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RE: Wild Sheep Chase

 
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RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/18/2012 1:38:53 PM   
MAurelius


Posts: 152
Joined: 6/28/2012
Status: offline 		ouch... yeah - the person in me playing the ALlies LOVES those screens.... the alternate ego that loves playing the Japanese is just devastated....

_____________________________

formerly known as SoliInvictus202

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1261
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/18/2012 1:39:37 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MAurelius

I hope Prome has nice forts - cause usually Jap Divs get trashed pretty easily in the open... always has me worried...


It's at level 6. Going across the river if he chooses that route should also reduce his adjusted AV. But yes, it has me worried as well!

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to MAurelius)
Post #: 1262
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/19/2012 3:23:58 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		16 - 17 November 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Another miss on the bombardment BBs heading to PM. Still waiting for a lucky shot here. No successful Allied attacks during these two days.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Bombardment from all vectors continues. Tojos intercept bombers as sweeps come after, but can't get much done against the coordinated strike.

The AKLs supplying Buna got spanked as Jocke did bring in almost 100 DB and TB. A half dozen small transports gone. The LR CAP had almost no affect. So now supplying anything will be tough here. Opportunities abound for CAP traps though. Always look on the bright, siiide of life.

BURMA: Our surprise attack on British fleet elements at Chitagong ends up only partially successful as they pulled out just in time to head toward Calcutta. Nells still found the ships and put one TT into CA Cornwall. No extra messages there, so it's probably not in bad shape. Too bad. Two groups also intended ended up out of range after the movement. The sweeps on the base reduced the CAP nicely, but found P-51As there, which was a surprise. They do well, getting about even numbers on the day vs our Tojos and Georges. Interesting.

No major developments of troop direction. He did split the southern force near Ramree Is. One group of 85k troops is heading to Ramree, with about 850 AFVs listed also.

The other larger portion of about 130k is now across from Prome. That is unnerving, but I'm ready. 3 more divisions are railing in as the choice seems made in terms of the focus of the main Allied thrust here. He did not divert any units out toward the plains. I have yet to see if any will continue toward Bassein. If I see movement this turn that way I'll divert some troops there. I would also then have to cover the road hexes toward Prome to prevent a breakthrough and encirclement.

If I can get close to 4k AV in Prome or a split that gives me at least half of the Allied raw AV in both Prome and Bassein, I feel that will give me good chances to mess up any crossing with the high forts there. The trouble is I don't know yet how much he's brought. Once he shows his hand I can focus ground forces and other elements more easily as well. Bassein is at 5.4+ forts now and building fast. I really want to get 6 there.

I'm sending in Yamato and Musashi plus Hei to hit his troops now that they're along the coast. I haven't shown the IJN here in a good while, so hopefully this will be unexpected.

CENTRAL PACFIC: A cruiser led bombardment TF hits Canton on the 16th, doing minimal damage. Then the CV planes hit, and my tiny LR CAP of Georges did nothing but lose a few planes. Night attacks by Emilys did not fly, no subs made contact. Now the fleet has gone again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 30

Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51A Mustang: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
5318th PAU/FS with P-51A Mustang (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 31350.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
311th FBG/530th FBS with P-51A Mustang (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 31350.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
38 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
39 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Calcutta at 52,37

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
CA Cornwall, Torpedo hits 1
CA Frobisher

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

CAP engaged:
80th FG/459th FS with P-40K Warhawk (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
311th FBG/529th FBS with P-40K Warhawk (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Garrison Unit , at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88
SBD-5 Dauntless x 64
TBF-1 Avenger x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 28
SBD-5 Dauntless x 48
TBF-1 Avenger x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Araogawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Shinrei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Toten Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Nagaragawa Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Dori Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Rozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Takunan Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Yahonui Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 17, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Port Moresby at 97,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 8

Allied Ships
DMS Zane
BB Prince of Wales
BB Indiana
DD Meade
DD Gwin
DMS Elliot
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Lamberton
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD Hull
DD Hughes

SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Zane
DD Dale fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hull fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Dale fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

BB Prince of Wales firing at 22nd Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Alabama
BB Alabama firing at 22nd Division
BB Massachusetts firing at 22nd Division
BB Indiana firing at 22nd Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Gove at 82,127

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Nachi
CA Chokai
CA Atago
DD Numakaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Suzunami

Allied ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 36 disabled

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 37
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 1

CA Furutaka firing at Gove
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Nachi

Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 3
Mitchell II x 6
B-17E Fortress x 28
B-24D Liberator x 32
B-24D1 Liberator x 108
B-24J Liberator x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 58
B-25D1 Mitchell x 102
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
Mitchell II x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 2 damaged
Mitchell II: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 13
Liberator B.III x 13
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 20
B-24D1 Liberator x 67

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 38
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 85

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reinforcements: None.

Losses: A few less ships to fuel!

Loss of PB Takunan Maru #8 on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Shinrei Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Toten Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Nagaragawa Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Dori Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Rozan Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of PB Yahonui Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAK Araogawa Maru on Nov 16, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: I was fairly certain this ship had not gone down after being hit by two TT several months ago.

Previous report of sinking of BB South Dakota incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hope the use of these ships in bombardment runs like the one I'm sending in to Burma can justify the building and fuel use of these ships. Now that I've played the game into late 43 I can understand why some players decide that building them is not worth it. We'll see!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/19/2012 5:19:20 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1263
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/20/2012 9:28:39 PM   
MrBlizzard


Posts: 636
Joined: 4/16/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline 		I've read almost all your AAR, it took many days but at last I've caught you in your real '43 life! I like very much your style how you structured the report and also the wonderful pictures of course.
Very good position in late '43, you're still defending the outer perimeter. I'm curious to see how will work your defence in Burma, it looks like a Maginot line. I think that all will be decided by the effect of the allied strong air bombardement upon your well trenched troops. If it's like in PM you're safe, there is working pretty well!. I really dunno if the 6 forts in clear terrain are equivalent to the jungle for the protection of your troops, I hope so
I'm in june 42 with my game so I'm looking for the best strategies for my future defence.
Now I'm looking forward for your fight!!!

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1264
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/21/2012 6:34:30 AM   
GreyJoy


Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline 		When are u leaving for Oz Erik?

(in reply to MrBlizzard)
Post #: 1265
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/21/2012 9:42:35 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

I've read almost all your AAR, it took many days but at last I've caught you in your real '43 life! I like very much your style how you structured the report and also the wonderful pictures of course.
Very good position in late '43, you're still defending the outer perimeter. I'm curious to see how will work your defence in Burma, it looks like a Maginot line. I think that all will be decided by the effect of the allied strong air bombardement upon your well trenched troops. If it's like in PM you're safe, there is working pretty well!. I really dunno if the 6 forts in clear terrain are equivalent to the jungle for the protection of your troops, I hope so
I'm in june 42 with my game so I'm looking for the best strategies for my future defence.
Now I'm looking forward for your fight!!!


Good thing there is no Belgium in SE Asia!

I'm pretty sure that the most precarious spot for th defense is Prome. That clear hex is trouble, but the river crossing means his troops will have major disruption if he goes that way, and would be forced to shock. Could be good for me, or if he gets a 1:1 or worse, a 2:1, I'm in trouble. It's a gamble for sure.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to MrBlizzard)
Post #: 1266
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/21/2012 9:43:26 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

When are u leaving for Oz Erik?


Sitting in the Incheon airport right now! Another 12 hour flight ahead. The free massage chair was a huge plus here though!

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to GreyJoy)
Post #: 1267
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/21/2012 10:20:00 AM   
MAurelius


Posts: 152
Joined: 6/28/2012
Status: offline 		no invasion currently underway there? - I mean MacArthur can't be far away :P

_____________________________

formerly known as SoliInvictus202

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1268
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/31/2012 4:33:04 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		18 - 20 November 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ahh, Christmas in OZ. Didn't know that I'd like it so much. Not bad when you can wake up to a swim, have Christmas dinner and then go for a walk through the gum trees in the sun and finish with some wine and conversation in the refreshing cool of evening.

New Year's Eve is tonight, and should be a more rowdy affair, but not too much for us when all of the GF's friends have kids. Still, there will be some drinking and carousing. Then a visit to HMAS Castlemaine here in Melbourne on the afternoon of New Year's Day. (I think I've sunk that ship if I recall correctly).

SUBS: A few subs interact with the bombardment groups to Port Moresby, but can't get a hit on anything. None is lost, so that's good.

I'm sending a few more to support the Canton Island area defense, hoping for a lucky hit on something important.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The big news is another attack on Port Moresby by the Allied troops there on the 19th. This came after two sea bombardments and one from the air, but the Allied still only just barely failed to get a positive result, getting a 1:2 again. The forts were lowered to 4 and the damage is much more severe from the Japanese however. It seems the occupation of Port Moresby is nearly finished.

I've decided to pull troops back to Buna in the hope they will get out before being forced out, thus retreating where I want them to go and not being further disabled. Also this may bring some of the remaining 2k supply with them. I'll need to start getting some kind of supply to Buna soon by fast transport or another sneaky means.

I lost another few xAKLs unloading at Hansa Bay after the LR CAP was sucked away by sweeps and SBDs came in. All of the small units destined for the base were landed though.

WEST OZ: A bombing run finally hit Groote Eylant after several days of weather issues, retarding the growth of that base slightly.

BURMA: On the 18th the Allied P-47 sweeps come after the bombing which leaves a bunch of unescorted 2Es to my Tojos at Magwe. They do the job, knocking down 50+ bombers before getting 24 Tojos nailed by the coordinated sweep later in the day. Shwebo fields were closed by 4Es with little opposition from our side.

It looks as if the main Allied thrust down the Akyab road now sitting across from Prome will bypass that base. It is shown now aiming for the clear hex to the North of that base. This could cause other problems, and I have to be careful here. I'll move as much AA as i can into the area and then set up across the river from that spot with 2-3k AV of troops. Jocke has shown he doesn't like to shock across rivers, and I want to force him to have to do so or waste a bunch of time feeling for an opening. I'm also marshaling bombers to be ready incase he does move to the clear. I can still be somewhat effective there in an offensive role, especially before he has any forts built.

