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RE: 11-12 Feb 1943

 
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RE: 11-12 Feb 1943 - 8/25/2016 9:07:29 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Macclan5


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Oil, Oil, Oil, whatever is closets to Japan's supply of oil will attract the biggest and swiftest response. The Solomons actually mean nothing to Japan except the 1st and furthest south line of defense. However, when you get bases to get heavy bombers in range of major oilfields he will attempt to take them back.


Actually a really insightful observation especially vis a vis PBEM play.

Thanks Bif / IdNyer for this conversation.

I had not considered this fully and this is the first time I have seen this sentiment explored / expressed explicitly in an Allied AAR.

Interestingly some of the most successful Allied AAR seem to have some elements of a 'push' be it Timor / Taberfame & Dobo / Babo & Sorong. Not only the more recent ones suggested such as Apbarog - but looking back at Witpqs and others as well.

Bomber range to oil fields has to be a IJN priority.

It rather contrasts with the "actual historical" strategy employed albeit no game should or could be expected to model every single facet of the war with 100% accuracy.



Mcclan - Enough can't be said about this forum and its AARs! Much of my "strategy" has originated from what I've raid in AARs! Witpqs for is Burma push, Apbarog for his dual push toward Timor and Solomons/New Guinea drive, and Jorge_Stanbury for his maxing airpower in India/Burma theater....to mention but a few.

Of course......L_S_T reads the same AARs I do..So I'm going to have to come up with something original at some point!

(in reply to Macclan5)
Post #: 691
RE: 11-12 Feb 1943 - 8/26/2016 3:23:53 PM   
Macclan5


Posts: 1065
Joined: 3/24/2016
From: Toronto Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Of course......L_S_T reads the same AARs I do..So I'm going to have to come up with something original at some point!



No doubt you will !

You are the Allies and the 'divine creator' is on your side

--

Yes the AARs are all worthy... however it is your turn to also take a bow ; your AAR is a worthy read and this little passage about proximity to Oilfields in thread would have my vote for Allied "thought of the year".

Your Dec 31 42 Strategic Map update was brilliant.

--

One other question left unanswered in all this.. Air Disposition.

In India Burma you were scrambling to get air frames deployed there.

You moved Canucks but they were just competitive, pondered moving Aussie airframes to India but now that you face an onslaught around the Timor Sea not much hope there I suspect.

Marine Squadrons probably needed for Central and South Pacific at least until Corsairs and Hellcats give you some measure of qualitative superiority (PDU on I understand).

That leaves the USA 10th AF for India but you have already significantly decimated your pools of P40Es ... P40K should be online now or soon in reasonable numbers.

Do you have enough points to buy out the USA IV or Fourth Fighter Command and IV Bomber Command back stateside ? Can you allocated elements of the 4th and transit them to India by way of Capetown ??

Many of them have expiry dates as I recall. But still there are some P38 Squadrons in the 4th which based out of Calcutta would give you some punch. There are also some Bolo / Mitchell's squadrons in there as well which should compliment the "less than spectacular Blenhem's and match the Hurri speed range for coordinated bombing missions ???

Are you getting any airframes to India ?

Thoughts ??

< Message edited by Macclan5 -- 8/26/2016 3:28:14 PM >

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Post #: 692
RE: 11-12 Feb 1943 - 8/27/2016 2:30:24 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		Thanks much Mcclan for the good words!

As for airpower - you're tracking. But....this is a PDU-OFF game. Not as much flexibility. Also the IV US Air Force is restricted to the good ole USA. Not going to help.

I have reinforced India/Burma with air - got that from Jorge_Stanbury. 2+ B-24 groups on the bomber side. Fighters - US Army - only 1 P-39 squadron there and a P-38G squadron enroute. Marines have two Fighter and Dive Bomber squadrons - but I just don't have the fighters to fill them out. In theory, the two fighter squadrons would have 36 planes each - max I've had in theater was around 17-20 or so. Just don't have the planes (yet). Canadians have two KittyHawk squadrons, but little replacement aircraft so they are assigned night fighter duty - same for my lone Dutch P-40 squadron. NZ and Aussies each have a squadron there as well - but as you mentioned, I need most of their fighters over Australia. Did send the Brit squadron equipped with Aussie Spitfires to India/Burma, and it has been doing yeoman service, although its range limits its effectiveness. Things will get better as we get deeper into 1943. The Hellcat will release quite a few F4Fs to the Marines, and I'm bringing the first P-47 squadrons to India. So it WILL get better!

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Post #: 693
RE: 11-12 Feb 1943 - 8/27/2016 3:29:32 PM   
dave sindel

 

Posts: 488
Joined: 3/13/2006
From: Millersburg, OH
Status: offline 		I also sent a lot of air groups to India / Burma. I dont have a count on the total, but it's significant. B25's, B26's, A20's, P-38's, P-39's and P40's. I've been using the P-39's on strafing attacks vs IJA units, especially those moving in the open - and have been most disappointed in them in that role. I figured with bombs and a 37mm cannon, they could /would be tank busters. Not having any success with them in that role...

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Post #: 694
RE: 11-12 Feb 1943 - 8/27/2016 3:56:19 PM   
BBfanboy


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

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

I also sent a lot of air groups to India / Burma. I dont have a count on the total, but it's significant. B25's, B26's, A20's, P-38's, P-39's and P40's. I've been using the P-39's on strafing attacks vs IJA units, especially those moving in the open - and have been most disappointed in them in that role. I figured with bombs and a 37mm cannon, they could /would be tank busters. Not having any success with them in that role...


I don't think the game models anti-tank fire from aircraft very well - the rate of fire from a 37mm cannon would have little chance of hitting one in a 100' strafing pass. But if the fighters could dive on the tanks (as Rudel's Stukas did to Russian tanks) they could get several shots at the same tank and adjust their aim on the way down. This is the tactic the game does not model (because strafing only happens at 1000' or 100').
I have no idea if Allied aircraft used Rudel's dive for cannon attacks but the video I have seen of rocket attacks on tanks all involved a steep dive from altitude.

< Message edited by BBfanboy -- 8/27/2016 3:57:34 PM >

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Post #: 695
13-14 Feb 1943 - 8/28/2016 12:57:25 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		13-14 Feb 43

Highlights – Contact lost with the KB while Gove bombarded and Merauke CAP does well; CVE lost enroute to PH.

Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna – back on the sunk list!)
SS: 1 (I-10)
PB: 1

Allied ships sunk:
CVE: 1 (Sangamon)
SS: 1 (Seal)

Air loss:
Jpn: 87
Allied: 41

Subwar
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (CVE Sangamon sunk)
I-10 (or I-6) sunk by escorts
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (PB sunk)
SS Seal sunk by escorts off Darwin

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB looks to have pulled out of the Arafura Sea – at least for the moment.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, CVE TF coming off the West Coast to PH (BB, 3CVE, 4DD) encounter I-6 which puts a total of 4 fish into the CVE Sangamon in two attacks. US Navy gets a slight amount of revenge when the offending sub is brought to the surface and sunk with the help of 14” gunfire! The sub was laying in the “Black Gap” between PH and the coast – well outside of a/c range. Not good – but at least the Pennsy didn’t draw a torp. Just hope the pilots managed to get off before she went down. 19 priceless F4Fs and 9 TBFs went down with the ship. Remaining CVEs will continue to Christmas Island after adding some additional planes at PH.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (2CA, 4DD, DMS) bombard Tassafaronga with minimal effect, and head back toward Kirakira for replenishment. Marines will launch a deliberate attack on Tassafaronga next turn. B-24s begin arriving at Ndeni in order to raid Tabiteuea. US CV TFs should dock at Suva next turn to replenish.

