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

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RE: April's Gifts - 10/13/2011 2:31:19 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Just a reminder.� Only the marine paratroopers can go in on the SST's.� Also if you perform and airborne assualt it halves the AV of the attacker on the day of the attack.� Just throwing this out their.� If you got some APD's around use them to load the raider unit.� You can also do an airborne assualt with either the marine paratroopers or the Aussi ones.� Might be a lil over kill but bring the hammer down hard on him.

Ok good ...Thanks for the info .. The Marine Raider Rgt are paratroopers. The Marine Raider Rgt are a load cost of 720. But I am thinking you are right. Do not use SST's but just unload them with APD's at 180 per ship rather than the 130 its 4 APD's .. 5 if we want some comfort .. I just thought of 3 SST's at 390 and drop the rest in by air.

There is 10 AV on Ocean Island fort level 2. That would be 4-1 dropped to 2-1. I have experince and morale on them and have prepared for this assault.

This turn we continue to position resources ...

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 211

RE: April's Gifts - 10/13/2011 5:10:06 PM

Crackaces

Posts: 3858
Joined: 7/9/2011
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***********************************************************************27 APR 1942**************************************

The day starts with a raid on Magwe occupied by reserve forces headed for Mandalay .. every troop dead counts .. every troops disabled counts in this Malaria zone ..

Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 57,47 (Magwe)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 30
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

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

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

The forces were uncoordianted .. so the second group does not fare as well ...

Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 57,47 (Magwe)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 10
Hurricane I Trop x 8
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 2 destroyed

Hopefully these are trainee's and not any of the more experinced pilots ...

The Chineese decide to get into this action .. I am doing a bombing run just to get a picture of the forces coming up the road .. the supplies wasted must be balanced with recon from bombing ..

Morning Air attack on 12th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 85,54 (Nanchang)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 17
SB-III x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

We get very very lucky .. The escort does not merge in time and SS-I28 gets a shot at a full xAP ...

Submarine attack near Lahaina at 185,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
xAP Esperance Bay

WHEW!

This turn will be more beans, butts, and bullets .. postion forces for a May strike .. There are AFB's that believe in waiting it out .. but I am thinking there has to be some proddding and poking to upset the IJ planning cycle .. less the IJ remains on the inititive on his schedule ..

Right now . I am getting intercepts that he is prepping units to attack Darwin. This is an extermely difficult area to defend from my perspective because the IJ can supply at will and I have zero infrastrcuture to transport supplies. Any attempts will run into air and naval interdiction. I can set the boundries and my original plan anticipated such attack (see page one of this thread ) we just set forces into Alice Springs, and Carines .. and set the line of how far we will allow them to advance ... until 1943 ..

More later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 212

RE: April's Gifts - 10/13/2011 10:01:36 PM

DOCUP

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I might be wrong but I don't think the Raiders are paratroopers. They weren't in real life. There commandos but not airborne soldiers. I remember reading somewhere that you can't even load them on subs. You might have to use actual paratroopers and use APDs for the raiders. But I might be wrong. I haven't tried any airborne assualts or sub invasions.

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 213

RE: April's Gifts - 10/13/2011 10:16:31 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I might be wrong but I don't think the Raiders are paratroopers.�� They weren't in real life.� There commandos but not airborne soldiers.� I remember reading somewhere that you can't even load them on subs.� You might have to use actual paratroopers and use APDs for the raiders.� But I might be wrong.� I haven't tried any airborne assualts or sub invasions.�

I think you are right .. the Marine Paratroopers have "Para42" squads .. the Raiders are just plain ol' infantry .. ADP's are the order of the day ..

After the Gilbert operations I have to focus on getting a lot more troops to New Caladonia and the Land of Oz .. According to Intel ..it looks like the IJ want to force the issue in the Solomon's and have forces preping for invasions of the North and East Coasts of Oz ..I would really prefer not to have a major engagement in this area but we already have USN/USAAF base forces in the area and Oz is quite prepared at the "line of death". This would be quite interesting to have unfold in 1943 with stronger USN submarine forces, much stronger LBA, and the IJ player with forces stuck in Oz ..

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 214

RE: April's Gifts - 10/14/2011 1:54:37 AM

Crackaces

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********************************************************** 28 APR 1942 *****************************************

First, the day ends with the fall of Mandalay .., but not without some fight .. IJA lose 200 we lose 2000 .. we are shattered and retreating ..

Morning Air attack on 21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 27
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 40

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

....

Ground combat at Mandalay (59,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22162 troops, 309 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 677

Defending force 4881 troops, 35 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Japanese adjusted assault: 464

Allied adjusted defense: 20

Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mandalay !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2270 casualties reported
Squads: 122 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 169 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (21 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (33 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

The USN torps do their thing .. a nice juicy TK target but a dud ..

Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 100,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Asosan Maru
TK Hoyo Maru
PB Tokotsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

SS Grenadier launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Asosan Maru
Grenadier diving deep ....

I have yet to figure out the code to keep my submarines in port so they will upgrade .. I thought maybe it was a problem wiht too many at PH .. but alas SF has the same problem . it does not matter what disbandment setting or what have you .. it is totally random is the sub stays in port and upgrades ...

I hope Michealm fixes this ..

More later .. lots of stuff moving these days ... I am quite concerned with the penatration of Mavis PA's into the Battlespace .. but this will have to be managed. I will stage outside of range 400 miles and then close during the night to start attacking the begining of the day phase.

One piece of good news .. the 2 AO's I hit at Milli in March have been reported sunk .. that is two possible refueling platforms I do not have to deal with ...

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/14/2011 1:56:52 AM >

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Post #: 215

RE: April's Gifts - 10/14/2011 3:44:42 PM

Crackaces

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******************************************* 29 APR 1942 *******************************************************

Well the IJN submarine force gets lucky and puts a slug into a xAK in the middle of the Ocean.

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 214,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Steel Navigator is sighted by SS I-6
SS I-6 launches 4 torpedoes

I heard the swiming sound shortly thereafter

The heat is stepping up on Darwin .. but there is really nothing we can do about this right now .. no hits and one Betty suffered some damage ..

Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Our Raids on his unsupported troops in Mandalay continue ..

Morning Air attack on 74th Infantry Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 40
Hurricane I Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 23

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 74th Infantry Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

That would be 300 troops killed/wounded from the 74th Inf Regiment .. They have suffered about 1K causualites in their march to Mandalay and subsequent attack . Each day we attrite more AV and these troops take more supply .. it is a very slow patient process ...

Things are coming together in the Gilberts. We continue to postion forces for taking Ocean Island first and then Tarawa ..Once we consoldate and build air bases it will be late June early July and we can focus on defending the Land of Oz and New Calodonia ...

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 216

RE: April's Gifts - 10/14/2011 4:15:44 PM

Crackaces

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**************************************************** 29th APR 1942 ************************************

This a returning auto convoy gets zapped in the middle of the Pacific .. This does mean having to escort more convoys with KV's ...

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 214,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Steel Navigator is sighted by SS I-6
SS I-6 launches 4 torpedoes

The bombing of Mandalay continues attriting more troops ..

Morning Air attack on 74th Infantry Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 40
Hurricane I Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 23

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 74th Infantry Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

That would be 300 killed/wounded today 1K over this week. We have punished the IJ for not supporting thier troops with air cover and AA. We have in this campaign averaged 100 causualties per day for the month of April. Nothing compared to the 50K plus troops in country but it is a slow battle of attrition that adds up each day until teh IJA can no longer sustain the effort and we go on the offense.

They have grown tired and are sending units to Burma ..

34th Field AA Battalion is loaded on xAK Nihonka Maru moving to Rangoon.

3/34th Field AA Battalion is loaded on xAK Kumagawa Maru moving to Rangoon.

I wonder how long that will take? I have no way to intredict anyway ..

The IJNAF attacks Darwin.

Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

I suspect very soon the KB will show up .. I will retreat the bombers stationed there towards Alice Springs. I have no aviation support South beyond Darwin and this area is extermly difficult to supply for the Allies. Although the Aussie PM is quite upset .. we have no plans to resist north of Alice Springs.

In the meantime we continue to stage in the Gilberts ... We have an airfield next to Tabatuea and will start transfering aircraft as soon as its level 1 .. then Recon flights to Malkin are possible. Its a very slow process that takes paitance in this game. Each step brings one closer to fulfilling the strategic plan.

One other thing of note .. I-6 is supposed to be sunk .. it looks like it has come back from Davy Jones' Locker to haunt my shipping once again ...

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/14/2011 8:29:39 PM >

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Post #: 217

RE: April's Gifts - 10/14/2011 10:28:52 PM

Crackaces

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*********************************** 30 APR 1942 ******************************************

We sent an ASW force to Puget Sound with the plan of leavingt the Tiger up there to escort transports ..we found our quarry

ASW attack near Tacoma at 209,54

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 6, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot
PC Tiger
DD Patterson

It takes quite a few more hits to sink a submarine I think but I got 3 critical hits according to the animation report.

The SS Grenadier finds somethings to shoot at but alas all duds ..

