RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])

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RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J]) - Reluctant Admiral 4.1

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J]) - Reluctant Admiral 4.1

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RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 2:28:17 AM

ny59giants

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quote:

USS Yorktown arrived today. I'll be working out who her escorts will be over the next few days. I may have her and Saratoga move to Pearl Harbor with their destroyers and just meet the cruisers at PH.

I like a CV, 3 CA/CL/CLAA, and 8 DDs in my CV TFs. As you are learning, there are not enough escorts to go around and this is a good balance.

You get a complete P-39 (at start in Eastern USA as 39th PG) and P-40 (49th PG come in late December) in the USA during December (3 x 25 and 5 plane HQ group). I like to transport them to Australia as quickly as possible. They both don't need PP which always helps.

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RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 2:31:56 AM

marbakka

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

quote:

USS Yorktown arrived today. I'll be working out who her escorts will be over the next few days. I may have her and Saratoga move to Pearl Harbor with their destroyers and just meet the cruisers at PH.

I like a CV, 3 CA/CL/CLAA, and 8 DDs in my CV TFs. As you are learning, there are not enough escorts to go around and this is a good balance.

You get a complete P-39 (at start in Eastern USA as 39th PG) and P-40 (49th PG come in late December) in the USA during December (3 x 25 and 5 plane HQ group). I like to transport them to Australia as quickly as possible. They both don't need PP which always helps.

I'd love to know where you come up with all those DDs. I'm spread pretty thin right now. I've reserved the Sims Class shipment of 8 DDs for CV escorts and I might be able to scrounge up 8 from PH, but they will be poor quality DDs. As for cruisers, I'm going to be thin on those for a while, too.

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Post #: 122

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 2:36:12 AM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 12/30/1941

- Fighter sweep over Singapore was apparently intended to get some retribution for yesterday's Sally Slaughter. I lost a bunch of Buffaloes against Oscars.
- Landings at Tarakan, Cebu, and Zamboanga

Very quiet turn. I know the mKB was in port yesterday, and with that CVE having to spend some time repairing, I don't know when I'll be seeing them leave port again. The KB has been AWOL for about a week. SigInt indicated several heavy radio contacts at sea. One was up near Attu Island, the other was between Truk and Rabaul. I'd be happy as a lark if the KB were up north. If he is sending them to the Coral Sea, then my CVs have more or less wasted a couple of weeks traveling to NZ. We shall see!

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Post #: 123

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 4:52:57 AM

marbakka

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Orders Summary - 12/31/1941

- China changed. It appears that he is withdrawing from Changsha. Moreover, he has marched at least 3 large units down to Sinyang from the north. They are attempting to surround my attackers. I've ordered the troops in Sinyang to pull back toward Hankow, the troops in Hankow to deliberate attack, and the troops in Changsha to bombard the retreating Japanese
- Force Z is going to rush up to take a shot at a big landing fleet north of Ternate. Its pretty far into his safe zone so a) he probably isn't expecting it, and b) my ships might not come home. They will come back south right after the attack, refuel and take up their (much safer) station once more

I have sorted out the escorts for Saratoga and Yorktown. It will probably be 2 weeks before I have them ready for missions

quote:

Saratoga
CA Louisville
CL Raleigh (PH)
CL Helena (PH)
CL Honolulu (PH)
DD Cummings (PH)
DD Case (PH)
DD Conyngham (PH)
DD Shaw (PH)
DD Reed (PH)
DD Tucker (PH)
DD Cassin (PH)
DD Allen (PH)

Yorktown
CA Indianapolis (returning to PH)
CL St. Louis (16 days in PH Shipyard)
CL Detroit (returning to PH)
CL Phoenix (returning to PH)
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Mustin
DD Russell
DD O'Brian
DD Wake

All those already at PH will leave for SD in a couple days and will escort CA New Orleans and BB Oklahoma to the shipyards around SD. Those returning to PH will leave for SD after the St. Louis is repaired and will probably escort two BBs to the San Francisco area before shooting down the coast to meet up with Yorktown.

So you see that it will be some time yet before these two carriers are ready to take up their stations.

One other thing: He took Moulmein last turn and is massing his forces there. I expect his Burma campaign to start soon, so I'll update you on my plan of action for Burma. I'm doing it a bit different than I did in the previous game, so there is a good chance I've screwed it all up. Screenies coming next time I have the turn.