CENTRAL PACFIC: A bombardment of Baker may keep the place from getting level 6 forts. Arrgggg. So close. It's at 5.91 now, but has 20-27-23 damage now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 18, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 11
Mitchell II x 25
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-24D Liberator x 37
B-24D1 Liberator x 104
B-24J Liberator x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 59
B-25D1 Mitchell x 103
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 84

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 48
Blenheim VD x 16
Wellington Ic x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 94
B-26 Marauder x 16
B-26B Marauder x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 17 destroyed, 6 damaged
Blenheim VD: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 10 destroyed, 31 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 139

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 16 destroyed

No Allied losses

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22432 troops, 509 guns, 411 vehicles, Assault Value = 1764

Defending force 25370 troops, 256 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 845

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 19, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Baker Island at 149,136

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Birmingham
DD Wadsworth
DD Stevens
DD Sigsbee
DD John Rodgers
DD Guest
DD Daly
DD Bullard

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled



Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 58
Port hits 41
Port supply hits 7

CL Mobile firing at Baker Island
CL Birmingham firing at Baker Island
DD Wadsworth firing at Baker Island
DD Stevens firing at Baker Island
DD Sigsbee firing at Baker Island
DD John Rodgers firing at Baker Island
DD Guest firing at Baker Island
DD Daly firing at Baker Island
DD Bullard firing at Baker Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Groote Eylandt , at 82,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
G3M3 Nell x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged


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


Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 45

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 20, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 4

BB Prince of Wales firing at Port Moresby
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Alabama
BB Alabama firing at Port Moresby
BB Massachusetts firing at 22nd Division
BB Indiana firing at 22nd Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
CA Wichita
CA Astoria
CA Salt Lake City
CA Northampton
CA Portland

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Baltimore
CA Baltimore firing at 22nd Division
CA Wichita firing at 22nd Division
CA Astoria firing at 22nd Division
CA Salt Lake City firing at 22nd Division
CA Northampton firing at 22nd Division
CA Portland firing at Port Moresby

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 96,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 7

Allied Ships
CA Portland
DD Balch
DD O'Brien

SS I-2 is sighted by escort
I-2 diving deep ....
DD Balch attacking submerged sub ....
DD O'Brien fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Balch fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Finschhafen , at 100,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hansa Bay , at 97,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 18 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Finschhafen , at 100,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tamahime Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Tohuku Maru
xAKL Shuko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Ryuun Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Zuiho Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
25 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 459 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Shuko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Ryuun Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Zuiho Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 27
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-24D Liberator x 37
B-24D1 Liberator x 102
B-24J Liberator x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 60
B-25D1 Mitchell x 104
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33


Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25D1 Mitchell: 16 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiriwina Island , at 102,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 11



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiriwina Island , at 102,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45832 troops, 935 guns, 1172 vehicles, Assault Value = 1773

Defending force 25123 troops, 252 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 844

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 1016

Japanese adjusted defense: 1019

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4036 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 169 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Guns lost 47 (18 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (11 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1 An AA unit, bought back for 1 PP.


Allied ground losses:
1052 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
6th Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
I US Corps
I US Amphib Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
14th Garrison Unit
47th Engineer Regiment
6th Garrison Unit
22nd Division
91st Infantry Regiment
Kure 7th SNLF
31st Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
22nd JNAF AF Unit

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

Reinforcements: I haven't used any MTBs yet. Soon around New GUinea I'll get some in action when I have enough for two TFs of ten each.

MTB G-156 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
MTB G-10 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Aircraft D4Y4 Judy advances R&D (12/43)

Losses: A few more xAKLs gone. I have a bunch halted in the queue if I find I need more of these. Most likely not.

Loss of xAKL Zuiho Maru on Nov 20, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Tamahime Maru on Nov 20, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: None.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Getting supplies where I need them on New Guinea will be more and more difficult from now on I think. A barge network may have to be implemented, plus some suicide xAKL runs with heavy CAP.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/1/2013 11:29:07 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to MAurelius)
Post #: 1269
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/31/2012 5:56:36 AM   
SqzMyLemon


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

ORIGINAL: obvert

Ahh, Christmas in OZ. Didn't know that I'd like it so much. Not bad when you can wake up to a swim, have Christmas dinner and then go for a walk through the gum trees in the sun and finish with some wine and conversation in the refreshing cool of evening.

New Year's Eve is tonight, and should be a more rowdy affair, but not too much for us when all of the GF's friends have kids. Still, there will be some drinking and carousing. Then a visit to HMAS Castlemaire here in Melbourne on the afternoon of New Year's Day. (I think I've sunk that ship if I recall correctly).


Happy New Year via Time Zone difference. Glad to hear your Christmas was so enjoyable. Safe flight back and looking forward to seeing you settled in at home again and posting regularly.


_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1270
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/3/2013 12:57:38 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		21 - 23 November 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: The subs around Canton Island come through in a big way! After the re-appearance of the Allied CVs on the 22nd I vectored 3 subs to intercept. Luckily Jocke stayed around, and in the same hex as well, which probably helped keep the DL high, and we got 3 attacks on CVs in one turn!

It could have been truly epic, but only one made good on the attack. The I-184 nailed the Valhalla (some creative re-naming going on there) and nearly sent her to the Viking afterlife with two hits out of a spread of 6. The next up was the DD screen, and I-184 wasted 4 more fish on those guys, and for the second time escaped unharmed. I have to check that sub commander, because whatever he's doing I'd like a bit more of it from the other guys.

Two more subs got shots at CVs later in the day, showing the importance of not keeping valuable ships in the same hex for a few turns while in contested waters. The I-23 fires only 2 fish at the Essex for some reason. Not sure if it was low or the commander is an idiot. Both miss and the escorts force the sub to surface and finish her off. Then the I-168 fires 4 TT at the Bunker Hill, missing with all. Again, why not 6 here too? Great to see so many CVs in the crosshairs, but one more hit would have been really beneficial and likely thrown his schedule back a month or two. As is the Valhalla will need some time in the yards, giving a chance for the three early 44 accelerated CVs to join the KB and keep parity for a few more months at least. Although the IJN subs do give the Allies a lot of easy VPs as the war progresses, after a day like this I won't completely abandon the construction program for 44, but I'll pick the faster cheaper boats to be made first.

Earlier on the 21st the Guardfish takes out a small TK plying the Boela to Babeldaob run. I've got some new 14 knot TKs I'll get down to Boela. I'd like to clear it once and then maintain a small TF running to Davao or Manila. The Tuna also took down a PB escorting AKLs.

In another important sub encounter, the Batfish takes 3 hits after a confrontation with an amphib TF on it's way to Soerabaja. Then it is nailed after being contacted again, this time by a BB TF moving with the KB! This and one KB TF end up in the same hex with the sub, giving away some pretty good intel on the position of our CVs. Luckily it will be ambiguous as to our intentions at least, and may in fact seem that the KB is shifting to the Central Pacific, or at least to a spot to be ready to hit that area. In fact it's not and it will not unless Jocke gets careless. The Batfish is shown with heavy damage after the many direct hits it took, and it was reported to have been hit by a Kate as well, but knowing FOW it may still limp back home.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Bombing and bombardment continues against troops attempting to leave Port Moresby. Apparently Jocke isn't going to let me go quietly. The troops are moving slowly. I've covered only 12 miles in 3 days with the quickest of them. The AA units and base force are lagging, and I put them in reserve mode in the hope of getting some healing and better movement, maybe also protecting them slightly from any combat. On the 23rd Jocke attacked again, but the defenders held again at 1:2, this time getting heavy losses but forcing a good number of disablements from the attackers. Maybe his disruption will stay up for a while and give a chance for escape, but I doubt it. At least we haven't been routed quickly here, and it bodes well for other heavily fortified positions later.

DEI: The KB is sighted by PBYs likely from Gove, and I decided to move them from Koepang to Kendari along with all support ships. I've also diverted the 8th Fleet here which will arrive in a week or so. On the 22nd the contact with the Batfish seemingly gives nearly perfect intel of the KB position. One of the CV TFs ends up in the same hex as the battered sub and is listed as 6/10 at the end of the turn. I'll have to be wary of subs in the area for a while I'm sure. I may send on a TF including 3 CVEs and a CS toward Truk in case he's paying attention and sends subs into the path. It's a risk, but it would be good to have him think the KB is at Truk again. As the Akagi is nearly repaired, the strength of the KB will actually be increased in the next few weeks, so I could afford this diversion for a time. If I do it I'll send 5-6 ASW TFs ahead and have double the normal flights in the transit area from planes in the newly built bases in New Guinea, including some new long distance Norms.

WEST OZ: Nells hit Gove port again for minimal damage.

BURMA: A Brigade moving to Myitkyina is getting a lot of attention from the Allied bombers. That's absolutely fine as it's just moving to reinforce and will have time within the protection of the base to heal before seeing any combat. This kind of target is welcomed and I might start sending out units to try to draw bombardment as I move more critical forces in the South into position. The Yamato TF hits Allied troops near Prome for minimal damage, but gives some good confirmation that there is a hell of a lot of troops here. Seven divisions are shown, a combination of Commenwealth forces. So at least I think it's unlikely much of the US strength is here. That should give me a good indication of the overall force structure and help prepare the defense.

A minor air battle occurred crippling another fighter unit after contact with a P-47 sweep. I'm now out of Tojo IIb, down to about 65 reserve Tojo IIa, and still don't have enough Tojo IIc to fill out the groups I've upgraded. Franks are just now starting to arrive in numbers, but this will be an awkward in-between period where I'll have to really pick my spots in the air war. I've moved the HQa previously at Mandalay back to level 9 Rangoon, where it will remain, and I'll mass fighters here, slightly farther from his big bases. Chang Mai and later Pisanoluke (once a new HQa arrives in a week or so) will base Helens and other bombing forces, which may include Oscars and Nicks.

