Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs Gebede(J)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs Gebede(J)

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Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs Geb... - 6/12/2013 10:09:07 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

After a long time away from the original WiTP I decided to pony up and join the big boys in WiTP:AE. So far I�m having a blast but wanted to ease back into PbEmail. I didn�t feel I was ready for the full campaign however I did feel more than ready to take on a �smaller� scenario like Guadalcanal.

Gabede kindly volunteered to play the Japanese to my greenhorn Americans.

So if you�d like to follow along with me, and probably laugh at me, as an inexperienced noob tried to lead the Allies to victory in the Solomons please read on, gentle reader, read on!

I don�t want to inundate this thread with reams of battle results so I�ll try to keep them to a minimum with only the interesting bits!

Now, onto the battle.

Allied opening moves.and strategic thoughts.

Looking at the layout of everything on turn 1, August 6th, I need to Consider my objectives. Basically I need to take and hold Lunga and Tulagi from the Japanese. They seem to be worth a ton of victory points and, frankly, they are the historical targets on the Allies. I already control Port Moresby and Milne Bay, both are worth a lot to the Japanese if they can capture them.

The Scenario starts out with the allied Landing force already on it�s way to Lunga covered by my three carriers. No point in reinventing the wheel so I leave the invasion force on it�s original course. I slightly change the course of my carriers to make them quite not as predictable.

Otherwise I stand down most of my aircraft or set them to training until I can come to grips with the supply situation. Supply seems low to start with and I don�t want to run out at an inoportune time.

I do start loading some transports immediately so that I can get supply to Port Moresby and Lunga Once I capture it)

besides the odd recon nothing much happens until...

Aug 8th. D Day at Lunga and Tulagi.

4 Japanese Cruisers make a stab at my landing force at Tulagi but encounter a small task force of a US light cruiser and 2 destroyers. The results are predictable.and ugly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tulagi at 114,137, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2
CA Kako

Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Monssen
DD Buchanan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The San Jaun doesn�t die in vain as they prevent the Japanese cruisers from getting to the vulnerable Transports.

Meanwhile at Milne Bay a small force of Japanese cruisers makes its appearance, shelling the island and damaging some of the planes there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 6 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 11
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also apparently the Japanese navy is snooping around Townsville and the RO-33 hits a mine for heavy damage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 100 encounters mine field at Townsville (92,144)

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

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

Troops pour onto the Lunga and Tulagi beachhead, the battle is now well and truly on.

Post #: 1

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/12/2013 10:14:41 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 9th

In the Solomons the landing of Troops continues. At the Lunga beach we get almost everything off the ships and launch an assault, easily capturing the base.

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

Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10771 troops, 217 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 451

Defending force 3980 troops, 29 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 89

Allied adjusted assault: 632

Japanese adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lunga !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3380 casualties reported
Squads: 63 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 92 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 17 (10 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Allied ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st USMC/1st Regiment
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st USMC/5th Regiment
3rd USMC Defense Battalion

Defending units:
Kure 3rd Naval Guard Unit
81st Naval Guard Unit
13th Naval Construction Battalion
11th Naval Construction Battalion

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

I postpone the attack on Tulagi for another day to allow more troops to disembark.

Things don�t go all my way though, a sub slips in and puts a torpedo into one of my Light Cruisers. In return I get a few near hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CA Chicago
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Selfridge
DD Jarvis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 5

Allied Ships
AKA Alchiba
AKA Alhena
AP Heywood
AP President Jackson
AP George F. Elliot
DD Henley
DD Helm
DD Blue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In New Guinea the boys of the 30th Australian Brigade continue to fall back to Port Moresby, this time with some P-39s helping keep the Japanese occupied.

Losing my second light Cruiser in as many days doesn't bode well.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 2

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 1:01:54 AM

zuluhour

Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline

quote:

Otherwise I stand down most of my aircraft

In a war zone?

