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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/12/2016 5:44:21 PM

BBfanboy

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In addition to the air support, you should consider landing some naval support to speed the unloading. Some of the heavier equipment you need does not come off the ships in the first batch of unloading. Heavy AA guns for example.
I use USN BFs and Port Service Units early on, and the amphibious truck units when they show up later in the game.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/13/2016 12:02:13 AM

Leandros

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In addition to the air support, you should consider landing some naval support to speed the unloading. Some of the heavier equipment you need does not come off the ships in the first batch of unloading. Heavy AA guns for example.
I use USN BFs and Port Service Units early on, and the amphibious truck units when they show up later in the game.

Thank you - a little too short notice now - the show is on in two days. I shall try to arrange for it in the next
landing - about two weeks from now. The margins should be enough for this time. I hope....

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/14/2016 4:02:51 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap Aug. 6th 1943, afternoon.

Two two-carrier and two battleship task forces are now positioned just south of Busuanga under fighter cover from the airfields there and at TayTay, waiting for their assault orders. Just north of them is the invasion fleet with its dedicated escorts and a bombardment group with, among others, an old battleship. Included in this assembly is also the escort carrier Long Island with its own destroyer escorts. It carries 18 Wildcats. Some of the ships/task forces shall be released for independent operations up and down the coast as soon as the landing force is safely ashore.

The destroyer mine-sweepers Hopkins and Long started off on the right foot by sinking the enemy transport Nisso Maru on their way north to Iba, resulting in more than 300 Japanese casualties. Hopkins and Long were covered by four other destroyers. Three PT divisions, operating from Lubang during the morning, discovered several enemy mini-subs in the Manila Bay approaches.

The most important this day was the softening-up of the enemy air defences. In two consecutive waves 101 bombing (Hudson, A-20, B-17, B-24 and B-25�s) and 56 fighter (escort) sorties were flown against Clark and Nichols field from TayTay, Busuanga, Cagayan and Davao. The enemy response was prolific, only against the morning attack did the enemy rise to defend himself in any force to speak of. There were no own losses even if quite a few planes were damaged by enemy AA. Hits were reported on workshops, stores and runways. The carrier bombers were saved for tomorrow�s landings.

The invasion force is loaded amphibiously on seven large transports. Two more shall unload the last part of the 7th Marines two days later. Two companies of USMC paras in Puerto Princesa are ready to jump over Iba. The 1st and 3rd Para BN�s are on ships a week out and shall be used in the next landing further up the coast.

Fred

< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/14/2016 4:07:08 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/15/2016 10:28:40 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap August 7th 1942, afternoon.

What a glorious day!

Before the long-planned landings at Iba could start around noon on Aug. 7th, a couple of incidents shook the British and US HQ�s. Once again a Japanese cruiser force sped up along the Burmese coast to Akyab, entered the ports of Akyab and Cox�s Bazaar and sank several medium transports before it turned south again only to visit Port Blair the next day with almost similar results. At the same time Betty bombers attacked shipping in the port of Port Blair.

Retribution followed later in the day when the British light cruisers Emerald and Newcastle carried out a raid from Sabang to Langsa, the port used by the enemy for landing reinforcements to the Imperial Guards division that beleaguered Sabang on the northern tip of Sumatra. Transport Kinugawa Maru was sunk by gunfire.

Similar incidents took place outside Bataan. The enemy submarine I-165 managed to penetrate the heavy destroyer screen of the invasion convoy and put two torpedoes into Henry T. Allen, one of the large army transports. It sank and took with it some of the 3rd Marine Defense BN, an important part of the invasion force. While most of the Marines were saved, all its equipment went to the bottom. Other enemy submarines and mini-submarines were chased away by the escorts. I-165 tried again later but with less luck.

At almost the same time the USN PT boats 31, 32, 33 and 35 hit upon enemy transports Meiten Maru and Ueizuru Maru as they were entering Subic Bay at Bataan. Both were torpedoed and went down, resulting in around 3.700 casualties. A second PT division in the area damaged transport Yuki Maru. The same ship received additional damage as the invasion fleet�s main carrier covering force, Enterprise and Hornet with a substantial escort of cruisers and destroyers, streaked by her.

The first bomber support was given by 59 x SBD�s and 18 x Avengers from Enterprise and Hornet, attacking Vigan. They met with no fighter opposition but nine planes were damaged by AA fire. The next attack, against Nichols Field outside Manila, was performed by 15 x B-17 and 20 x B-26 flying from TayTay, escorted by 14 x P-36 and 12 x P-40�s. This was the only occasion when enemy fighters appeared in force - 21 x Ki-27 Nate. The next wave, six unescorted B-17 also flying from TayTay, were only met by two Nates. After that followed several unopposed bomber raids originating in Cagayan and Davao and from the second two-carrier force. Most raids were directed at Clark and Nichols Field but also on ground forces around Iba.

The Iba landings started at noon after a quite effective bombardment by battleships Mississippi and West Virginia and heavy cruiser Quincy. Fighter cover was given by Wildcats flying from the escort carrier Long Island and the new airfield at Busuanga. Lubang airfield is promised operational tomorrow. Not unexpectedly, there were quite a few unloading accidents, and losses to enemy action, but the first assault was so over-whelming that a beachhead was quickly secured. At the same time two reduced companies of the USMC 2nd Para BN jumped inland of the airfield. A concerted attack by the first 7th Marine company ashore, and the para BN, quickly brushed the enemy defenders aside. They withdrew into the back-woods. Before the sun set in his back General MacArthur could wade ashore at the beach alongside Iba airfield and stroll the fifty yards up to the strip that was so badly mauled by the enemy on December 8th. He had returned.