CENTRAL PACFIC: The CVs hit Canton Island both on the 22nd and 23rd, while a surface bombardment also arrived on the 21st. Amazingly, the troops are still doing well on the island, but supply has run dry. Also, the 120 AV garrison unit will be withdrawing in 13 days. I hope his first wave at least comes in before that time. I have another 80 AV there, but it wouldn't last long.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 21, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub vs Sub: SS I-2 attacking SS S-46 at 98,133 - near Milne Bay

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
SS S-46

SS I-2 launches 2 torpedoes at 4,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wewak at 97,118

Japanese Ships
PB Menado Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-12
xAKL Tohuku Maru
SC CHa-65

Allied Ships
SS Tuna

SS Tuna launches 2 torpedoes at PB Menado Maru
Tuna diving deep ....
SC CHa-65 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Peleliu at 89,100

Japanese Ships
TK Kinrei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kogyoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

SS Guardfish launches 4 torpedoes at TK Kinrei Maru
Guardfish diving deep ....
PB Kogyoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 15
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 45
B-24D1 Liberator x 93
B-24J Liberator x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 60
B-25D1 Mitchell x 99
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 32


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 11 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 63,43 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 16
Liberator B.III x 16
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 35

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet
15 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet
14 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 16 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 63,43 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 47

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Gove , at 82,127

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15
G3M3 Nell x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 22, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Boeton at 69,109

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze
DD Kishinami
E Nasami
xAK Osaka Maru
xAK Omi Maru
DD Amagiri
DD Arare
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Batfish, hits 3

SS Batfish is sighted by escort
Batfish diving deep ....
DD Oshio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Arare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arare attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Boeton at 69,109

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CA Maya
CL Naka
CS Chitose
DD Suzukaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Asagiri
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
SS Batfish, hits 5, heavy damage

SS Batfish is sighted by escort
DD Asagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsuyuki attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Garrison Unit , at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88
SBD-5 Dauntless x 65
TBF-1 Avenger x 53

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Garrison Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 27
B-17E Fortress x 28
B-24D Liberator x 43
B-24D1 Liberator x 90
B-24J Liberator x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 59
B-25D1 Mitchell x 95
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 26


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 63,43 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 14
Liberator B.III x 15
B-17F Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 82

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Liberator II bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 23, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Sydney Island at 156,149

Japanese Ships
SS I-184

Allied Ships
CV Valhalla, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Baldwin
DD Satterlee
DD Lang
DD Ellet
DD Benham

SS I-184 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Valhalla
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Benham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Benham attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sydney Island at 156,149

Japanese Ships
SS I-184

Allied Ships
DD Baldwin
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Satterlee
DD Lang
DD Ellet
DD Benham

SS I-184 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Baldwin
DD Benham attacking submerged sub ....
DD Benham fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-183, hits 24, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Monssen
BB Prince of Wales
BB Indiana
DD Meade
DD Gwin
DMS Elliot
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Lamberton
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD Hull
DD Hughes

SS I-183 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Monssen
DD Dale attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hull fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hull attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-183 forced to surface!
DD Hughes firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 96,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Mustin
CA Portland
DD Balch
DD O'Brien

SS I-6 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Mustin
I-6 diving deep ....
DD Balch fails to find sub and abandons search
DD O'Brien attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 72
SBD-5 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 53

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sydney Island at 156,149

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Essex
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Boyd
DD Bennett
DD Beale

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Essex
DD Boyd attacking submerged sub ....
DD Bennett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Beale fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Boyd attacking submerged sub ....
DD Boyd attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-23 eludes DD Boyd by hugging bottom
SS I-23 forced to surface!
DD Bennett firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sydney Island at 156,149

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 3

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Anthony
DD Boyd
DD Bennett
DD Beale

SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Bunker Hill
DD Boyd fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bennett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Beale attacking submerged sub ....
DD Beale fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45134 troops, 938 guns, 1179 vehicles, Assault Value = 1695

Defending force 21999 troops, 236 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 592

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 873

Japanese adjusted defense: 1023

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2469 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 154 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 18 (5 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1242 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 156 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Guns lost 37 (1 destroyed, 36 disabled)
Vehicles lost 53 (2 destroyed, 51 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
37th Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
6th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
I US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
131st Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
91st Infantry Regiment
6th Garrison Unit
47th Engineer Regiment
22nd Division
14th Garrison Unit
Kure 7th SNLF
16th AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
22nd JNAF AF Unit

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

Reinforcements: These naval troops will head to the Central Pacific, mainly Ponape and Kusai. I need to shore up the gaps here.

MTB G-157 arrives at Shimonoseki
1st South Seas Det. arrives at Tokyo
2nd South Seas Det. arrives at Tokyo
3rd South Seas Det. arrives at Mutankiang
5th South Seas Det. arrives at Fukuoka
xAK Kenan Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
xAK Tachi Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
xAK Reikai Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
xAK Kumanoyama arrives at Maizuru
xAK Rokkosan Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

Losses: I'll take the sub losses for a hit on a CV.

Loss of PB Menado Maru on Nov 21, 1943 is admitted
Loss of TK Kinrei Maru on Nov 21, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SS I-23 on Nov 23, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SS I-183 on Nov 23, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: None.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I've just ben realizing what a dearth of good AA guns exists in the Japanese OOB. Why didn't they make more of the 88s and bigger guns? There are still some that can be bought out, but I need PPs too badly for other things now in Burma, but that is precisely where I need the AA as well. I guess what it comes down to is what everyone who plays this side eventually learns; there just isn't enough available to cover everything.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/3/2013 1:05:33 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 1271
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/5/2013 7:00:55 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		24 - 26 November 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Near Canton the subs make their presence felt again. They interacted with several bombardment runs, and although I guessed correctly about the possible position of the CVs, I didn't get through for any attacks. The I-172 did put a TT into the Maryland though. Others contacted the DD screen of the CV TFs. I lost one sub near Port Moresby.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Port Moresby is about to close it's sushi bars and geisha houses.

WEST OZ: A good bombardment of Gove. Not much focus in the area from Jocke. Still no planes based at Gove other than search, and Goote Eyandt is still a level 3 field.

BURMA: The maneuver continues. It looks as if the troops nearing Shwebo are now moving around it into the plain. There is a nice 'hole' across the river between Magwe and Mandalay. I'll bet he's going to try a crossing there to avoid having to cross at a base and also get in position to attack 3 bases from that spot. I'll have to split if I want to defend them all. The main force could be aiming to cross at the clear hex SW of Magwe. These two movements would take time but put him in a great position to squeeze central Burma. I'm now diverting more Brigades to the area. I need an extra 1k AV in the Central bases to hold there, at the least. Not sure I can scrape it up in time though.

I'll try a bombing mission soon on troops in the clear to see how we do.

CENTRAL PACFIC: The US CVs stayed in the Canton area again, hitting the base and troops. It looks like no part left the armada, so I'm guessing the damage to the Valhalla was not severe. Too bad. Hope wanes that an attack will come in soon. It'll be easy pickins here in about a week after the garrison unit withdraws. Baker is closing in on level 6 forts though.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 24, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Chicago
CA Chester
DD Cassin
DD Tucker
DD Fanning

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 6
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA San Francisco firing at Canton Island
DD Fanning firing at Canton Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Enderbury Island at 156,144

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Chester
DD Tucker
DD Cassin

SS I-172 is sighted by escort
I-172 diving deep ....
DD Cassin attacking submerged sub ....
DD Cassin fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cassin attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Garrison Unit , at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SBD-5 Dauntless x 64
TBF-1 Avenger x 53

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 16
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 35


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 64

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 44

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 25, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SBD-5 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 52

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 108th JAAF AF Bn , at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 16
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 71

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 26, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Enderbury Island at 159,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-184

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego
DD Lang
DD Ellet

SS I-184 is sighted by escort
I-184 diving deep ....
DD Lang attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lang fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Enderbury Island at 159,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 2

Allied Ships
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Boyd
DD Bennett
DD Beale

SS I-174 is sighted by escort
DD Boyd attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 95,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Lansdowne
DD Duncan

SS I-6 is sighted by escort
I-6 diving deep ....
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Duncan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Duncan attacking submerged sub ....
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD Hull
DD Hughes
DD Meade
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Farenholt
DD Monssen
DD Gwin
DMS Elliot
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Long
DMS Dorsey
DMS Lamberton
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 1

BB Prince of Wales firing at Port Moresby
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Alabama

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Gove at 82,127

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Nachi
CA Chokai
CA Atago
DD Numakaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Suzunami

Allied ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 2

CA Furutaka firing at Gove
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Nachi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
BB Maryland
DD Crane
DD Kennison
DD Dent
DD Schley
DD Abner Read
DD Hoel
DD Heermann
DD Hazelwood

Japanese ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 3

BB Mississippi firing at 52nd Naval Guard Unit
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Idaho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
CA Wichita
CA Astoria
CA Salt Lake City
CA Northampton
CA Portland
DD Balch
DD O'Brien
DD Russell
DD Mustin

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 7 (6 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Baltimore
CA Baltimore firing at Port Moresby

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Enderbury Island at 159,144

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 1
BB Idaho
DD Hazelwood
DD Crane
DD Kennison
DD Dent
DD Schley

SS I-172 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Maryland
I-172 diving deep ....
DD Crane attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kennison fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dent fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dent attacking submerged sub ....
DD Dent fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 45018 troops, 937 guns, 1177 vehicles, Assault Value = 1600

Defending force 19771 troops, 236 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 407

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 718

Japanese adjusted defense: 189

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2118 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 158 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 65 (31 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
37th Infantry Division
6th Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
131st Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
6th Garrison Unit
14th Garrison Unit
22nd Division
91st Infantry Regiment
Kure 7th SNLF
30th Fld AA Gun Co
47th Engineer Regiment
16th AA Regiment
22nd JNAF AF Unit

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

Reinforcements: The A6M5b is on track for about 3/44. Only 3 months ahead, but that's fine. Not much better anyway.

MTB G-158 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Aircraft Ki-84r Frank advances R&D (8/45)
Aircraft A6M5b Zero advances R&D (5/44)

Losses: Amazed more haven't gone down near Canton lately.

Loss of SS I-6 on Nov 26, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: One off, one on.

SS Raton is reported to have been sunk near Naha on Nov 12, 1943
Previous report of sinking of SS KXVII incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These are the danger zones for an Allied push in Burma.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/5/2013 9:21:41 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1272
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/5/2013 8:01:52 PM   
jrcar

 

Posts: 3613
Joined: 4/19/2002
From: Seymour, Australia
Status: offline 		The open ground is deadly for Japanese troops when defending against concentrated Allied air strikes... forts make a bit of difference (level 6 in particular).