In SWPAC, BB TF (BB, 6CA, 3CL, DDs) bombards Gove with minimal effect, other than running over and sinking a sub near Darwin. Searches did no locate the KB in the Arafura Sea for a change, and not sure where it sailed off too. Small convoy (AM, 3xAKLs) offloading at Merauke draws lots of attention from LBA. Two escorted Betty raids (23Z, 13B / 23Z, 25B) are mauled by CAP over Merauke (P-400, P-40K and Kittyhawk squadron) and fail to hit anything. Tally after two days: 41Z, 32B lost in exchange for 3 P-40Ks. Will continue to keep supply runs minimal to Groote and see if some LCTs can get through to Gove from Groote. Big question is whether or not the KB comes back.

In WAUS, continued pretty quiet. Expected bombardment didn’t happen, and no airstrikes on the ground forces either. Still figure they’ll get hit shortly.

In China, the vaunted Lanchow Airforce of 3 P-66 Vanguards intercept incoming strikes in the adjacent hex, losing one of the three planes to escorting Oscar IIbs – but manage to knock down 5 Lillys in an unescorted strike. Will have to rotate the Lanchow Airforce out and get some replacements. On that note, I put a P-66 Vanguard squadron at Chungking in order to try a LRCAP intercept of some Sonias that are hitting an isolated Chinese Corps in the mountains to the north. Worth a shot.

In India/Burma, Allied troops again bombard Akyab and B-25s again do little in support – but, no CAP again, which is surprising. Will begin a deliberate attack next turn with 2 Div, IN Bde, TK Bde, Tk Reg and support. I expect this to be held, but with some luck, I might be able to gain an advantage and wear the defenders down.





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Post #: 696
15-16 Feb 1943 - 8/31/2016 12:56:56 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
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From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		15-16 Feb 43

Highlights – KB sighted on the western fringe of the Arafura Sea; Tassafaronga liberated

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-170)

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: (I-3)

Allied ships sunk:
xAKL: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 70
Allied: 29

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAKL sunk)
Allies: 1 Attack, 0 ship hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tassafaronga (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel:KB spotted by sub in the western fringes of the Arafura, not sure if its lurking or moving in/out.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, transports start loading 1st and 2nd wave troops at Christmas Is and Fanning Is for Tabiteuea. CVE TF, down to 2 CVEs, arrives at PH and takes on additional F4Fs – will head to link up with Tabiteuea Amph forces next turn. Additional 2nd wave and support troops for Tabit will begin loading next turn. Tabit invasion will be the most complex yet, with troops boarding transports from two separate bases, and convoys/TFs coming in from two Theaters.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (2CA, 4DD, DMS) bombard Tassafaronga with minimal effect affect again, but apparently it was enough as 1st USMC Div takes the base in its first attack. 1st Mar Div will begin trekking back to Lunga leaving the mop up to a regiment of the 27th and American Div, plus support. US CV TFs arrive at Suva and take on fuel. The three CV TFs (2 CVs ea) recombine into two TFs of 3 CVs ea, freeing up a small CA TF (2CA, CL, DDs) to link up with the Amph TF heading to Tabit. The Fleet will sail next turn towards the Gilberts to arrive prior to the Amph TF and begin isolation of the Gilberts from resupply. Additional CA TF at Ndeni will conduct one more bombardment run on Tulagi before detaching from SOPAC and supporting Tabit. Lastly, Lunga AF now Level 3 and building up without any counter strikes. Tulagi invasion still next on the list in SOPAC.

In SWPAC, its fairly quiet compared to recent activity. A small CA TF (2CAs, DDs) bombard Gove with minimal effect, but keep the base from any expansion. Supplies still low for the base, but the troops have been sufficiently resupplied by Coronados and subs. Minimal Jpn air attacks, limited to an ineffective Betty strike on a recon unit near Daly Waters and night time Betty raid on Portland Roads which loses 2 planes to P-70 Nightfighters and 10 to AA fire. Pushing small (2-3 ship) xAKL resupply convoys to Groote which is now fully operational. Still holding off any major resupply or troop push to either Gove or Groote with the KB lurking about. Merauke and Groote have enough engineers and supply to expand for now.

In WAUS, its quiet…still waiting for a counter punch at the advancing ground troops closing on Port Hedland. 1st WAUS based HB squadron trades out B-17Es for B-24D1s, and this process will slowly continue, alternating with bomber squadrons swapping out in Burma to free up B-24D models as replacements. Nice getting 43 a month!!!

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, IJA LRCAP comes out over Akyab in force – 5 Oscar IIb and 3 Tojo Sentais are identified providing LRCAP. Allied sweeps are borked as the P-40Ks don’t fly, so its solely up to the Brits – and surprisingly, they do rather well. After two days, 34 Oscars and 5 Tojos are lost in exchange for 5 Spits, and 12 Hurris. Considering the bulk of the fighter support didn’t show up, this wasn’t a bad exchange at all – and, only 3 B-25s were lost – only one to fighters. However, the ground attack they were supporting was held in the first assault – casualties were about the same for both sides, 969/972 men, but the attack discovered that Akyab had level 4 forts – and weren’t reduced. I don’t have separate combat engineers anywhere in theater (enroute), only assigned combat engineers to the divisions which apparently isn’t enough. Will rest the force a bit, bringing in another Indian IN Bde to rotate one out – and continue a slow grinding attack to see if the defenders can be reduced – defenders are low on supply, so in theory, this grinding process can work if the Jpn don’t reinforce substantially. Lastly, Burma bound P-38G squadron arrives in Cape Town and will ship out to Ceylon as soon as the convoy loads.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 697
17-18 Feb 1943 - 9/1/2016 3:45:46 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		17-18 Feb 43

Highlights – KB not sighted for the first time in a long while. IJN returns to support Port Hedland

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Minegumo
SS: 2 (I-27, RO-33)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (KIX – by sub again!!)
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 36
Allied: 21

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (SS KIX sunk)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD Minegumo sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB not sighted – worrisome…

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, 1st wave Tabiteuea convoy completes loading at Christmas Island, undocks and will depart with the tide. 2nd wave and support convoys continue to load and configure at both Christmas and Fanning Islands. CVs compete refueling/rearming at Suva and begin to slowly head north. CVE TF departs PH and heads south to link up with Amph TFs. Only wrinkle right now is location of the KB…

In SOPAC, its quiet. Troops continue to offload at Lunga without issue. Tulagi invasion begins loading at Luganville.

In SWPAC, small IJN TF (2CA, DDs) bombards Gove with minimal effect, and Betty raid sinks a small xAK offloading at Groote – but CAP does pretty well – 10 A6M5 Zeros lost to a pair of P-40Ks. Perhaps L_S_T is shifting effort elsewhere. Will gradually ramp up supply runs to Groote, then Gove.

In WAUS, IJN arrives off Port Hedland with a bombardment TF (2BB, 3CA, 2CL, DDs) doing good disruption on the ground troops 2 hexes west of Port Hedland. SS Spearfish picks off DD Minegumo from the screen, but can’t penetrate the screen. Will be interesting to see if the KB shows up to support this effort as well.

In China, Chungking takes a sizeable blow to an airfield attack – looks like every strike aircraft on hand, heavily escorted, hit the base. Allied planes don’t intercept, and the AF is successfully closed. Will see if that tempo is kept up. Plenty of Chinese available to fill bomb craters, and it won’t take long to repair the damage unless its sustained.

In India/Burma, no LRCAP over Akyab this time around, and Allied sweeps come up empty. Will maintain the pressure next turn, and bring in both B-25s and Vengence DBs to support another deliberate attack. Don’t expect much, other than to wear down the defenders. I managed to (mistakenly) slip the Brit 70th Div to the hex east of Akyab, where it bumps into a very large IJA force. It will now have to try and hold its ground. This may work out badly….