< Message edited by marbakka -- 5/5/2012 4:53:26 AM >

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Post #: 124

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 6:04:18 AM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 12/31/1941

A pretty good day for the Allies, I think.

- I put torpedoes into 2 xAKs with submarines.
- IJN sent two AMCs to mess with my ASW fleets around Fiji. They met up with 3 of my DDs to the west of Nadi. I sunk one of them on the spot and put 6 shells in the other resulting in heavy fires
- Force Z performed admirably, though I would have liked to see some more of the non-combat ships go down

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Galeia at 79,101, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Hagi, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
E Hiyodori, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
E Hayabusa, Shell hits 1
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Syoka Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Rokko Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Atago Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Meiyo Maru
xAK Santos Maru
xAK Igasa Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Sasago Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Zyuyo Maru
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Raizan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 1
BC Repulse
CL Danae
DD Vampire
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Express

The damage to Force Z is consistent with a turn of full speed. I don't see that that shell did anything at all. Later in the day, they attacked with LBA (28 Zeros and 33 Betties). Some of Ambon's CAP came over to help and shot down 4 Betties. None of the enemy aircraft hit their targets. I noticed that they were using bombs instead of torpedoes. Good thing I moved back south so fast.
- My attack in Hankow did not go so well. 1 to 2 odds against me. He brought in some reinforcements, though I think I damaged them enough that there is no need to leave. He still only has about 700 AV to my 2000.
- He is attacking in Subic Bay. I'm not likely to hold it for long.

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 125

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 6:55:40 AM

HansBolter

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2000 definitely isn't enough to dislodge 700 from Hankow. It is a quadrupled defense hex. However, he will need his entire army in China to dislodge your 2000.

Once he has pulled out of Changsha, try to use some of your force in that vicinity to circle around to the NW flank of Hankow and use the woods hex to the NW of it to threaten any force of his that moves to surround Hankow.

Force Z did well enough and getting away clean was as important as the number of ships sunk.

You can't hold forever at Singapore. You'll need to decide when the right time is for pulling the Buffalos out. I usually leave with them once I have finished evacing any of III Indian Corps that I'm able to get out. Desert the port with all shipping that still has a way out and then pull the bombers and fighters.

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Post #: 126

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 6:57:35 AM

marbakka

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Nothing especially interesting in my orders except that a big shipment of troops bound for Suva (and Australia) is loading in SF.

Now for an update on the Burma theater. My plan is to defend in the woods along the red line with troops positioned in the red box hexes. In India, the plan is essentially the same. His troops in Moulmein aren't massed yet. I don't expect him to cross that river for about a week (though he may surprise me).

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RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 7:06:29 AM

HansBolter

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Be careful in Burma. The natural axis of advance is through Pegu and Rangoon and then up the road to Prome and on to Mandalay. His armor will race up the main highway and outflank your forces on the river line. Very little chance anything will come up the slow road to Taung Gyi. Defending forward from there to the river line usually leaves uints out of position and cut off by the run up the main highway.

Same is true of the unit NE of Pegu between the rivers on the main road. Better back one hex where it blocks the main road intersection and the route NE to the next base.

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 5/5/2012 7:08:43 AM >

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Post #: 128

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 4:02:07 PM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/1/1942

- I had ordered the troops in Sinyang to attack again hoping that his troops were in 'move' mode and would thus take heavier than normal casualties. They were, but unfortunately, those three units that were circling around to my rear changed course and entered the base hex instead which upped his AV to roughly twice mine. This did not end well for me. I'm withdrawing all these troops to Ichang (if I can)
- He has been slowly taking the islands south of Luzon. The troops in Cebu held him off today, but it will fall tomorrow
- I forgot to set Force Z back to 'Remain on Station' so she "bounced" from her southern position back up to Ambon. An air raid of LBA attempted to hit them in port but failed.
- My own LBA (Hudsons) attempted to strike a heavy IJN SAG coming from the NE. They clearly want to tangle with Force Z, but I won't be headed back that far north any time soon. He may try to strike down south and force the confrontation. I'm fine with that so long as we are outside of the LBA umbrella. Force Z will move south of Ambon again this turn and hopefully stay there this time

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Post #: 129

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/5/2012 5:01:27 PM

marbakka

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Change of plan: I ordered Force Z to steam for Sydney where it will buff the paint and iron the flag before being split up into the TFs of Enterprise and Lexington. This means that DEI will have no surface resistance, but fuel was starting to become a problem up here anyway. Soerabaja isn't exactly off limits but anything I send in there can easily be trapped whenever he moves on Kendari/Ambon which wouldn't be good. Perhaps when Indomitable gets here, she and Hermes can come cause problems in the DEI.

