RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

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RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 11/30/2015 6:35:04 PM

jwolf

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

quote:

once I know where the Allied carriers are

This seems to be the key for both sides now -- that is, knowing the locations of the enemy carriers so as to plan operations around them; or possibly, a head-on attack

although I don't think either of you is anxious for that at the moment.

About the bombardment: is the net effect for the Allies to trade PT boats as insurance to minimize damage to the base? And, I suppose, a longshot chance of a successful torpedo strike from a PT although not this time, fortunately for you.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 481

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 11/30/2015 7:04:20 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

quote:

once I know where the Allied carriers are

This seems to be the key for both sides now -- that is, knowing the locations of the enemy carriers so as to plan operations around them; or possibly, a head-on attack although I don't think either of you is anxious for that at the moment.

Good points jwolf. I don't really want to go up against the Allied carriers right now because KB remains fragmented. Zuikaku is still in dock being repaired and four other carriers are still heading south to rejoin the war after their own repairs. For this reason, I am restricted to using KB in concert with LBA support for now.

About the bombardment: is the net effect for the Allies to trade PT boats as insurance to minimize damage to the base? And, I suppose, a longshot chance of a successful torpedo strike from a PT although not this time, fortunately for you.

I think you are spot on about this. With PT boats guarding the base I lose ops points taking them on and there is always the risk that one of my ships will take a torpedo. The Allies have a much greater capacity to 'spawn' PT boats and Apbarog is very judicious in their use.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 482

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 11/30/2015 7:27:43 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 2 1943

Coral Sea, Papua, Solomons and thereabouts

SS I-16 undergoes two ASW attacks near Cooktown and the following Allied ships are identified: DD Wilson, DD Flusser, DD Monaghan, xAP Koolama, xAP Camphuys, xAKL Vincent, xAKL Manini, xAKL Honomu, xAKL Nebraskan

I decided to try and really suppress Deboyne Island today after yesterday's moderately successful attack. This time 33 Oscars sweep first and find no CAP. Army bombers follow up, destroying 1 Kittyhawk and 1 SBD on the ground plus adding to the airfield damage.

I also set the KB to hit Deboyne for the second day running but with naval attack as the priority in case any other targets of opportunity came along. I want to trash my opponent's forward bases as I feel he has been having too good a run with his base building at the moment and my LBA bombers have just not been up to the task of late so the KB is now designated as 'the hammer'.

Rather than bomb Milne Bay again, I decided to go with a Tojo sweep and it turned out quite well:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 7
Spitfire Vc Trop x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

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

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet *

But then the icing on the cake as my opponent seemed to let his guard down by running a reinforcement convoy in to Milne Bay while KB was still in the neighbourhood. It's just a shame that more bombers didn't fly to sink the transports but it still leaves ample scope for 'cleaning up' tomorrow...

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 81 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 30

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Cairns
xAKL Hamakua
xAK Makua, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Glenelg, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AM Rockhampton, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP President Taylor, Bomb hits 4, on fire
xAP President Johnson, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Inverell
AM Gladstone, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Lastly, evidence that all Japanese submariners must fear the power of Allied SCs:

quote:

ASW attack near Portland Roads at 93,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-34, hits 16 = about 46 float damage so hopefully I-34 will survive.

Allied Ships
SC-519
SC-701
SC-641

The consolation will be if we manage to sink any of the transports that the SCs were guarding. I am also posting a map of today's interesting tactical situation:

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 483

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 11/30/2015 7:35:49 PM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
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I would guess some (most? all?) of those transports will either sink anyway without further action, or remain sitting ducks at Milne Bay.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 484

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/1/2015 2:04:29 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I would guess some (most? all?) of those transports will either sink anyway without further action, or remain sitting ducks at Milne Bay.

I can answer that with today's update

Jan 3, 1943

Papua, Coral Sea, Gilberts and Marshalls

I had a hunch that Apbarog might flood Milne Bay with more fighters to protect his damaged transports so, rather than attack with KB and risk losing good pilots over cheap transports, I decided to detach five destroyers to attack Milne Bay. First they encounter the ubiquitous PT boats, sinking one and then, during the daytime, banzai!

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Minegumo
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
AM Cairns, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAP President Taylor, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 37 (10 destroyed, 27 disabled)

There was a scare during the night however when SS KXV launched 6 torpedoes at CV Hiyo near Kiriwina Island, missing thankfully.

