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RE: Battle of Norfolk Island - 3/6/2012 6:01:36 PM

vettim89

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What to do. I initially thought about being aggressive and shoot at max speed toward Tanna to cut the IJN off, but thought better of it for fear a third CVTF might be heading south. I decided to just move a bit north where I could pick off stragglers/cripples (Hiyo came to the party and I don't know how fast that CVE can move). The question is does Larry cut and run at Full speed with his undamaged ships or does he take his chances against the weakened USN force. Both Lex and Yorktown have full complements made up of their own a/c plus fragments from Hornets groups that diverted to Norfolk Island. AN even larger group went to Noumea consiting of both Hornet and Enterprise air groups. That base is seriously overloaded.

So if the undamaged/low damaged IJN ships "get the Hell out of Dodge" I may have some easy pickings. If the try to retire as a unit, I may be in for it. Next turn should be very interesting

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Post #: 211

RE: Battle of Norfolk Island - 3/6/2012 6:03:01 PM

vettim89

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Aircraft losses once again decidedly in the Allies favor

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Post #: 212

RE: Battle of Norfolk Island - 3/6/2012 6:04:07 PM

vettim89

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My Damaged ships. Nobody seems to be at risk here

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Post #: 213

RE: Battle of Norfolk Island - 3/6/2012 9:57:28 PM

witpqs

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I can't help with the decision itself, but I can add two additional considerations.

1) Could your carriers get caught by surface forces?

2) Calculated risk - would you have a better chance of inflicting damage upon the enemy or would you have a better chance of losing back the gains you just made?

Be careful, man!

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Post #: 214

RE: Battle of Norfolk Island - 3/6/2012 10:37:48 PM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I can't help with the decision itself, but I can add two additional considerations.

1) Could your carriers get caught by surface forces?

2) Calculated risk - would you have a better chance of inflicting damage upon the enemy or would you have a better chance of losing back the gains you just made?

Be careful, man!

I think I reset the move orders for the two US CVTF five times. I have my own SCTF now to offset any IJN force (the escorts of Hornet). I could have just sent everybody towards Noumea thinking I could get bonus CAP from there. In the end I decided a cautious approach to get at the cripples if they exist. My concern was how to deal with the IJN Death Star for the last month of game time. Considering Larry has got to be a bit stung right now, this may be my one and only chance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained so they say. My moving the fragments back onto my two remaining undamaged flight decks gives me a distinct advantage here. Its basically the effect of having a CVE-R in the neighborhood

Got an e-mail from Larry. Turn is in the oven cooking as we speak.

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Post #: 215

Ugly - 3/7/2012 2:42:39 AM

vettim89

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Well, witpqs, I managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The IJN was not nearly wounded as badly as I thought. I now have three damaged carriers and failed to score a single hit on the IJN. Yup, not one hit. No regrets, I rolled the dice and lost.

The only good news is TBFs out of Noumea wiped an invasion convoy at Efate - 900 troop losses.

Enterprise is heading to Sydney. I will get her back first. Saratoga made CT and will take 79 days to repair. Lexington is heading for Auckland then back to the WC. Yorktown is trying to make Noumea. She is the only one I am worried about. I am going to send the RN CV and CVL down. The CV witdraws in 113 days. Figure she can help out until all my USN CVs are repaired.

Now, the IJN only moved three hexes so, there are definitely some wounded ships there.

I have two choices now:

1. Strip PH of most of its defensive a/c for use in SoPac
2. Strip Oz of a/c for use in SoPac. Considering that PM is Japan's, perhaps this makes sense.

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RE: Ugly - 3/7/2012 3:05:22 AM

witpqs

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You buys your ticket and you takes your chances. My hat is off to ya!

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Post #: 217

RE: Ugly - 3/7/2012 7:03:33 PM

vettim89

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14 August 1942

Yorktown is finished off by the IJN 160 nm short of Noumea. LaFoy AB is nearly level two. The IJN fleet is only moving three hexes a turn. Obviously there are some seriously damaged ships holding the speed down. I now have 17 subs layered across its retreat path which are about 50/50 S Boats and fleet boats. Moving every available 4E into theater. I am thinking that I might put together a 100+ 4E raid against the retreating Japanese. While not likely to get any hits, the damage it will do against the CAP might be helpful.