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 3

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 1:30:44 AM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

quote:

Otherwise I stand down most of my aircraft

In a war zone?

Well I don't have room for many squadrons to actively get into combat yet. So those squadrons in Australia and Nomea that are not needed for recon or ASW are training.

(in reply to zuluhour)

Post #: 4

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 4:29:56 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

AUG 10th

The Invasion continues with a successful assault on Tulagi. the Japanese, with no here to run lose a couple of units.

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

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5979 troops, 107 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Defending force 2280 troops, 28 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Allied adjusted assault: 291

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
606 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 43 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 16 (9 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
1st USMC Raider Battalion
2nd USMC/2nd Regiment

Defending units:
Det - Kure 3rd SNLF
14th Naval Construction Battalion
129th JNAF AF Unit

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

Det - Kure 3rd SNLF Wiped Out at Tulagi by attrition!!!

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

14th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Tulagi by attrition!!!

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

129th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Tulagi by attrition!!!

After the first few days of the scenario I've pretty much followed history. No point re-inventing the wheel. I successfully landed the troops and have control of Lunga and Tulagi.

From here on out the battle is going to be much more free form and opened ended.

My goals I've set out for myself over the next few weeks is to get supplies and Engineering and avaition troops to my forward bases. Building up base defense will be a priority.

My focus will be on fortifying Lunga and Port Moresby first and then getting Milne Bay and Tulagi.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 5

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 5:40:49 PM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

Good luck!

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 6

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 6:17:20 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

If the Japanese try to land it is usually at the N end of Guadalcanal [as opposed to Lunga or Tulagi]. If you have any mines available, sow about 100 of them at that point and set your subs to patrol in key choke points in the slot. At this stage Japanese ASW is still pretty weak.

However, their sub warfare is pretty darn good - keep your carriers away from any suspicious sigint contacts in the middle of nowhere.

Lotsa luck!

_____________________________

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 buckaroo13)

Post #: 7

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 6:56:13 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

I'm finding this out about the Japanese subs!

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If the Japanese try to land it is usually at the N end of Guadalcanal [as opposed to Lunga or Tulagi]. If you have any mines available, sow about 100 of them at that point and set your subs to patrol in key choke points in the slot. At this stage Japanese ASW is still pretty weak.

However, their sub warfare is pretty darn good - keep your carriers away from any suspicious sigint contacts in the middle of nowhere.

Lotsa luck!

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 8

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 7:07:30 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 11th - 15th

I'm not going to bore you, and myself, with empty Combat reports but I will touch on some of the more interesting events.

Activity is light this week. I'm loading several small convoys for resupply of my 4 major forward bases.
Zeros spar with P-40s and P-39s over New Guinea and although a few Zeros are downed the battles favor the Japanese.

I also start to form several ASW patrols out of Nomea.

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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet

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

I'm starting to take a few loses here and there. Hopefully my mechant fleet can hold up

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DD Gridley
AK Ara, Torpedo hits 1

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

By the end of the week I've lost about a half dozen Merchant ships to subs and long range Betty bombers.

While losses are higher then I'd like I did get some supplies in and the first batch of troops are on their way to Port Moresby and Lunga. Hopefully they will be able to make it.

I plan on shadowing my Lunga convoy with my Carriers to protect them from Long Range land based bombers.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 9

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 7:24:51 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: buckaroo13

I'm finding this out about the Japanese subs!

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If the Japanese try to land it is usually at the N end of Guadalcanal [as opposed to Lunga or Tulagi]. If you have any mines available, sow about 100 of them at that point and set your subs to patrol in key choke points in the slot. At this stage Japanese ASW is still pretty weak.

However, their sub warfare is pretty darn good - keep your carriers away from any suspicious sigint contacts in the middle of nowhere.

Lotsa luck!

Check the couple of Guadalcanal AARs that are out there. I know I shamelessly plugged mine in your Oppo Wanted thread, but I know there are a couple of others. IJN subs are deadly in this scenario.