The Allied TFs spotted yesterday south of Horn Island seem to have scuttled for cover when KB was sighted and are no longer in search range. I was tempted to conclude that my opponent had become slightly overconfident as a result of his earlier landing successes but it appears that this may have all been an elaborate feint to draw KB away as a bigger Allied force, including carriers and capital ships, is sighted today south of Ocean Island.

Meanwhile, I decided to sweep Milne Bay again, this time with Zeroes as well as Tojos and the losses are slightly in Japan's favour again. I wonder if either of us will have many planes left in our fighter pools soon.

My army bombers hit Deboyne Island again today. It's great when there's no CAP! Then, Allied bombers attack Merauke NW of Horn Island, for the first time:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Total air losses from all causes today: 35 Allied vs 29 Japanese. Seven of mine are A6M2 operational write-offs. They have been in almost continuous action for months now and, in hindsight, I wish I had set monthly production to more than the current 85.

A look this time at the situation in the Gilberts and Marshalls...

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 485

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/1/2015 2:18:20 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
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Your plane losses are very light, imho, and I think you maybe in for tough sledding here in 43 as your pools of old planes are drying up and you are several months away from better fighters and then probably even more months away from fielding them in large enough numbers to make a difference -- but the Allies don't have that problem.

Nicely done destroyer raid!

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 486

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/4/2015 3:24:37 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Thanks, trying to gear up more production of the new planes as we speak - but it definitely will be an issue.

Jan 4, 1943

Gilberts and Marshalls

Allied forces end the day approximately two hexes from - and equidistant between - Ocean Island and Nauru. It is the standard Kitchen Sink formation, with about nine separate task forces comprising carriers, battleships, cruisers, transports, escorts in varying denominations, covering each other in the same hex. I decided not to contest the initial landings as my Netties would likely get shredded, plus KB-lite, holding position south of Kusaie Island, is not strong enough to provide the necessary air support on its own.

Allied carrier planes raid Ocean Island - F4F-4 Wildcat x 71, SBD-3 Dauntless x 54 and TBF-1 Avenger x 14- and the results are inconsequential: 38 casualties reported. Mind you, the island is defended by III/84th Naval Guard Unit and a small engineer unit so it will likely fall on the first assault. I have started pulling a larger engineer unit from Nauru by float plane as Japanese engineers are like gold dust in DBB.

I will see what happens during the landings before deciding how to counter-attack. I could wait until the Allied carriers leave allowing me to bombard the forces that are left there as Apbarog won't have much CAP available at this distance from Lunga. If he ties his carriers down here for any length of time, so much the better.

Coral Sea, Papua, Solomons, New Britain

The roving IJN destroyer TF sinks another two PT boats near Woodlark island then bombards the base at night, causing minor casualties. Bombers hit 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment, the only Allied unit there, again during daylight hours. Meanwhile, KB heads back to Rabaul to provide CAP at the base while my land-based fighters rest and replenish.

An Allied sub torpedoes and damages a transport which was taking reinforcements to Buna. Annoying as I should have routed the TF north of New Britain rather than going round the southern coast where more Allied subs are camping out.

Sub vs Sub: SS Shad attacks SS I-158 near Merauke. SS I-158 takes a torpedo and sinks. The sub was already limping back to port with very heavy ASW damage, so problem solved.

Mindanao

The last Allied units in the Philippines are rounded up, finally...

quote:

Ground combat at Surigao (81,88)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11900 troops, 102 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 326

Defending force 2024 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Japanese adjusted assault: 256

Allied adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Surigao !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
2266 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 151 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/4/2015 4:28:21 PM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 487

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/5/2015 11:25:21 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 5, 1943

Sub war: the High Command has learned that Allied subs have been refitted with torpedoes that work...

ASW attack near Kusaie Island as SS Shark discovers a big SCTF comprising four of my battleships plus heavy cruisers. Fortunately no torpedo hits.

South of Rabaul, SS Hake launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kaika Maru, which was already damaged in an earlier action. The escort sinks.

Sub vs Sub: SS I-157 attacking SS Narwhal near Portland Roads but missing with four torpedoes.