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Post #: 130

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/6/2012 2:54:17 AM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/2/1942

- Close call! I had ordered Force Z to retire to Sydney. As they moved out of the Ambon area, 3 different enemy SAGs moved in. I believe I counted a total of 5 BBs and at least 2 CAs. He was clearly hoping to catch them. Instead, they bombarded Ambon and are sitting just south of it, no doubt hoping that Force Z will do something foolish
- I received 3 DDs in Aden today that will be Indomitable's escorts after the 10th. They are shiny.
- Subic Bay (west of Clark Field) was taken with a pretty poor showing on the part of the Allies. His troops are now headed for CF and when they get there, they will have overwhelming force. I won't be keeping Luzon for long now.
- I received a squadron of P40s in Brisbane. They are shiny, too.

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Post #: 131

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/6/2012 8:07:14 PM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/3/1942

- I had a SAG that evidently got chased off its station SE of Port Moresby into the Solomon Sea (or at least, it should have arrived back on station by this turn). A flight of 26 Nells and 17 Betties got a total of 6 torpedo hits. 1 on CL Perth, 3 on CA Australia, and 2 on CL Achilles. Australia is at 75 floatation damage.
- It is unlikely that any of them will survive because there are two TFs SW of their position which contain BBs and will likely swing up to destroy the remainder of this group. They are pretty much surrounded.
- SigInt indicates that all this activity in the Solomon Sea is because he is sending an invasion force to PM. A few more days and I would have been fully prepared with fighter coverage, banshees, and sea protection provided by Force Z and two other cruiser SAGs. As it is, Force Z will require at least another day to get into range to strike (and will be low on fuel when it does), The Australia's TF is unlikely to survive, and Pensacola's TF is far enough south of PM that they will have to swing west toward the Australian coast to avoid those BB SAGs. Not a pretty picture. The AV at PM is 361 - hopefully high enough to prevent him from taking it this early.
- Enterprise and Lexington are scheduled to arrive in Auckland in the morning. They will refuel and then potentially head north the help in the Coral Sea. I say "potentially" because a group of Japanese ships were supposedly spotted NW of Raoul Island. I still don't know where the KB is and though I find it extremely unlikely that he has anything this south, I'd prefer not to tip off where my CVs are until I can get them within striking distance

I suppose it is time to learn the ranges on Nells and Betties

< Message edited by marbakka -- 5/6/2012 8:08:32 PM >

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RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/6/2012 10:13:49 PM

ny59giants

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You have 17 American PBY groups (4, 5, 5A) right now. How many do you have in the South Pacific (Suva, Pago Pago) and NE Australia?? I would say 6 at least to help you do naval search. Yes, some need more planes to fill out and that will take months to happen, but something is better than nothing.

If she wasn't sunk at Pearl, AV Curtiss (spd 20 and Seaplane Support 36) along with 2 escorts should be somewhere like Luganville to Tulagi with a PBY operating from that base. You have three Clemson Class AVDs at Pearl that can do the same thing (spd 27 and Seaplane support 6 each). Load each up with supplies and head them off.

Seeing you get surprised near Port Moresby area had me pull up my game and realize I need to move some stuff over the next few days. AV Curtiss is almost repaired and off she will go like I just suggested to you.

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Post #: 133

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/6/2012 11:42:43 PM

marbakka

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I have 1 group of 10 at Noumea, 1 group of 11 at Nadi (Fiji), and 1 group of 12 at Canton. I also have some at Palmyra, Johnston Island, and Midway. I've been hesitant to send out the understrength groups from PH, I guess. Also, my AVs are evidently undamaged. Frankly, I just don't know how to use them. Are they loaded like they were CVs? Air transport like they were loading troops? And would I need to have some surface groups nearby to protect them?

BTW, he already took Tulagi and Ndeni.