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Post #: 698
RE: 17-18 Feb 1943 - 9/1/2016 6:38:55 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline
quote:

CVs compete refueling/rearming at Suva


I guess the admirals are coming to blows arguing over priority for port services?

It is rotten that you lost another sub to a sub hit, and seems well nigh incredible how often this has happened in your game. But if you really sank those 2 IJN subs that is worth the trade.

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Post #: 699
RE: 17-18 Feb 1943 - 9/1/2016 9:55:16 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		jwolf - I'm pretty amazed at the IJN sub vs. sub performance. And totally frustrated with the lack of success of the Allied subs against the IJN merchant marine - L_S_T has done a great job protecting his sea lanes.

Here's a roll up of sub losses so far

IJN sub losses:
3 Air
3 Sub
15 Surface Escorts
5 Mines
12 Scuttled
38 Total

Allied sub losses:
11 Air
8 Sub
4 Surface Escorts
2 Mines
25 Total

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Post #: 700
19-20 Feb 1943 - 9/3/2016 6:31:38 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		19-20 Feb 43

Highlights – Corsair debuts against heavy raid on Lunga; Allied LBA catches IJN supply convoy off Ramree Island.

Jpn ships sunk:
xAP: 1
xAK: 4

Jpn ships un-sunk:
DD: 2 (Amatsukaze, Arashio)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Craven)
AK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 105
Allied: 31

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB still not sighted – getting more worrisome…

West Coast/Admin: BB California reaches San Francisco from Pearl and will finish out repairs and conduct upgrade refit. Fast convoy departs LA for Auckland.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, 1st wave Tabiteuea convoy departs Christmas Island and links up with small CA TF out of SOPAC to provide cover. 2nd wave will depart both Christmas and Fanning Islands, and link up enroute. Support convoy continues to load at Fanning. CVE TF depart PH as does a replenishment TF w/CVE as well. US CV TFs (each w/ 3CV, BB, 2CA, CL, CLAA, 6DD) will move to just west of the Gilberts to raid – and begin isolation of Tabiteuea. Not looking for a fight with the KB at this point, and have a dozen or so subs patrolling well west of the US CVs, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything moving east between Truk and Rabaul.

In SOPAC, finally get a big air raid against shipping off Lunga. L_S_T apparently re-established Munda as an operational base undetected. Preceded by estimated 2 Sentais of Oscar IIb, 25V escorted by 35 A6M5 Zeros attack shipping in morning, but unescorted 20V attack in the afternoon – on both days. With no interference so far, and no attacks when this convoy arrived earlier, CAP wasn’t heavy, USMC Corsair, US Army P-39 and NZ Kittyhawk squadrons at about 50% CAP. So the raid hit while the ships were unloaded at least. With the less than massive CAP, the raiders got through when escorted, but the Corsair’s combat debut was impressive – 36 planes killed by the Corsairs alone. Two day’s air tally: 41 Oscar IIb, 21 Val, 9 A6M5 lost in exchange for 1 Corsair, 8 P-39s and 3 Kittys. The two unescorted Val strikes didn’t hurt the tallys. The escorted Val strikes hit targets with good effect though – DD and AK sunk, two big (9400t) xAPs hit, one still on fire and may not make it, and a small xAP and DD dam. An expensive strike for both sides. Greater problem at this point is that Munda AF is back in operation as a fwd base – not good with the Tulagi Invasion TF set to depart Luganville, and all the primary US CA TF departing for CENPAC as well. So will have to deal with Munda from Lunga AF, now a level 4, as well as Kirakira based bombers. With SWPAC a bit quiet, pulled back a P-38G squadron and starting the trip back for a P-40K squadron. Two USMC F4F squadrons will also come up from Auckland as well, but will take some additional time for them to repair airframes as they just offloaded. Lastly, Ndeni based B-24Ds will hit Tabiteuea next turn, then will turn their attention to Munda, then back to Tabit.

In SWPAC, small IJN TF (2CA, 2CL, DDs) bombards Gove with minimal effect but avoided any hits by 29 night time air sorties. Gove is actually starting to expand its forts again, although supplies are still coming in via air only. Two LCTs discover a freshly laid minefield at Gove the hard way, one sunk and one damaged. Groote TBFs find two DDs in daylight off Gove and put a bomb midships on Samidare, leaving her on fire. Second strike with torps miss both ships. Still, L_S_T now knows Groote has torpedo bomber capability. Jpn LBA strike the small xAK offloading at Groote with a Betty raid (6B, 11Z) and are met by a lackluster CAP of an F4F squadron and P-40K squadron. Despite losing 6Z and 3B against no friendly loss, the Bettys manage to hit the xAK which I scuttled during my portion of the turn – about half the supplies were offloaded. Will need to ramp up the supply runs to Groote, and then Gove – and if no major reaction takes place, start bringing in more troops as well. The big question is whether or not the KB is still in the area. Lastly, SWPAC, reinforced by two P-38 squadrons from WAUS, will provide LRCAP to the ground force heading to Daly Waters – gambling that the bomber force gathered at Darwin will try to hit the advancing ground troops as they did near Port Hedland. Of course, the bombers could be aiming for Groote, or Gove….

In WAUS, the Allied ground troops advancing on Port Hedland are not attacked by sea or air, and are now approaching the adjacent hex. B-17s hit Port Hedland AF with moderate effect, no CAP. Will need some P-38s back to WAUS to provide cover in the coming days as the troops move into Port Hedland itself. Airpower is being stretched very, very thin…

In China, Chungking AF remains closed, but repairs are moving forward rapidly, and no major airstrikes as the IJA bombers hit Lanchow with minimal effect. Allied fighters remain on the ground.

In India/Burma, an IJN convoy (supplies?) is hit by LBA with good effect at Ramree Island. Apparently the IJA LRP didn’t fly – which is a good thing as neither did the Allied escorts! Allied Albacores, SBDs, and Beauforts sink four xAKs and leave a couple burning as well as sinking about 8 barges. Nice – but very, very lucky that LRCAP didn’t fly. Will stand down the strike a/c as the TF remains at Ramree, and its beyond effective fighter range. The real question is, what was the TF doing at Ramree? I figure it was trying to get supplies into Akyab, either by staging at Ramree for a run into Akyab, or offloading in Ramree and hopefully the supplies would get sucked into the troops at Akyab. In either case, most supplies aren’t going to make it. On the ground at Akyab, the Allied assault is held, and losses weren’t light (368 vs 1976), but forts were reduced to level 3. Most troops are still in good shape, and will attack again next turn – and B-24s will support, the B-25s and Vengences aren’t doing enough.






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Post #: 701
21-22 Feb 1943 - 9/8/2016 4:55:35 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		21-22 Feb 43

Highlights – Allied attack on Akyab held with substantial loss; heavy Jpn fighter sweeps over Merauke; Army gets its first 15+ kill Ace.

Additional Highlight.....PBEM with L_S_T celebrating our 2nd year anniversary this week!! Wow!!! How time flies! Only what...4 more years to go??

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-36, RO-64)
TK: 1 (very small)

Allied ships sunk:
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 108
Allied: 61

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (TK sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB location remains unknown; with Tabiteuea invasion imminent, this is becoming very, very concerning…

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, US CV TFs rendezvous with CA TF out of SOPAC; CV scout planes hit two PBs near Tabiteuea, but no strikes launch other than a single squadron LRCAP over Tabit for raiding B-24s out of Ndeni. B-24s bomb AF with good effect, reportedly closing the field, no CAP and little flak. Amph TF and supporting TFs should close next turn. CV TFs will head north to range southern Marshall Islands before returning to take station NE of Tabit and support upcoming landings. With the KB’s location unknown, I send two DDs west and NW as pickets. Recon overflies Truk for the first time, and no CVs present. Fingers crossed that the KB isn’t in the central Pacific.