You may also want to look at what I did for clues as to how the Japanese are required to operate. The firepower of the IJA units isn't great, frankly. Still, I landed a bunch of reinforcements at Tassafaronga anyway. If my opponent had mined here, it would have been a serious problem. He mined Buna instead and I got lucky by happening to have DMSes nearby already...

It's been tempting for me, as the IJN, to land at Tulagi since I know through steady recon that the forces haven't changed since the landing and I'm sure I could take them. I would get Nav Search going from bearing 300 to 060 or so from Lunga (not necessarily flying from Lunga...) as well as covering the Slot. All of his landing attempts are going to come from those directions, if he chooses to fight over Guadalcanal itself. Being constrained on fuel, I decided to send many of my convoys directly from Truk rather than waste fuel (and risk more sub attacks) by stopping at Rabaul first.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 10

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/13/2013 10:30:03 PM

DOCUP

Posts: 3073
Joined: 7/7/2010
Status: offline

Good luck. Looks like you got a good plan going.

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 11

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 12:01:10 AM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Aug 16th

The first of my small resupply fleets start getting close but Gabede quickly shows the flaws in my plans.

Planes from I'm assuming Rabaul deal with one task force. Not even my CAP of 13 P-39s can stop the carnage.

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

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Santa Rita, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Steel Maker, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mormacmar, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Robert Luckenbach

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

So much for my Milne Bay supply fleet.

Next up more Betty Bombers find the small fleet heading to Port Moresby with similar results.

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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK San Vincente, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Edgar Luckenbach
xAK Nabesna
xAK Robert Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Willimoto, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

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

Okay I may need to rethink this....

It's a very good day for the Japanese, sinking outright 6 AKs and stopping both supply efforts cold.

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 12

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 12:53:28 AM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

You really need Wildcats to stand up to the Bettys, I think. Also, the quality of pilots in this scenario is very high so the hit rate will also be higher.

Or you could use the Kittyhawks. IMO they do better than the P-39s as well.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 13

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 6:19:12 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Marine Wildcats will be moving to Lunga soon. The long range plan is to move 2 squadrons of F4fs and 2 squadrons of SBDs. I'm worried about moving too much to Lunga as it's already come under surface bombardment. If facilities let me I will expand from there.

While I'm no slouch on Pac war history I'm purposely staying away from loading up the scenario and seeing the details on the Japanese side.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

You really need Wildcats to stand up to the Bettys, I think. Also, the quality of pilots in this scenario is very high so the hit rate will also be higher.

Or you could use the Kittyhawks. IMO they do better than the P-39s as well.

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 14

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 6:31:52 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

I think expanding the airfield at Lunga (as happened historically) is a good idea. Just keep in mind it will take a while with the lower SBS values in the scenario than in the campaign.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 15

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 8:04:19 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

good call, though moving the supplies there will be the challenge!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I think expanding the airfield at Lunga (as happened historically) is a good idea. Just keep in mind it will take a while with the lower SBS values in the scenario than in the campaign.

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 16

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 8:31:40 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Aug 17th

My penny packet supply operation floundered the previous day but I still had several convoys make it through.

Unfortunately my relief effort coincided with Gabede's first major fleet movements, naval bombardments at Lunga and Port Moresby.

Lunga Supply effort was support by a Task force of several US cruisers. Surely they would be able to cover the tranports for a couple of days, right? right?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Quincy, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ellet
DD Wilson
DD Dewey
DD Hull
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

History repeats itself an the American Cruisers take it on the chin. USS Vincennes took some brutal hits.
The Task force must have auto sepeated as the next battle takes place immediately...

The 4 Japanese cruisers mercilessly pound the Vincennes who never the less gets in a few good licks of her own.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka
CA Kako, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hull

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

These Japanese Cruisers never stop, they keep plowing through, hitting my convoy next, sinking both AKs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 7
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 8
CA Kako

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DD Gridley, Shell hits 2
AK Grumium, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Ara, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really dislike those cruisers now.