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Post #: 134

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/6/2012 11:46:19 PM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/4/1942

Uneventful, really, except that my cruisers in the Solomon Sea are trapped. There is a group of CAs NE of them preventing them from going E or N and at least one group of BBs SW of them preventing them from going S or W. They are parked at Milne Bay. Not sure if I should disband them or keep them formed in a TF with orders to try to shoot past the BBs to safety. His bombers didn't make a run at them today, but I don't really have any idea why not.

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Post #: 135

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 12:43:24 AM

ny59giants

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quote:

I have 1 group of 10 at Noumea, 1 group of 11 at Nadi (Fiji), and 1 group of 12 at Canton. I also have some at Palmyra, Johnston Island, and Midway. I've been hesitant to send out the understrength groups from PH, I guess. Also, my AVs are evidently undamaged. Frankly, I just don't know how to use them. Are they loaded like they were CVs? Air transport like they were loading troops? And would I need to have some surface groups nearby to protect them?

BTW, he already took Tulagi and Ndeni.

You load supply on them to allow search operations and place them in Support TF. Each turn they will use "x' amount of supply. That is why AV Curtiss and Langley are nice to use in a mobile role as they carry more supply. Yes, you need escorts and 2 DDs should be enough for right now. Plus, you don't have enough escorts yet.

If you have long term repairs needed for your BBs, take your FPs off the BB. Place them on the AV and resize to fit (Curtiss and Langley can carry 4). They will go with the AV. The PBYs will need to send to the base you put the AV in. Train the FPs in ASW and use your PBYs in Naval Search.

Once your PBYs get 8 or 9 planes, send them out. I might upgrade a PBY-5 to 5A if the unit is still in USA to get more planes in the pool.

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Post #: 136

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 2:39:48 AM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/5/1942

Dodged three bullets this turn.

- A submarine engaged Force Z west of Port Moresby. He spotted HMS Repulse but not PoW. No hits, no damage. Just the element of surprise lost.
- Pensacola's TF was attacked by 24 Nells and 15 Betties at PM. They were outside of torpedo range so the enemy aircraft were attempting bombing runs with no success. Again, the only loss was surprise.
- Australia's TF was disbanded at Milne Bay in an attempt to evade the coming air attack (see above). In doing so, they also evaded his surface fleets. However, a fleet of 3 CAs and escorts is parked outside the port making it difficult to form up and leave in the night. If he has spotted them, I can expect a devastating port attack tomorrow. I might group the healthy ships and attempt to break the blockade in the night, but Australia, Perth, and Achilles are as good as dead. My only hope is that he can't see that they disbanded in port (or doesn't notice).

USS Enterprise and USS Lexington are headed north after refueling at New Zealand. I am hesitant to allow them to be seen in this theater until I know for sure where the KB is, but on the other hand, this could be an opportunity to do some serious damage to his surface fleet. I could use some advice on optimal attack altitudes for dive bombers and torpedo bombers. I know that SOMEWHERE there is a thread that explains the offensive altitude bands but I've yet to find it.

SigInt: He is sending a construction crew to Ndeni, presumably to build and airfield. Houston's TF has about a week of repair left or I'd send them to intercept.

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 137

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 6:16:38 AM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/6/1942

- Cebu falls
- Force Z moved to the south of PM and Pensacola's TF was supposed to be in trail of them. Unfortunately, Pensacola's TF ran smack into a heavy enemy SAG in the wee hours of the morning. They engaged in a fierce but comically ineffective surface battle which landed a couple hits on their BB Nagato and 1 on a CA. CA Canberra, CL De Ruyter, and DD Van Nuys all suffered moderate damage but got away clean. In fact, during the day, they made it almost halfway back to Brisbane already. They should be fine, but will be out of the fight for a month or so. CA Pensacola did not participate in the battle. It was movie night.
- Unfortunately, Force Z now sits in the hex directly adjacent to the heavy SAG. I'm going to have to send them full speed for the Australian coast to avoid combat with 4 different enemy groups. I believe that he has an invasion force that will try to land in PM tomorrow. Here's hoping that my forces can hold it.

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Post #: 138

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 11:44:19 AM

HansBolter

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Well you learned how vulnerable your SAGs are in LBA range. so good lesson learned.