Fred

Picture: Ships sunk list per August 7th.

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< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/16/2016 10:33:22 AM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/16/2016 1:53:08 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap August 9th 1942 � afternoon.

As the consolidation of the Iba beachhead continues there are continuous activities on the three hotspots: Sabang, Port Moresby and Akyab. The Japanese are making headlong attacks every day with ever diminishing returns, the allies have built up their defences too quickly for them. It can be seen clearly in their responses to the allied artillery offensives, less and less counter-battery fire is launched by the enemy. On the 8th, a concerted frontal attack on Sabang resulted in more than 1.300 enemy casualties.

The British are assembling a battleship/carrier task force in the Bay of Bengal. They hope to have it ready in a few days. Ever the optimists.

An enemy light cruiser (Naka-class) with two destroyers are patrolling south of Timor without any significant pattern. They have been attacked every day by USN Kingfishers and PBY�s flying out of Koepang, two squadrons of each are based there, and B-17�s flying from Darwin. No decisive results yet. Admiral Purnell in Davao is arranging for a cruiser force to destroy them or chase them off.

The bombing offensive against targets on Luzon is continuing along the same pattern, a small enemy fighter force shows up in the morning � then nothing. More and more enemy planes are destroyed on the ground.

On the morning of the 8th a series of bombardment raids were set in motion by three battleship and heavy cruiser flotillas, among them Mississippi, Indianapolis, Louisville and Quincy. Vigan, San Fernando and Bataan were attacked. On their way along the coast the raiders surprised and sunk several enemy transports and support vessels. PT�s 27, 39 and 42 sunk the transport Yuki Maru outside Bataan. The allied submarines that were called in to cover the landing area were ordered back to their original patrol locations in the South China Sea.

On the morning of the 9th the new battleship North Carolina was also sent north along the coast to try out a new concept, that of patrolling the South China Sea with a powerful surface flotilla. With it was the new AA cruiser Atlanta. While passing west of Bataan it was intercepted by the mini-sub Ha-26 but it was driven away by the destroyer escort. Outside Vigan TB Tomozuru was quickly dispatched of. It seems as if little warning of the allied naval activity has been transmitted to Japanese ships at sea.

Royal Navy carrier Indomitable was attacked by 13 torpedo-carrying Betties while in Akyab. Indomitable and the local fighter force was warned in good time - 17 Hurricanes went up to meet the bombers and Indomitable and her two destroyer escorts were able to out-maneuver the bombers. Three were shot down and two damaged without own losses.

Fred

Picture: Ships sunk list included August 9th 1942.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/17/2016 2:18:55 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap Aug. 11th 1942 � afternoon

The main event on Aug. 10th was that a strong Japanese cruiser force, led by Mikuma, hit the coast north of Vigan and proceeded south along the western coast of Luzon. It met the USN destroyers Hatfield and Rathburne outside Vigan where they were positioned as submarine pickets. Hatfield was sunk while Rathburne was able to sneak away in the dark, moon-less night. The Japanese flotilla continued down the coast. Approaching Iba, where there were some fat targets, among them CVE Long Island, it bumped into light cruiser Honolulu and four destroyers, all old four-stackers. They gave them a good fight, hits were registered on two heavy cruisers, one of them Mikuma, the destroyer Mikazuki was set afire. USS Kane had to absorb most of the enemy�s anger, it was sunk. The threat to the Iba anchorage was averted, the Japanese continued south in hot pursuit of Honolulu and the three old destroyers.

But Mikuma and her consorts were only a covering force for the enemy CVE task force Taiyo. As the Honolulu task force closed the Manila Bay approaches they unknowingly intercepted Taiyo and her escorts, about to enter Manila Bay. Taiyo and her two escorts were properly shot up, Taiyo to the extent that she was later unable to launch any fighters, seemingly her purpose for going to Manila in the first place. She escaped into the Bay, the USN ships had to keep on going south with the powerful enemy cruiser force on their tails. As it were, Mikuma and her cohorts also set course for Manila. So it was that during the day a large enemy naval force was anchored outside Manila while all US bombers had their missions set on land targets. Would they get their chance the next day?

The next day they there were no ships in Manila except TB Manazura, damaged during the previous day�s fight. She was sunk in a row of devastating bombing raids. The Japanese, having lost the air protection of Taiyo and with most land-based fighters grounded, understood that Manila would be a death-trap in daylight and decided to leave before the morning. Escorted by the heavy cruisers Taiyo departed Manila in the dark evening. Patrolling the approaches were the old destroyers Hopkins, Long and Breeze. They were able to evade the powerful enemy force but not before they had given, and received, a few shell hits, one on Taiyo. More importantly, they transmitted the news of the fleeing enemy flotilla to friendly units. This was picked up by PT�s 28, 30, 45 and 46, on their way from Lubang to Subic Bay. They caught up with the enemy flotilla and put four torpedoes into Taiyo and one into the destroyer Yayoi. Both went down within a few minutes. At this stage, the Japanese flotilla commander had become extremely worried, he wanted to get out of this bee-hive!