ASW attack near Nauru Island as SS I-7 takes 5 hits from a big TF which includes HMS Prince of Wales plus six US cruisers.

Sub attack near Phuket as SS KXVII torpedoes and sinks a 4 VP xAK, Reiyo Maru. I am deliberately using some of my cheapest transports on the regular supply route to Rangoon as some level of attrition is unavoidable.

The fall of Nauru and Ocean Island

Both islands suffer major bombardments, plus B-24 raids, but the tiny forces defending still manage to inflict casualties on the attackers before succumbing to successful shock attacks. It all reminds me of the ease with which I took both islands back in '42, however at the time I was simply relying on a few PBs and xAKs transporting Naval Guard units, not the massive naval forces that I am looking at today.
I have reproduced details of both attacks below as its useful to see what sort of units are being landed to help divine Apbarog's next steps...

quote:

Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1449 troops, 7 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Defending force 569 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 31

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 31 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th NZ Bde /1
6th Air Advn Base Force /2
1st AmphTrac Engr Bn /1
15th US Naval Const Bn /1
21st Port Maint Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
45th Field Const Co

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

Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1227 troops, 34 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Defending force 2338 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

Allied adjusted assault: 26

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1286 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 17 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
8th NZ Bde /1
627th TD Bn /1
6th US Naval Const Bn /1
93rd Cst AA Rgt /1
1st Air Advn Base Force /1
4th Marine Def Bn /2
G/H Hy Cst Arty /1
10th Port Maint Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion

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

15th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Nauru Island by attrition!!!

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Nauru Island

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/5/2015 12:34:33 PM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 488

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/5/2015 11:39:27 AM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

The spotting information you get can be very spotty

, it is safe to say you must assume the worst (amphib invasion) everytime you see a concentration of enemy shipping approaching.

With the exception of 4 ship Fletcher task forces, of course.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 489

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/5/2015 2:20:27 PM

jwolf

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

It's kind of weird to see the PoW active considering both its historical fate and its usual demise in game as well. A floating ghost ship, but with some real firepower.

Any idea if the Allied carriers stuck around the Nauru/Ocean area, or are they moving back toward the Coral Sea? Or perhaps even a deeper threat to Tarawa etc?

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 490

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/5/2015 3:53:59 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The spotting information you get can be very spotty, it is safe to say you must assume the worst (amphib invasion) everytime you see a concentration of enemy shipping approaching.

With the exception of 4 ship Fletcher task forces, of course.

Indeed, and I'm looking forward to meeting those Fletcher TFs very much, of course.

quote:

It's kind of weird to see the PoW active considering both its historical fate and its usual demise in game as well. A floating ghost ship, but with some real firepower.

Its fairly easy for the Allied player to save both PoW and Repulse at the start, provided they choose not to oppose the Malaya landings as IRL. My Betties actually put a torpedo into both ships on Dec 7 so I guess they spent some time in dock until they were ready to rejoin the war. Otherwise I might have run into them during the DEI campaign.

Any idea if the Allied carriers stuck around the Nauru/Ocean area, or are they moving back toward the Coral Sea? Or perhaps even a deeper threat to Tarawa etc?

The Allied carriers are still maintaining position around Nauru/Ocean and I expect they will stay close until my opponent has unloaded. I can't say for sure, but I suspect he won't go for a third target this trip out as that would spread his forces quite thinly and expose them more to counter-attack. Going on past experience however, he will go after other locations such as Tarawa once he has managed to build up the bases at Nauru and Ocean sufficiently to provide air support.

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/5/2015 4:56:58 PM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 491

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 8:04:36 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Got a bit behind due to real life...

Jan 6, 1943

SS RO-62 torpedoes DD O'Brien near Nauru Island causing heavy damage. That's about the sum total of my interdiction of the Allied landings as I decided to save my planes and ships given the size of the Allied death star deployed and that the islands had already fallen. Apbarog admitted that he had not expected the auto shock attack on islands this size and Nauru was a closer call than he would have liked.

I decided to fast transport some ground forces from Rabaul to bolter the defences of Woodlark Island but forgot to CAP the TF and a flight of OS2U-3 Kingfishers probably flying from Rossel manage to hit DD Amatsukaze with four bombs, causing 17 sys damage and some troop casualties. I decide to pull the TF back a few hexes rather than risk unloading in daylight.