Being in Jungle or Jungle Rough is the best defence agsinst allied air, but that is hard to achieve in Burma while maintaining decent AV (need about 1000 to halt the allies for a bit otherwise they can roll you)... too many hex to defend.

You are doing Ok though so far... but continue planning and preparing your depth positions, once you are routed it will get messy quick... all that Allied armour is bad for retreating troops.

Cheers

Rob



_____________________________

AE BETA Breaker

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1273
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/5/2013 9:12:21 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: jrcar

The open ground is deadly for Japanese troops when defending against concentrated Allied air strikes... forts make a bit of difference (level 6 in particular).

Being in Jungle or Jungle Rough is the best defence agsinst allied air, but that is hard to achieve in Burma while maintaining decent AV (need about 1000 to halt the allies for a bit otherwise they can roll you)... too many hex to defend.

You are doing Ok though so far... but continue planning and preparing your depth positions, once you are routed it will get messy quick... all that Allied armour is bad for retreating troops.

Cheers

Rob



Thanks Rob. I made a choice early on not to defend forward and in spite of the obvious problems with all of the clear territory in the middle area of Burma, I hope I can still slow him by clinging to the bases. I don't plan to get into these river crossing defensive points in the clear. Too dicey.

The only bases with forts not at level 6 are Taung Gui, Bassein, Toungou and Pegu all at level 5 and building. Well, Rangoon isn't there yet either but will be in a few days, and I'll keep building there until forced to stop. Mandalay is level 7. I'm building like crazy in Thailand and along the coast, and I'm planning to get engineers to two more upper Thai bases and back into French Indochina areas once more arrive in the next month. Upper Malaya needs some too. The mountains into China are pretty well protected with plenty of troops and the bases built up with Paoshan at level 6, Kunming now at level 9 and Tsuyung nearing level 6.

Once he commits to an attack vector I'll try to get 1-2k AV in before the first attack at any base, then bring more if possible after that. I'm guessing he has about 8-9k AV in the theatre now, and I have nearly the same but spread out and unable to concentrate well until he shows his hand.

Most of my air strength has retreated to level 9 Rangoon, which is a complete turn-around from the previous strategy of mutually supporting Central Burma bases. Once the P-47 started massed sweeps, I couldn't hold on there. I hope to bomb his troops more in the open once my forces get into position within the week. His bombing even in jungle areas hits troops pretty well, but this is against moving units so far.



_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to jrcar)
Post #: 1274
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/6/2013 2:19:10 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		27 - 29 November 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Subs continue to hunt near Canton Island and are showing amazing agility in avoiding attacks. The CVs look to have retired for now.

Near Victoria Point the Trident spys one of our Brigade TFs heading in to Rangoon. I was hoping to avoid these guys by hugging the coast, but no such luck. no hits today, thankfully, but about 6 more TFs are on the way, and I'm sure more subs will vector in as well. ASW TFs are flanking out of Singers to get in the way and extra air cover is also brought in; Kates, Norms and Helens.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The three month siege of Port Moresby has finally ended with a shattering defeat. Imperial troops stagger back through the approaches to the Owen Stanleys, at least able to retire on the most direct route to Buna and the relative safety of forts, as well as the next likely target. I'll have to get several of the units out to rebuild them at Rabaul. The garrison units have zero AV and only support troops left, but they did fight well through most of the siege and kept their strength long after I thought they would fold. The engineer and AA units are nearly wiped out. The 22nd division has 140 AV still able to fight, and I'll see how quickly the unit responds to healing in Buna before making a decision about whether to remove it or not. The 4Es continue to pound the troops as they retreat, but this is much better than him hitting all of the surrounding fields stopping forts building and ruining the bases.

I got a little surprise in Tulagi on the 28th. Jocke has some new 4E groups! I had been keeping good tabs no the ones in NE OZ, but these appeared out of nowhere flying from Luganville most likely and trashed the port at Tulagi. I didn't have much of value here, just for this reason, but I did lose two decent subs, which makes me angry. Luckily the planes on the fields were not hit much at all and I retreated them to more distant bases after the turn and moved some Georges to Lunga in case he wanted to try again. No go there.

WEST OZ: Crazy results over here today. I'm not sure what happened, but Georges set at 12k above A6M3as at 7k held the sky over Darwin and came out ahead after two power sweeps and an Avenger attack on the CA TFs here. Did the low altitude suck the sweepers down so far they were below the Georges? Interesting. Haven't seen anything like this before. I'll have to test some low level CAP settings and see if a low layered CAP works better against Corsair/P-47 35k sweeps. Or if this is just a fluke. either way, I'll take it.

The Avengers did get through, but only put 2 TT into CL Noshiro, which miraculously has only 56 float damage and might make it back to Koepang to beat the dents out. With 39 of the 40 getting in to make a run the results could have been much worse, so I'm pretty happy with the day's battles. We shot down 12 Corsairs according to the reports!

BURMA: On the 27th we each threw sweeps at each other that hit sky. Mine were near Shwebo to open up for the bombers testing out his troops in the clear. We didn't do too badly. I'll hold off on extended ops here, but I may go for them every few days to slow them down at least. I also tried one Oscar group at low level to see how it fared. That didn't work at all. I lost 7 Oscars for no hits on the troops! This may have to be reserved for small armor units without AA. I've got a contingent of pilots now trained to 65 air/65 low ground, enough for two Oscar and two Nick groups. I'll try the Nicks later in a larger role to see how they perform.

I tested my Franks and general offensive ability against Akyab on the 28th, and came away about even. He had Spit VIIIs there, plus Hurris and P-40ks. Most kills were from the spits it looked like and mine were from all types but as usual the P-40s were the big targets. The Franks are doing alright, but aren't looking like world beaters yet.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Just ASW TFs out here now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 27, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 45th Indian Brigade, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 16 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 22nd (East African) Brigade ...
Also attacking 45th Indian Brigade ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 35
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 21
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 59
B-25D1 Mitchell x 87
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 35

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 16
Wellington Ic x 32
Wellington B.X x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 79
B-26B Marauder x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 169

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 108th JAAF AF Bn , at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 15
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 67

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 84th JAAF AF Bn , at 57,50 (Toungoo)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 5



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
54th Sentai Det A with Ki-61-Ib Tony (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

Eiichi M. in a Ki-61-Ib Tony makes head on attack ... forces B-24D Liberator out of formation Nice! These attacks must have been a missed setting on his part, or just some suicide intel? My sweeps were coming from this base so he got lucky with this one, or there would have been 70 fighters up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 84th JAAF AF Bn , at 57,50 (Toungoo)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 1



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Groote Eylandt at 82,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15
G3M3 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AM Lark
LCT-357
LCT-474
LCT-351

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb These again reverted to bombing while set to use TT. Why?

CAP engaged:
VF-17 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VMF-212 with F4U-1 Corsair (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44415 troops, 937 guns, 1176 vehicles, Assault Value = 1563

Defending force 16707 troops, 205 guns, 53 vehicles, Assault Value = 338

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 953

Japanese adjusted defense: 99

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4708 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 318 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 73 (62 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 54 (54 destroyed, 0 disabled) YEEEOUCH! So much for not getting routed here.
Units retreated 8


Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
25th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
6th Infantry Division
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
I US Amphib Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
22nd Division
Kure 7th SNLF
47th Engineer Regiment
6th Garrison Unit
16th AA Regiment
91st Infantry Regiment
14th Garrison Unit
22nd JNAF AF Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 28, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TF 183 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
AM Inverell
AM Bowen
AM Ararat

32 mines cleared The last mines get cleared here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
347th FG/67th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
318th FG/73rd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
18th FG/78th FS with P-38H Lightning (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 99,130 , near Buna

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 31
B-24D Liberator x 20
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 47
B-25D1 Mitchell x 96
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Raiding Regiment, at 54,48 (Ramree Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 16
Wellington B.X x 31
B-25C Mitchell x 95
B-26 Marauder x 16
B-26B Marauder x 16

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 15
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 76

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 78
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 148

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 108
B-24J Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
CMc Kurosaki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
SS I-2, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AGP Minryo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Tamaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Shofuku Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS I-32, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AKE Saiho Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Yamabuki Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 97
Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
Spitfire VIII x 32
P-40K Warhawk x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
No.81 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.152 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
No.615 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
80th FG/88th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
80th FG/90th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 78
Ki-84a Frank x 32

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
Spitfire VIII x 31
P-40K Warhawk x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 29, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Victoria Point at 50,66

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze
AK Katuragi Maru
AK Brisbane Maru
xAP Gokoku Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Brazil Maru
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Trident

SS Trident launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hatakaze
DD Shiokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
N1K1-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
934 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
N1K1-J George x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 19 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
934 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
N1K1-J George x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 33
TBF-1 Avenger x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Noshiro, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Akizuki

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
934 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Raiding Regiment, at 54,48 (Ramree Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 16
Wellington Ic x 48
Wellington B.X x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 95
B-26 Marauder x 16
B-26B Marauder x 16

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements: A few more small things. The turbojet advanced but will not be making engines for a long while. It's only at 12 points right now and I won't make it more unless I know how soon the Karyu will be available more or less. I don't think it'll be before 9/45.

DD Fuyuzuki arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
MTB G-159 arrives at Hakodate
SC Ch 50 arrives at Fukuyama
SC Ch 52 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

Aircraft Ki-43-IV Oscar advances R&D (7/45)
Device NE turbojet advances R&D (11/45)

Losses: The subs hurt, but the rest is not critical. They're just xAKLs and two Aden xAKs dressed up to do different jobs.

Loss of CMc Kurosaki on Nov 28, 1943 is admitted
Loss of ACM Shofuku Maru #2 on Nov 28, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SS I-2 on Nov 28, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SS I-32 on Nov 28, 1943 is admitted
Loss of AG Tamaki Maru on Nov 28, 1943 is admitted
AGP Minryo Maru
AKE Saiho Maru
AKE Yamabuki Maru

Ships Sunk: Nothing.