Not much luck with that. As they left the Bay and turned north, they bumped into battleship North Carolina with cruiser Atlanta and six powerful destroyers, Mikuma and another heavy cruiser was further damaged. Only the happy ship Amatsukaze got away unscathed. Mikuma is considered sunk. As if that wasn�t enough a second PT division showed up, there were, in all, four of them out that night. This time the PT�s weren�t able to get within torpedo firing range.

Warned by all this activity another powerful USN task force arrived in the area � heavy cruiser Indianapolis with three other cruisers and four destroyers. But now the birds had flown, only a sub-chaser and a transport was left in Subic Bay. Both were promptly dispatched of. Indianapolis and her friends continued north and with that the naval action in and around Manila Bay quietened down.

There were things going on in other places, too. On Aug. 9th the carriers Saratoga and Yorktown were on their way north of the Torres Strait to join the other carriers in the Philippines when suddenly there was an explosion aboard Yorktown. Fires broke out and she was not able to launch her planes. As the fire was brought under control she had to return to the wharf in Brisbane, only escorted by two destroyers. Saratoga continued on her journey but was soon instructed to transfer to a position south of Lautem to participate in the hunt for the enemy cruiser flotilla that had been strolling around there for some days. On the 10th her scouts found the enemy and attacked with 13 SBD�s. Hits were reported on a Naka-class light cruiser, she had two destroyers with her. A second raid, later in the day, also reported hits on the cruiser. A PBY-attack flown from Koepang yielded no results. While not confirmed officially the enemy cruiser is probably sunk.

Another successful destroyer operation took place outside Dinagat in the Philippines. Three destroyers led by Mugford, based in Iloilo, hit upon a reported four-ship enemy supply convoy escorted by a PB and two troop-carrying APD�s. The three escorts and APD�s were engaged first, the transports were set afire and later sunk or damaged by PBY�s and land-based Avengers flying from Cagayan.

Finally, there was an engagement south-west of kendari, a transport convoy was reported on an easterly course the day before. Destroyers Schley, Ward and Lawrence, based in Kendari, were sent to investigate. Instead they hit a cruiser force led by IJN OI and Tatsuta. In a surprise attack they were able to put a torpedo into Tatsuta and damage OI with gun fire. The US ships withdrew after USS Lawrence developed a fire aboard. The enemy flotilla turned back.

Fred

Picture: Ships sunk list included Aug. 11th 1942

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/17/2016 2:27:21 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/19/2016 12:36:13 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap Aug. 13th 1942 � afternoon.

Aug. 12th was a relatively quiet day for the allied naval forces around the Philippines except for a clash between the heavy cruiser Ashigara and battleship North Carolina. Ashigara was acting as a covering force for carrier Taiyo that was sunk the day before outside Manila, she was now speeding south, accompanied by destroyer Shiokaze, to deal out revenge. On her way north was battleship North Carolina with a strong cruiser and destroyer following. Her mission was to sweep up the coast, then to turn west and south to try out a new concept - that of interfering with the Japanese supply traffic through the South China Sea with naval surface forces in daylight. Naval units with the best AA equipment were picked for the purpose. The two enemies met just south of Iba. In the dark night the Japanese ships were able to fire a full fan of torpedoes before they were taken under fire by the powerful opposition. North Carolina got off two full salvoes before she was hit by one of the Long Lances. Luckily, all the other torpedoes went astray. The result was inevitable, Ashigara went down in a cloud of fire and explosions. North Carolina was not seriously damaged, but Shiokaze was able to get away relatively unscathed in the dark night.

But, not for long. Following the North Carolina task force were light cruisers Helena and Nashville with four destroyers. They picked up the limping Shiokaze on their radars and finished her off. The sinkings of Ashigara and Shiokaze have not yet been confirmed.

Other events: East of Cam Rahn Bay, SS Gato put a torpedo into the Patrol Boat Kyo Maru #8. She was escorting a south-bound convoy. Gato had to evade before the sinking could be confirmed. Three PBY�s attacked an enemy transport with 500 lbs. bombs east of Cam Rahn Bay. No hits were observed. This sortie was the first of future long-range missions flying from Puerto Princesa on Palawan to further block off the South China Sea. Most of the submarines in the area has now been redirected back to their stations there.

Allied transport Engadine was sunk east of Portland roads by nine Betty bombers flying out of Rabaul. She was hit by three torpedoes. Later in the day the small transport Island Mail was sunk by four Betties outside Cooktown.

The constant frontal attacks by the Japanese outside Port Moresby, Sabang and Akyab are slowly wearing the attackers down with increasing losses each time. On this day their attack along the Kokoda Trail cost them more than 300 casualties with a tenth of that in allied losses. They are getting nowhere.

The 13th, on the other hand, was quite eventful � ten enemy transports and four escort and support vessels were sunk during the night and the day. Some of them were part of a new Japanese attempt at getting through the island chain south of Kendari, heading for an unknown destination. In two actions they were intercepted by light cruiser Glasgow and the Dutch destroyers Isaac Sweers and Tjerk Hiddes, and the four-stackers Schley and Ward. The enemy suffered more than 700 casualties among the troops aboard.

The others were victims of the cruiser force, now led by Indianapolis, North Carolina had withdrawn to Iloilo to make repairs on the torpedo damage. On their south-bound foray through the South China Sea they hit upon two transport convoys. Several of the transports were sunk, but in the dark night some still managed to get away. Indianapolis finished the job by sinking tanker Hakko Maru just before she crossed back into the Jolo Sea.