Jan 7, 1943

SS RO-62 fires two more torps at DD O'Brien, missing. Later on an APD is reported disbanded in port at Nauru, possibly the damaged O'Brien. Might take a pot shot if I can.

A cruiser TF is detached from the Mini KB group to bombard Ontong Java, achieving pretty reasonable results against the forces hunkered down on the exposed atoll. We might have to rinse and repeat soon, although Nauru is also high on the list of priority targets.

quote:

Night Naval bombardment of Ontong Java at 115,131

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Maya
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Port hits 21
Port supply hits 5

B-17s hit Buna airfield again, losing some planes to the Lae CAP but making sure the airfield stays closed for the time being.

The Allied TFs are pulling back from Nauru and Ocean Islands already and a few spotter planes appear to have moved in already.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 492

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 8:19:27 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 8, 1943

I send the fast transport TF back to Woodlark at night and they are almost unloaded by daybreak when five Kingfishers try their luck again: all are shot down by Zeroes flying CAP.

Jan 9, 1943
After disembarking the troops, I decided to detach a destroyer raid to Rossel Island where a tanker was seen yesterday. The results of this - and the ensuing bombardment - are very promising:

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 105,137, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Isokaze
DD Minegumo
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
AM Pieter de Bitter, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
TK Josefina, Shell hits 31, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rossel Island at 105,137

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 17 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 7 damaged
SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 26 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
DD Minegumo
DD Isokaze
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 66
Port hits 1

DD Kasumi firing at Rossel Island
DD Minegumo firing at Rossel Island
DD Isokaze firing at Rossel Island
DD Kazegumo firing at Rossel Island
DD Akigumo firing at Rossel Island

Perhaps there's no need to risk the blessed Yamato if DDs alone can achieve results like these

During the day there were multiple Allied fighter sweeps of Woodlark Island, presumably in an attempt to take out my CAP. However, this time I copied Apbarog's own playbook by ensuring that the TF was unloaded and long gone before the cavalry arrived

B-24s and B-25s then bomb Port Moresby and a couple are shot down. It's so rare for my flak to actually bring anything down that I am left wondering if it is due to the 1943 upgrades that I have been receiving advices of lately...

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 493

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 8:42:29 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker84

It's so rare for my flak to actually bring anything down that I am left wondering if it is due to the 1943 upgrades that I have been receiving...

I thought DBB improved FLAK across the board. I know Allied AA will always be better than Japan's, but are you saying you really haven't noticed on improvement on the Japanese side compared to stock?

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 494

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 9:13:10 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

I guess it was more of a throwaway comment but, looking at both sides losses in this game so far, the only real flak successes have been 1) Allied bases shooting down my high flying recon; 2) US carrier escorts shooting down my naval bombers. For all of the B-17 raids on my major airfields, the flak losses have been negligible and I am relying more on damage and weather to keep the 4es on the ground.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 495

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 9:39:11 PM

jwolf

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Joined: 12/3/2013
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That DD group did a great job! Really helps, no doubt, to take some of the pressure off of the big ships so they don't have to do the heavy lifting all the time.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 496

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/11/2015 9:43:24 PM

Lowpe

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Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

It will take the appearance of the 12 cm AA guns to start knocking Allied planes down. Right now, about the best you have mobile is the 10 cm and they are mostly in those independent 4 gun units. That simply isn't a lot of firepower.

Make sure you have the 23rd and 25th AA Regiments in important places as they have 16 guns (10cm), radar, and searchlights. Not sure what else you have at your game date.

Even by themselves the 10cm guns will have a difficult time dropping planes all by themselves.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 497

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/12/2015 10:41:30 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

That DD group did a great job! Really helps, no doubt, to take some of the pressure off of the big ships so they don't have to do the heavy lifting all the time.

Yes, they can get in and out pretty quickly and are less susceptible to the myriad of Allied subs that ply these waters at the moment. It will be interesting to see what sort of countermeasures Apbarog puts in place to try to stop this sort of thing becoming a regular occurrence. The more bases he takes, the more he has to defend.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 498

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/12/2015 10:46:05 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

It will take the appearance of the 12 cm AA guns to start knocking Allied planes down. Right now, about the best you have mobile is the 10 cm and they are mostly in those independent 4 gun units. That simply isn't a lot of firepower.