I tried to sweep Magwe from Chittagong this turn. They went in as single squadron units and got chewed up pretty badly. Very little to show for it. I have 8 units at Chittagong which is level 8 base with an air HQ and I get 0 coordination. Alas, such is the life of an AFB in late 1942. Lost 9 P-40E, 9 Hurricane IIc, and 6 P-38E offset by 9 Ki44IIa. Larry will take those odds all day.

I am really annoyed with myself. I am a much better player than my play has shown of late. Fortunately, I have only lost three CVs. I say fortuanately because it easily could have been five. My opponent has lost none. I realized a few weeks ago that the IJN Death Star was to be avoided. After coming out relatively on top after the first day of this last battle, I should have headed to the hills. The one thing I can take solace in is that I know once the IJN clears the New Hebrides, they will likely be gone for a week or more. I am getting everything set for a major move as soon as that happens.

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RE: Ugly - 3/7/2012 11:23:24 PM

SqzMyLemon

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My hat is off to you for trying too. I play Japan, but kudos for fighting back with the forces at hand. It didn't go your way, but as you said...nothing ventured nothing gained. It's a fine line when to take the money and run. Payback will be that much sweeter for you when it happens.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/9/2012 6:18:53 PM >

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Post #: 219

RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 1:40:57 AM

vettim89

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15 Sept 1942

About the time I am almost despondant about my prospects, the game gives me some encouragement. Picture is worth more than I can say. Of note, the three IJN TFs that had been sailing together have now separated into a Northern pair and a Southern singel. My guess is Junyo may have been left to the wolves.

Also, USAAF B-25C execute the first skip bombing attack of the War and rough up two xAK at Ramree Island.

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RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 2:00:02 AM

AcePylut

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Looks like you got at least 2 CV's (or their airgroups at least) - based on the Zero and Val losses.

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RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 4:27:42 AM

vettim89

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16 September 1942

More carriers????? I do not know how I missed this group. Is this a group left behind to raid my lines? Could it possibly the group nursing Ryuho and Zuiho home? Hmm. I have 56 4E at Suva with another 36 to arrive in one or two turns. Still no IJN ships listed as lost in this battle yet. Have to wonder about that as Junyo, Zuiho, and Ryuho all took a lot of damage.

Larry took Ndeni. No sub attacks this turn. Still more in the pathway the IJN is expected to take

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RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 4:39:04 AM

vettim89

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

Looks like you got at least 2 CV's (or their airgroups at least) - based on the Zero and Val losses.

Not so sure of that but in two raids on Colombo and the two big CV battles here are the Japanese air losses. I think the Elite pilot corps of KB has been well whittled down. Larry's success in the two CV battles has been a matter of quantity not quality

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Post #: 223

RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 1:56:13 PM

vettim89

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17 September 1942

As Nemo would say, every problem has a solution. Also CA Chokai took a TT in almost the same hex. Also had a Fleet Boat shoot some duds at another CVL. On the other side of the map, Dutch resistance has almost collapsed on Java, but they are giving Larry fits.

My 4E have all arrived at Suva. One turn to rest and repair then I'll turn them loose. I think I have lost almost ten airframes from Ops losses just in moving these sqaudrons. Odd that the beasts that are very difficult for the Japanese to bring down fall like leaves if you just try to move them

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Post #: 224

RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 7:32:06 PM

vettim89

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18 September 1942

Had a Fleet Boat hit junyo again but with dud torpedoes this time. SHe is now just NNE of Luganville. I released the Kraken and nearly 60 4E will fly for the first time gainst enemy shipping with Port strike at Luganville as a secondary mission just in case some crippled ships fled there.