In a violent attack by 90 SBD�s and 10 TBD�s on Subic Bay the minisubs Ha-15 and Ha-26 were sunk at the pier. 23 SBD�s were damaged by AA fire but all got back safely. There were also numerous hits on port and store installations.

Determined attacks were pressed through by six Sonia bombers in two consecutive attacks towards the British carrier Indomitable and her task force west of Bassein. The bombers were escorted by, in all, 35 Oscar fighters. The task force was defended by the carrier fighters, mainly 26 Martlets. Three Sonias and four Oscars were shot down. No damage was done to the ships, but at the cost of two Fulmars and one Martlet.

An all-out ground attack on Akyab on the 13th cost the Japanese more than 800 casualties. The British had six casualties. The main enemy ground forces outside Akyab are the 14th Tank Regiment, the 146th IR, the 21st Mixed Brigade and the 55th Mountain Gun Regiment. All under the auspices of the 15th Army.
Defending Akyab are: 14th and 23rd British Brigades, 26th Indian Brigade and the main part of the Indian 23rd Division. In addition, a large array of support units of all kinds.

South of Sabang the Japanese Imperial Guards Division has been reinforced by the 77th IR.

Fred

Picture: Ships lost list per Aug. 13th 1942.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/19/2016 12:40:53 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/24/2016 6:24:33 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap aug. 28th 1942 � afternoon

The **** has hit the fan! While, for a period, the situation has been relatively static there has been a development towards new enemy offensives. It seems new forces are getting available as they are finishing their various occupation operations.

But, first an update on Operation Luzon. The Iba landings met weaker opposition than expected, the US forces have been able to scout inland and there are little enemy forces in the vicinity. For this reason, the 8th Marines were not sent in to reinforce the 7th. Instead it was decided to immediately go for Vigan. In much the same way as was done in Iba the 8th Marines went in together with a cst. art. AA regt. and naval and air base support forces the day before yesterday. The opposition has been much stronger than it was at Iba and the operation has been complicated by the fact that the planes (C-47�s) of three Para battalions planned flown in from Puerto Princesa had a too short range to make Vigan. Instead they were dropped over San Fernando, south of Vigan. This worked nicely, the airfield was taken intact, one of the Para battalions are now on its march north to join the Marines in Vigan. In the mean-time supplies have been flown in and a supply ship originally destined for Vigan is presently unloading in San Fernando. There have been several attempts by the enemy to interdict the operations up and down the western coast of Luzon but own naval forces in this area are so strong that he has been more or less frustrated each time he has tried.

In other places the situation has suddenly turned very serious. The constant enemy naval interdiction has complicated the supply transports to Denpasar on Bali and the British advanced bases in Southeast Asia, Sabang and Akyab. This concerns general supplies as well as oil fuel for the naval units. The enemy has had some setbacks, though. Light cruiser Kashima was bombed south-east of Sabang, it sank, a quite rare incident these days, and light cruisers Tenryu and Akuma were dispatched by the 15 in. guns of RN battleship Royal Sovereign south of Akyab.

At the same time, only yesterday, renewed landings were made close to Sabang, supplementing the already strong enemy forces there, and near Denpasar, Bali. This follow Japanese successes in the Bengal Bay, partly caused by the fuel constraint. Carrier Formidable was sunk by an enemy battleship/cruiser task force, consisting of two battleships and two heavy cruisers with destroyer supports, while waiting for fuel in Akyab, and two other carriers were damaged for a similar reason in Sabang. They got away, but only barely. RN heavy cruiser Essex was sunk outside Akyab trying to intervene with the enemy force. That situation is still not cleared up but a (relatively) strong Royal Navy battleship/cruiser task force is planned to hit the beaches outside Sabang the coming night and emergency supply transports have been organized for Sabang and Akyab. The question is, shall they get through? The enemy forces outside Akyab also seem to be increasing gradually in size. On the brighter side, much of the British forces chased out of Rangoon have managed to withdraw up the coast and have now assembled south of the enemy force concentration east of Akyab. Some have even come through to Akyab.

Denpasar, Bali, is the most critical point for now. This base was meant to be the point of the last withdrawal from Sumatra and Java. There are many Dutch units, both those originally based there, as well as some withdrawn from other Dutch areas. The central units are an Aussie infantry brigade and a US coast. art. AA regt. In all, more than 15.000 troops. As such, the enemy shall have problems taking Denpasar in the short term but they have almost unlimited numbers to take from the relieved troops in Java. They can also effectively bar the allied supply transports, being so close to the large air base complex of Soerebaja. At the moment the real problem is supplies, the Dutch have run out of aviation fuel. Consequently, the relatively strong fighter force there, which has done a fine job till now, is being destroyed on the ground. It is as if the enemy has sniffed this out because they are sending in large unescorted bomber forces every day. The nearest supply ship is two/three days out and there is no guarantee that it will get through the enemy screen. The nearest allied naval forces to speak of are two days away, too.