Make sure you have the 23rd and 25th AA Regiments in important places as they have 16 guns (10cm), radar, and searchlights. Not sure what else you have at your game date.

Even by themselves the 10cm guns will have a difficult time dropping planes all by themselves.

Thanks, good call as I have probably not been maxing out the AA capabilities I have up till now. The 23rd is at Palembang, where my most vital oil installations are. Apbarog previously used his carriers to raid Palembang so I need to keep a strong AA and fighter presence there - even though I know that the Allied carriers are somewhere south of Lunga presently.

The 25th is sitting in Nagasaki and will deploy to Rabaul once it has taken replacement guns and radar.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 499

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/13/2015 9:20:46 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 10, 1943

A quietish day.

An unfortunate action over Vangunu, the Allied dot base just south of Munda. I had just moved some Vals back to Torokina to provide additional support for my Solomons operations and they reacted unescorted towards a small Allied convoy unloading at Vangunu. F4Fs were LRCAPing and 15 Vals failed to return.

I sweep, bomb and then deliberate attack the Allied engineers at Woodlark Island. Results are pretty poor considering 9:1 odds. Hopefully the Allied disablements will help when I attack again tomorrow...

quote:

Ground combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4003 troops, 27 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 586 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Japanese adjusted assault: 89

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
21st/B Division
31st Field Const Co

Defending units:
102nd Cmbt Engr Rgt /7

Allied subs continue to flex their muscles, torpedoing a small xAKL near Phuket. I expect to lose a ship every other day now that US subs have working torpedoes. At least I have managed to ship oil and supplies for almost a year now with minimal losses.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 500

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/13/2015 9:40:06 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 11, 1943

A not at all quiet day. Most of the action focused on what will go down in the campaign history books as the Battle of Woodlark Island

First, a quick entree... ASW attack near Jesselton as SS Salmon torpedoes and sinks DMS W-18 which was escorting tankers leaving Brunei. Now the main course...

The Battle of Woodlark Island

I had a cruiser task force deployed at Lae and decided to bombard the Allied troops at Woodlark: an easy round trip allowing the TF to reload at Rabaul later that day. It seems that the Allies had a similar idea, leading to an unequal naval battle during the night...

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 104,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 29, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA Houston
CA Chester
CL Achilles
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
DD Duncan
DD Patterson
DD Mahan
DD Smith, Shell hits 1
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Indiana at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages BB Indiana at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages BB Indiana at 11,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Kuroshio at 11,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Kuroshio at 11,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kagero at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Indiana at 5,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BB Indiana at 5,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Suzuya at 5,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Kagero at 5,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Suzuya at 5,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Achilles at 5,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Cummings at 5,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mahan at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Suzuya at 4,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Suzuya at 4,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Northampton at 4,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Cummings at 4,000 yards
DD Mahan engages DD Kagero at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Indiana at 2,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Suzuya at 2,000 yards
DD Kuroshio sunk by CA Houston at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Northampton at 2,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Indianapolis at 2,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Suzuya at 2,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Kagero at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Indiana at 3,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BB Indiana at 3,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Houston at 3,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CA Suzuya at 3,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Asagumo at 3,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Asagumo at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Indiana at 7,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Suzuya at 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Cummings at 7,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Kagero at 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Indianapolis at 7,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Asagumo at 7,000 yards
Kimura, Susumu orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Suzuya at 11,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Asagumo at 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Northampton at 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Nashville at 11,000 yards
CL Achilles engages CA Suzuya at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Cummings at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

IJN command then receives news that Suzuya, a precious and irreplaceable cruiser, has sunk so at this point is not very happy, although the torpedo hit on BB Indiana might slow the Allied withdrawal. At this stage I have to admire the tenacity of my TF commander, because Mikuma, escorted by a single destroyer, continues to Woodlark island and meets the damaged Allied fleet there...