Submarine attack near Moppo at 99,54

Japanese Ships
xAKL Oridono Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

Sub attack near Saishu To at 99,56

Japanese Ships
xAK Toyooka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

SS Grenadier launches 2 torpedoes

xAKL Oridono Maru is sighted by SS Grenadier
SS Grenadier launches 1 torpedoes at xAKL Oridono Maru

This is a good commander that will engage ... I will bring this one home and save him for 1943 1944

The other news to present for today is the IJA 41st Infantry Regiment has caught the 16th Indian Brigade. This means stopping the movement toward Akyab and getting pined into combat. I will continue to ground attack and bombard while I stall for time and set up Akyab's defense. I still have ground forces coming and it time now to deploy our reserves in India.

Ground combat at 55,48 (near Ramree Island)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3592 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 1786 troops, 29 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 88

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
16th Indian Brigade

We also had a little air battle supporting this unit:

Morning Air attack on 41st Infantry Regiment, at 55,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 40
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane I Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

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

FO Chadwick, W.E. of No.273 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!

We kill about 150 out of a unit of 3600 or about 2.9% Very acceptable to the IJA at this time. But each day they grow weaker ..

I suspect Christmas IO is the next target to put pressure on India and start projecting the battlespace toward Ceylon as well as I have mentioned that Darwin is most assuredly in the IJA sights. Then things will stablize ...

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 218

May Flowers - 10/15/2011 2:59:44 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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******************************************** MAY 1st 1942 *************************************************

The Cherry Blossums Bloom in Nippon ---this year. The Allies contunue to buy time waiting for the US manufactory infrastrcuture to win this war ..certainly its not going to be my knowledge of this game

Strategically the IJ are planning more committment to the attack on Darwin. I am not sure how I can use this information. Because unlike decoding the message for Midway where all the cards were on the Allies side ... here the occupation of PM, Java, and a lack of Aussie transporation infrastruture North of Alice Springs makes this area completely untenable for an advantagius campaign. The only loss are the resources in the adjacent ports going to the evil ones.

What we can do is build up bases in Alice Springs and continue to build our East coast bases around Carnes. Also, I am thinking the IJ will get a shock when we take Tarawa and start projecting patrols into the Marshal Islands' battlespace.

I do think this will change the Allied strategic plan from the standpoint of forcing a battle in the Solomons. Orginally I just wanted to draw the line at New Caladonia and use P-38's @ Ndeni escorting LB's from Luganville to project airpower on the Solomons while attacking the Marshals. This move is going to force the Allies to enage in a full fledged Solomon's Campaign. We will begin planning today.

14th Army is planning for an attack on Darwin.

Operationally, we have had sub attacks the last three turns. The USN has postioned subs well and with RADAR we getting off another attack .. all Duds .. but we have another Captain that can do something. We have replaced every one of the Submarine Commaders with agression, leadership, and Naval less than 50.

Sub attack near Nauru Island at 127,124

Japanese Ships
xAK Kohoku Maru
PB Fumi Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

---------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Nauru Island at 127,124

Japanese Ships
xAK Kohoku Maru
PB Fumi Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

SS Haddock launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kohoku Maru

Heavy Rain today in Burma so our attacks on a jungle hex are attrited further .. but we draw in some Zero's into a fight they did not want ..

Afternoon Air attack on 41st Infantry Regiment, at 55,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 40
Hurricane I Trop x 7
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Today 6 Zero's meet their fate 5 A2A ...

WAR UPDATE

The loss of "static restricted" aircraft in Java has altered the 2:1 loss ratio to 1831: 1069 , or 1.7:1. Japanses A6M2 Zeros and Bombers lead the lost airframes. In fact, 8 IJ airframes lead the pack before the P40E at 85 losses.

Below is the Pilot Training Situation:

Pilot Summary

Total pilots: 15992

Active pilots: 7931
WIA pilots: 13
MIA pilots: 4
KIA pilots: 17
Inactive pilots: 1091
Delayed pilots: 6936

By nationality/exp: Number Avg experience

US Navy : 1026 57
US Army : 2827 51
US Marines : 514 47
Australian : 326 52
New Zealand : 95 50
British : 621 56
French : 0 0
Dutch : 67 52
Chinese : 140 43
Soviet : 2105 50
Indian : 69 46
Commonwealth : 0 0
Philippine : 14 49
Communist Chinese : 0 0
Canadian : 127 47

By type/exp: Number Avg experience

Fighter : 4123 53
Fighter-Bomber : 33 56
Night Fighter : 0 0
Dive Bomber : 457 53
Level Bomber : 1951 49
Recon : 205 44
Jet Fighter : 0 0
Electronic Warfare : 0 0
Transport : 156 45
Patrol : 529 51
Float Plane : 299 51
Float Fighter : 0 0
Torpedo Bomber : 178 56

WitPTracker does not format well into text but a look at the IJN losses shows a postive trend of sinking 4 DD's 1 AO, (I think a second one that took more bombs one sunk also), 1 TK, and 26 Transports .. and 1 CVL sunk in a carrier battle that also damaged 2 other CVL's with no Allied losses. The frst 5 turns of the game saw full AP's getting waxcked by USN & Dutch submarines taking down IJA forces into the deep blue sea.

