next day I will know they are using strat mode and I will attack while they are vulnerable. If they are instead using the major road, I will bomb them in case they are in move mode.

Not much else. The SS Finback is reported sunk by a 250kg bomb (i.e. one of my Helen units). I know it is not sunk since it's icon still shows on the map. Nevertheless, I think this report indicates a hit. I have been getting numerous reports now of allied subs sunk by 250kg bombs. Mostly they are false (although the Tautog did go down), but they seem to indicate my ASW planes are scoring hits. I am flying them at 2k feet and they have ASW skills in the 60+ range. Unfortunately, they are also taking numerous ops losses every time they find an allied sub.

ADDED: The J2M2 Jack was advanced to August. I have now switched over the J2M2 factories to the J2M3 model.

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 486
Their finest hour . . . NOT! - 7/6/2010 9:03:12 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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June 21, 1943

Today witnessed the annihilation of the RAF in the Far East. Very heavy air attacks against Magwe again, only this time they attacked the airfield. They shut it down (90 damage to the runway) but at a very, very high cost. 7 new Aces were created today and 7 pilots graduated to TRACOM at a cost of 4 MIA, 8 WIA, and 4 KIA. Let's see if he comes back tomorrow for the airfield at Meiktila. I imagine he will since he has a large contingent of P-40K's that were not really touched in today's battle and the heavy bombers were barely scratched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 138
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 126
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 124
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32
Vengeance I x 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 79
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 25
Wellington Ic x 26
B-25C Mitchell x 48
P-40E Warhawk x 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 33
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 28
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 100
AFTERNOON--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22 (These planes are flying LRCAP out of Meiktila since Magwe is shut down at this point)
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Meanwhile, over in China, numerous bombing runs by both sides. Chinese bombers attacked my forces at Kweillin, while my Helen's attacked Chinese troops advancing on Liuchow. Because they are in clear terrain, they suffered a good number of casualties. My troops, OTOH, suffered none.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 40
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 9 damaged (bombing from 6k feet)

Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

At Kweillin itself our forces made another 1-2 attack and reduced the forts to level three. Disruption is back up in the 30s, so we rest again tomorrow. According to the combat reports, we have disabled or destroyed over 100 Chinese engineering squads out of a potential 200. This will really put a crimp in his ability to get those forts back up, especially if I attack the airfield.

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 55753 troops, 540 guns, 656 vehicles, Assault Value = 2425
Defending force 28668 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 989

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 945
Allied adjusted defense: 2167

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1216 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 124 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (1 destroyed, 33 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1539 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 96 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 30 disabled

The allies continue to recon the Gilberts in a systematic fashion. Now it is Abemama they are taking a look at. It is looking more likely an attack on the Gilberts is immanent.




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(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 487
More aerial slaughter - 7/8/2010 5:47:29 PM   
CapAndGown


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Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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June 22-24, 1943

The allies continue attacking the airfields at Magwe and Meiktila. On the 22nd, they had a follow up raid on Magwe. On the 23rd, a squadron of P-40s swept Magwe by accident; they were left on sweep although witpqs had meant to stand them down. On the 24th the allies targeted Meiktila in one of their patented massive strikes. Over the course of these three days our Tojo's have been racking up the kills; our sentai's have claimed 49 kills between them during this period for very few losses.

The runway at Magwe is open again but the runway at Meiktila is closed. I am moving two aviation support battalions to Mandalay in order to give myself a third runway to operation from. I am shifting fighter sentai's around to make sure they can fly from one of the open runways. A problem I face is that the damaged airframes are not repairing because of the airfield service damage. Fortunately, all the bases in Burma are connected by rail. That means I can tranfer a sentai back to Rangoon to get its damaged planes repaired as well as any reinforcement planes that I add. Once the Sentai is built back up to full strength at Rangoon, it can be sent back to the front while another sentai is pulled back for rebuilding. Since the Tojo has a service rating of 1, this process should allow for rapid turnaround. Fortunately, I am not losing many pilots; all those Senatai still have more pilots than max planes, so the rebuilding process does not require me to wait for new pilots to show up.