In SOPAC, Allied fighter sweeps over Munda find no CAP. Munda to be hit by bombers next turn. Tulagi invasion TF and support arrives at Lunga to stage – will cross the channel next turn and commence landings at Tulagi, supported solely by LBA. Will also resume ground attacks against remaining troops at Tassafaronga next turn as well.

In SWPAC, L_S_T has a sixth sense when doing sweeps sometimes! Heavy A6M5 Zero sweeps over Merauke – right after I pull out a fresh P-40K squadron! CAP Remaining P-400 and an Aussie Kitty I squadron do fairly well, but they are outclassed by the latest version of the Zero. 15 Zeros lost in exchange for 14 P-400s and 6 Kittyhawks. No bomber follow up fortunately. Will reinforce Merauke fighters next turn and pull out the P-400s to quieter areas till the pool runs dry. Gove is again bombarded by a small CA TF (2CA, 2CLs DDs) with minimal effect, but enough to prevent expansion – TBFs did manage two daylight attacks against this force as it approached – no torp hits, and two bomb hits on CAs which were seen to bounce off the deck armor. Mines are laid in the approaches to Gove, so its going to get a little more dicey for the Toyko Express bombardment runs. Supplies building at Groote, as the xAKL shuttle continues – will try and push in a big AK with some escort shortly. In the Daly Waters front, P-38 LRCAP managed to intercept some escorted Sally raids on Allied troops adjacent to Daly Waters. Zero escort downed 2 P-38Fs, but the P-38s did well against the Sallys – 15 shot down (and 4 to AA fire) including 6 to 1LT Lawlor, giving him 16 kills! He’ll go sit out in TRACOM for a while.

In WAUS, no attacks on the advancing Allied ground troops, now adjacent to Port Hedland, waiting for trail elements to catch up. Once consolidated, will march on Port Hedland, reportedly defended by 8000 troops.

In China, the vaunted Lanchow Airforce takes to the skies with good effect once again, downing 12 Lilys to one Vanguard lost in a series of raids – not all raids came in escorted, and the Vanguards did well. Will pull them out to refit as raids did close the AF.

In India/Burma, the attack on Akyab was held with heavy Allied loss (55 squads destroyed), but worse was on the second day, two IJA Tank Divisions arrived to bolster the defense. The supporting IJA attack on the Brit 70th Div to the east of Akyab was held, so the IJA will have a hard time supplying Akyab. Will hold off attacks until a fresh division can be brought up, and will allow air to wear down the supply and disrupt the troops a bit. Keeping the IJA focused on the frontier fighting isn’t a bad thing right now – with the IJN supply convoy at Ramree Island, it provided a good excuse to recon the base – only 1500 troops reportedly there. Now I just need to gain some semblance of air parity to take advantage of that flank…that will take a bit.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 702
23-34 Feb 1943 - 9/11/2016 5:55:50 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		23-24 Feb 43

Highlights – KB off Exmouth! Tulagi landings go in and Tabiteuea TFs arrive at the atoll.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Jpn ships un-sunk:
DD: 1 (Hibiki)
SS: 1 (I-36)

Allied ships sunk:
PC: 1
PT: 1
xAP: 2 (both from previous airstrikes on Lunga)
xAKL: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 73
Allied: 67

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit (Wasp missed!)
Allies: 6 Attacks, 2 ship hit (TK, xAK hit)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Tulagi (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Thousand Ships Bay (SOPAC – flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: KB (and much of the IJN) shows itself supporting Port Hedland

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, IJN sub I-171 sinks an xAKL off Amchitka, but B-18s report hitting the sub with a 500lber.

In CENPAC, IJN sub I-33 misses CV Wasp with 6 torps NW of Tabiteuea as the CVs troll for targets in the Gilberts. No airstrikes are launched, but scouting SBDs report hitting two PBs, an AM and a SC. TFs close on Tabit: Amph TF (CA, 2DM, 2DMS, AM, 12AP, xAP, 5AK) carrying the 3rd Mar Div and support, CA TF (2CA, CL, 4DD) to provide cover, ASW TF (DD, DE) and Minesweeping TF (2AM). No enemy counter action so far, and troops will begin offloading next turn. Bombardment TF (3CA, 2CL, 5DD, DMS) currently with the CVEs about 120m NNE of Tabit will run in next turn, and the CVE TF (2CVE, BB, CL, 4DD) will also close to provide support. With the KB confirmed well away from the Central Pacific, I can breathe a bit easier. Subs look like the greatest threat at the moment.

In SOPAC, Amph TF (3DD, DMS, AVD, DM, 3AP, xAP, 2AK) land the 6th Marine Reg, an Eng Reg and FA Bn at Tulagi, covered by a small CA TF (2CA, 3DD, DMS) which bombards. Landing craft are used in mass for the first time to lift a Marine Tank Bn and Amphib Tractor Bn from Lunga to Tulagi. Only counter action is a series of small night air raids by Bettys and Jakes (Jakes??!!) which hit nothing. That there are no daylight raids is a very positive note. Heavies hit Munda with good effect; no CAP and 11 Jakes are destroyed on the ground – AF should be closed. On Guad, US Army troops are held in the first attack to clear out IJA troops at Tassafaronga. This will be a long process. 1st Mar Div reaches Lunga to rest and refit for the next objective (TBD at this point).

In SWPAC, other than continued heavy Sally strikes on Aussie troops advancing on Daly Waters, it was pretty quiet. The few P-38Gs I sent to cover the Aussies, were met by many A6M5 Zeros, and although 8 Zeros failed to return, so did 4 P-38s – and I can’t afford ANY P-38 losses! xAKLs manage to get into Groote, and supply there is back over 5000. Two LCTs got supplies delivered to Gove as the mines were swept by an AM. Most interesting is that PBYs spotted two TFs apparently headed toward Merauke. A CL TF out front, followed most likely by a CA TF, if L_S_T’s pattern holds (could be a BB TF following too, but I think its CAs). Since the KB is away at the other end of OZ, this time, I’m going to have a reception committee waiting. 18 PTs in three squadrons at Merauke, another at Horn will engage first, then two 4DD TFs and a CL TF out of Portland Roads will head at speed to Merauke to engage. The goal here is to use up ops points and delay the exodus of the IJN – and mitigating any bombardment – which “hopefully” will allow the two SBD and one TBF squadron based at Merauke to do some damage. Will be an interesting turn…

In WAUS, I’m surprised to see the KB pop up four hexes from Exmouth! Of course I’m expecting another bombardment run on the ground troops, so my a/c are set to daylight naval – and get mauled by the KB’s CAP, losing 8 Beauforts, 9 Banshees and 11 B-25s! And the expected BB TF (2BB, 3CA, 2CL, DDs) hit the Allied troops adjacent to Port Hedland with good effect – 874 casualties. On the bright side, the KB only launches three small strikes on my CA TF (2CA, CL, DDs) at Exmouth, slightly damaging the Cornwall and Australia with bombs – strangely delivered by Kates. No Vals, and no torps. Not sure what the problem was (L_S_T was a tad annoyed in his email, and not sure what the heck was wrong), but I’m pleased nonetheless by the light strikes. All ships and shipping will head south at fast speed from Exmouth and Carnavon – I’m even pulling shipping out of Perth “just in case”. All avail fighters will stack up in Exmouth, and hope the KB air hits the port (couple of small ships will remain) or airfield, and doesn’t go hunting along the coast. Ground troops will continue to push toward Port Hedland – between SOPAC, SWPAC, CENPAC and WAUS, this WAUS Allied offensive is the most lightly resourced of the four – and of course, this is where L_S_T seems to focus his most energy. While I’m not ready to abort this attack, or even call it an “economy of force” operation, I’m good with the KB being here and not in CENPAC or SOPAC right now!

In China, I fly both the US and Chinese P-40 squadrons to Chungking during the turn, and will try another CAP trap – Chungking was hit by Sonias escorted by a single Tojo Sentai. No sweeps, so maybe we can get in among the sheep.