Naval Summary

Ships sunk/active: Sunk Player
Japan Allies Active Total
CV : 0 0 8 32
CVL : 1 0 1 19
CVE : 0 0 0 90
BB/BC : 0 3 16 41
CA/CB : 0 0 20 44
CL/CLAA/CS : 0 1 35 90
DD/DE : 4 6 116 794
AM/DMS/YMS : 1 12 70 344
APD : 0 3 15 118
AV/AVD/AVP : 0 11 22 55
CM/DM/CMc : 1 2 16 36
AO : 1 2 21 72
SS/SST : 6 5 88 396
SSX : 0 0 0 0
PC/PG/SC/KV : 1 5 41 183
AP/xAP/xAPc/APc : 2 9 283 357
AK/AKV/AKE/AKL/AKA/xAK/XAKL : 24 83 478 1925
AMC/APA/LSIL/LSIM/LSIS : 0 0 11 136
TK/YO : 1 8 83 221
PT/PB/MGB/PF/YP/TB/MTB/ML/HDML/E : 4 57 54 587
Landing craft : 0 0 0 1086
AS/AD/AGP : 0 9 15 64
ACM : 0 0 24 24
AR/ARD/AG : 0 6 64 93
AE : 0 0 4 12
AGC : 0 0 0 14

More later ...

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/15/2011 3:05:46 PM >

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Post #: 219

Ocean Island Convoy - 10/15/2011 7:12:18 PM

Crackaces

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The picture below shows exactly why to upgrade USN submarines even though they cannot make a torp stick ... in the Combat Reports above you see that the SS Haddock found a xAK. Before the upgrade I experienced multiple TF's just rolling over the top of a SSTF with no response. Now I get information. Information I can use. The Torps might all be Duds but I would not trade a single submarine for the recon they deliver.

The Brit SCTF is in postion to intecept if this convoy is headed to Ocean Island or Tarawa. I have a pretty good picture of the odds and intercept point. We shall see how the next turn unfolds. We still have 6 days to postion forces in this area and decide on our attack.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 220

May Flowers - 10/15/2011 10:43:54 PM

Crackaces

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********************************************** 02 MAY 1942 ***************************************************

The night opens with a run of Betty's on an airfield attack. We put up 12 Fighters vs. his 12 LB's .. we kill 3 and hurt 4 .. another ACE!

SLDR DeCruyenaere, A.J. of No.136 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
Mohawk IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

We keep running our ASW screens and I-6 shows up on our RADAR .. I got a "Fires Below Decks" message .. that cannot be good on a submarine ..

ASW attack near San Luis Obispo at 221,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 3

Allied Ships
AVD Thornton
DD Maury
DD McCall

Our bombing runs in Burma did not go and I lost sight of the convoy in the Gilberts ..The tide comes and goes ..

The IJ acutally have forces moving toward Darwin:

15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion is loaded on xAK Nojima Maru moving to Darwin.

The picture is quite clear .. I think I will be hitting the Gilberts the same time that the IJ is hitting Darwin ...lets see who blinks first ...

It does mean devoting a lot more transports to start moving a lot more stuff to the Land of Oz. I do not feel rushed but we need to prepare for a long campaign in Northern Oz ...

Ok .. more later ..

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/15/2011 10:44:52 PM >

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Post #: 221

Ocean Island Convoy - 10/16/2011 12:48:45 AM

Crackaces

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As you see for 02 MAY 1942. The Convoy indeed landed at Ocean Island. I held back on hitting thinking the Dutch subs might contact but alas .. no joy. So my Brit SCTF will smack Ocean Island and scatter this convoy. I am not sure how many troops/supply has landed. It might cause my to reconsider my raid.

But .. I should have everything ready to go for the 5th of May. The big force will be 3 days out to follow this raid with a hit on Tarawa. It will be an exciting 4 days coming then the IJ will hit Darwin and begin occupying Northern Oz . It will be a race to see who blinks first ..and starts to react to the others offense first .. once the IJ goes on the defense . I have them licked ..

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Post #: 222

RE: Ocean Island Convoy - 10/16/2011 2:20:16 AM

Crackaces

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******************************************************************** 03 MAY 1942 **************************************

The early morning hours start with an ASW operation:

Sub attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 1

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert

Nothing big just one hit ..

Our operation described above goes without a hitch:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ocean Island at 130,130, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Fumi Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kohoku Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
CL Hobart
CL Danae
CL Durban
CL Ceres
CL Glasgow
CL Caledon
CL Capetown
CL Colombo
DD Evertsen
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent
DD Electra
DD Isis
DD Napier

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...

Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards

CA Exeter engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Isis engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Fumi Maru #3 at 9,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages PB Fumi Maru #3 at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Fumi Maru #3 at 6,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 6,000 yards
PB Fumi Maru #3 sunk by CL Colombo at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Exeter engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Danae engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Isis engages xAK Kohoku Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Kohoku Maru sunk by CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
xAK Kohoku Maru sunk by CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Night Naval bombardment of Ocean Island at 130,130

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CL Colombo
CL Capetown
CL Caledon
CL Glasgow
CL Ceres
CL Durban
CL Danae
CL Hobart

Resources hits 2
Port hits 26
Port supply hits 4

Now we reload and proceed to drop the Marines in on Ocean Island ...

Our raid on Mandalay was kind of expensive ..

Morning Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 37
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane I Trop x 7
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
BUT

Blenheim IV from No.113 Sqn RAF crashes on landing

Blenheim IV from No.11 Sqn RAF is damaged on landing

Blenheim IV from No.113 Sqn RAF crashes on landing

Hurricane IIa Trop from No.605 Sqn RAF crashes on landing

So we lose 4 aircraft for 3 guns

Ok next tirn is getting stuff in place. We launch the Hornet into theater with all new upgraded CA's, CL & DD's .. She will stage near Christmas Island about 5 days away and then we decide what to do next .. More later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 223

May Flowers - 10/16/2011 4:32:20 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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*********************************************** 04 MAY 1942 *******************************************

DARWIN!

The predicted attack comes and begins with Naval Bombardment:

Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Nachi
CA Myoko
CL Kiso
DD Yanagi
DD Karii
DD Minazuki
DD Oshio
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Oyashio

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

Then the Amphib Attack. This does not go as planned for the IJN/IJA ..

Pre-Invasion action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

57 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shikinami
DD Yomogi
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Sasako Maru

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

63 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kashii, on fire
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Sasako Maru
DD Yomogi

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)

TF 83 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

Japanese ground losses:
1169 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 128 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (0 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

So one xAK unloads the rest of the Amphib forces are on fire ...

But this is enough of a force to take Darwin if they have enough supplies:

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1085 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 7093 troops, 59 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 309

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

Assaulting units:
2/1 NAOU Det.
19th Australian Battalion
Emery Point Fortress
Northern Territory
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
21st Div /5
48th Div /1

I am fortified there and it will be a nasty fight but as predicted Darwin will be captured.

In Burma we execute a shock attack using the Chineese:

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5731 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 347

Defending force 612 troops, 0 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Allied adjusted assault: 156

Japanese adjusted defense: 76

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 23 (14 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

We continue our attacks on Mandalay:

Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 33rd Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

No Allied losses

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

In other news .. around Pearl Harbor the IJN has operationaly started patroling my exit point toward the south. The other two hexes are covered by mines

They pay the price:

ASW attack near Kona at 181,111

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 2, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Kennison
DD Crane

We also find that the IJN has stationed a submarine in a strategic location over Colombo's cargo route ..

Sub attack near Colombo at 27,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
KV Fritillary

SS I-25 launches 2 torpedoes

More later as this turn unfolds .. Things continue to position in the Gilberts ..

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/16/2011 4:43:17 PM >

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 224

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 4:55:05 PM

DOCUP

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Nice costal fire at Darwin. But I think that unit has 4 or so 6 in guns. Your hurting the subs now.

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 225

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 5:09:13 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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Situation at Darwin:

I want to devote a couple paragraphs on Darwin.

Right now I have identified the remnants of two IJ divisions. If they were full strength when they landed that would be 25K troops for which 7K landed.

xAK Kansai Maru,
xAK Tatumiya Maru
AK Sasako Maru

However, I count about 20K total capacity including supplies and equipment in these 3 ships so something does not make sense. Maybe some other parts of these division are landing elsewhere? Could a JFB or LYBFB comment?

The causualites correlated with the capacites of this TF makes sense. About 1K causualties and the whole of the AK Sasako Maru landing ..

Comments anybody?

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/16/2011 5:12:05 PM >

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Post #: 226

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 5:47:58 PM

Alfred

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1. You are assuming the entire invading army is on board only 3 ships. That is a, ahem, "courageous" assumption.

2. You are overestimating the carrying capacity of those 3 ships. You have failed to deduct the 20% of unavailable space when combat loading is involved.

3. No additional ships carrying supplies have been identified.

The enemy has either not brought along 2 complete divisions or you are yet to identify more transports.