Previous report of sinking of SS Seawolf incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Sturgeon incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Noshiro is traveling at a good pace and unless subs get in the way should make port at Koepang for some pier side before moving on to Soerabaja. She won't be throwing this kind of spray up anytime soon though.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/6/2013 2:26:27 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1275
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/6/2013 4:47:38 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		30 November - 1 December 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Allied forces CAPTURE Ramree Island !!!

SUBS: On the 30th the first casualty heading to Burma was the xAP Teikyo Maru, getting one fish courtesy of the Trident. The ship should make it though and was one hex from Victoria Point, so it's already half unloaded and the Brigade is flying in to Rangoon ahead of the rest on the transports.

The ASW TF and PB Hozugawa Maru was the next target, hit by KXVIII and sunk. There look to be around 7-8 subs now blocking entrance to Rangoon. Ive got two ASW TFs running around and a big SAG with two CAs and a BB protecting the approaches. There is extensive search into the IO so I shouldn't get surprised here. There are about 5 more TFs to try to make it through.

SOUTH PACIFIC: I tried something new today. I set Tojo IIas to 1k CAP at Milne Bay to see how they would react. Jocke complied with my testing formula and duly sent in two sweeps and the 4Es. The fighters are listed as being at 9k i the reports for all attacks during the day. After surviving the two sweeps, 16 Tojos were still there for the bombers, but he actually escorted with Lightings today. A first. The defensive fighters were there for all subsequent attacks and did at least mess up the bombing runs, and the fields are still open. I'll move the Tojos back and relinquish the airspace yet again.

It looks like Milne Bay will be the next target. If he comes by sea there will be a welcome party for sure. Lots of planes in range and a BB TF with three 25 knot beasts. I can also limit range nicely on strikes here, avoiding CAP traps at Port Moresby.

WEST OZ: I walked right into this one. After noticing the P-47s flew from Gove I hoped to catch a few of them on the ground the next day during the bombardment. None were there, but there was another nice surprise. Lots of mines. The DD Harukaze nailed one and went down, and the Suzuname hit one just after. It has about 90 float damage and shouldn't by any right make it back to Darwin. I'm CAPing it anyway and hoping for the best.

The bombardments did give the engineers a bad day, but nothing too serious for the Allies here.

BURMA: I now know there are more than just the Commenwealth forces in Burma. The 43rd US Division shocked across to Ramree Island and obliterated the 2nd Raiding Regiment. Luckily I left the engineers of this unit back in Rangoon and it's already starting to rebuild around them.

I had set a LR CAP to try for the bombers hitting this base, but Jocke swept with Corsairs and even though we had even numbers, got our a** handed to us. Back to Rangoon.

So now my estimates are all off. If US troops are present, he could have more than I thought. I'm glad I brought all of the new Brigades here now. I may have a bought time getting them through the sub screen unharmed though.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Nothing happening. Only 4 more days until the garrison withdraws from Canton Island. Should I fly more in or concede the base to the likely very strong second try there?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR November 30, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TF 129 encounters mine field at Gove (82,127)

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 162 encounters mine field at Gove (82,127)

Japanese Ships
DD Suzunami, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Victoria Point at 50,66

Japanese Ships
xAP Teikyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E Kamome
AK Azuma Maru
xAP Kowa Maru
xAP Kasado Maru
xAP Kitano Maru
xAP Mizuho Maru
xAK Myoko Maru
DD Hokaze
E Hatsutaka

Allied Ships
SS Trident

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

SS Trident launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Teikyo Maru
Trident bottoming out ....
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hatsutaka fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Gove at 82,127

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
DD Yugure
DD Hatsushima
DD Shimakaze

Allied ground losses:
230 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Suzuya
DD Shimakaze firing at 18th RAAF Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Gove at 82,127

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Nachi
CA Atago

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


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 12
Port hits 21

CA Furutaka firing at Gove

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Allied Ships
CA Suffolk
CA Sussex
CA Dorsetshire
CA Shropshire
DD Rotherham
DD Roebuck
DD Relentless
DD Redoubt

Port hits 10
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
DD Rapid
DD Racehorse
DD Quadrant
DD Nizam
DD Nestor
DD Napier

Port hits 14
Port supply hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 91,113

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 46
E Kyosai
AK Yodogawa Maru
xAP Taizan Maru
xAK Kinugawa Maru
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

SS Seadragon launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 46
Seadragon diving deep ....
DD Hakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hakaze cannot reach attack position over SS Seadragon
DD Hakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Raiding Regiment, at 54,48 (Ramree Island)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 16
Wellington Ic x 16
Wellington B.X x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 2 damaged
Wellington Ic: 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington B.X bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Ramree Island (54,48)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10632 troops, 211 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 390

Defending force 674 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 312

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 312 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ramree Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Regiment

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

2nd Raiding Regiment Wiped Out at Ramree Island by attrition!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 1, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Moulmein at 54,57

Japanese Ships
PB Hozugawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
SC CHa-48
SC CHa-49

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 70 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 39
B-24D1 Liberator x 83
B-24J Liberator x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 47
B-25D1 Mitchell x 99
P-38H Lightning x 12
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 48
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 80
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 167

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Reinforcements: Both the Tony Id and the J2M3 are now online and are building after factories were upgraded today. Also, and more importantly, the Judy D4Y3 is building as well!!! This means full 8 hex strike power for the KB at a time when the Allies must look to move forward and the KB is strengthening with the return of the Akagi and the addition of three new CVs in the next several months. I'm guessing we'll have near parity until February or March 44.

Two new TB groups arrived to fill CVEs. They will be used as LBA after resizing as the sunk CV groups are on the CVEs now.

SC CHa-71 arrives at Fukuyama
Unyo-1 arrives at Tokyo
Chuyo-1 arrives at Tokyo
20th Sentai arrives at Tokyo

Aircraft Ki-61-Id Tony advances R&D (12/43)

Losses: I've lost a lot of ships in the last month. I have to be a bit more careful now. These guys though are mostly useless now and just eat TT to get in the way of more valuable ships.

Loss of PB Hozugawa Maru on Dec 01, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: None.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Judy D4Y3 with 8 hex range.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/6/2013 4:48:13 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1276
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/7/2013 11:17:36 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		2 - 3 December 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Subs near Rangoon are intercepted by now 3 ASW TFs during these two days, and no further hits are made to arriving troop ships. Amazing. The coordination of day and night search, air ASW missions, and the contingent of quick powerful DDs and Es have so far neutralized the threats to the very important shipping coming in.

The KXII is sunk on the 3rd by 3 DDs after being forced to the surface. He's got 7 subs still within 3-4 hexes, so easy for the ASW to contact and they're also very close to the air bases so probably get a very high DL in both phases. All of it is in the shallows as well.

The O16 takes 4 hits from a retreating amphib TF coming out of Rangoon. These ships will edge toward deep water to avoid the clutch of subs.

The I-26 avoids getting creamed for a day near Canton Is. but eventually the DDs catch it and it might not make it back to port with 75 flood damage. All subs in the area are moving quite a bit but staying in to see what happens.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Jocke sent a note with the turn saying he was trying something risky. I had seen a TF showing CA CL DD AP AP about 5-6 hexes to the SW of Milne Bay, and another just SW of Port Moresby by 4 hexes or so. I thought maybe he was trying a snap invasion of Milne Bay or one of the islands to the SE of it.

I set all strike aircraft to go and restricted the range to this area, moved Judys to Woodlark, and sent out one BB TF with Hyuga, Mutsu, Nagato and 7 DDs, a one DD TF to Deboyne Island and 4 DD TF to Milne Bay. As it turned out the TF was 4 CAs, two older US, one old British and an Aussie plus 8 Fletchers. The BBs hit them before ether made it to Woodlark, and the Hawkins went down quickly after a taking shots from both Mutsu and Nagato and then a direct hit from Hyuga. Then CA Salt Lake City took a hit from Hyuga that blew the magazine, and it was put down shortly after by a long lance from DD Fujinami. The Northhampton was put under by Nagato after taking several hits from Hyuga. That ship is a beast!

Later the remaining Allied ships ran into little DD Tachikaze which held them long enough for the BBs to catch up and re-engage, sinking the Canberra and DD Fullam. The Fletchers made mincemeat of the IJN DDs in the late daylight engagement though, and I've lost two with another in critical condition. Still, a good day for the IJN.

Later sweeps and 4Es hit Woodlark, which was the bombardment target as well. The CAP got even results against P-47s, and about 20 are listed as downed on the day. Quite a few were up for the bombers later, and knocked out another 13 4Es and about 20 2Es. Strangely though, the B-25D1s seemed to have an awful lot of firepower when the came in uncoordinated on their own.

BURMA: Four Brigades landed and 4 more to go plus some arty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 2, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Moulmein at 53,57

Japanese Ships
E Iki
E Sagi

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

SS Stingray launches 2 torpedoes at E Iki
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Moulmein at 53,57

Japanese Ships
E Iki
E Sagi

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 8

SS Stingray is located by E Iki
Stingray bottoming out ....
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 97,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-153, hits 9

Allied Ships
APD Sands
APD Humphreys

SS I-153 is sighted by escort
APD Sands fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Humphreys attacking submerged sub ....
APD Sands fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Humphreys fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rangoon at 54,54

Japanese Ships
E Sagi

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 9

SS KXII is located by E Sagi
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 26
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 66
B-24J Liberator x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 59
B-25D1 Mitchell x 99
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 44
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 168

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 3, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Exmouth at 50,127

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shinki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Turusima Maru
xAKL Sunten Maru
PB Tama Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXIII

SS KXIII launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Shinki Maru
PB Tama Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Enderbury Island at 160,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
DD Harding
DD Satterlee

SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Harding where was this against the CVs?
I-26 diving deep ....
DD Harding fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 104,134, Range 12,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Hyuga
DD Takanami
DD Naganami, Shell hits 1
DD Onami
DD Fujinami, Shell hits 3
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 2
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Canberra
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DD Bush
DD Fullam, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Harrison
DD Hutchins
DD Kidd
DD Kimberly
DD Murray
DD Pringle

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 39% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Ukita, Hidehiko crosses the 'T'
DD Onami engages CA Hawkins at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Kiyonami at 6,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 6,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages DD Michishio at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Salt Lake City at 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
BB Nagato engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Michishio at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Hawkins sunk by BB Hyuga at 10,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CA Salt Lake City
CA Salt Lake City sunk by DD Fujinami at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Northampton at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
DD Pringle engages DD Takanami at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Northampton at 13,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Fujinami at 13,000 yards
CA Northampton sunk by BB Nagato at 13,000 yards
DD Fujinami engages DD Bush at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1 Tachikaze deserves some credit for holding these guys up and courageously engaging the massively larger force. I had put it out here to react to any invasion threat coming to one of the islands as I could only spare this one DD after allocating 4 to Milne Bay and 7 to the BBs. Jocke has been using a lot of landing craft so I thought it could still do something here.