In India/Burma, Akyab is hit by B-24s with good effect, and only a couple of A6M5 Zeros come up as CAP. I did manage to leave a squadron of Albacores at Cox’s Bazaar on Naval attack, and they lose 15 of 16 to Zeros over Ramree. With shipping still at Ramree at turn’s end, I’m going to send in my small CL TF (2CL, 3DDs) out of Chittagong to sweep through Ramree at speed and hopefully catch something.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 703
RE: 23-34 Feb 1943 - 9/11/2016 2:30:08 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Sounds like LST is ticked at himself for leaving the KB Kates armed with bombs instead of torpedoes - which he may have done if he had them planned for a long range strike.

_____________________________

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 IdahoNYer)
Post #: 704
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/15/2016 4:29:03 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		25-26 Feb 43

Highlights – Good turn! Tabiteuea taken; Merauke plan works, and a VERY good day in the air.

Jpn ships sunk:
CA: 1 (Furutaka)
CL: 2 (Kiso –old, Isuzu(or perhaps Sendai))
DD: 2 (Tokitsukaze, Nowaki)
PB: 1

Allied ships sunk:
SC: 1
AM: 2
PT: 8
AVP: 1
xAKL: 1
AMc: 3

Air loss:
Jpn: 235
Allied: 43

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Tabiteuea (CENPAC)
Nanumea (CENPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tabiteuea (CENPAC)
Nanumea (CENPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: KB still off the Aussie coast between Exmouth and Carnavon; little sign of any combat a/c stationed in the Gilberts or Marshals

West Coast/Admin: Slow convoy departs LA for Auckland.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Marines come ashore at Tabit after CA TF (3CA, 2CL, DDs) bombards. Defense is less than expected, only a Naval Gd Unit and two construction battalions – but at fort level 4. Tally was 3112 Jpn casualties for only 61 Marines; base taken on the first assault. Apparently L_S_T was attempting to fly out the defenders, as CAP splashed 8 Emilys and 4 Mavis transports. No enemy air attacks, and recon on surrounding islands and southern Marshalls show no enemy a/c. CVs will retire back to Baker Is where I hope to be able to disband the Scout SBD squadrons, and expand the now single remaining SBD squadrons on the carriers. Amph TF remains at Tabit as 3rd USMC Div rests, along with CVEs providing cover. First P-40K squadrons flown in to Tabit’s level 1 AF which is taken w/o damage. 2nd and 3rd Wave troops – which include engineers should close next turn, additional support troops following. With the lack of opposition, but all of the Gilberts having some Bn sized force, will now spend a few turns cleaning out the Gilberts with the 3rd Marines – prep will be non existent, so will see how this goes. Carriers and CA TF will return to support. May even continue operations here towards the Marshalls if the KB stays away and defenses continue to be light. Will see. Also, the undefended rock halfway between the Ellice Island and the Gilberts, Nanumea, was seized by APD landed Marine Raiders – was going to use this as a PBY base, but won’t need to with Tabit’s quick fall. So far, so good in CENPAC.

In SOPAC, Tulagi defenders (two SNLF) hold the first attack with level 3 forts. Casualties are light (52 US), but forts aren’t reduced. Will continue attacks next turn, and increase air support. Transports will retire to Ndeni to bring in more troops. Ndeni based B-24s elect to hit Munda troops on the second day as their primary target at Tabit no longer existed – unfortunately, Nicks were waiting over Munda, and 3 bombers lost. Will increase sweeps over the Solomons next turn, and keep the bombers focused on Tulagi.

In SWPAC, the plan at Merauke actually works for the most part, but isn’t without loss. Only one of the two spotted IJN TFs head to Merauke, the other bombards Gove without much effect, other than sinking the lone AM that had cleared mines. The CA TF (2CA, 2CL, 5DD) headed to Merauke first encounters a series of three PT boat squadrons – and engages all of them at 12k yds! Needless to say, the PTs don’t achieve anything – the first loses all 6 boats, the 2nd and 3rd each lose a boat. Next the CA TF engages a DD TF (4DD) which is inconclusive, one DD (Phelps) heavily damaged. Lastly, the CA TF is engaged by the CL TF (3CL, 4DD), which is pretty much mauled as two CLs draw torps, despite the CL TF managing to cross the “T”. At least so far, the CLs remain afloat, and may make it back to Horn Island. Not sure what happened with Arleigh Burke’s four Fletcher DDs – they missed the IJN entirely and retired back to Horn Island without engaging. Sometime during the night an IJN CL and DD each hit a mine as well. Daylight opens with the IJN TF well within LBA range, and the expected air raid on Merauke (62 A6M5, 25 Nell). CAP duly protects the AF, and inflicts heavy loss on the attacking planes, with only one plane destroyed on the ground. Now it’s the Allied LBA’s turn – and for a change, we hit something. TBFs come up empty, but multiple SBD attacks score repeated hits on both CAs, one CL and 2DDs. CA Furutaka, CL Sendai (or Izusu?) and two DDs reportedly sunk, and CA Kako likely heavily damaged or crippled by 4 SBD bomb hits and, believe it or not, a PBY delivered torp. While expensive in PTs (and possibly CLs), getting a chance for LBA to hit back at these bombardment runs was well worth it! Hopefully this will give a pause in the IJN’s venture into the Arafura Sea – at least until the KB can return to provide support. In the mean time, will bring the first additional troops (base group) into Groote and focus on building Groote, then Gove up. Gove is still sustaining, but not expanding, and both Groote and Gove need many more engineers – which are available, just need to run the gauntlet. Merauke is secure. Focus will be on Groote expansion.






Attachment (1)

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Post #: 705
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/15/2016 4:29:45 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		In WAUS, I get very lucky. Apparently, L_S_T had his KB air on both Naval and Port/AF attack as a secondary, and the KB attempted to destroy the CA TF and other shipping off the coast. So the KB headed towards Carnavon, but the Allied ships were heading towards Perth at speed, and only a single xAKL was found and sunk by scouts. With no naval targets, the full weight of the KB hit both Carnavon and Exmouth once on each day. Carnavon wasn’t covered by CAP, and the KB strikes (first time the Jill is observed) does well against the port sinking a number of small vessels, and damaging a good number of others – some which may eventually sink. The strikes at Exmouth fair very poorly for the KB. Despite very heavy escort protection, the CAP ravishes the attacks somehow. Few Allied planes are lost, and little damage done to the AF and port. I fully expect the KB to withdraw back to port to re-equip its planes, then my bet it will be back in the Arafura Sea. That said, CAP is now set to attempt to protect both Carnavon and Exmouth next turn.






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 9/15/2016 4:31:01 PM >

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 706
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/15/2016 4:31:22 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		In China, the Chungking CAP trap does extremely well against both escorted and non escorted Sonia strikes. At the end of two days, 11 Tojos and 48 Sonias are lost in exchange for only a single P-40E from both the US and Chinese squadrons. Expecting severe retribution next turn, and the non damaged fighters fly to Kuming to regroup.

In India/Burma, its pretty quiet. The CL TF (2CL, 3DD) raid off Ramree only caught and sunk a solitary PB, but returned to Chittagong without incident. Air forces rest.

Lastly, the below screen shot highlights the air-air carnage for the day. Not sure how I’m getting that kind of loss ratio, but I’m not complaining!






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(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 707
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/15/2016 4:58:10 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		That was a great turn for air combat, especially in China! Also really nice to see one of the IJN bombardment fleets finally get crushed. Sweet!

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 708
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/15/2016 7:15:11 PM   
Macclan5


Posts: 1065
Joined: 3/24/2016
From: Toronto Canada
Status: offline 		The even better news is the war of attrition in the air as of February 1943.