I am in the process of reorienting my fighter squadrons. For now all P-38s will be tasked to the SoPac. That would now be about 3three squadrons of combined E/F models. The P-40 squadrons are all getting the -K upgrades. In addition half the Army fighter strength from both PH and Oz will eventually be dedicated to SoPac. I am also moving two A-24 sq out of Exmouth to go to the SoPac. They will be replaced with A-20 Sq

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Post #: 225

RE: Ugly - 3/8/2012 8:27:55 PM

vettim89

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Forgot to mention, even though USN submarines are still trying to sink her, the Intel Report seems to think she sank two turns ago. FOW for the win

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Post #: 226

RE: Ugly - 3/9/2012 2:41:45 AM

vettim89

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19 September 1942

Well, the IJN came back. Now this puzzles me. They launched a LR raid at the TF unloading at Tanna for no hits by bomb carrying Kates. I am surprised Larry was able to replenish his sorties as no Port down here is built up. He could have used an AKE or AE. I wonder how well he could have replenished his Air Groups. Even though he didn't lose any Fleet Carriers in the big battle, his air groups took a pounding.

I pulled the the TF back to Noumea. I got a USMC Tank BTN plus 1/3 of the 1st Mariens unloaded. Only a fragment of an ARTY BTN remains aboard. Forts are to level three now with 350 AS behind them. I will start building the AF next. Then I have to sneak in some AV Support. I pulled 4 FS, a VMF, a A-20 sq, a VMSB, and the recon unit out of PH. I have two P-38 sq at Brisbane polus one at Noumea. I am unloading an additional 120+ AV Support at Noumea. La Foy AB should go to 3 next turn. I am thinking about building up one of the small islands off New Caledonia to provide a fighter base to help move stuff into Tanna.

This game has really taken an interesting turn and will be fought in the New Hebrides for the foreseeable future.

I beleive there is a Chinese curse that goes somethign like, "May you live in interesting times."

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Post #: 227

Aftermath - 3/10/2012 3:31:19 AM

vettim89

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20-23 September 1942

Things slow down a bit. I was able to finish unloading the combat units at Tanna. There is now 27k of supply there. AV Support is coming north now. I have 100+ AV support at La Foa (not La Foy). One squadron of P-38s is there with another on the way. There is also a P-38 sq at Noumea along with a newly arrived P-39 sq that is due to upgrade to P-38G when the become availabel next month. With the paltry 20 air frames a month, it will be November before they upgrade.

The Blenheims tried to hit Ramree Island but were finally met but Tojo Cap. Lost 9 a/c. Will have to turn my attention to closer points where escorts will fly with them.

Gave Larry a little wake up call to let him know his carriers are not 100% safe up off Luganville. Why only four B-17s out of nearly 60 chose to fly? Because, just because.

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RE: Aftermath - 3/11/2012 12:54:07 AM

vettim89

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24-25 September 1942

IJN CV raid up North. I suspect this is CVE based. The might not want to drift too far East here. I lost a KV in the one raid of the day

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RE: Aftermath - 3/11/2012 1:20:27 AM

witpqs

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Be on the lookout too for when strikes generate messages like "Turned back due to weather or range." or "Unable to locate target." and possibly others. Those strike packages do not produce animations and only show up as messages. I think the messages are in the message box (lower left of screen) during reply, but definitely appear in the operations report.

Not suggesting that such would account for all the bombers that might have flown, often many don't get into the air at all for whatever reason.

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RE: Aftermath - 3/12/2012 11:56:40 PM

vettim89

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26-29 September 1942

Previously spotted IJN carriers were Akagi and Kaga. There were one hex shy of being in P-40 range the next turn. My two BS with 4E went after them. No hits but 4 A6M2 shot down vs 3 4E. I cannot live long term with those results, but I hope it planted a seed of doubt in Larry's mind about approaching US bases.

Otherwise not much to report over these turns. The IJ is slowly trickling into Merak where the brave Dutch are making their last stand. Would be kind of neat if they could hold until 1 October just so I can say I contested Java until October.

La Foa is a Level 4 AB with 3 P-38 sq now. I rearranged my AV support in Fiji so Suva is no longer overstacked.

Lastly, working torpedoes again. I am a mere 63 turns away from the first drop in dud rate.