The allies have taken very heavy losses in their fighter groups. Somewhere around one half of the P-40's and Hurricanes that were originally part of this operation have been destroyed. Their medium bombers, however, are not doing too bad, and the heavies are mostly untouched. Oh for a plane with some armament! The Tony Ic will, I believe, begin producing in August. Maybe then we can start dealing with the heavy bombers. Of course, by that time, the allies may have the P-47 available.



Meanwhile, over in China, two more attacks were launched against Kweillin. The forts are now down to level one. I am in a race to see if I can capture the place before his reinforcements arrive. Even if I don't take it, however, this battle at least has the advantage of making witpqs draw down his supply, which is the whole purpose of the operation.

June 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 66712 troops, 642 guns, 655 vehicles, Assault Value = 2381
Defending force 27540 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 916

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1477
Allied adjusted defense: 3071

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1476 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 122 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
948 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 127 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled

June 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65426 troops, 642 guns, 655 vehicles, Assault Value = 2289
Defending force 26305 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 812

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 948
Allied adjusted defense: 2067

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2030 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 159 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1918 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 125 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)




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Post #: 488
RE: More aerial slaughter - 7/8/2010 6:30:11 PM   
CapAndGown


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Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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The situation in China:






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Post #: 489
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/8/2010 9:46:53 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 25, 1943

Nothing much happened this turn. Next turn I am going for one more attack on Kweillin. Chinese reinforcements are just about to reach the city. If I don't take it now, I am not going to be able to take it. It may be time to try a flanking movement.

We have changed our altitude limit to 25k feet for CAP and sweep. Since P-40s could not reach 30k feet they were at a severe disadvantage.

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 490
Stymied - 7/9/2010 1:13:23 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 26, 1943

Our attack at Kweillin has been called off. The last assault did well, wiping out one of the Chinese engineering regiments and inflicting heavy casualties on the defenders. But Chinese reinforcements are about to arrive and after that it will be impossible to make progress. So everyone has been ordered to head back towards Liuchow where we will rest, recover our disabled squads, and begin looking for possible flanking opportunities. I do want to keep up some pressure on the Chinese in order to draw down their supplies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 64329 troops, 642 guns, 653 vehicles, Assault Value = 2212
Defending force 24999 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 713

Japanese adjusted assault: 1113
Allied adjusted defense: 1237

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1150 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1872 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 141 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 122 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 20 disabled

No air raids in Burma for the last two turns. Witpqs is probably licking his wounds.

4E bombers continue to hit the air fields on Fiji. Good. At least they are not attacking my positions in the Solomons. If the allies are going for a bypass strategy here, that might actually be beneficial to me since it will keep some of his airforce occupied suppressing the airfields instead of hitting my more vital bases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

That is 138 B-24's not hitting my positions in the Solomons or the DEI.

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 491
Burma Turkey Shoot, part 383 - 7/9/2010 5:28:05 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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June 28, 1943

The slaughter over Magwe continued today. Our Sentai's in Burma claim 73 kills in exchange for 1 pilot KIA, and 1 pilot MIA. I was especially pleased to see the medium bombers take a serious hit. I don't really understand why the P-40 is performing so poorly. We are now down to 25,000 feet, so it is not the altitude thing. I suspect the problem is that my pilots are now highly skilled and highly experienced. 9 pilots graduated to TRACOM and 5 pilots became aces. Magwe has been shut down so the Sentai's were moved over to Meiktila while one Sentai was sent back to Rangoon to rebuild.






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Post #: 492
RE: Burma Turkey Shoot, part 383 - 7/9/2010 9:01:10 PM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
June 30, 1943

Just some random notes on logistics, production and the overall situation.

My gambit of researching the Tojo IIb just before it became available paid off. Most of the factories were able to fully repair before the end of the month. I have now switched them over to researching the IIc model. I am now researching 81 IIc's per month. This means I should have this plane ready for production by November.