Alfred

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Post #: 227

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 6:27:58 PM

Crackaces

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

1. You are assuming the entire invading army is on board only 3 ships. That is a, ahem, "courageous" assumption.

2. You are overestimating the carrying capacity of those 3 ships. You have failed to deduct the 20% of unavailable space when combat loading is involved.

3. No additional ships carrying supplies have been identified.

The enemy has either not brought along 2 complete divisions or you are yet to identify more transports.

Alfred

I have to agree with you Alfred. He loaded up the divisions all in one place and on multiple transports. I am thinking with the idea of hitting multiple places at once rather than deal with the road network. We are blind for sure to be bale to make any assumptions.

But yes, I was assuming one would load up the two diivsions and drop them off at Darwin first

... better to think otherwise ..

and also that was puzzling me .. I assume he is holding back on the ships with supplies until he has the port .. he has an unadjusted 309 - 77 I have Fort Level 3 (-exp) ( - leadership) (- morale) but he is disrupted badly Supply? .. I say 4-1 raw reduced to 1-1 when the deliberate attack happends

One thing we know .. not much more is coming onshore from that Amphib TF

I am also thinking this is a diversion and the KB is somewhere in the Marians right now. Just a hunch but I am thinking that TK at Milli is really an AO and he is moving more AO support this turn. He needs to refuel to strike anywhere in this area. I suspect my 2 CVTF's are about to find the KB ..

we shall see ..

Ok thanks very much for the inputs Alfred . I am thinking way differently now ..

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 228

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 6:34:43 PM

modrow

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred
The enemy has either not brought along 2 complete divisions or you are yet to identify more transports.

Alfred

My money is on the second option. CD guns engage a ship, in response some ship that has guns to respond moves in to suppress the guns. As a result, only few ships are engaged and appear in the combat report. That does not mean this is the number of ships in the TF.

You can find another example in my AAR, my opponent's invasion of PM. If you follow along the sequence of unloading actions you will see that the ships that are identified vary slowly and that only a fraction of the ships in the TF are identified.

Hartwig

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 229

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 9:08:32 PM

Crackaces

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quote:

ORIGINAL: hartwig.modrow

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred
The enemy has either not brought along 2 complete divisions or you are yet to identify more transports.

Alfred

My money is on the second option. CD guns engage a ship, in response some ship that has guns to respond moves in to suppress the guns. As a result, only few ships are engaged and appear in the combat report. That does not mean this is the number of ships in the TF.

You can find another example in my AAR, my opponent's invasion of PM. If you follow along the sequence of unloading actions you will see that the ships that are identified vary slowly and that only a fraction of the ships in the TF are identified.

Hartwig

Ok that makes sense .. given a troop count of 7K plus cargo given losses then I would say at least 4 other xAK's are still alive. We shall see at the next combat report if more ships show up .. the two DD's showed up as sunk ..

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Post #: 230

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 9:21:30 PM

Crackaces

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********************************************* 05 APR 1942 ***************************************

I thought I would just update the thread with what the Operational Plan is now:

NORPAC: We have moved 2 Rgt to Addu & Dutch Harbor. The 101VP is at Addu and looking in Northern Japan. I have also moved 3 AA rgts to Dutch Harbor.

CENPAC: The Ocean Island Attack force postiions this turn. I have to rearm and refuel the Brits and then we will execute the raid on Ocean Island. The Tarawa forces are staged south of Baker Island. I have decided to move the Pacific Ocean HQ to Tabetuea. This HQ has a 9 hex range and provides support for Tarawa. The IJ cannot refinforce or supply this atoll so any delay only has the risk that the KB reacts because some sub scout plane finds something.

SOCPAC: Base Forces move to toward Ndeni. Aircraft are staging through Tabitueua. We will have 6 B-17 squadrons at Luganville that can haunt the Sothern Solomons.

OZ: We have the American Division plus 4 armored units moving to the land of OZ. We have time to develop this front as I will eventually by July stage at Alice Springs.

BURMA: The IJA is reacting to stopping the advance to Akyab 300 miles south. Another 300 AV is committed to move the Indian Rgt there. This will give me time to build a defensive line along the river bordering Akyab. To the North, the Chineese are staging aircraft and troops at the border. If the IJA decides to make a push it will be costly.

More later ...

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/16/2011 9:23:02 PM >

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Post #: 231

RE: May Flowers - 10/16/2011 11:10:18 PM

Crackaces

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I worked today to put the story together .. in the combat reporter we have:

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 48th Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /4
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div /5

Defending units:
21st Div /5
48th Div /1

The Above is about 7K troops

That tells me that at least :

21st Div /2
21st Div /4
21st Div /5

48th Div
48th Div /1
48th Div /2
48th Div /5

Are attempting to land of which I can see only the two elements at Darwin -- 21st Div /5 & 48th Div /1 ... .