What to do? As cross-ocean supplies cannot be guaranteed a large air supply operation has been set in motion. The four C-47 squadrons in Puerto Princesa, originally positioned there to fly and support the three Marine Para battalions, have been transferred to Kendari. They shall start flying supplies into Denpasar from there tomorrow. Also, one C-47 squadron has been transferred from Darwin to Koepang for the same purpose. As much of the fighter defense in Denpasar has already been destroyed on the ground a Marine Wildcat squadron under training in Darwin has also been transferred to Koepang to immediately move to Denpasar when supplies have arrived there. The light cruiser Achilles and two Dutch destroyers shall move to a position west of Koepang to start interdicting the Japanese landings in Denpasar. Light cruiser Hobart with two destroyers is ordered down from Menado and carrier Saratoga in Zamboanga, original meant to join her sisters on Luzon, shall turn south again. Saratoga�s problem is that she had no fighters aboard. Seven Buffalos, based in Cebu, shall join her as she departs Zamboanga. Also an Avenger squadron from Cagayan. As she reaches the operational area it can be decided if the Marines Wildcat squadron shall join her or remain in Koepang or Denpasar. Much of the problem in similar operations against multiple invasion convoys has been the replenishment of the active destroyer forces. For that purpose, another destroyer tender is transferred to Koepang.

There are ominous signs that something is going on in the Bismarck Sea, too. A large carrier force has been detected there and it has made several raids on Port Moresby the last days � if with tragic results for the attackers, the fighter defense in Port Moresby has grown quite strong. Let them come! The first Aussie Spitfire squadrons are now coming on line, if only in small numbers so far. Another Beaufighter squadron has been transferred to PM. Problem is there are very little allied naval forces in the Coral Sea area, the Australian wharfs are working round-the-clock to finish all the repairs. Battleship Nevada was on her way north after repairs but had to turn around after a torpedo hit. Carrier Yorktown, after her mysterious explosion north of Torres Strait, have to spend 120 days in the wharf. Interesting times!

Fred

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River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book on Operation Sea Lion - www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - a book series on how The Philippines were saved - in 1942! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018F2QMEW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/26/2016 7:27:31 PM

Leandros

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Sitrap September 2nd 1942 � afternoon

Suddenly the air went out of the Japanese balloon. The attempt to attack Sabang directly from the sea was averted by the sinking of their transports outside the beaches. What was left of the landed forces re-embarked. They have, however, been reinforced over land by a heavy artillery regiment. Their latest frontal attacks have resulted in extreme losses for them. 700 in their latest attempt. The situation at Sabang is balanced again for now but own reinforcements are needed from India if the enemy continues his build-up. I fear he shall.

The problems at Denpasar, Bali, also seems to come to a reasonable conclusion even if the airlift from Koepang and Kendari hasn�t come off yet, the airfield hasn�t been usable for landings � too damaged. Two diverted supply ships managed to get through two days ago, but one was sunk in the harbour by bombers flying from Java the day after. Some aviation fuel came ashore, though, so that some fighter sorties could be flown in spite of the damaged runways. With carrier Saratoga having arrived east of the neighbour island the fighter defense has developed such that enemy bombings of the airfield have been stopped almost completely � more fighters were scrounged for Saratoga on her way down from Menado. Tomorrow, another supply ship is due in, it shall be properly escorted on its final leg by the local naval forces which now number three light cruisers and five destroyers. As soon as the airfield is reasonably repaired the Wildcat squadron at Koepang shall be flown in. In the mean-time B-17�s transferred to Kendari and Koepang have flown missions against the airfields around Soerebaja, as have the SBD�s from Saratoga. There have been some losses. The Japanese landing attempt at Denpasar was also frustrated, only a small part of the landing forces came ashore before their transports were destroyed by the allied naval forces. A concerted land attack on the second day drove the rest of them into the sea.

Operation Luzon has developed admirably. More than 8.000 troops are ashore both in Iba and Vigan. The Vigan defenders held up for two days before they withdrew north, up the coastal road.

The three Para battalions that landed in San Fernando have joined up with the Vigan forces, marching up the coastal road. The first of them participated in the final battle that threw the enemy out of Vigan. The first fighter elements are now operating from Vigan airfield.

The enemy continues to try to get through to Bataan and Manila, his ships are intercepted almost every night by the six PT divisions scuttling between Lubang, Subic Bay, Manila and Iba. The PT�s have been quite successful up till now. Only last night a freighter was sunk while on its way to Subic Bay. Its escort managed to escape north but was soon intercepted by a destroyer division sent south from Iba. It sank.

Preparations are well under way for the next step. This shall be a larger and riskier operation. 1st Marines shall be at the core of it together with the now well-known assembly of ancillary units. At first, the 32nd Infantry Division in Davao was meant to have been used by now but it is being saved for the final push, the decisive twist of the �supply denial-screw�. The main part of the submarine fleet is now being positioned between Formosa and the Chinese mainland. They have obtained some results recently but considering the effort and concentration it is somewhat disappointing.

A second escort carrier is two days out of Brisbane, hopefully available for the �next step�. This one is larger than Long Island, with triple the a/c complement.

Fred

Picture: The lost ships list. The losses have been balanced somewhat the last few days.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/26/2016 7:31:31 PM

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I'm posting the a/c loss figures just to show the extreme Betty losses. See total losses.

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/26/2016 8:08:42 PM

BBfanboy

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Even if you can't land your transports because of the runway damage, you can air drop supplies to help the situation. Only do this if enemy fighters are not present yet.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/27/2016 9:32:05 AM

Leandros

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Even if you can't land your transports because of the runway damage, you can air drop supplies to help the situation.
Only do this if enemy fighters are not present yet.