DD Bush
DD Fullam, on fire
DD Harrison
DD Hutchins
DD Kidd
DD Kimberly
DD Murray
DD Pringle

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 39% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD Kidd at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD Kidd at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Kimberly engages DD Tachikaze at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
DD Bush
DD Fullam, heavy fires
DD Harrison
DD Hutchins
DD Kidd
DD Kimberly, Shell hits 1
DD Murray
DD Pringle

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 39% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD Kimberly at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD Kimberly at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Tachikaze at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Enderbury Island at 160,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 16, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Ammen
DD Barton
DD Lardner

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Ammen
DD Barton attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Rangoon at 54,54

Japanese Ships
DD Akishimo
DD Oboro
DD Hayashimo

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 26, and is sunk

SS KXII is located by DD Akishimo
KXII bottoming out ....
DD Oboro fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akishimo attacking submerged sub ....
SS KXII forced to surface!
DD Akishimo firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
xAKL Ryuun Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tuna

xAKL Ryuun Maru is sighted by SS Tuna
Captain of SS Tuna elects not to launch torpedoes at this target

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rangoon at 54,54

Japanese Ships
AK Brisbane Maru
AMC Kongo Maru
AK Katuragi Maru
xAP Tenzan Maru
xAP Kobe Maru
xAP Gokoku Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Brazil Maru
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS O16, hits 4

SS O16 launches 2 torpedoes at AK Brisbane Maru
DD Shiokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shiokaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134, Range 24,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Seagull V: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 4
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 3
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 8
DD Takanami, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Naganami, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Onami, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Fujinami, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashi, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Bush, Shell hits 1
DD Fullam, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Harrison, Shell hits 3
DD Hutchins
DD Kidd
DD Kimberly, Shell hits 1
DD Murray, Shell hits 3
DD Pringle, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Naganami at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 15,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to disengage
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Fullam at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Fujinami at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Hutchins at 9,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to disengage
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Canberra at 13,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Murray at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
CA Canberra sunk by BB Mutsu at 10,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Kidd at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Pringle at 8,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Fujinami at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Pringle at 7,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to disengage
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Murray at 8,000 yards
Ukita, Hidehiko orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Onami at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Bush at 12,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to disengage
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Takanami sunk by DD Kidd at 15,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 36
N1K1 Rex x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 34645.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 26 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 37450.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 23 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 25 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 35
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 32



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9510 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
452 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 34645.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 27
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 25
B-24D1 Liberator x 68
B-24J Liberator x 12
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 9 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 39
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 85

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 21
N1K1 Rex x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 14
B-25D1 Mitchell x 62


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 2 damaged
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged


Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 18
N1K1 Rex x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 17
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 16
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements: Another Small infantry unit going to Nauru.

MTB G-160 arrives at Sapporo
4th South Seas Det. arrives at Matsue

Losses:

Loss of DD Takanami on Dec 03, 1943 is admitted
DD Fujinami
Loss of E Tsushima on Oct 24, 1943 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Shinki Maru on Dec 03, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: This balances out some of our recent losses quite well.

CA Northampton is reported to have been sunk near Woodlark Island on Dec 03, 1943
CA Salt Lake City is reported to have been sunk near Woodlark Island on Dec 03, 1943
CA Canberra is reported to have been sunk near Deboyne Islands on Dec 03, 1943
CA Hawkins is reported to have been sunk near Woodlark Island on Dec 03, 1943
DD Fullam is reported to have been sunk near Deboyne Islands on Dec 03, 1943
SS KXII is reported to have been sunk near Rangoon on Dec 03, 1943

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BB Hyuga. Absolute beast.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/7/2013 2:30:27 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1277
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/7/2013 11:31:54 AM   
GreyJoy


Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline 		I wonder where are all his Cleveland Class CLs... i've learnt the hard way not to send old CAs against japanese BBs or CAs... they die like flies. Cleveland Class, on the other hand, packed with some Fletchers can really ruin Japan's day.

Great day however! I'm particularly happy about how your CAP performed against his P-47 sweeps... 20 downed is a lot! Very nice!

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1278
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/7/2013 2:25:59 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I wonder where are all his Cleveland Class CLs... i've learnt the hard way not to send old CAs against japanese BBs or CAs... they die like flies. Cleveland Class, on the other hand, packed with some Fletchers can really ruin Japan's day.

Great day however! I'm particularly happy about how your CAP performed against his P-47 sweeps... 20 downed is a lot! Very nice!


His Cleveland and Brooklyn class ships have been around, as have the Baltimore class. He's been using them to bombard Port Moresby and interdict any shipping in the area. Although all of these were older designs, I feel pretty good about removing four more CAs. He wrote saying he had no idea I'd had BBs in the area, and I pretty much knew that because they had no rise in DL hiding in the backgrounds of the Solomons.

It felt good to get the big boys some action. I've always thought Hyuga would be impressive in a gunfight, and now it's confirmed. She hit each one of the cruisers sunk and took almost no damage. I've declined the options to make these ships into hybrids with the flight decks, so I'll keep those extra turrets for hopefully a few more chances like this.

I set up Woodlark with those units thinking both the types and numbers would do well against sweepers. It's still far from enemy bases reducing chances of coordination, plus the Tojo and Jack are both fast climbers so there were a lot in the air for most of the day. I would have come out ahead on the day if it weren't for the B-25D1s which seemed awfully good on their own defensively. Makes me wonder if those forward 50 cals are being added to their defensive stats. They killed more fighters than the P-47s!

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to GreyJoy)
Post #: 1279
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/9/2013 4:29:36 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		4 - 5 December 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Allied subs are again spreading farther into Japanese territory. There seem to be pulses of incursion, then a leveling off,and a quick disappearance after about a month. The quiet spell has lasted several months this time, and only a few ships have been hit during that time.

I lost a good DD near Taulaud-eilanden. The Shinoname was on ASW patrol as well, and had already encountered the Tautaug once during the night. Then during the day phase the sub somehow attacked, sinking the DD. Pretty rare that a DD looking for subs, knowing one is in the area, should be surprised like this. I'm losing too many DDs lately so will pull back in certain areas and replace these with Es instead.

Two subs, the O16 and the Stingray, both get pummeled in the shallows near Rangoon. The Stingray is forced to surface and is gunned down by several SCs. That should get their experience levels up.

Another IJN sub is found and nailed near Canton Island and will try to limp back home.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Troops from Port Moresby are nearing Buna. The division should be there tomorrow, at which point I'll split it and try to get it healed up for another defensive stand. Not sure yet about the garrison units. They're pretty wrecked and I don't know if there is time to get them put back together.

The 4Es hit Milne Bay and the AA there at least damages a good number of them. Several ops losses are listed on the 4th and 5th.

WEST OZ: I'm fairly certain the Aussie troops are most of the way to Geraldton now. So should I now, while I still can, evacuate the divisions and arty from Exmouth and leave a skeleton crew there? It's pretty late in the day to be holding West OZ anyway, so I have to think on what my goals are here and if there could be a better use of three divisions (two from Exmouth and one in Katherine) now.

Near Gove some Georges were set on naval attack from 1k and hit a few LSTs bringing something in. One was sunk.

BURMA: Some realizations are settling in about this theatre now. Jocke can effectively split my forces by moving between Toungoo and Meiktila, and then choose which direction to move and concentrate on either side. I'm not sure how his supply will handle this, but it could be hard to defend if the supply does follow.

After Frank and Tojo sweeps came up against only air, for the first time in over a year concentrated waves of IJAAF bombers took to the air. Over 160 Helens hit the main stack near Prome with decent results. The goal is to slow the troops, assess if these attacks can be effective to provide disruption, and to make him burn supply on AA. They certainly did burn a bit on the Nicks that were sent to bomb at 1k just after. I sent two groups trained in low ground, totaling about 65 planes. They were obliterated with the loss of 41 planes and 48 (total from all regions) pilots on the day!!

There is a lot of flak there! I'll keep the Helens going, but the Nicks will have to find a new job. That one is not going to work out.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Looks like another concerted wave of attacks. The invasion must be imminent. I'm pulling portions of all of the units out. At least he won't know if his new strategy of atoll capture will work on a more defended base from this example.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 4, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Enderbury Island at 160,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 8

Allied Ships
DD Ammen
DD Barton
DD Lardner

SS I-174 is located by DD Ammen
DD Barton attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lardner fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Barton fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Talaud-eilanden at 78,97

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

SS Tautog launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shinonome
Tautog diving deep ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Morotai at 85,101

Japanese Ships
xAK Daishin Maru
PB Togo Maru
PB Hinode Maru #18
AK Kansai Maru
PB Kogyoku Maru
PB Toshi Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Robalo

SS Robalo launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Daishin Maru
PB Kogyoku Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Toshi Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rangoon at 54,54

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo
DD Oboro
DD Akishimo

Allied Ships
SS O16, hits 14

SS O16 is located by DD Akigumo
O16 bottoming out ....
DD Oboro attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akishimo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Oboro fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rangoon at 53,55

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashimo
DD Oboro
DD Akishimo

Allied Ships
SS Seal

SS Seal launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hayashimo
Seal bottoming out ....
DD Oboro fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Akishimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Talaud-eilanden at 79,96

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

SS Tautog launches 4 torpedoes at DD Shinonome
Tautog diving deep ....
DD Akebono attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Moulmein at 53,57

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru
AK Seattle Maru
AK Melbourne Maru
xAP Terukuni Maru
SC Ch 33
SC Ch 31
SC Ch 28, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Stingray, hits 17, heavy damage