~ 2300 more units lost by Japan than the Allies when the Allies are mostly flying P40E P40K F4F Hurricanes and a handful of Spits and P38's.

A good day in the air war is nice ~ a good war in the air is better.

According to my better understanding from above: (1) PDU off and (2) your best units in the "near pipeline" i.e. Corsairs / Hellcats / P47 / Upgraded P38 and more Spits.

That has to be a concern for you opponent.

_____________________________

A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 709
RE: 25-26 Feb 1943 - 9/18/2016 3:23:16 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

The even better news is the war of attrition in the air as of February 1943.

~ 2300 more units lost by Japan than the Allies when the Allies are mostly flying P40E P40K F4F Hurricanes and a handful of Spits and P38's.

A good day in the air war is nice ~ a good war in the air is better.

According to my better understanding from above: (1) PDU off and (2) your best units in the "near pipeline" i.e. Corsairs / Hellcats / P47 / Upgraded P38 and more Spits.

That has to be a concern for you opponent.


"A good day in the air war is nice ~ a good war in the air is better." Great quote Macclan5!

Air war has been going fairly well, and with 1st and 2nd generation Allied a/c.
Japanese production still concerns me, he can ramp up output as needed - I can't and I'm still very short airframes. Just waiting for the Hellcat right now....it WILL get better!

(in reply to Macclan5)
Post #: 710
27-28 Feb 1943 - 9/18/2016 3:36:32 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		27-28 Feb 43

Highlights – Pretty quiet except for the IJN sub convention at Tabit; Tulagi taken.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-159)
TK: 1 (sm)

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-33)

Allied ships sunk:
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 20
Allied: 8

Subwar:
Jpn:3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (sm TK sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tulagi (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: KB moves off and vanishes.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, PV-1 Venturas debut over Attu.

In CENPAC, about a half a dozen IJN subs congregate at Tabiteuae, missing an LST and 2DDs with torps, but getting pounded by escorts. One sunk by gunfire after being forced to surface, another 4-5 at least heavily damaged by depth charges for their efforts. US transports begin loading up the 3rd Marine Div and support to land on three smaller islands near Tabit – Nikunau, Beru and Onotoa. All of the Gilberts are occupied, estimated by battalion sized single units – so I’m betting they aren’t dug in. The Marines should be able to clear them out without too much effort despite the lack of prep. Will see. To quell the sub threat, PBYs are brought in for some focused ASW work. These are in addition to the PBYs flying search out of Tabit, putting the southern Marshalls under air search. Two P-40 squadrons are also now operating off the AF, and F4Fs will arrive next turn. SBDs are next, once the AF reaches level 2. US CV TFs completed the SBD reorganization at Baker as well as took on fuel, and will move NE of Tabit to look for shipping (doubtful) and provide some additional ASW a/c. Lastly, pulling one troop transport convoy back to Christmas Is, to pick up troops for the Abemama landing as well as sending APs enroute to PH for refit. But it’s going to stay busy in the Gilberts for a bit.

In SOPAC, the 6th Marines take only two days to clear out and destroy the two SNLF units and take Tulagi – cost was only 35 troops. I expected that fight to last a few days, so troops prepped for Tulagi will now switch to other islands in the Solomons. AF and port were however heavily damaged, and bringing in engineers will now be the focus of barge shuttles between Lunga and Tulagi. Offensive shipping is limited, and two of the four remaining APs in Theater will depart for Auckland for upgrade. Will continue with what is left, along with some smaller xAPs and incoming LST/LSIs, starting with landing on Rennell Island in a couple of days. Then slowly up the chain as practical with limited available resources.

In SWPAC, crippled CLs Hobart (40/89(44)/13(1)) and Perth (35/69(46)/26(13)) and four banged up DDs successfully limp into Horn Island, with additional escorting Fletcher class DDs crippling the prowling SS I-159. Both CLs will get some limited repairs on site before running the gauntlet to Sydney – but that will take some time. Damaged DDs will head to Brisbane with the tide. At Groote, so far so good at pushing some troops and supplies in. Ships still offloading, but no air attacks yet – and no sign of the IJN. The troops landed boost the AV support to over 100, and with the AF at level 3, SBDs are brought in for the first time. Fingers crossed that the IJN stays away for a bit. Given some more time, Groote will be able to project its airpower offensively – fighter sweeps over Darwin perhaps. Of course if the KB and the battleships come visiting, that’s not going to happen. On the land front, the ground advance to Daly Waters is stopped cold – got their too late and the defenses were reinforced by a Garrison Unit before the advancing Aussie IN Bde could attack – that attack was held by the defenders, but without heavy loss. IJA Sally attacks continue to harass the ground troops, and I’m unwilling to commit P-38s to LRCAP here – planes are too valuable, and I’ll need them over Port Hedland – or sweeping over Darwin.

In WAUS, the KB apparently heads north out of range. Location unknown. Lead ground troops close on Port Hedland, and will need to cover these troops with LRCAP – so I’m bringing the P-38s back to Exmouth. Also need to bring in additional supplies by sea, and with the two CAs recently damaged, covering these supply runs will be dicey if the IJN focuses here. I’m not willing to commit major fleet units, but I am willing to reinforce the airpower, but assets that can range from Exmouth to Port Hedland are very limited (P-38s and F4Fs). If LST focuses his combat power here, he can hold Port Hedland – but I’m not sure he can do that AND keep pressure on Gove/Groote.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, its pretty quiet. That said, an IJA Div(+) sized force, with plenty of tank and artillery units has moved into the open terrain hex NW of Shwebo occupied by the US 43rd Div (and support). Been waiting to see if this would happen – and now will see what Allied airpower can do against enemy troops in the open. Will focus all air assets here to see what damage we can inflict – a test of sorts. Some risk here as the Allied troops are also fairly exposed, but so far I think the odds can be held.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 711
RE: 27-28 Feb 1943 - 9/18/2016 9:28:57 PM   
Capt. Harlock


Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline
quote:

escorting Fletcher class DDs crippling the prowling SS I-159.


Not that it makes a serious difference, but the I-159 is listed under Japanese Ships Sunk, which I had assumed was the one forced to the surface and then taken out by gunfire near Tabiteuea.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

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Post #: 712
RE: 27-28 Feb 1943 - 9/18/2016 11:41:23 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

escorting Fletcher class DDs crippling the prowling SS I-159.


Not that it makes a serious difference, but the I-159 is listed under Japanese Ships Sunk, which I had assumed was the one forced to the surface and then taken out by gunfire near Tabiteuea.


I-159 was engaged and listed as sunk off Horn Island in a combat report, and it came up on Tracker as sunk, so I listed it. I-33 was engaged and brought to the surface, engaged by gunfire and "slipped beneath the waves" in a combat report at Tabiteuea, but didn't come up on Tracker. Since it didn't show up on Tracker, it could be a synch bug, and never happened.

With sub losses, between the game's FoW and the occasional synch bug, saying which sub is actually sunk is a guess at best. Either way, I figure 1-2 really sank, and maybe another 1-2 will sink due to damage. Time will tell.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 713
Feb 43 summary - 9/19/2016 10:50:01 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		Feb 43 Summary

A solid month for the Good Guys! Gains are made, and the fleet remains intact….since our carriers have conveniently been in different oceans! The multiple axis approach seems to be working fairly well – While L_S_T can slow or halt the advance toward Darwin, advances in SOPAC and most recently CENPAC move forward slowed more by logistics and sheer distances than the enemy at the moment. Will continue this approach into March, adding pressure in the Aleutians and increasing the pressure a bit in Burma as well. Have largely avoided a major naval engagement in Feb, and only one small inconclusive cruiser engagement was fought at the end of the month at Merauke. Still short fighters, but the Hellcats will start producing in a mere month which will significantly help the fighter pools for both the Navy and Marines. Naval losses for the month were favorable; IJN reported losses for the month were 1CA, 2CL, 3DD, and 10 SS as compared to the Allies losing a DD, 3SS and 15PT. In the air, it was another very good month for the Allied Cause, 1148 for Jpn to 581 Allied – just shy of that 2-1 loss ratio.