Thank you, I believed they would do this automatically if not able to use the airfield. I can't see any
other command than "supply transport" for this purpose (it's a friendly base). While the flight is (it says so,
anyway) within range (Kendari-Denpasar and Koepang-Denpasar) a logical problem might be that it is out of range
if they cannot land for return flight refuelling.

Fred

< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/27/2016 10:05:56 AM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/27/2016 2:30:34 PM

BBfanboy

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If you can set the target without getting an "out of range" message, it is in range for supply transport. 20% of fuel usage is for take-off and landing so going to a destination and not landing saves fuel.
If you have tried and they won't fly it is possible the squadron leader "knows" there is CAP there and he won't fly into it. Or it is weather. Jocke is having the same problem getting aircraft to fly right now.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/28/2016 2:07:35 PM

Leandros

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If you can set the target without getting an "out of range" message, it is in range for supply transport. 20% of fuel usage is for take-off and landing so going to a destination and not landing saves fuel.
If you have tried and they won't fly it is possible the squadron leader "knows" there is CAP there and he won't fly into it. Or it is weather. Jocke is having the same problem getting aircraft to fly right now.

What I wonder is if a supply flight (not air drop) within "normal" max. range is supposed to be refuelled for the
return flight. If the software at all counts in, and warns of, "not within range" if it cannot land due to, say,
airfield conditions. The field is still in friendly hands and marked as such. That said, there has been no problems
sending in fighters in spite of runway damages.

Presently, the field is CAP'ed by own fighters.

Fred

< Message edited by Leandros -- 4/28/2016 2:09:27 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/28/2016 3:32:39 PM

BBfanboy

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Range should not be the problem then. If you look at the "maximum range" for the aircraft, that is the one-way transfer range. The "extended range" is normally half of that, so the game is designed to NOT refuel at the target hex before the return trip home.

Check that your air leader of your transports has some aggressiveness (over 50) and set Supply Transport for the mission. If it doesn't fly, I blame the nebulous weather in the game, which cannot be predicted on a hex-by-hex basis.

PS: I have been dropping supply to a unit in the jungle with no problems. Maybe the problem is that there IS a base at your target hex so the AI assumes a landing and when it can't land the mission is just scrubbed because it was not an air drop mission initially? Is there any fatigue on the squadron to indicate that it flew to target and returned?

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/28/2016 7:13:46 PM

Leandros

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Check that your air leader of your transports has some aggressiveness (over 50) and set Supply Transport for the
mission. If it doesn't fly, I blame the nebulous weather in the game, which cannot be predicted on a hex-by-hex
basis.

You may be right about this one. The three squadron leaders averaged about 25 - "promising, if cautious" - 1lts.
I thought that was a little junior for leading 25-plane transport squadrons, anyway, so I replaced them. Shall
see how that works out. Thing is, now supplies are getting in by sea. Have to check this out, though....

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/30/2016 3:38:20 PM

Leandros

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That did the trick! Today three squadrons flew supplies Kendari-Denpasar. I shall wind that down now, supplies are
arriving by sea, but it was nice with this new knowledge. Thank you, BB.

The "supply" item is giving me some problems. I've never understood how supplies are supposed to "flow" on the ground.
I experienced this before when trying to get aviation fuel (supplies) from Darwin to Katherine Pass. This was finally
solved by flying in supplies, as nothing happened on the ground.

Now the V US Bomber Command has arrived in Charter Towers with a consequent increasing demand for supplies. The place
is out of supplies so I am arranging for a new air bridge. If I put the supply demand in Charters Towers higher than
Townsville's, shall supplies start to "flow"...? Otherwise, I shall have to move the Command to Townsville which can
be supplied by sea.

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 4/30/2016 7:05:01 PM

BBfanboy

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See the thread on the War Room forum or the main forum called "Logistics 101".
Supply goes to where there is demand and to the largest base (combined port/AF). Putting Charters Towers supply demand up will help but may need some more tweaking after that. Build the base to help draw more supply.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/1/2016 9:43:38 AM

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Sitrap Sep. 7th 1942 � afternoon

I should have been more careful in announcing that the air had gone out of the Japanese balloon. The next night they arrived outside Akyab again with a strong cruiser force and plastered two transports with shells and torpedoes. A force led by the already damaged battleship Valiant and light cruiser Caledon tried to intervene but they were both sent to the bottom by the aggressive enemy heavy cruisers led by Mikuma. Valiant fell victim to the effective enemy torpedoes. In her already damaged state, one did the trick. During the day they were revenged by light cruiser Glasgow and two Dutch destroyers, that sank the sub-chasers Cha-14 and coastal freighter Oregon Mary south-west of Kendari. Later in the day the same ships intercepted a large minelayer and two other sub-chaser escorting five small transports. At this stage the allied ships were getting low on ammo, and with little knowledge of any other enemy warships in the vicinity, they only made a demonstration to have the enemy ships turn back. This they succeeded in. It also proved to be the advance guard of a much larger convoy following them. I shall come back on that.