You haven't mentioned the location of the KB. Is he operating those heavy SAGS with only LBA support? If so you may have an oportunity for your carriers. If not, then even the coats of Australia will NOT be a safe haven for those retreating surface combatants. You very likely don't have sufficient fighter strength on the Australian coast yet to make a KB raid cost prohibitive. Be prepared to evac your major ports on the Aussie coast and run like hell with everything if the KB comes sailing in!

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Post #: 139

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 4:35:51 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: marbakka

USS Enterprise and USS Lexington are headed north after refueling at New Zealand. I am hesitant to allow them to be seen in this theater until I know for sure where the KB is, but on the other hand, this could be an opportunity to do some serious damage to his surface fleet. I could use some advice on optimal attack altitudes for dive bombers and torpedo bombers. I know that SOMEWHERE there is a thread that explains the offensive altitude bands but I've yet to find it.

Lots of good info in "The War Room" portion of the AE forums. See this thread [FAQ for newbies] http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2260137 for many pointers on subtle things like the colour of the search arc display telling you whether it is a morning of afternoon search.
From post #25 in that thread the developer writes:

Yes, Thats on the Wiki.

http://hc-strategy.com/ae/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Mission: Bombing

A/c type: DB
(1) Group altitude: 10-15K
A/c are treated as if performing a diving attack
(2) Group altitude: 16-19K
A/c are treated as if performing a glide attack
(3) Group altitude: <1K
A/c are treated as if performing a low level attack
(4) Group altitude: 20+ or 1-9K
A/c are treated as if performing a normal horizontal attack
The attacks are based on altitude flown.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 140

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 4:42:47 PM

ny59giants

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I usually set my CVs up as fighters at 15k, DB at 12k, and TB at 9k. I don't have issues with them performing at these settings.

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Post #: 141

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 5:10:23 PM

marbakka

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Combat Report - 1/7/1942

Two foolish mistakes and I'm likely to lose Port Moresby as a result.

First, on the last turn, I forgot to order my Banshees to Naval Attack. As a result, Japanese transports were able to get close enough to land at PM. I did a lot of damage to them this turn, but not enough to stop them from landing in significant numbers.

Second, I forgot to turn off Force Z's reaction setting. They were ordered at full speed for the Australian coast to avoid an engagement with the Japanese SAGs and link up with CA Pensacola and a fresh escort as well as a replenishment fleet. Instead, they engaged an enemy TF with 2 BBs and 2 CAs. The result was not impressive. We only managed 1 hit on each of the BBs (Nagato and Hyuga) and 1 hit on each of two DDs. In exchange, HMS Prince of Wales took 2 hits (very minor damage) and HMS Repulse took 8 hits causing moderate damage to SYS FLT and ENG but less than 20 major damage. She is being escorted to Townsville for emergency repairs, then I will move her to Colombo (eventually).

Meanwhile, he landed something like 500 AV at Port Moresby. I'm not certain, but I believe that will be enough to overwhelm my 360 AV, though they are behind 2-3 forts and have an average of 25ish days of planning. I don't think he'll take it on the first day, so I'm leaving the Banshees there tomorrow to hopefully do some damage before I have to evacuate them.

That'll teach me to rush turns back to him.

In other news, Oosthaven fell today.

I will merge what remains of Force Z with CA Pensacola and CL Leander and refuel them. Enterprise and Lexington are meandering in from the south and I'd like to at least have some sort of SAG in the area when they get here. Houston's BG is almost done repairing in Brisbane, but it will still be a few days before I can get them reformed and headed north.

EDIT: I forgot to mark that Australia's TF is disbanded at Milne Bay. Now that the enemy ships have passed, I think I can sneak them out and get Australia down to Brisbane. She has 75% Floatation damage though, so I'm not hopeful.