INTEL: L_S_T is, and probably rightfully so, focusing his major concentrations on protecting the DEI. Major Naval and air concentration on the eastern end delaying the drive toward Darwin, and major ground and air concentration in Burma, protecting the approaches from the west. Can’t fault that general strategy, but, I’m finding less than expected forces – especially air and naval – in SOPAC and CENPAC. Will continue to press in those areas as resources permit to see whether the KB can be drawn out into the Pacific. The India-Burma frontier seems to be his major concentration of ground forces, and I want that to continue for as long as possible.

SUBWAR: Still not doing much with subs. Got a hit on a large tanker for the FIRST time in Feb, which exemplifies how bad the situation has been. L_S_T’s effective use of ASW a/c remains the greatest threat.

West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Lack of fighters remain the major shortfall, but that will improve beginning next month. Pilot pools are fairly good (500 US Army fighter pilots!) for the most part, although I need to get more US Navy pilots of all types through advanced stateside schooling as more squadrons are becoming available and draining the pools. Brit and Aussie fighter pools also remain critically low, but those should be improving over the next few months. AP to APA refit/upgrade this next month will be staggered slowly as I really still want to press where I can – but I can’t ignore this important upgrade, and will need to get ships to the yards.

NOPAC. With the winter weather prohibitions ending in Feb, will begin anew to take Attu in March. NOPAC fleet still needs some reinforcement, and a cruiser with escorts are enroute from West Coast.

CENPAC. A good start with the Tabiteuea landing – less than expected defenses, both on the ground and so far nothing in the air. Will press to clear the Gilberts and southern Marshalls as resources permit. Curious to see what WILL trigger a major response – defined as fleet units or major air commitment. However, that’s probably in the category of “don’t ask for what you really don’t want to hear”.

SOPAC. Slow and steady progress in the lower Solomons. Jpn troops are proving tough to dig out of Tassafaronga, as expected, but both Lunga and Tulagi fell easier than anticipated. Have been surprised by the lack of daylight air attacks – most Betty naval strike raids are now at night, and so far, very ineffective. This will be a slow grind up the chain, limited by lack of naval support which has been pulled to CENPAC. Can expect this slow steady approach to continue, slowed as much by a lack of Allied resources than resistance. As in CENPAC, curious to see whether or not any major IJN naval units will be committed here.

SWPAC. Progress has pretty much been halted in this Theater with L_S_T’s very active defense. Finally became a bit costly for him with the engagement at Merauke at month’s end. Will be interesting to see if the KB comes back (I fully expect it will). Plan remains pretty much unchanged – build up Groote and then Gove as enemy pressure permits. Groote is close to becoming able to support offensive air operations against the Darwin area, as long as the IJN fleet doesn’t level the place. No major Allied naval forces will be committed here, and once Groote is able to project its airpower, should be able to increase the flow into Grove significantly. Even if I did have Gove’s AF up and functioning now, I don’t have the a/c available to shut down Darwin, so a delay here isn’t crucial.

WAUS. The continued grinding overland approach to Port Hedland has been met by a series of major counters by the IJN fleet, including the KB. But, the troops continue to slowly slog toward Port Hedland. It’s certainly not a given that the troops will have enough combat power or supply to take the base when they arrive in the first week of March. However, they have certainly tied down a large amount of Jpn effort. The challenge will be to keep them supplied and somehow neutralize the BB bombardments – that has been L_S_T’s wonder weapon so far! Still not committing the Allied fleet here, other than some cruisers. If L_S_T keeps HIS fleet engaged here, he could hold off the Allied attack.

Burma/India. Still fairly stalemated here along the India/Burma frontier. Missed a golden opportunity to take Shwebo in a tank raid, but that moment has passed. Focus now on slowly grinding down defenses of Akyab, which may or may not be feasible. Not sure how good he’s able to push supplies into the base. Goal remains to keep him focused on the frontier and attrit the force. To that, will begin another air offensive in March with freshly arrived USMC fighters, including Corsairs, and the enroute P-38Gs. Still, the recon report of 300-400 fighters in Magwe is still daunting.

China. Other than the continued successes of the lone US P-40E squadron over Chungking, and the few crates of the vaunted Lanchow Airforce, the position in China continues to deteriorate. Lanchow is still holding out and tying up a large amount of the IJA. The noose is tightening on Changsa, in the SE, and general lack of supplies continue to limit any counter.





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Post #: 714
RE: Feb 43 summary - 9/20/2016 2:53:54 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		Thanks for another strategic update; these make for great reading. Do you plan to move against Milne Bay and Port Moresby anytime soon? I'm wondering if you can duplicate Apbarog's axis of advance so that you could bring major carrier or surface support to the Arafura Sea area more easily.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 715
RE: Feb 43 summary - 9/23/2016 2:46:42 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Thanks for another strategic update; these make for great reading. Do you plan to move against Milne Bay and Port Moresby anytime soon? I'm wondering if you can duplicate Apbarog's axis of advance so that you could bring major carrier or surface support to the Arafura Sea area more easily.


I don't think I'll take on either Moresby or Milne directly - to heavily garrisoned and I'm assuming well fortified. Eventually, I look to tackled the north coast of New Guinea, but that's well in the future. Apbarong had it right! But I think L_S_T reads that AAR too!

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 716
1-2 Mar 43 - 9/23/2016 2:56:22 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		1-2 Mar 43

Highlights – March off to a relatively quiet start; Vengeances again get pasted over Burma

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-155, I-178)
PB: 2
TK: 1 (sm)

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 2 (I-25, I-164)

Allied ships sunk:
APD: 1 (Little)
PT: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 46
Allied: 66

Subwar:
Jpn:4 Attacks, 1 ships hit (APD sunk)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 2 ships hit (sm TK sunk, AK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Rennell Island (SOPAC - flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: KB sighted by recon at Koepang.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, 3rd Marine Div departs Tabiteuea by brigades in three Amph TFs; each one arriving at their destinations, the nearby atolls of Onotoa, Nikunau, and Beru. Onotoa, occupied by two units (the others only by one), receives the attention of a bombardment TF (3CA, 2CL, DDs) as well as B-24s out of Ndeni
to good effect. Although the Marine Bdes aren’t prepped, defenders appear to be unfortified and I’m hoping for light casualties. Troops will land next turn. The concentration of IJN subs at Tabit has broken up, three subs are sighted heading away from Tabit and US ships, which remain heavily concentrated in the Gilberts area – with three separate invasions about to launch, supplies and troops still coming into Tabit, and empty transports heading back towards Christmas and Fanning to pick up more troops. Lastly, the US CV TFs finish fueling from the AO at Baker, and will head towards Tarawa to provide distant cover, and search for any shipping. Will stay busily engaged in the Gilberts for a few more turns, then most of the fleet and 3rd Marines will depart for other ventures.

In SOPAC, just as the troops finished loading at Ndeni for an amph at Rennell Island, Rennell flips to Allied control as apparently the IJA garrison was pulled out. That’s two bases (the first being Thousand Ships Bay) that flipped just prior to a fully prepped brigade was to load transports for invasion. Not complaining, but I now have to seriously re-organize the next series of invasions. Will take a few turns to reorganize both troop locations and planning objectives, and xAPs will be busy at relocating both combat and support troops in the Solomons. While that is going to take a while, am looking to land next at Rekata Bay with a US Army In Reg already prepped and about to offload at Ndeni. With recently converted xAKs to xAPs arriving out of Auckland, I should have sufficient shipping to accomplish the shuttling- but there’s much to be done. Air will focus on protecting the shipping, as well as continued sweeps and limited strikes on enemy bases up the Solomons chain. Lastly, Army troops began another offensive at Tassafaronga to eliminate the remaining enemy troops, but it continues to be a slow grinding process.