This reinforces hartwig.modrow's comments. That is at least 7 elements and thus there has to be at least 4 more xAK's to land these forces. Only 2 Ak's are engaged and are on fire. We are just seeing the elements that the guns are engaging. I still suspect that there are 2 Divisions loaded on 10 xAk's ... the next combat report will provide the rest of the puzzle to the story ...The DD Kamikaze, and Shikinami are showing sunk so the guns hopefully will find new targets ..

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Post #: 232

RE: May Flowers - 10/17/2011 1:53:20 AM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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******************************************** 05 MAY 1942 **************************************************

As was explained to me .. three more AK's show up .. and are subsequintly enaged. I bolded the AK Sasako Maru as she has been seen from the begining ..

Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 3
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Sasako Maru
DD Yomogi

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 1
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Husimi Maru
xAP Suwa Maru
AK Sasako Maru
DD Yomogi

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakone Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Sasako Maru
DD Yomogi

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakone Maru
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hakozaki Maru
AK Sasako Maru

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10925 troops, 59 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 2531 troops, 23 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Japanese adjusted assault: 174

Allied adjusted defense: 61

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
630 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
471 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Division
48th Div /1

What is really important is that the 21 division has consoldated. The 48th Division is yet to consolidate.

ASW:

ASW attack near Mili at 136,121

Japanese Ships
PB Santos Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor, hits 3
Don't mine in occupied spaces ..

But we let him mine in a part with no less than 12 DD's

ASW attack near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
CL Glasgow
DD Van Ghent

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Long

ASW attack near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
AM Vireo

TF 346 encounters mine field at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Ships
YMS-97
YMS-96
YMS-95
YMS-94

19 mines cleared

Ok more tommorow when I get the turn ..

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Post #: 233

Tarawa II - 10/17/2011 3:38:59 PM

Crackaces

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The below picture shows the situation as of this turn. One thing I like about WitP AE the game flow dramtically transitions from Strategic mode into operations mode very nicely. The tension is mounting ...

I will get another turn soon. But for planning purposes here is the situation at Tarawa:

The invasion force is at D-Day - 3 right now. I will stage just outside of Mavis range shown on the map and rush there in one turn. We will have a day under Nell'y range depedent on LB & Carrer Based CAP. The last attack on was 13 Nell's and 8 zeros vs 20 Wildcats 11 got through .. this time we have 45 Wildcats on CAP plus 45 in reserve that might or might not join the frey ... and whatever P-40's show up.

We roll the dice ...

I could strike earlier but I think staging everything just outside of range and coming into Nell range just one turn in and one turn out will limit exposure. If its 25 Nells we are going to take some torps .. if it is 12 - 15 I think we can shoot down our fair share.

Here is what is happening this turn:

1. The Brit ASW will fill the gap as shown to prevent SS-I-171 from getting into theater. 8 more USN DD's will decend from the north and cover the northern routes.
2. The Marines are loaded this turn. We rearm and refuel the Brit CA and 2 DD's to form an amphibious attack on Ocean Island.
3. The Invasion force contunues to stage.
4. The CVTF's stage into position.

So 4 DMS mine clearing detail lead the force, followed by the invasion forces with the Carriers set to follow 1 hex back.

Godspeed ...

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 234

Burma - 10/17/2011 9:26:24 PM

Crackaces

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While waiting for my turn I thought I would provide a picture of Burma. The armored foray into Lashio was met by 2 Chineese Corps and 1 Brit Bdge -- he stopped. I shocked and 1/2 of the units vehicles were lost. In the other corner of this little world a small force tried to force their way up the road to Akayb and was met by a small weak Ind Bgde .. but with a little help from the air we stopped that unit. Now friends are coming from Ragoon. I sense we will meet the 2 Kurkas Rgt that is that unit right next door. That will provide 100 AV although the forces are quite fatigued .. but in the Jungle should be enough to buffer the 400 AV coming up the road. This little unit has stalled the advance over a week.

Meanwhile we have moved in a full division into Akyab and will have 2 bgdes along the river to prevent an outflanking maneuver. We are organzting the Brits and Indians in India and by July should have a line established. We would like a stalemate .. and then B17's and LB's hit the LYB's from the level 7 bases we are building in India. Akyab is level 3 right now .. when its level 5 I have bomber commands to go there and start the air attack on Ragoon.

One day at a time.

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Post #: 235

May Flowers - 10/17/2011 11:02:27 PM

Crackaces

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**************************************** 06 MAY 1942 ******************************************

First the night starts with bombardment. Things do not go well for the IJN:

Pre-Invasion action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

63 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Mito Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
APD Tachikaze
xAK Konzan Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

The xAK's continue to unload and so do the shore batteries ..

Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hakone Maru
xAP Hakozaki Maru
xAP Husimi Maru, Shell hits 2
AK Sasako Maru
DD Yomogi

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

Finally:

Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)

TF 190 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Putting the whole story together over three days here is and what was observed what the Darwin invasion costs total:

APD Tachikaze
AK Sasako Maru
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 6 on fire heavy damage
xAP Hakone Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 22, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Konzan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Mito Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 21 heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Husimi Maru
xAP Suwa Maru
CL Kashii, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ushio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Yomogi

Plus the BB's (see previous CR's) had to committ to engage .

I would say 8 xAK's are sunk. I would venture the Kashi, Kamikaze, Hibiki, Shikinami, & Ushio are also sunk as they caught 9.2" Critical hits with things like "Superstructure carried away" "internal expolsions.."

Darwin Falls:

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12270 troops, 110 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Defending force 2249 troops, 24 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Japanese adjusted assault: 247

Allied adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1172 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 160 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 31 (31 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
48th Division
21st Division
21st Ind.Mixed Bde /3
1st Hvy.Artillery Rgt /1

Defending units:
19th Australian Battalion
2/1 NAOU Det.
Emery Point Fortress
Northern Territory
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment

One thing to read from this .. the 21st and 48th divsion consoldated. and the 21st Ind Mixed Bdge and 1st Hvy Art .. make up an unadjusted AV 500. The CR quotes: 12270 troops, 110 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

The 21st and 48th alone start as over 12K each! There is over 50% causulties on the landing.

I think if an assult was planned for Darwin directly it would have been far better to have brought the BB's in with the Amphib force and took some shots rather than the xAK's but that is my opinion.

My Burma guys flew for some reason .. I guess I did not disable all ..

Morning Air attack on 53rd Division, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Hudson IIIa x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

I also forgot to shut the Chineese down ..

Morning Air attack on 12th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 85,54 (Nanchang)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 16
SB-III x 6

Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 1 damaged

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

Ok ...

We did not engage the submarine around Tabitieua .. this is not good at all .. despite all the ASW air and ASW DD TF's it just might be in the middle of our Battlespace. Despite 12 DD's patroling its only hexes ..I suspect it will slip through to get a CV ...

Ok .. more later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 236

RE: May Flowers - 10/18/2011 12:17:53 AM

Crackaces

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May be a month of planting. I am planning to release my aces from China and I have found two of them that qualify for the Traning Corps Leadership. This is the time to do this as the AVG is due to disband soon. WE need to seed the future .. now ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 237

RE: May Flowers - 10/18/2011 2:31:05 PM

Crackaces

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SIGINT:

"Radio transmissions detected at 106,77."

This is the first time that fleet markers appeared on the map with Radio traffic SIGINT. It is 54 hexes away from Tabetiteua and 45 from Tarawa. At 18 hexes per turn he can be in range in 2 days .. it will be very very interesting if these forces react to my current operations around Tarawa. But next turn we should be moving in. I still have one more turn to call this off ...or at least postpone. It has taken me soooo long to get this stuff in place ..

There could be two things happening here .. one he is sending the KB over to hit the Brits that are terrorizing his shipping into the Gilberts. The second thought is that he got Radio intellegence of "Heavy Traffic" and and is repsonding .. or a little of both. But .. I sense an exchange of "Queens" coming .. my 4 CV's and some LBA VS 6 CV's ..... I am not sure I want to do this yet ..

More later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 238

RE: May Flowers - 10/18/2011 3:09:21 PM

Crackaces

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********************************************************** 07 MAY 1942 ****************************************************************************

This turn was extermly light. I left some fighters on "Sweep" and a couple went out to find the IJAAF. Very uncoordinated and we lost two "Trops" to One Oscar .. but .. my pilots are claming more kills:

PO Brewer, P.M. of No.136 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

WO Wilding, F.E. of No.136 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3

Maybe for some past event

Very very quiet before the storm ..

I sense Darwin was only a diversion to an upcoming KB sortie. More radio transmissions in CENPAC area. Boy is a surprise coming for both sides.

More later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 239

May Flowers - 10/18/2011 11:16:36 PM

Crackaces

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The Battle for Tarawa is on. The picture below shows the operational orders for the intial phases. I think an invasion starts at teh begining of the turn and the forces will just arrive and the end of the day. So I suspect we will have one turn in Nelly range before off loading. Hopefully 70 fighters can beat 12 - 20 LYB LB's .. or at least our BB's can take a hit...

At the same time we are hitting a convoy ported and striking Ocean Island with the Marines.

If my Intel and planning is correct we should have Ocean Island and Tarawa on 10 MAY 1942. Then its consoladaton and reinforcement.... or salvaging what we can and running ..