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 104,133, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 14, on fire
DD Kagero, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Northampton
CA Houston
CA Chester, Shell hits 2
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Nashville, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Duncan, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mahan, Shell hits 1
DD Smith
DD Cummings

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 29,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 29,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages DD Patterson at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 24,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Mikuma at 24,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Achilles at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 20,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Indianapolis at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 18,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Houston at 18,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Duncan at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BB Indiana at 15,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 15,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Nashville at 15,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 12,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Kagero at 12,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Indianapolis at 12,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Achilles at 12,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Cummings at 12,000 yards
DD Mahan engages DD Kagero at 12,000 yards
Sakiyama, Shakao orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Achilles engages CA Mikuma at 10,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Mikuma at 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages CA Mikuma at 10,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Nashville at 10,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Kagero at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 14,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Kagero at 14,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CA Mikuma at 14,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Mikuma at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 13,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Mikuma at 13,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Nashville at 13,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Achilles at 13,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 13,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kagero at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 10,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 10,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Kagero at 10,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kagero at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Chester at 8,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Kagero at 8,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Duncan at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 9,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Mikuma at 9,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Northampton at 9,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Mikuma at 9,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Cummings at 9,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mahan at 9,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 10,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 10,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mahan at 10,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Kagero at 10,000 yards
Sakiyama, Shakao orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mahan at 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Mikuma at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Mikuma at 12,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Mikuma at 12,000 yards
CL Nashville engages CA Mikuma at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
BB Indiana engages CA Mikuma at 17,000 yards
DD Mahan engages DD Kagero at 17,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Mikuma at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Indiana engages DD Kagero at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Mikuma at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Both Japanese ships remained afloat after this David and Goliath contest and even returned to Rabaul safely with only moderate damage...

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/13/2015 10:42:34 AM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 501

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/13/2015 10:03:58 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

The Battle of Woodlark Island, Part 2

I had ordered sweeps of Rossel Island and Vangunu followed by a ground attack on the Allied forces on Munda. The Rossel Island sweep bagged 16 Airacobras and 3 P-40s for the loss of 6 Zeroes.

Now comes the bit I had started hoping might come to pass as I watched my cruisers being pounded during the night by the superior Allied surface forces. Overnight, I had moved KB slightly south of Rabaul to within 7 hexes of Woodlark Island, partly to avoid the base penalty on air combat TFs but also to support the Woodlark operation. Normally, the Allied TF would have withdrawn from Woodlark by daylight but I guess it was out of operational points by now, and a sitting duck for the KB.

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 104,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 72
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Smith
DD Cummings

So, not the knockout blow, but with the Allied ships still dead in the water KB had a second chance during the afternoon...

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 104,133

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 74
B5N2 Kate x 70
D3A1 Val x 23

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Cummings, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Smith, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Then, to round off a good day's work, 102nd Cmbt Engr Rgt surrendered at Woodlark Island.

Analysis

Until KB became involved, I was looking at a net loss for the day. I was lucky therefore that the Allied TF couldn't move any further than Woodlark, which was right at the limit of my Val's range (60 lb bombs raining down on battleships - yuk!). I was also lucky that my opponent had not thought it necessary to LRCAP his ships. This is precisely the kind of counter-punch action that I have been hoping to achieve while having to sit and watch the gradual erosion of my SW Pacific bases.

It will be interesting to see what difference this makes to Apbarog's play. A bloody nose clearly, but hardly a disaster given the continually growing Allied materiel superiority. I expect to see a bit more caution, but the steady methodical advance will still continue. In our emails, Apbarog has made it abundantly clear that it would be boring to wait until the Allies have an overwhelming advantage in '43 before attacking. Hats off to him for helping to make this the most thrilling PBEM I have played to date.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 502

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/14/2015 2:41:15 PM

jwolf

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

Kudos to the Mikuma commander as he is the one who really won that battle. That was a great result, about as good as I could imagine in view of the forces on both sides. The Allies have made some good gains in territory but they have paid a high price for it, especially in battleships. I think you still have naval superiority in the Solomon area, though maybe by a small margin.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 503

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/14/2015 4:35:36 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Thanks jwolf,

I agree that without the Mikuma commander's reckless action the result could have been very different. If the Allied TF had been just one hex further south the KB would not have been in range. I probably do have local naval superiority now, although my opponent has a lot of LBA in theatre so will need to exercise caution. I'm hoping to use the opportunity to shore up my perimeter by building up more potential target bases, now that Woodlark Island has been secured.

Kudos to Apbarog as well for his laconic and measured response, after the usual pleasantries, in today's email:
"As for the turn, I can say that certainly didn't go as planned. Chalk up another bombardment mission gone astray."