I am down to just three resource convoys supplying the Home Islands. One is between Port Arthur and Fuokoka. Another between Fusan and Fuokoka. And the third is between Sapporo and Hirosaki. I also have a supply/resource convoy that delivers supply to various places such as Manila, Takao, Shanghai, and brings back resources. And I have two mixed TK/xAK convoys shuttling between Singapore and Fuokoka. The xAKs pick up resources in Singapore and bring back supply from the Home Islands. The Home Islands now have a 200 day stockpile of resources at full production rates, although I am not at full production.

It looks like witpqs will wait from the arrival of the July CVs before launching his next offensive. It is looking as though that offensive will be directed at the Gilberts. He has also reconned Nauru and Ocean Islands. His recon of Nauru spotted a BB TF I have there. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Of course, I would like to keep the location of my assets secret for the most part. OTOH, letting him see I have some serious assets in the vicinity could deter him from anything but a concerted offensive.

The Aleutians are starting to get built up. I am considering an offensive there.

Witpqs informs me that his Indian squads are upgrading to war elephants. Quite a nasty shock when I found that out!







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Post #: 493
RE: Burma Turkey Shoot, part 383 - 7/9/2010 9:09:49 PM   
Grfin Zeppelin


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From: Germany
Status: offline
Afaik only divebombers help against those elephants. Level bombers rarely hit them and strafing with fighters does not work at all.However that Tojo with that big gun is a perfect elephant killer.

_____________________________



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Post #: 494
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/10/2010 12:01:13 AM   
jonreb31


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Joined: 11/26/2006
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline
War Elephants!? Wait... really?

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Post #: 495
A Chinese Spanking - 7/10/2010 12:30:18 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
Joined: 3/6/2001
From: Virginia, USA
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June 30, 1943

Good news and bad news.

Let's go with the bad first. The newly reinforced Chinese units at Kweillin shock attacked my retreating troops and achieved 2-1 odds. I can at least take solace in the fact that the Chinese suffered significant casualties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 78624 troops, 560 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3095
Defending force 63974 troops, 642 guns, 653 vehicles, Assault Value = 2176

Allied adjusted assault: 3663
Japanese adjusted defense: 1517

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
20119 casualties reported
Squads: 441 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 518 destroyed, 109 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 63 (45 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 260 (145 destroyed, 115 disabled)
Units retreated 10

Allied ground losses:
13901 casualties reported
Squads: 327 destroyed, 415 disabled
Non Combat: 277 destroyed, 437 disabled
Engineers: 47 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Now for the good news.

The allies lost 18 Liberators over Meiktila today! 11 A2A, 7 to ops losses. This was out of a total of 65. Not a bad showing. Plus, the airfield did not suffer that much damage. Burma is proving to be the graveyard of the allied airforce. And a finishing school for Japanese Top Guns. One new ace was created today, although another ace was killed. Still, 11 B-24's killed outright and another 7 written off is a fantastic result.

3 PV Ventura's, presumably based at Luganville, launched an attack on a SCTF next to Tulagi. All three were shot down.

(in reply to jonreb31)
Post #: 496
RE: A Chinese Spanking - 7/10/2010 3:56:33 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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July 1, 1942

Nothing much to report as far as action. This is more a note about my thinking on the coming allied offensive.

Witpqs has been creeping north from Luganville, capturing the dot bases leading to the Santa Cruz Islands. He has not yet made the jump to the Santa Cruz Islands. He is no doubt expecting a strong reaction to any such move. He has a surface combat group covering his movement north.

He has also been reconning the Gilberts quite a bit, as far north as Makin.

Judging from what I have seen so far, my opponent would seem a) prefer to move under cover of LBA if at all possible (most players would) b) recon his targets thoroughly ahead of time rather than rely on his radio intel, and c) try to suppress enemy air fields before launching an invasion. Generally, this means creeping forward rather than making large jumps. This is all very methodical and safe, but it is very slow. It shows a good deal of caution and an aversion to risk-taking.