SS Stingray is sighted by escort
Stingray bottoming out ....
SC Ch 33 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 33 attacking submerged sub ....
SS Stingray forced to surface!
SC Ch 31 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC Ch 28 firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gove at 84,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 4

Allied Ships
LCT-465
LCT-475
LCT-473
LCT-464
LCT-351
AM Lark

SS I-5 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy LCT
I-5 bottoming out ....
AM Lark fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Lark attacking submerged sub ....
AM Lark cannot reach attack position over SS I-5
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Det. 3rd Special Base Force, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 25
B-24D1 Liberator x 75
B-24J Liberator x 11
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 24


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 5, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Talaud-eilanden at 79,99

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish

SS Blackfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Akebono
Blackfish diving deep ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Shortlands at 107,131

Japanese Ships
DMS W-23

Allied Ships
SS Devilfish, hits 2

SS Devilfish is located by DMS W-23
DMS W-23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-23 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortlands at 107,131

Japanese Ships
DMS W-23

Allied Ships
SS Devilfish

SS Devilfish launches 2 torpedoes
Devilfish diving deep ....
DMS W-23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-23 attacking submerged sub ....
DMS W-23 is out of ASW ammo
DMS W-23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
DD Kennison
DD Dent
DD Schley
DD Abner Read
DD Hoel
DD Heermann
DD Hazelwood

Japanese ground losses:
169 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 34
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 2

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Canton Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 50th Tank Brigade, at 55,49 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 51
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 51
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 32 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 12 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 38 (2 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd British Division, at 55,49 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 66
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 33 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 22 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 8 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
34 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Medium Regiment, at 55,49 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 17 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 83rd Naval Guard Unit, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SBD-5 Dauntless x 94
TBF-1 Avenger x 85

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS I-178, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Det. 3rd Special Base Force, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 80
B-24J Liberator x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Groote Eylandt at 82,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
N1K1-J George x 27


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT-350, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Lark, Shell hits 6
LCT-471, Shell hits 2
LCT-464, Shell hits 2
LCT-354, Shell hits 5
LCT-465

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x N1K1-J George bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Gove , at 82,127

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27

No Japanese losses

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x A6M3a Zero bombing from 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Canton Island at 154,144

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 3, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD Harding
DD Satterlee

SS I-172 is located by DD Gansevoort
I-172 diving deep ....
DD Harding fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Satterlee fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Harding attacking submerged sub ....
DD Satterlee fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Reinforcements: None.

Losses: These are ships I can't keep losing at recent rates.

Loss of SS I-178 on Dec 05, 1943 is admitted
Loss of DD Shinonome on Dec 04, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: The Allied subs continue to hunt near Rangoon in spite of little success and lots of pain thrown down on them.

SS Stingray is reported to have been sunk near Moulmein on Dec 04, 1943
LST-458 is reported to have been sunk near Gove on Nov 01, 1943
LCT-350 is reported to have been sunk near Groote Eylandt on Dec 05, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These boats are priceless from moving stuff around in the Central Pacific.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/9/2013 4:31:12 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1280
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/9/2013 8:00:19 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		6 - 7 December 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TWO YEARS!

After two years in game the tide is definitely moving against the Empire Japan has built. New Guinea hosts a strong Allied army on the move, the first Central Pacific atoll has just been lost, and two large armies are moving to constrict Central Burma while Japanese troops are pounded from the air.

On the positive side, the KB is still a potent force, three more CVs arrive in the next two months, and the best fighters we can field are now showing some positive results against Allied 2nd generation machines.

The Empire is beginning to go into a mode of conservation of fuel and resources. Ship construction is limited to essentials, only absolutely strategically relevant missions will be attempted, and attempts will be made to conserve use of supply for both industry and other construction.

SUBS: A few minor skirmishes on the 6th. Then on the 7th a fair bit of action, including an APA loaded up that was hit by I-173 near Canton Island and sunk.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Just a 4E strike to Milne Bay doing little damage. The AA, first and jungle are protecting things nicely here.

BURMA: Some hard numbers to look at these past few days. On the 7th I lost 22 Helens to flak out of about 150 sent. About 15%. Yuck. But some of this bombing is necessary. I may limit numbers while the stack is intact.

On the other side, the Allies nailed Magwe on the 7th. I had removed the AA here, and the troops paid for that. Over 1100 casualties! About 220+ 4Es and another 100+ 2Es hit the base, which has level 6 first but is in the clear. This could change everything. I have to see if this continues.

I sent Hiei and 2 CA, a CL and 5 DD to Akyab to hit the base. I don't think Jocke expects any fast BBs ere, or he may have just thrown 1000 mines in the approaches. Well soon see!

CENTRAL PACFIC: Canton Island falls with little fight. Most of the troops had already been evacuated or withdrawn. This proved a good speed-bump early, but there was no way it would stand even if re-enforced, after the attention paid recently.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 6, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 154
SBD-5 Dauntless x 93
TBF-1 Avenger x 85


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
Mitchell II x 22
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 19
B-24D1 Liberator x 63
B-24J Liberator x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 36
B-25D1 Mitchell x 77
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 20


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 33rd Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 20
Blenheim VD x 12
Wellington Ic x 24
Wellington B.X x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 24
P-40K Warhawk x 25


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufort I bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 21st Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington B.X x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 24
P-40K Warhawk x 25


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5783 troops, 100 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 361

Defending force 655 troops, 3 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 173

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 173 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
627 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (36 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
766th Tank Battalion
104th Combat Engineer Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
9th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
5th Armored Car Co
83rd Nav Gd /1
52nd Naval Guard Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 7, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Eniwetok at 126,108

Japanese Ships
xAP Keihuku Maru
E Otori

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal, hits 2

SS Narwhal is sighted by escort
E Otori attacking submerged sub ....
E Otori fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Enderbury Island at 158,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, hits 1

Allied Ships
APA Du Page, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
APA Elmore
APA Custer
APA Zeilin
DD Stuart

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

SS I-173 launches 2 torpedoes at APA Du Page
DD Stuart attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stuart cannot reach attack position over SS I-173
DD Stuart is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Enderbury Island at 158,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
APA Du Page, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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

APA Du Page is sighted by SS I-173
SS I-173 launches 2 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 45th Indian Brigade, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 26
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 54



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 15 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 26 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Indian AA Bde , at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 96
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 43
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 26 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 11 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 3
Mitchell II x 21
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 63
B-24J Liberator x 22
B-25C Mitchell x 48
B-25D1 Mitchell x 76
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 13


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 57,47 (Magwe)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 27
Blenheim VD x 16
Liberator II x 16
Liberator B.III x 16
Liberator GR.III x 11
Wellington Ic x 48
Wellington B.X x 16
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 54
B-24J Liberator x 19
B-25C Mitchell x 62


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1184 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 95 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Beaufort I bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 57,47 (Magwe)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 16
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
341 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th RTA/C Division, at 57,47 (Magwe)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements: Another small addition.

MTB G-161 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: This is the very first APA sunk in the game so far.

APA Du Page is reported to have been sunk near Enderbury Island on Dec 07, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BB Hiei and company are heading into dangerous waters. If they can get to Akyab and get a hit on those fields, there are over 600 planes there now. That could be a very good haul.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1281
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/9/2013 8:08:31 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		Burma
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After making the decision to stay in the bases and defend Burma from the center, I was optimistic I could at least make this take some time and slow the Allied advance through inside lines and the high forts that would allow me to re-enforce any base he invested heavily before it was in danger of falling.

Now I'm not so sure. The air results of last turn make me think any hex in the clear, whether it has forts 6+ or not, is not tenable. I'll sit on it and take a few more hits before I make any choices, because I don't want to let on what I'm thinking, but I am leaning toward giving up central Burma and moving into the jungles behind. The terrain there would protect me a bit and the front looks manageable with the forces I have available. There are now about 8k AV IJA troops in central and southern Burma. There are another 1k AV in the North holding the flank.

What to you guys think? What is the best option in the face of intense Allied air pressure and fighter superiority, plus two large stacks moving to pinch the center? Here is a map to give and idea of the situation.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1282
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/9/2013 8:28:05 PM   
SqzMyLemon


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

ORIGINAL: obvert

After making the decision to stay in the bases and defend Burma from the center, I was optimistic I could at least make this take some time and slow the Allied advance through inside lines and the high forts that would allow me to re-enforce any base he invested heavily before it was in danger of falling.

Now I'm not so sure. The air results of last turn make me think any hex in the clear, whether it has forts 6+ or not, is not tenable. I'll sit on it and take a few more hits before I make any choices, because I don't want to let on what I'm thinking, but I am leaning toward giving up central Burma and moving into the jungles behind. The terrain there would protect me a bit and the front looks manageable with the forces I have available. There are now about 8k AV IJA troops in central and southern Burma. There are another 1k AV in the North holding the flank.

What to you guys think? What is the best option in the face of intense Allied air pressure and fighter superiority, plus two large stacks moving to pinch the center? Here is a map to give and idea of the situation.


My experience is you just can't hold clear or cultivated terrain, regardless of fort levels, against determined Allied bombing. The Allied bombers will decimate your forces or cause so much disruption as to make your defence untenable. I don't recall if you remember from my other PBEM, but I had a Japanese division move into Meiktila with level four forts and one day of Allied bombing rendered it all but useless with over 85% disruption.

You have to get your troops into better defensive terrain otherwise you'll simply be ground into dust on the plains. I hate Burma.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1283
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/9/2013 8:45:02 PM   
Andav

 

Posts: 474
Joined: 5/8/2007
Status: offline
My experience has been the same as Lemon's. The center of Burma can't be defended. Allied air will destroy anything in an open hex. Defending in the jungles is better by far.

I pretty never post but I was logged in and thought I would let you know I am still reading and enjoying this AAR. It is one of about 6 I follow. Keep up the good work!

Wa

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 1284
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 7:33:10 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

After making the decision to stay in the bases and defend Burma from the center, I was optimistic I could at least make this take some time and slow the Allied advance through inside lines and the high forts that would allow me to re-enforce any base he invested heavily before it was in danger of falling.