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RE: Aftermath - 3/13/2012 2:49:24 AM

vettim89

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30 September 1942

Merak fell today and the Dutch all surrendered. One day short of my October goal.

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Post #: 232

RE: Aftermath - 3/15/2012 1:38:48 AM

vettim89

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1-3 October 1942

I continued to fortify New Caledonia and Tanna. Moving some additional AV support to Tanna this turn.

Miss Nell came calling at Chittagon. CAP ripped them apart. No hits

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Post #: 233

RE: Aftermath - 3/15/2012 1:40:36 AM

vettim89

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1-3 October 1942

Just moving stuff

Miss Nell came calling at Chittagong. Not many made it home. No hits

Edit: note direction of attack. Came all the way from Port Blair

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Post #: 234

RE: Aftermath - 3/15/2012 3:52:04 AM

vettim89

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4 October 1942

I have almost all my convoys escorted now as the SCs have come online. Sure enough an I-Boat found one of the few unescorted convoys and sinks two xAK with supplies on board. That was just dump luck

IJAAF sweep Chittagong in revenge for the Nell massacre of last turn. Air losses were 23 Ki-44 offset by 13 P-40E, 6 Hurricane IIb, and 2 Hurricane IIc. Wonder if this is just a one off raid or the beginning of a compaign

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Post #: 235

RE: Aftermath - 3/15/2012 5:43:18 PM

vettim89

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5-6 October

Bettys with A6M2 escort attack a small convoy at COx's Bazaar. I lost an xAKL. Not good odds for the Japanese in this attack.

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Post #: 236

RE: Aftermath - 3/15/2012 10:46:45 PM

vettim89

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7 October 1942

Repeat of yesterdays raid with great variance in results. I had more a/c participate in the intercept but none got past the Escorts. Lost two xAKL and an AM. This was offset by the loss of another 9 A6M2 for no Allied plans lost. The CAP routine is a fickle beast.

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Post #: 237

RE: Aftermath - 3/16/2012 1:02:18 AM

vettim89

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8 October 1942

MUWAHAHAHAHAHA! Three hits, all three do crtical damage, and a FUEL STORAGE EXPLOSION. Howevere, no a/c listed as lost on the ground this turn. Perhaps she is not as wounded as FOW would have me believe.

The IJA has arrived two hexes south fo Hengyang where I had a small blocking force in place. Tose two units will likely be displaced next turn. IJA is also one hex West of Myitkyina. I have the LRP BTn moving to Ledo but they may not make it in time.

IJN lands troops at Tacoban

Engineers and the 2nd Brit Div leave Chittagon for Cox's Bazaar.

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RE: Aftermath - 3/18/2012 3:38:54 PM

vettim89

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9-12 October 1942

Turns are incredibly slow. There was one turn (the 10th I beleive) where there was a single combat event in the entire replay: Tacoban fell to the Japanese. The a/c I broght out of the WC and PH have arrived or will arrive next turn at Auckland. The Marine paras are inbound to Noumea. Just gobs of BF, CB, and AV support rolling in now. Just need to get it to the right spots.

Then this unit arrived a few turns ago. I think I want to take it to Noumea. For those of you not playing DBB, this is what is called a Lion. GRRRRRRRRR

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< Message edited by vettim89 -- 3/18/2012 10:30:25 PM >

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Post #: 239

RE: Aftermath - 3/18/2012 10:34:25 PM

vettim89

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13 October 1942

Hmmm, whats this? I had notice a little recon activity over northern Oz but not over Exmouth. Also, SigInt says a unit is aboard an AP heading for Broome.

Well there is 330 AS behind level 3 and growing Forts at Exmouth. I wonder if Larry was randomly checking northern Oz Bases hiding his intent to hit Exmouth. Perhaps he assumed that because all the other bases were very lightly defended that this base was also. I had my air untis on rest. I have two fully NavAttack trained A-24 Sq plus a Wirriway sq with high skills in Nav Attack. Also a SCTF on the way but that will take a few days. No Carriers spotted yet.