Now this may change at some point. And there will come a time very soon where the allies will no longer be able to just creep forward under cover of LBA, but need to make a large jump using their carriers. But based on the seeming aversion to risk taking and demonstrated desire to only apply force when it is overwhelming, I believe that the next offensive will not materialize until the carrier reinforcements due this month arrive. Since they will arrive in the US, and since the quickest way for them to join the battle will be in the Pacific rather than the Indian Ocean, and because the Gilberts have been thoroughly reconned while no attention has been given to the DEI, Malaysia or lower Burma, I am going to operate on the assumption that the next offensive will take place in the Pacific, possibly in the Gilberts.

Based on this rather bold assumption, I am moving the KB to Truk from Sorong. From Truk I am thinking of next moving it even farther forward to Ponape or Kusai. Should I be wrong, this will open up the DEI to an attack from either Ceylon or Australia. OTOH, having the fleet at Truk will not only allow me to cover the Gilberts and the Solomons, but put me in a position to respond to an attack on the Kuriles. I hope I am right in my analysis of my opponent's Method of Operations.


(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 497
RE: A Chinese Spanking - 7/10/2010 4:24:57 AM   
PaxMondo


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It's a tough call.  You can't be everywhere and with no intel on USN CV's .... and IJ suffers badly from lack of intel.  What are needed are uber Mavis' with a range of 128 flying at 40,000 ft using H6 radar! 

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Post #: 498
RE: A Chinese Spanking - 7/10/2010 10:11:25 AM   
bklooste

 

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I woudl put a stack of subs between the west coast and the gilbers and a few between Hawaii and the West coast. If i see the main convoy is going to the Gilberts via Hawaii i woudl move the subs north to intercept .. You may score a CV or a loaded AP.

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Post #: 499
Paratroopers capture Ndeni - 7/10/2010 4:55:10 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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July 2, 1943

And here we go. US paratroopers captured Ndeni this turn. I simply cannot allow the allies to stage fighters out of this base to sweep my defenses in the southern Solomons. This base is a line in the sand. Thus, a desperate struggle is about to commence to try to keep that base suppressed for as long as possible. Surface forces are moving into position for bombardment runs. We are no doubt going to get some major surface engagements as the allies try to prevent me from bombarding the base. Too bad I don't have my carriers down there right now; they would definitely find a target rich environment. It will take at least 4 days to get the carriers into position. Currently they are north of Biak on Northern New Guinea.





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< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 7/10/2010 4:59:07 PM >

(in reply to bklooste)
Post #: 500
Scratched Paint - 7/11/2010 1:19:13 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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July 4, 1943

Not the fireworks I was expecting. A BB TF raced into Ndeni and bombarded the place:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Musashi
DD Tachikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Yukaze
DD Amagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Sagiri
DD Asagiri
DD Ayanami

Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 150
Port hits 49
Port supply hits 13

Amazingly, the allies did not try to contest this even though they have either a cruiser or BB force sitting just 4 hexes away. I was expecting our first major surface engagement since the opening days of the war.

I was shocked that my BBs were still at Ndeni during the day phase. They raced in, but they didn't race out! I forgot to set retirement allowed. Fortunately for me, all the allies had in the way of air power was dive bombers and some Mitchels. They just barely scratched the paint, although I suppose it was good practice for the pilots:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 77

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 12, on fire
BB Ise, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 9, on fire
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 9, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze
DD Amagiri

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yukaze
DD Amagiri

Some Mitchel's also tried to attack one of TF's at Tulagi. They were all shot down:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 destroyed




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(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 501
RE: Scratched Paint - 7/12/2010 12:04:23 AM   
aprezto


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quote:

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

I was shocked that my BBs were still at Ndeni during the day phase. They raced in, but they didn't race out! I forgot to set retirement allowed. Fortunately for me, all the allies had in the way of air power was dive bombers and some Mitchels. They just barely scratched the paint, although I suppose it was good practice for the pilots:





A dozen sys damage on the big boys takes long enough to repair though - unless you're willing to keep using them slightly damaged?

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Post #: 502
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/12/2010 1:22:26 AM   
koontz

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JonReb

War Elephants!? Wait... really?