Yesterday, carrier HMS Indomitable was back in the Andamans again and as it was reported by air scouts that the enemy cruiser force had put in at Rangoon it was decided to make a whole-hearted try at catching them there the next day. Indomitable joined up with cruiser HMS Enterprise and three destroyers and proceeded to a position one hundred miles south-west of Rangoon. In the morning concerted raids were flown against Rangoon both by Indomitable�s bombers and bombers based in Akyab. Alas, there were no fat enemy targets in Rangoon, they had left. Instead, there were a multiplicity of enemy fighters and it all developed into a minor disaster for the British. Five Albacores, four Swordfish, two Martlets and two Fulmars were shot down by the enemy CAPs. The follow-up attacks from Akyab suffered serious losses, too: Of 13 Blenheims and 12 Hudsons three Blenheims and one Hudson were destroyed. Luckily, attacks on Indomitable by bombers flying from Rangoon later in the day were unsuccessful. At the same time the heavily damaged carrier Illustrious settled in the port of Sabang.

Later in the day the enemy cruiser task force was reported going full blast on a south-westerly course by HMS Truant, one of the two British submarines patrolling outside Phuket, in the northern approaches of the Malacca Strait. The enemy was most probably heading for Singapore. Truant�s captain tried for some long-range torpedo shots but it only resulted in two enemy destroyers coming after her. She got away, though. Hopefully this shall give the British a little time to get their act together again. Presently they have withdrawn to Port Blair to lick their wounds.

Back to cruiser Glasgow and her cohorts. As there was no immediate relief available they continued to patrol the area south-west of Kendari. In the mean-time a destroyer tender was ordered to shift from Ambon to Kendari to, at least, be able service the destroyers. The cruisers shall have to go to Menado for ammo replenishment. However, before this was executed they got a nasty surprise. Another enemy transport convoy appeared on the western horizon, consisting of no less than 30 coastal freighters. There was little in the way of escorts to see but Glasgow�s captain, H. Hickling, drew the conclusion that such a large convoy necessarily had to have a covering force not very far away. He again decided to just make a show-off, which again resulted in the enemy doubling back. That was when Hickling decided to get out of there and do some serious ammo load-up. Light cruiser Achilles with destroyers Ward and Banckert took over the watch south of Kendari. The naval command in Ambon is mobilizing for some serious Jap hunting tomorrow. Three other ships, Louisville, Ellet, Case and converted minelayer Breeze, on their way to Australia for repairs, are also being re-directed to possibly do some damage to the stubborn enemy convoy. What is their supposed destination?

The transfer of the main part of the US submarines to the strait between Formosa and the Chinese mainland is starting to take effect. As the first boats arrived in the area reports started coming in on heavy ships traffic. Both USS Gar, Pickerel and Whale had contacts with enemy destroyer Hayate. USS Albacore put a torpedo into the oiler Notoro. A two-cruiser task force, led by Captain Moore in cruiser Quincy, is presently making a raid along the enemy shipping routes in the South China Sea. Multiple position reports from planes and subs have made it possible to interpolate the most common route used. No success so far, though.

The supply crisis in Denpasar is over with 87 C-47�s flying supplies in there today. Ships are presently unloading supplies, too. The greatest problem in Denpasar now is the morale of the Dutch and Australian fighter pilots, they have been in continuous action for many weeks. With the arrival of the Navy and AAC squadrons they are now stood down.

Preparations for the �next step� is well under way. So far, a dozen large transports are assembled in the Mindanao Sea, north of Cagayan. They shall start moving north in a few days.

Fred

< Message edited by Leandros -- 5/1/2016 6:37:40 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/1/2016 7:43:34 PM

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Sitrap Sep 9th 1942 - afternoon

The enemy continued his stubborn attempt to penetrate into the Moluccan Sea with a large transport convoy - heading for whatever unknown destination. The 30-ship convoy from the other day had diminished somewhat but was still of a considerable size. Lousville and her damaged companions did a great job in diminishing it further, followed by light cruiser Achilles and her destroyer friends. Today Glasgow came sprinting down from Menado again after replenishing her ammunition. The Japanese have suffered tremendous losses in ship-borne troops. Several thousand.

At the same time he has tried to get ships through to Manila and Bataan but the allied screen is very solid - half a dozen PT boat divisions and a dozen cruisers and destroyers in various constellations. This evening�s reports indicate that he is still not giving in, more oncoming ships are sighted south of Kendari and outside Manila. Tomorrow shall be another bloody day.

The Formosa Strait submarine blockade is tightening.

Fred

Picture: Sep. 8th ships lost list. The little beauty spot at the bottom was two ships that "lost their way" north of NPG.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/1/2016 7:47:33 PM

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Picture: Sep. 9th ships lost list:

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/16/2016 6:01:18 PM

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Sitrap September 17th 1942 � afternoon.

Operation Quickstep � the invasion of the Pescadores has, so far, been a success. The landings started the day before yesterday and by this afternoon the enemy was chased out of the city and old fortress on the main island, Penghu, and pressed into a corner with their backs to the sea, on the northern part of the island. Ashore are the main elements of the 1st Marines and several support units, Base Forces, AA artillery and Engineer units. The garrison was estimated to be a small one but it defended itself well and had an abundance of coastal artillery, among it 20 cm. guns.

The landings started with a bombardment of several naval units, led by the old battleships Mississippi and West Virginia. Each transport-ship section also had dedicated cruisers or destroyers for individual support. The old fortress was a distinct nuisance in the beginning, hits were made on many own ships but this was greatly reduced after more than 90 dive bombers from four carriers made a concerted attack on their artillery positions. As more and more forces landed, enemy resistance slowly rescinded. A surprise frontal attack by the Marines on the second day broke enemy resistance. Air attacks on Takao has also been made by the carrier bombers and B-17�s and Liberators flying from Vigan.