Jan 12, 1942

I decided not to chase after the remnants of the Allied TF with the KB - no point in risking a torpedoed carrier when I have just opened up a tactical advantage.

Sub attack near Sansapor: I have been running more fuel convoys to Rabaul and Truk to supply my naval forces but fortunately no tankers are hit on this occasion. Time to plot some different convoy routes methinks.

B-25s try to skip bomb a sub chaser near Buin. A useful warning as I need to run more supplies to Shortlands and Munda and will need to coordinate some better CAP to get the convoys through.

I have detached significant naval forces from Rabaul and they are spotted north of Ontong Java. My opponent will now have to determine whether they are bound there, or possibly Nauru Island further to the south east. No sign of the Allied carriers, last seen several days ago steaming in the direction of Luganville.

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/14/2015 5:39:37 PM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 504

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/15/2015 2:36:55 AM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

I am a big proponent of small task forces like the Mikuma and escort destroyer. Or even just 2-3 destroyers. I always felt they fight well above their weight especially at night.

Nicely done, and better yet you didn't get greedy and doing something rash.

I can't tell you how much the game changes, for the worse, if you get into a heavy attritional CV struggle.

With 1943 here, you start thinking about Sam r&d...your Zeroes will be badly outclassed by June of 43 until you get Sam.

Bombardment missions.

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 12/15/2015 3:37:53 AM >

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 505

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/15/2015 10:52:21 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Thanks Lowpe,

I agree about small TFs sometimes being able to punch above their weight. There's also less at stake if things go awry and suddenly you run out of movement points

.

I'm doing all I can to expedite late fighter production but I only once got this far in the campaign before, plus haven't played PDU off so may have made some schoolboy errors in production. We'll have to see.

Jan 13, 1943

And its unlucky number 13 for the carrier Ryujo, which bears the brunt of the Allies newly-proven torpedo technology today.

Marshalls / Gilberts

As my punitive expedition force continues steaming towards Nauru, SS Sawfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yukikaze and misses, then strikes gold with a single torpedo hit on Ryujo immediately afterwards. That would have probably been wearable except that SS Runner then picks up the baton

and manages to evade 28 ASW points to pump a further torpedo into the unlucky Ryujo. The carrier is still afloat with 58 float damage and will now need to limp to a nearby base under constant sub attack.

Meanwhile, the air attack on Nauru goes ahead. Zeroes flying from Kusaie Island sweep the base first and are unopposed. Then Betties based at Tarawa bomb the port, finding the previously damaged DD O'Brien there and hitting it with another bomb. Port damage is minor. Lastly, 50 Kates bomb the airfield but the damage is disappointingly light again. The navy planes were set to naval attack first but no Allied ships within range are moving.

Summary

The Allies will be able to claim some revenge today for yesterday's reverses, especially if Apbarog manages to hunt Ryujo down before I can get her to safety. There will always be a risk using capital ships in sub-infested waters, however if I let the Allies build up Nauru and Ocean Island that puts them in bombing range of all of the Gilbert and Marshalls bases. They will get there no doubt, but I need to delay this while I can. Unfortunately, my bombers can do little to damage bases in rough terrain it seems. So, tomorrow we bombard. There may well be mines but I have found in the past that bombardment TFs can often evade these. We will see.

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/15/2015 11:57:55 AM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 506

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/16/2015 8:50:31 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 14, 1943

An Allied TF spotted yesterday apparently heading towards Horn Island turns out only to be a TF of sub chasers. SS I-165 is located by SC-521 near Portland Roads but no hits are scored. I am keeping 4 or 5 picket subs in the vicinity in the hope of impeding any further Allied moves toward Port Moresby or Horn Island.

My bombardment TF encounters mine field at Nauru Island and DD Yamagumo takes a mine hit, catches fire and sinks. So now we know: too dangerous to naval bombard and terrain too rough for peely-wally Japanese medium bombers to hit effectively from the air

.

Anyway, the results for the record...

quote:

Night Naval bombardment of Nauru Island at 127,128 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
CA Furutaka
CA Chikuma

Allied Ships
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
400 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 53 (11 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 21
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

BB Hyuga firing at G/H Hy Cst Arty
G/H Hy Cst Arty firing at BB Hyuga
BB Ise firing at 4th Marine Defense Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Ise
CA Furutaka firing at 4th Marine Defense Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Furutaka
CA Chikuma firing at Nauru Island

Apart from that a quiet day in the Pacific. I have a few movements going on around the map to achieve certain objectives but more about that anon.