The Japanese Cruiser force goes on to bombard Lunga doing minor damage.

MEANWHILE over in New Guinea...

My resupply effort here goes even worse!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Hawk, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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

Then on into Port Moreby!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,130, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 4
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 9, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Arunta, Shell hits 6, on fire
xAP Barwon, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Adelong, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAP Rhesus, Shell hits 2, on fire
AMC Kanimlba, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAP Maori, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAP Manunda, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Then to add insult to injury in the way out they smack around more merchies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 97,131, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta

Allied Ships
xAK Utahan, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
xAK Santa Rita, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Steel Maker, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

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

the one two combination of air raid yesterday and surface combat today has cost me over a dozen merchant ships and 1000s of points in supplies. Port Meresby is still showing a yellow exclamation point!

Time to rethink things...

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 17

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/14/2013 9:05:32 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 18th

The last two days my ship have taken a beating. In New Guinea things are quiet today simply because there are no more of my ships for Gabede to sink there.

In the Solomons things are heating up. yesterday my Cruiser force was hit pretty hard and today they pull back. I move my carriers a little closer to Lunga to provide LRCAP for the offloading transports. It's risky as I'm in range of LBA from Rabaul but I need to get something through to the brave Marines on Lunga.

First off is a promising attack on a Sub.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 8

Allied Ships
DD Dewey
DD Wilson
DD Ellet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweet! hopefully that sub wont be bothering us again.

Next up the expected air raid from Rabaul shows up over Lunga, targeting my transports.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 16 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Henley
AP George F. Elliot
AP McCawley, Torpedo hits 1
DD Helm
DD Blue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAP fighters are there but they still make it through, planting a fish into the McCawley.

However SBDs off of my carriers find a Japanese Transport fleet near Munda.
Vengeance is quick with most of the Japanese ships sent to the bottom.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Munda at 111,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 60
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Sakura Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Toa Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nitisan Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DMS W.21
DMS W.20, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

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

Recon reports several Japanese surface task forces in and around the slot, tomorrow should be an interesting day.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 18

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/18/2013 6:18:43 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 19th and 20th

Things are quiet but I've still got incoming supply ships to Lunga

On the New Guinea front I get a measure of revenge on the Japanese ships that bombarded Port Moresby as a rare successful torpedo attack hits a light Cruiser

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,127

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

Magazine explodes on CL Tatsuta
SS S-38 launches 4 torpedoes

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

The only other significant action of note is when some of my Carrier aircraft spot a Battleship, the Mutsu, moving towards Lunga for some shore bombardment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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

Hopefully getting spotted with make Gabede think twice about coming into to Lunga with the CVs nearby.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 19

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/18/2013 6:33:26 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Aug 21st

Night brings a familar sight. Japanese Destroyers slip into Lunga. My Destroyers are no match and 2 are sunk outright, my Transports are sitting ducks and 4 go down.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shikinami
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
DD Ushio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Blue, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Helm, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Henley, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP American Legion, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
AP George F. Elliot, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Fuller, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
AP McCawley, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

At this rate I may run out of Transports!

It's not all coming up Rising Suns though. My Carriers risk moving a little closer and I manage to get a strike off at the Mutsu. Carrier planes inflict some revenge for our losses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mutsu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Haguro

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

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 20

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/18/2013 7:15:40 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

I'd wager that Haguro is a goner. Heavy fires pretty much dooms an IJN ship.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 21

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/24/2013 6:50:31 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 22 - 24

the next three days are relatively quiet. Thought I must have hit the Mutsu harder then I thought as the Japanese Battleship shows up on the sunk ship roster the next day.