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< Message edited by marbakka -- 5/7/2012 5:12:34 PM >

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Post #: 142

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 5:31:17 PM

BBfanboy

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In my experience the way to move ships with high floatation damage is:
1. escorted by an undamaged ship if possible
2. short hops to the nearest friendly port so that if flooding starts to increase you can disband there and get it back to the previous levels before hopping again.
3. Check the weather forecast for storms
4. Travel at cruise speed to reduce pressure on flooded bulkheads
5. Above all, reduce systems damage below 10 so that pumps and electrical will work.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 143

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 8:52:22 PM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
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Combat Report - 1/8/1942

An ugly day at Port Moresby

- Repulse made it most of the way to Townsville and will complete the journey in the night. Her SYS damage went up but FLT is down a couple. She will be OK but out of the fight for a long time.
- PoW's TF (formerly Force Z) rendezvoused with CA Pensacola and CL Leander. They will refuel and then move a bit north east to block the retreat of enemy ships from PM. I'm not going to be aggressive with them, but it is slightly safer over there now that the BB SAG has been spotted in Rabaul. I also need to chase off the CL that has apparently discovered Australia's TF parked at Milne Bay. Time to brave a trip home for them.
- At PM, a deliberate attack by the enemy was repelled with decent results. He has landed roughly twice my AV so far. He will take it, but it will be a fight. Unfortunately, it will be a fight without Banshees. They made 3 bombing runs at the invasion fleet, but long range Zeros out of Rabaul slaughtered many of them and they only managed 3 hits. Add to that the constant bombardment from the escorts and at the end of the day I have 9 Banshees remaining between the three squadrons. I'll transfer them out ASAP. Sadness.
- USS Boise completed repairs a day earlier than I had dared hope, so Houston's TF has formed and is headed NE out of Brisbane. They will help escort any survivors from Australia's group and hopefully pickup one more CL in the process
- The CVs are now in play. This afternoon they crossed over the Brisbane-Noumea line by about 4 hexes. My plan at present is to sail them up to within range of Port Moresby but out of Rabaul's bomber range (which I still need to look up). There are several CAs and tons of shipping ripe for the picking there.

As for the KB, I have no clue where it is. I only can say that it is not in the Solomon or Coral Seas. I figure worst case scenario it is at Truk and shoots down when my CVs make their appearance, but I should still be able to flee full speed south and off into the Pacific (or to CT). I have a replen fleet headed to Sydney to refill and another headed back to Pearl to refill. I also have a small fleet on its way from the DEI to Perth which should be in position to help if I needed to flee around the Aussie mainland. I'm a bit nervous about using my CVs without knowing for certain where the KB is, but this could be a good opportunity to hurt him a bit and check his progress beyond PM.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 144

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 9:14:55 PM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline

I forgot to mention that Kendari fell this turn as well. I think I had like 15 AV left there, so no surprise. Ambon and Soerabaja are the only remaining strongholds I have in the DEI.

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 145

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/7/2012 9:51:52 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
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Re: your question about Japanese aircraft ranges - I presume you are mostly concerned about Betties and Nells [collectively "Netties"] because they can carry torpedoes - if there is an air HQ with a supply of torps at their base. They carry torps within normal range and bombs only on extended range:
Bettys - normal 17 extended 21 hexes
Nells - G3M2 normal 15 extended 18 hexes
- G3M3 normal 21 extended 26 hexes
You may also find some Sallys [bombs only load] and normal 10, extended 12 hexes
This data is available from the database - third button from the left at the top of the screen. You can also get info on AA guns there that might help you setting your level bomber altitudes. Unfortunately, the list is not split into Japanese and Allied sections so you will have to look closely at the gun designation to decide: if it says "type" or "T" or "year" in the designation it is Japanese. However they did have some foreign-made AA weapons made by Bofors and Hotchkiss.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 146

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/8/2012 1:18:56 AM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline

Combat Report - 1/9/1942

- IJ bombard attack in Changsha. Too bad he didn't just deliberate attack me. I now have 3000 AV in the hex. Bring it.
- IJ has ~25000 troops at Port Moresby
- I chose to form my healthy ships at Milne Bay into a TF and see if I could get them out. As luck would have it, IJN was trying to move at least 3 fleets of transport ships back to Rabaul.

quote:

Battle One
Japanese Ships
E Hachijo, Shell hits 1
E Kunashiri, Shell hits 3, on fire
E Ishigaki, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hie Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Huzi Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
xAP Mizuho Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Atsuta Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAP Teikyo Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Trenton, Shell hits 1
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
DD Voyager
PC Warrego, Shell hits 1
PG Moresby, Shell hits 1

Battle Two
Japanese Ships
PB Fukui Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Nagata Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Terushima Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sinsyu Maru
xAK Nanman Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Venice Maru, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kogyoku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
DD Voyager
PC Warrego
PG Moresby, on fire