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 507

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/17/2015 9:16:49 PM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 15, 1943

Solomons Islands

Allied amphibious assault at Choiseul Bay, right next to Shortlands - cheeky!

Allied ground losses: 41 casualties reported, 13 squads disabled. It appears that APDs have been used. KB later finds and sinks one of them: APD Edsall, Bomb hits 20, and is sunk. Clearly this is not a big invasion, but it's right next to my Shortlands base complex. I think its designed to give me yet another headache to think about while still digesting the loss of Nauru.

Speaking of Nauru, Betties hit the port again but the Allies have flown in VRF-2F with 24 F4Fs in the meantime and about 18 planes are shot down, half of them Zero escorts. My own fighter sweep arrives late and takes out 9 Wildcats in retaliation.

The only other combat event is a heavy bombing raid on Port Moresby, still closed down.

Map to show how busy the contested Solomons are right now...

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 508

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/18/2015 9:35:29 AM

Walker84

Posts: 850
Joined: 7/5/2009
Status: offline

Jan 16, 1943

Quite a fun day today with a variety of actions going on:

- Sub vs Sub: SS I-30 attacking SS Swordfish near Rossel Island. Shame that 4 torpedoes miss.

- Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island. I was trying to insert a unit fragment, plus supplies but Apbarog has screened the island with PT boats so after an inconclusive stand-off my flotilla heads back to Rabaul without unloading.

- Allied Night Naval bombardment of Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. Painful, but not desperate as I have engineers, plenty supply and 200+ AV on the atoll. I need to do a better job of spotting next time and then maybe I can get some Netties into play if Apbarog tries this again. I want to keep Cocos and Christmas IO under lock and key as they can be useful stepping stones for the Allies back into the DEI.

quote:

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Valiant
CL Mauritius
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
DD Van Galen

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 2

During the daytime, Allied F4Fs sweep Woodlark island. Must have been anticipating LRCAP but there were no landings there today, thanks to the PT boat intervention.

Allied carriers have turned up south of Rossel Island today, so we go to Defcon 5 again (seems we are rarely below 4 these days). There are 90-odd Allied fighters at Milne Bay so I expect some operation is in the offing. Either towards Horn Island or perhaps pushing closer to Buna on Papua.

Solomons Islands

The Allied unit at Munda bombards my forces but finds out it is outnumbered, although more Allied units appear to be pushing north from Vangunu.

quote:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3173 troops, 45 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 93
Defending force 2948 troops, 45 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Assaulting units:
102nd(Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
89th Naval Guard Unit
21st/A Division
15th Naval Construction Battalion

The Battle of Choiseul Bay

It turns out that the Allied force landed here yesterday was 1st Fiji Commando and the empty base reverts to Allied control overnight. However, Japanese Army bombers hit the commandos in the morning, then I paradrop 1st Raiding Rgt to contest the base. I mean, really! the hex is adjacent to Shortlands. Two back-to-back ground actions take place...

quote:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 160 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 702 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Fiji Commando

Defending units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 702 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 50 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Choiseul Bay !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1 - the commandos are reported to have surrendered.

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
1st Fiji Commando

Analysis
I'm not altogether sure why my opponent bothered with this weak and exposed landing, unless it was a diversionary tactic that I will find out about in the next day or two. It has certainly drawn out one of my para units, but I have others in reserve at Rabaul. I guess it continues the approach of forcing me to react continually along the very broad front that is now in contention from Horn Island in the west to Tabiteuea in the east.

< Message edited by Walker84 -- 12/18/2015 10:38:49 AM >

_____________________________

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most -
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 -1882)

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 509

RE: Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walke... - 12/18/2015 1:36:15 PM

jwolf

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

quote:

... we go to Defcon 5 again (seems we are rarely below 4 these days).

Seems like that is the sad state of affairs in the Solomon Sea area for the foreseeable future. The Allied strategy strikes me as a quasi-Soviet style of operations, putting pressure across the board on as many fronts as possible on the assumption that something will give somewhere -- but possibly at high cost.

(in reply to Walker84)

Post #: 510

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