Now I'm not so sure. The air results of last turn make me think any hex in the clear, whether it has forts 6+ or not, is not tenable. I'll sit on it and take a few more hits before I make any choices, because I don't want to let on what I'm thinking, but I am leaning toward giving up central Burma and moving into the jungles behind. The terrain there would protect me a bit and the front looks manageable with the forces I have available. There are now about 8k AV IJA troops in central and southern Burma. There are another 1k AV in the North holding the flank.

What to you guys think? What is the best option in the face of intense Allied air pressure and fighter superiority, plus two large stacks moving to pinch the center? Here is a map to give and idea of the situation.


My experience is you just can't hold clear or cultivated terrain, regardless of fort levels, against determined Allied bombing. The Allied bombers will decimate your forces or cause so much disruption as to make your defence untenable. I don't recall if you remember from my other PBEM, but I had a Japanese division move into Meiktila with level four forts and one day of Allied bombing rendered it all but useless with over 85% disruption.

You have to get your troops into better defensive terrain otherwise you'll simply be ground into dust on the plains. I hate Burma.


For all of the info I've seen, including yours and even rader's game with jzanes in which he had whole divisions wiped out in the clear in Manchuria, I still thought for some reason this would work with enough forts. My experience so far has been that level 6 forts can hold in any terrain against bombing as long as some factors help lessen the effects. These would be AA, CAP and big tough fully prepped units with lots of support. I have had those factors until now in Burma, but slowly my ability to fight an air war in the center was weakened by the proximity and power of Allied sweeps and concentrated bombing of the fields.

So this really is a failure on my part to put the pieces together and anticipate the direction this would go. I now need to think of option B, and fast. Luckily for me he decided to shift in his next turn to a unit dug in in the woods with some AA in the hex, and that held much better. I'm still curious at how Mandalay will work with it's level 7 forts. I'll plan to leave that as the last redoubt on the plains as I shift focus to the rough jungle behind. I'm sending in more AA for the time being and hoping to surprise with 150 fighters one day soon along one of the rail line hexes in the center.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 1285
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 7:33:56 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Andav


My experience has been the same as Lemon's. The center of Burma can't be defended. Allied air will destroy anything in an open hex. Defending in the jungles is better by far.

I pretty never post but I was logged in and thought I would let you know I am still reading and enjoying this AAR. It is one of about 6 I follow. Keep up the good work!

Wa



Thanks Andav. Glad to hear you're around and following. I really enjoyed your AAR when you had it going. It would be great to hear what's happening on your side of that game if the time ever presents itself.

Do you think the line I've made on the map is tenable for the near future? I do have the luxury of having all of China behind me, so that makes me at least not concerned with getting units trapped in the North.

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/10/2013 7:39:15 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 1286
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 7:34:49 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		double post

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/10/2013 7:38:43 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)
Post #: 1287
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 8:14:13 AM   
GreyJoy


Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline 		I'm sorry to hear that Erik but, as i told you few weeks ago, my opinion is that your defensive strategy in Burma wasn't the best one. Clear terrain is undefendable. Point. It doesn't matter how many forts you have, allied 1943 squads and tanks will simply overrunn your divisions and destroy your forts. The 4Es will do the rest. The only way to hold is to deny him the use of bombers, and the only way to do that is not CAP, but incredible masses of flak guns.
To be honest i think it's too late now. Your best option imho is to defend the Paoshan approaches (western China) and the Moulmein line. You need to estabilish a defensive line in northern thailand NOW. You also need to reinforce the Adamans and the area around Victoria Point. He'll be in Rangoon in a click once he breakthrough and, once there, you are screwed if you haven't set up a defensive line in northern Thailand.
8000 AVs are more than enough to do that. In jungle terrain, with some decent forts, i think you can hold long enough. Shift your base forces and flak to Bankok asap. The best i can offer is to avoid defences in base hexes. Use the empty hexes with good defensive terrain and deny him any advance south of Rangoon. All you efforts and vitories in the pacific may be rendered useless if you lose this battle now
See what happened in Jcar's game...

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1288
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 8:51:54 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I'm sorry to hear that Erik but, as i told you few weeks ago, my opinion is that your defensive strategy in Burma wasn't the best one. Clear terrain is undefendable. Point. It doesn't matter how many forts you have, allied 1943 squads and tanks will simply overrunn your divisions and destroy your forts. The 4Es will do the rest. The only way to hold is to deny him the use of bombers, and the only way to do that is not CAP, but incredible masses of flak guns.
To be honest i think it's too late now. Your best option imho is to defend the Paoshan approaches (western China) and the Moulmein line. You need to estabilish a defensive line in northern thailand NOW. You also need to reinforce the Adamans and the area around Victoria Point. He'll be in Rangoon in a click once he breakthrough and, once there, you are screwed if you haven't set up a defensive line in northern Thailand.
8000 AVs are more than enough to do that. In jungle terrain, with some decent forts, i think you can hold long enough. Shift your base forces and flak to Bankok asap. The best i can offer is to avoid defences in base hexes. Use the empty hexes with good defensive terrain and deny him any advance south of Rangoon. All you efforts and vitories in the pacific may be rendered useless if you lose this battle now
See what happened in Jcar's game...


I'm definitely listening, and I appreciate all of the advice here, but I'm not quite as pessimistic about a line farther north than Rangoon, Pegu, Moulmein being able to hold for a while. Even with relatively low forts, he needs 3-1 to really break through in good terrain. Thus if he concentrates and I can hold a few turns and load up that hex, it could be tough to both maintain that ratio and have enough supply for frequent attacks. Of course I have no idea how much he has really brought, other than that all of the AA in India has made it here!!

Currently I am in fact moving more base forces to the Thailand area plus another HQa. I have engineer units building at the three bases near Pisanoluke. The Andamans all are level 5-6 forts and have garrison units, so between 120-200 AV. The upper Malay peninsula needs garrisons, but some of the major bases have a small garrison now.

A line in Burma in the center above Tougoo to Taung Gyi will have to hold for a month or two. I simply don't know that he has enough to force through as quickly as you're implying for one reason; supply. Although I lose many bombers a day, that all takes some supply. At this point it's a long train through difficult pathways, one of which I hope to interdict eve if for a moment in two turns, (there is nothing across from Prome just now on the road to Akyab). In jrcar's game it has taken a good several months in game to push into Thailand after a breakthrough, and from what it seems, a lot of US units were added into the mix to make that happen. Also, the one really critical factor I can't let happen is a landing on Sumatra. That compounds the issue there.

As I see it, with what I think he has brought, if I had been in the jungles on the edge of Burma he could have concentrated and broken through to run ahead already by now. I would be scrambling back to try to set up a line with vulnerable units running over empty plains. Now at least I'm close to cover, have a lot of supply, and can still stall in the base hexes and leave a rear guard to assess what he has brought to the party. I may still be wrong, and I am screwed, but I have always been an optimist!

< Message edited by obvert -- 1/10/2013 8:52:12 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to GreyJoy)
Post #: 1289
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 1/10/2013 9:05:11 AM   
GreyJoy


Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I'm sorry to hear that Erik but, as i told you few weeks ago, my opinion is that your defensive strategy in Burma wasn't the best one. Clear terrain is undefendable. Point. It doesn't matter how many forts you have, allied 1943 squads and tanks will simply overrunn your divisions and destroy your forts. The 4Es will do the rest. The only way to hold is to deny him the use of bombers, and the only way to do that is not CAP, but incredible masses of flak guns.
To be honest i think it's too late now. Your best option imho is to defend the Paoshan approaches (western China) and the Moulmein line. You need to estabilish a defensive line in northern thailand NOW. You also need to reinforce the Adamans and the area around Victoria Point. He'll be in Rangoon in a click once he breakthrough and, once there, you are screwed if you haven't set up a defensive line in northern Thailand.
8000 AVs are more than enough to do that. In jungle terrain, with some decent forts, i think you can hold long enough. Shift your base forces and flak to Bankok asap. The best i can offer is to avoid defences in base hexes. Use the empty hexes with good defensive terrain and deny him any advance south of Rangoon. All you efforts and vitories in the pacific may be rendered useless if you lose this battle now
See what happened in Jcar's game...


I'm definitely listening, and I appreciate all of the advice here, but I'm not quite as pessimistic about a line farther north than Rangoon, Pegu, Moulmein being able to hold for a while. Even with relatively low forts, he needs 3-1 to really break through in good terrain. Thus if he concentrates and I can hold a few turns and load up that hex, it could be tough to both maintain that ratio and have enough supply for frequent attacks. Of course I have no idea how much he has really brought, other than that all of the AA in India has made it here!!

Currently I am in fact moving more base forces to the Thailand area plus another HQa. I have engineer units building at the three bases near Pisanoluke. The Andamans all are level 5-6 forts and have garrison units, so between 120-200 AV. The upper Malay peninsula needs garrisons, but some of the major bases have a small garrison now.

A line in Burma in the center above Tougoo to Taung Gyi will have to hold for a month or two. I simply don't know that he has enough to force through as quickly as you're implying for one reason; supply. Although I lose many bombers a day, that all takes some supply. At this point it's a long train through difficult pathways, one of which I hope to interdict eve if for a moment in two turns, (there is nothing across from Prome just now on the road to Akyab). In jrcar's game it has taken a good several months in game to push into Thailand after a breakthrough, and from what it seems, a lot of US units were added into the mix to make that happen. Also, the one really critical factor I can't let happen is a landing on Sumatra. That compounds the issue there.

As I see it, with what I think he has brought, if I had been in the jungles on the edge of Burma he could have concentrated and broken through to run ahead already by now. I would be scrambling back to try to set up a line with vulnerable units running over empty plains. Now at least I'm close to cover, have a lot of supply, and can still stall in the base hexes and leave a rear guard to assess what he has brought to the party. I may still be wrong, and I am screwed, but I have always been an optimist!


Yes, maybe you're right. Now i realize that Joc hasn't left anything to cover its road supply line north of Prome... crazy!
If i was him i'd drive all the way to Bassein, jumping in clear terrain with my armour, while my divisions hold you back at Prome. Who gives a crap about Mandaly if you can have Rangoon?
However now that i look at your map, yes, it may be holdable but i strongly advice to have a plan for a fast strategic retreat if things go wrong.
Good thing you're already building Thailand.

How's your defences in North and western Sumatra? Pagang, Siberoet, Benkoleng, Sebang etc...?

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1290
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