For whatever reason, the third battle ended with no shots fired, which is a crying shame because it contained a huge number of AKs that I suspect are supplies for Port Moresby.
- But all that happiness is somewhat negated by the sudden arrival of what appears to be a lone CVL or perhaps even the mKB. They are located in the northern part of the Solomon Sea and launched an attack against my cruisers with 14 Kates and 11 Vals (no escorts). I -think- this is a lone CVL which will stay under LBA coverage from Rabaul, but it could just as easily be a trap. I've seen nothing to indicate that my carriers have been spotted, but he has to know they are due to make an appearance

I'm headed to dinner, but I'll be pondering these things: Do I send PoW's TF to "the corner" to clean up any transports that are still trying to make the turn? What do I do with Houston's TF? And most important, what is the best way to utilize my CVs in this case, or do I withdraw rather than risk my CVs? Decisions decisions.

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(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 147

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/8/2012 3:35:58 PM

marbakka

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I should have updated last night before bed.

PoW was ordered to remain on station in that hex while Houston's TF was ordered to join them in that hex. The CVs were ordered to sail directly NW to take up a striking position behind the SAG screen.

I have not received the turn yet, but I did receive the replay, so I can tell you the unfortunate result. To make a long story short, I underestimated the range of the Betties by 1 hex. They attacked PoW in two waves of less than 10 each, but with the result that 3 torpedoes found their target. I have no idea what kind of damage it did except that she was reported to be "on fire." I'm pretty frustrated by this. The Allies have nothing that comes even remotely close to being that effective at that range. I'm tempted to unleash the fury of my CVs in retribution (which means it is probably a good thing I don't have the turn yet

)

(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 148

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/8/2012 7:38:31 PM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
Status: offline

Combat Report - 1/10/1942

Frustrating.

- Netties took full advantage of my math skills and put 3 torpedoes into the Prince of Wales. She received a far amount of major flotation damage and will have to be escorted to Colombo or Cape Town in time. For now, she is making for Townsville to join the emergency repair party with Repulse. An AR should be arriving in that port within a day or two and I'll have some P40 CAP over it if they can ever get some Aviation Support over there.
- Japan made a deliberate attack on Clark Field. They had 1 to 1 odds but the results were more like 1 to 10 in my favor. It's going to take him a little time to recover from that.

This leaves Pensacola with her own TF now that PoW is leaving. I forgot to turn off retirement on Houston's TF so they moved to their position and then back south a bit. Both of these groups will move up to a point which I believe is more than 15 hexes from Rabaul but within 4-5 hexes of PM. This is to screen the CVs which are moving up the Australian coast in the hopes of getting close enough to sink his TFs at PM. He will have a LRCAP of Zeros over them but it shouldn't be in enough numbers to stop my bombers from getting some good runs. My only real concerns here are a) that I'm moving my CVs into a bit of a restricted area where my egress is going to be obvious to the enemy, b) that I will have to enter the Netties bomb range (but not torpedo) to hit PM, and c) if my screening TFs don't do their jobs, I could end up tangling with heavy cruisers out of PM. My CVs have the option of shooting the Torres Strait (though that is not preferable). My fighter CAPs should be more than enough to handle a handful of bomb laden Netties, and I don't see any reason why I can't count on Pensacola and Houston to do their duty. The weather is partly cloudy. Unless I see someone while I'm working on the turn, the mission is a go.

Meanwhile, I will attempt to move CA Australia and the 2 wounded cruisers with her to Cooktown. She still have 75 flotation damage, so I have my doubts. Depending on how this turn works out, I may dispatch one of the combat TFs to escort her home. The longer they stay at Milne Bay, the greater the chance he will realize they are there and launch a port attack sinking all three. It's a terrible risk but better than near certain death.

(I'm working on this turn over the next hour or two. Let me know if you see anything dangerously wrong with the plan. As it stands, I have nearly 2 squadrons of fighters on CAP and just under that for escort)

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(in reply to marbakka)

Post #: 149

RE: Buried in the Sunset (Marbakka [A] vs. Texas_D [J])... - 5/8/2012 8:45:09 PM

marbakka

Posts: 410
Joined: 3/9/2012
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Green light. Turn sent. May the dice have mercy on their souls.

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Post #: 150

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