War Elephants!?

is this Rome Total war or?

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"All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him."

(in reply to jonreb31)
Post #: 503
RE: Luganville Invaded - 7/12/2010 2:19:37 AM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: koontz


quote:

ORIGINAL: JonReb

War Elephants!? Wait... really?


War Elephants!?

is this Rome Total war or?


WitP: Age of Empires.



quote:

ORIGINAL: aprezto
A dozen sys damage on the big boys takes long enough to repair though - unless you're willing to keep using them slightly damaged?


I don't mind driving around in a beater. Doesn't really take that long to fix, especially if you don't mind not fixing it all the way. At Rabaul, where I have a size seven port, 240 naval points, and 14 ARs it would take 23 days in pierside repair mode at normal priority to totally fix it. I am not going to do that. I put it into harbor in readiness mode and will wait for the damage to come back down into the green; say about a week. Definitely not going to put it in pierside since I may need to scramble.

(in reply to koontz)
Post #: 504
Ndeni - 7/12/2010 3:52:59 AM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
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July 8, 1942

Another bombardment of Ndeni, this time by a cruiser force. We ran into a sub during the extraction phase which put a torp into CL Isuzu. Fortunately, the damage is not too bad, though just a smidge too high to fix in theater.

Right now I am trying to draw out the US surface fleet. They were at Torres Islands, 2 hexes north of Luganville, but have now retreated back to the safety of Luganville's mega-CAP. I want to draw them out so that I can attack them with the KB which is hanging out between Ontong Java and Nauru (and seemingly, so far, undetected).

I was also hoping to shoot down some US transports flying into Ndeni (I assume they are flying in a base force). Well, my LRCAP intercepted some, but none were shot down. I also decided to bomb the runway there in case fighters had been moved in and my bombardment force had not killed them. But to protect the bombers, I sent out sweepers first. They encountered some P-38s on LRCAP. None were shot down, but they were sent packing before the bombers arrived.

Several ops losses to both sides, but nothing special.

My big plans for engaging the US fleet from long distance using the superior range of the Judy and Zero have been shot to hell by a decision by Gary Grisby long ago that the battle of the Philippine Sea cannot happen in WitP. Turns that carrier based planes cannot attack from more than 8 hexes away. Wonderful. (What a crock!) So now I have to seriously rethink how I am going to approach the eventual CV clash.





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(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 505
RE: Ndeni - 7/12/2010 4:37:20 AM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
Status: offline
A few more random notes:

A Yugumo 12/43 class DD arrived two days ago and is on its way down to the Solomons. This is significant because the 12/43 Yugumo's have surface search radar (type 22). This is my first ship to have surface search radar. (A bunch of Shiratsuyu's with type 22 radar will finish refitting on August 1.) This new ship will be added to one of my surface combat groups as soon as it arrives in theater.

More adjustments to production.

In looking over my merchant marine situation I find that I have over 300 xAKs, and perhaps as many as 400 sitting idle. (plus another 200 xAKL's) Therefore I have decided to stop production of all but STD-A class xAKs. I have also decided that any large TK arriving after June, 1944 will not be built. I am looking to get to the point where I can reduce that amount of HI I am spending on merchant shipyards.

George's and A6M5's will become available next month. To prepare for this, I converted two R&D factories over to the George so that they can begin repairing now and start producing planes the very first day the George arrives. (I think I chose the Tony 100 factory and a Tojo IIc factory that had not repaired very far to convert.) I also ordered my A6M3a factories to expand. Currently, I am producing 120 A6M3a's a month. I want a rapid transition to the 5 model (because of its higher durability and greater speed) so I am expanding A6M3a factories to 180 now so that I will be producing that many 5 models when they convert in early August.

I am starting to build a significant stockpile of engines. More on that in a later post.

< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 7/12/2010 7:12:09 PM >

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 506
Opportunity costs - 7/12/2010 7:30:11 PM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
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July 10, 1943

Witpqs sent an S boat into Tulagi harbor to try to shoot at my CAs there. The DDs found it first and landed one or two DCs on it. I am sending in a mine layer to discourage such activity in the future. Another mine laying TF is going to Munda. More PBs were converted to ACMs. I lose an ACM every couple of months to an accident. The Solomons region is infested with subs. I am bringing down some E class boats (former destroyers with high levels of experience) to deal with this and to provide my surface combat TFs with more escorts.

An interesting development today in the realm of intelligence. I got two "heavy radio transmission" reports from Pearl Harbor. First off, I believe that this is where the allied carriers are as they await the arrival of the July reinforcements. More interestingly, because there were two of these reports, I got to "peek" at the forces there. According to the rollover 305 ships are in harbor (no doubt getting ready to load up the next invasion). That is not so interesting since that number is subject to change as soon as his invasion fleet sails. More important than the ships number was the report on the number of AC. Only 35 fighters, 25 bombers, and 40-50 auxiliary are reported. I have also noticed that Colombo is not that well guarded with fighters whenever I have sent recon over there. So I think I am seeing a pattern. It would seem that witpqs is not that worried about a raid on his rear area bases. Right now, of course, his carriers are probably at Pearl and can defend the place. But if this indicates that witpqs is the kind of player that likes to move all his assets forward with very few guarding his rear, then a deep raid might be a real possibility. In particular, I am now thinking about either Colombo or Perth since since I can move into the Indian Ocean undetected. Such a raid could have the advantage of causing witpqs to draw some of his assets away from the front meaning I would not be facing quite the numbers I might otherwise have to face.


< Message edited by cap_and_gown -- 7/12/2010 10:04:25 PM >

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 507
Time for some action - 7/12/2010 10:25:37 PM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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July 11, 1943

For two turn in a row I have had a spotting report indicating there is a cruiser TF at Torres Island. Last turn I was not sure whether this report was correct. I am still not sure it is correct. But I have decided to take a chance and try to hit some allied cruisers with the KB.

The Torres Islands are a level 2 airfield so I expect a good deal of opposition by the CAP. I can also expect a return strike, though hopefully not too big. I will be striking from 8 hexes away, the maximum allowed even though the Judy could hit from much further away if not constrained by this artificial limit. I am hoping the 8 hex range will limit the damage of any return strikes. I have set my CAP fighters to 40%. Of course, the 8 hex range may mean I get a bunch of uncoordinated strikes, which could be costly. But I would rather lose planes and pilots than ships.

To provide some insurance, I set two Sentai's of Zeros to sweep Torres Island. I am hopeful that their faster cruising speed will allow them to reach the target before the strikes from the KB arrive, though there is a good chance they will not. Hmm. Maybe I should have set some of the fighters on the KB to sweep rather than escort. Oh well, the turn is sent.

To provide even more insurance, I set two sentai's of Helen's to night bomb Ndeni. Witpqs still has not stationed any planes there, but that could change at any time. A strike from Ndeni would be nasty since my ships would be only 4 hexes away.

Overall, this is a gamble, particularly as to whether my spotting report is anywhere close to correct. I hope the gamble does not go pear shaped.





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(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 508
RE: Time for some action - 7/13/2010 12:13:03 AM   
CapAndGown


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From: Virginia, USA
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July 12, 1943

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not one of my attacks happened. No night bombing of Ndeni. No sweep of Torres Island. No naval attacks by the KB. Nothing. And no explanation.

Time to go back to my test bed and find out if the Japanese really can attack from 8 hexes. I bet they can't. I bet that the superior range of Japanese carrier AC is not available at all.

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 509
RE: Time for some action - 7/13/2010 12:30:32 AM   
CapAndGown


Posts: 3206
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From: Virginia, USA
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Follow up:

I just ran a test, and yes, the Japanese can attack from 8 hexes. So I have no idea what happened. No messages about weather. There was a good clean spot from multiple different search AC. So I have no clue as to why I did not get an attack.

Well, anyway, I am not sticking around now that the enemy has been alerted to my presence. Time to make the KB disappear again.

(in reply to CapAndGown)
Post #: 510
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