I'm still taking a pounding by apparently random naval bombardment but by this time my carriers are safely ensconced at Noumea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tulagi at 114,137, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Kumano
DD Ayanami
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
AK Carina, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
DD Ayanami
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP President Adams, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
5918 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 208 destroyed, 307 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 22 (22 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 22

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/24/2013 8:28:41 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 25th

It's a quiet day but I need to re-evaluate my strategy so far.

the small convoy concept is not paying off. I've lost over 30 ships so far, most of them AP and AK classes that I need to get supplies and troops to the front lines.

While my forward bases are okay they are getting low on supply. I decide to coincide a major supply effort with the arrival of USS Hornet which is about a week away.

Operation Replenish

The Plan.

From Noumea I would prep several Convoys. A transport convoy carrying baseforce and aviation troops, another carrying supplies. These ships would make for Lunga at best speed. Meanwhile I would try to slip in a couple of smaller convoys into Port Moresby and Milne Bay for a quick supply run.

To Protect my Lunga run I needed to anticipate what the Japanese could defend with. Three things had me worried.

Carriers -

Japanese carriers could definately ruin my supply convoy and anything else I might send. To counter I would need to step up recon and keep a sharp eye on ship sightings. With aircraft on Lunga and my 4 Carriers I felt I would have a decent chance at fighting and either drawing or winning a Carrier engagement.

Surface attacks.

Gabede had shown he was willing to acept surface losses to get at my transports and even with some losses he has inflicted some nasty losses to my transports. To Counter this threat I would support the Lunga resupply with a surface task force made up of my two battleships. This task force would be tasked with the protection of the ships off-loading at Lunga.

Long Range Bettys

I knew from recon that Gabede�s Betty force was stationed at Rabaul. Those bombers posed a terrible threat to every ship in my taskforce. My Counter would be moving the majority of my B-17 force to Port Moresby two days before the start of the Operation. They would make a maximum effort to hit the Rabaul airfields and help mitigate the Betty factor.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 23

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 3:33:21 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 26th-28th

things are quiet these days. I'm slowly prepping several Convoys for departure for Lunga, Tulagi and a small run into Port Moresby.

The only real action occurs on the 28th as a Japanese Task force shows up to pummel Lunga....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 15
Port hits 7

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

Nothing too bad but I do lose a few valuable planes on the ground.

In revenge my SBDs from Lunga find a Light Cruiser and put a bomb in her, extracting some measure of revenge.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

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

Lunga is getting very low in supply, that yellow exclamation mark weighs on my heavily.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 24

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 3:44:08 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

August 29th - Sept 2nd

Again a pretty quiet week for the most part. I am detecting a lot of movement and it is worrisome as Operation Replenish is about to kick off tomorrow.

Already my Carrier, surface and supply ships are closing on their destination.

A few actions of note are when Lunga based Bombers smack a Japanese supply run that got caught in daylight.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-39, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Akagi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

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

The next few days might get interesting...

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 25

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 3:59:46 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Sept 3rd - Day 1 - Operation Replenish

I've moved my B-17s to Port Moresby, removing practically all other aircraft there. It's a calculated risk but Gabede hasn't shown his bombers in force in a while so I feel relatively safe...

Uh oh...

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

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 57

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 24

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

Fantastic timing on Gabede's part and my airbase takes a good pounding. But it looks as if most of my B-17s were already departed.

the return punch at Rabaul is more successful, catching planes on the ground and hitting their airbase hard in return.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
H8K1 Emily: 2 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed on ground
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29

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

Additionally my small Port Moresby Relief ships are found by subs, uh oh.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 96,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
xAP Largs Bay, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage

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

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

Over in the Solomons my Transports start arriving at Lunga and Tulagi. All is quiet though I suspect enemy forces are nearby.

My Surface force consisting of two Battleships will cover the unloading at night and Lunga plus LRCAP from the Carriers will cover it during the day.

Let's see what happens, shall we?