In SWPAC, IJN BB TF (BB, 2CA, 3CL, DDs) avoided the mines and subs and bombarded Gove with minimal effect, and didn’t catch the xAKL with SC escort that arrived with needed supplies. A small Jpn airstrike 6Z, 9Betty) went after a couple of recently arrived PTs off Gove without success. An unescorted Betty strike on the second day went after shipping at Groote, and 10 of 12 were splashed by CAP. Groote cleared of transports by the end of the second day, and will try a P38F sweep over Darwin next turn. On the ground front, Aussie troops begin pulling back from Daly Waters, still being heavily harassed by escorted Sally raids.

In WAUS, on the Port Hedland front, lead troops in the Port Hedland hex are bombarded by a BB TF (2BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) with minimal effect, and then are hit by Sallys destroying only two tanks, but the main body of troops just to the west weren’t hit, and should close over the next couple of days. Supplies are getting a bit thin and I’m moving C-47s in from SWPAC to begin airlifting supplies. P-38s are flown into Exmouth and will being flying LRCAP next turn. F4Fs are in short supply, but will also being flying LRCAP and will also receive priority of replacements. Once I can get some semblance of LRCAP over Port Hedland, I’ll start bombing with Heavies as well, and will also begin aerial mining of Port Hedland next turn. Maybe that will help against the naval bombardments. This is about all the support I can muster to support the ground attack – plus subs of course. I’m curious to see which direction the KB heads now from Koepang – support the defense of Port Hedland, or back into the Arafura Sea.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, weather muddles the air support of the US 43rd Div near Shwebo. About half the sweeps and LRCAP don’t fly, and the Brit Vengeance strikes get mauled by a very robust LRCAP of the Jpn troops. B-24s and Mediums only fly once in two days and do well against the troops in the open, over 500 casualties inflicted. But the cost in the air was severe: 25 Vengeance, 12 P-40K, 10 Hurri and 5 Spits in exchange for 17 Oscar IIb, 5 Tony and a Tojo. Not good. Will pull the Vengeances out to recover, but the Heavies and Mediums will go in again, and hopefully the sweeps and LRCAP will do a bit better. I need to keep the air support up because L_S_T is attempting to flank this position by heading into the jungle to the west. I’m going to pull these troops out back toward Imphal, and that will take some time. With this threat in the Center, I’m now turning around the Aus 9th Div from the road toward Akayb and bring it to the Imphal area as a reserve, just in case L_S_T is successful here. Akyab is now heavily defended anyway (40k troops), so that was a low prospect attack anyway. Lastly, the CL TF (2CL, 3DD) raid on Ramree sinks another PB, but finds no other shipping.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 717
RE: 1-2 Mar 43 - 9/23/2016 3:02:05 PM   
Rafid

 

Posts: 130
Joined: 1/24/2015
Status: offline 		First of all: Thanks IdahoNYer for doing this AAR! I especially enjoy the monthly strategic updates but also the way you write and present the big battle summaries.

In addition I have a request: Would you please post a screen of the India/Burma front. I tried to looking for one in the last couple of pages, but came up blank. Also my imagination is not good enough to create one from your descriptions, which sound like it is an interesting situation.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 718
RE: 1-2 Mar 43 - 9/24/2016 3:39:20 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rafid

First of all: Thanks IdahoNYer for doing this AAR! I especially enjoy the monthly strategic updates but also the way you write and present the big battle summaries.

In addition I have a request: Would you please post a screen of the India/Burma front. I tried to looking for one in the last couple of pages, but came up blank. Also my imagination is not good enough to create one from your descriptions, which sound like it is an interesting situation.



Thanks much for the kind words Rafid!!

And you're right, probably need an updated graphic on the Burma fight. So I'll throw a quick screen shot of the Burma Theater with my next update. I see about doing a more detailed one before the month is out.

(in reply to Rafid)
Post #: 719
3-4 Mar 43 - 9/28/2016 3:24:02 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		3-4 Mar 43

Highlights – Gilberts slowly being cleared; heavy air loss in Burma

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-156)
DMS: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
CA: 1 (Furutaka)
DD: 1 (Nowaki)

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 97
Allied: 124

Subwar:
Jpn:0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Beru (CENPAC)
Nikunau (CENPAC)
Onotoa (CENPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Auki (SOPAC - flipped)
Beru (CENPAC)
Nikunau (CENPAC)
Onotoa (CENPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: KB still sighted at Koepang.

West Coast/Admin: repaired CA Indianapolis departs LA with 2DD for NOPAC. Once Indy closes, will begin ops against Attu.

In NOPAC, Armor and Engineers depart DH to stage at Amchitka and Buldir respectively; they will utilize landing craft/LSTs for the Attu amphib op.

In CENPAC, 3rd Marine Div lands at Onotoa, Nikunau, and Beru and easily clears the islands of minimal defenders – a construction battalion, and two small naval guard units are destroyed. 3rd Marine Div, while suffering few troops lost, has about 1/3 of its troops disabled in the landings due to the lack of preparation. Was pretty much expected. 3rd Marine Div will reboard transports and land back at Tabit for future operations. US CVs troll north of Tabit, an AM and a PB hit by scouting SBDs. Little other IJN activity at the moment.

In SOPAC, still trying to re-sort troops and shipping. Transports begin loading the 24th (Sep) In Reg at Ndeni slated to land at Rekata Bay. After a bit of rest, recon planes will begin refocusing on the various islands in the Solomons. Attacks on Tassafaronga, while making progress, need to take a rest. Still not much enemy activity noted. Lack of shipping and reorganization are slowing the Allied advance – which is fine at this point.

In SWPAC, other than the usual Sally raids on Aussie troops slowly withdrawing from Daly Waters, its pretty quiet. P-38Fs sweep Darwin and find no CAP – I wish I had some spare bombers and more fighters to raid the port/AF – but I just don’t have the assets right now. Transports begin loading at Normanton for big reinforcement push to Groote.

In WAUS, Allied troops at Port Hedland bombarded by BB TF (3BB, 3CA, 2CL) with reasonable effect after Dutch sub KXII missed BB Nagato with 4 torps. US 41st ID hit by escorted Sally strike with minimal effect just west of Port Hedland; US LRCAP downs 8 Oscars, but don’t have enough planes to get to the bombers. P-38Gs will fly next turn as I expect the US Div to enter the Port Hedland hex. Supplies are good right now, the C-47 drops appear to have helped. Will also focus aerial mines on both Broome and Port Hedland. Will be interesting to see if the KB comes out in support – kinda surprised its still at Koepang.

In China, the vaunted Lanchow AF takes to the skies with its 4 available Vanguards, downing 3 Lillys but lose a plane to escorting Oscars.

In India/Burma, Allied sorties come in full bore over the 43rd ID, and are met by a mass of LRCAP. Heavy air battles go against the good guys as numbers swing the edge to the IJA. IJA commits 5 Oscar IIb, 2 Tojo IIa, and 2 Tony Sentais to the fight. While the Allied fighters don’t do too terribly, but they can’t protect the bombers. Losses are heavy: 45 Oscar IIb, 18 Tony, 14 Tojo against 26 Hurris, 16 P-40K, 11 P-39, 9 NZ Kittyhawk III, 7 Spits and the bombers also take it on the chin: 11 B-24s and 21 B-25s. I thought about committing Corsairs to that fight last turn, and they might have turned the tables, but I don’t want to commit them before the P-38s arrive. Will rest the air force and await the P-38Gs before we go again – they should arrive in India within the week. Star on screen shot below shows the location of the furious air battles.





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