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 26

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 5:51:36 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Sept 4th - Operation Replenish day 2

My New Guinea resupply effort continues to fail

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 96,135

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
xAK Peter Silvester, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAK Peter Silvester is sighted by SS RO-68
SS RO-68 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Peter Silvester

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

But not without some measure of revenge on the Japanese Sub Corps.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rennell Island at 114,140

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 12, heavy damage

Allied Ships
xAK San Vincente
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson

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

Meanwhile my interdiction of Rabaul with B-17s continues. not as successful as yesterday but I'm flying with less B-17s. I still manage to take out a few Bettys on the ground. every little bit helps, right?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

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

If Gabede didn't know before about my resupply operation before he's on to me now. Bettys show up over Lunga.

I hope my CAP is up to the challenge.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AP Wharton
AP Zeilin

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AP Hunter Liggett
AP Zeilin
AP Harris
AP Heywood
AP Wharton

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

So while my Port Moresby resupply is floundering my Lunga resupply effort is going as scheduled. No transports were hit and by my count over 20 Bettys were shot down or destroyed on the field.

I expect surface engagement any day and plan to keep my surface combat group on station at night.
I also expect Japanese Carriers to show up at some point. I keep getting whiffs of them to my north.

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 27

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 6:34:12 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

The Lunga effort is key. Odds of a big naval and air battle are very high in those waters. Do you have any nav search or picket ships watching KB's traditional approach from the North or NE?

_____________________________

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 28

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 6:47:37 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

The Lunga effort is key. Odds of a big naval and air battle are very high in those waters. Do you have any nav search or picket ships watching KB's traditional approach from the North or NE?

Yup, I've got a picket line of Subs north of Lunga and have upped the search and ASW searches on Lunga.
Recon identified a CVL to the North but I suspect that the Heavy Carriers are around as well.

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 29

RE: Getting my feet wet at Guadalcanal - Buckaroo(A) vs... - 6/25/2013 8:37:47 PM

buckaroo13

Posts: 107
Joined: 6/2/2013
Status: offline

Sept 5th - Operation Replenish D-3

My Ships are unloading and the expected Japanese Surface fleet shows up looking for trouble. Instead of finding unarmed merchant ships they run straight into my surface task force!

The Hiei puts up a valiant fight but is overwhelmed by the two American Battlewagons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
CA Kumano, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 4
BB Washington, Shell hits 6
CA New Orleans
CA San Francisco
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
DD Wilson, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Fanning
DD Cummings
DD Lamson, Shell hits 1
DD Case, Shell hits 1
DD Conyngham

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

The surface engagement saves the vulnerable transports at Lunga for at least a day.

Meanwhile my Port Moresby supply effort continues to fail spectacularly!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64

Allied Ships
xAP Esperance Bay, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAP Esperance Bay is sighted by SS RO-64
SS RO-64 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Esperance Bay

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64

Allied Ships
xAP Moreton Bay, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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

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

My B-17s continue their assault on Rabaul. I'm getting low on the heavy bombers though and will only be able to continue this pace maybe 1 day more before I need to stand them down.

The Attacks seem to be working as there are no Bettys flying this turn. either they failed to locate me or he's moving them elsewhere.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

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

...Meanwhile back at Lunga Air Raid sirens sound. Enemy carrier planes arrive. Not many though, these seem to be from a Light carrier. They take fearful losses from my CAP but do manage to sink a couple of full Merchant ships.

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 98 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N1 Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Cetus, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Jarvis
xAK Mormacmar, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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

In return my carriers take revenge on the remains of the retreating Japanese surface fleet. The Heavy Cruisers Kumano is used as a punching bag by my SBDs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 115,134

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 115,134

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

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

Despite the loss of a few Merchant ships it was a good day. Supplies and troops are off loading at Lunga and the CAP is keeping the worst of the Japanese air away. My Surface taskforce did it's job and sinking an enemy Battleship is always a plus.

Tomorrow should be interesting. I'm sending my carriers in range of what I am suspecting is the Japanese main CV fleet. I'm hoping the come in to try and hit my transports... we will see!

(in reply to buckaroo13)

Post #: 30

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