Penghu has a good airfield and great importance was put on not damaging it during the naval bombardment. This worked very well. Escort carrier Copahee, halfway between Penghu and Vigan, has just flown off her Wildcats as the island�s initial fighter protection and has turned around to load up the 18th FS in Vigan and transport it back. This has been prepared for a while.

Mines were a major problem, and largely unexpected. Destroyer minesweepers Long and Hopkins did an excellent job of sweeping, together with two destroyers, but in end both were sunk. Apart from that, two of the transports eventually settled outside the beaches due to hull damage by coastal artillery. Almost all personnel had come ashore but much equipment was lost. In all, this proved negligible compared with the very positive result of the operation. Now everything depends on air defense of the port and airfield. Why the Pescadores? The base is to be used to strangle off the Formosa Strait by air and naval resources, mainly PT boats, submarines and the Kingfisher squadrons which have less and less work in the south. Tenders for submarines, destroyers, PT boats and destroyers are now assembling in Vigan to take the hop up to the Pescadores, PT tender Wega with two PT divisions has already left Iba. As some will know MacArthur was a great fan of PT boats and tried to build such a force in the Philippines before the war. His plan stranded, mainly for financial reasons, but the USN PT boats have proved their worth there in the last few months, one recently sank an escort carrier in Manila Bay. Two dozen more PT boats are on their way on ships from Australia.

It is hoped that the Japanese shall try to retake this important base. That shall give ample opportunity to reap more of their transports and smaller escort vessels. They shall probably not use their heavier units so close to enemy land-based bombers, they are not as haughty as they used to be. When their transports are diverted south of Formosa the same strategy shall be used with Batan Island between Luzon and Formosa. Hopefully, this shall work on the enemy�s stomachs.

Fred

P.S.: General MacArthur is aboard the new battleship North Carolina, observing the proceedings from the sea.

Picture.: The South China Sea and The Pescadores.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/18/2016 8:47:36 AM

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An incident that hasn�t been reported here: On the early morning of Sept. 14th, 1942, just before the Pescadores landings started, there was a naval battle outside Ramree Island, Burma. British battleship Royal Sovereign with three RN cruisers and several destroyers managed to intercept an enemy �cruiser� force south of Akyab. It proved, however, to be a battleship force, led by IJN Hyuga. In the low visibility the Royal Navy ships got the advantage with their radar equipment. Both battleships ended up sunk, the enemy also lost the light cruiser Tatsuta (claimed sunk on an earlier occasion) and had three destroyers badly damaged. These escaped south. The remaining RN ships were only lightly damaged. Royal Sovereign received her death knell by two �Long Lance� torpedoes launched by one of the enemy destroyers.

It should be noted from the list that the USN submarines have already started to reap the benefits of their heavy concentration east of the Pescadores.

Picture � ships sunk list:

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/19/2016 10:54:46 AM

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Sitrap - September 22nd 1942

The remaining Japanese forces on Penghu, Pescadores, were annihilated yesterday. Below a list of the US land forces ashore. The first regiment of the 32nd Infantry division is now aboard ships in Davao, ready to be inserted either on the Chinese mainland or on Formosa.

Elsewhere, the enemy seems paralyzed except that battleship Ise has been reported east of Port Blair again.

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/19/2016 11:13:42 AM

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Below the US air complement on Penghu, Pescadores, Sep. 22nd, 1942. 18th Fighter Squadron with its 19 P-36's has returned to Vigan. The USN Wildcat squadron has flown back to its carrier, Copahee. Instead, the whole 8th Fighter Group has been moved up from Busuanga and Vigan. This is the most complete and experienced Fighter Group in the Southwest Pacific. PBY's, Kingfishers, and dive bombers are next.

Seaplanes, destroyer, PT and submarine tenders have all arrived and are anchored in the excellent harbour.

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/19/2016 5:43:24 PM

BBfanboy

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Your fatigue levels on those fighter squadrons are much too high to continue at that pace. They will fight much better/lose fewer aircraft and pilots if you get them below 10 fatigue.
What range do you have them flying? Anything over 1 is over radar range for that kind of intercept.

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/19/2016 9:27:23 PM

Leandros

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Your fatigue levels on those fighter squadrons are much too high to continue at that pace. They will fight much better/lose fewer aircraft and pilots if you get them below 10 fatigue.
What range do you have them flying? Anything over 1 is over radar range for that kind of intercept.

Thank you, BB - I'm stepping them down - they have a lag from their previous station. With that concentration I
do not expect the enemy to try very hard so they shall soon rest up. Putting them down to 20 in utilization. Their
morale should improve, too.

Range is 0-1 - they are only supposed to cover the base and port for now. I have withdrawn the carriers except for
the Copahee - she is east of Formosa looking for enemy transports trying to go on the Southern side. In a day or
two I shall probably set down a Para force at Bataan Island and base some PT's there. Together with the
concentrated submarine forces that should do the trick. It has a small airfield, too.

Fred

< Message edited by Leandros -- 5/19/2016 9:30:23 PM >

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/21/2016 12:03:18 PM

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September 28th 1942.

The closing of the Formosa Strait works nicely and a �first� has been achieved, a few days ago a TBD torpedoed an enemy merchant in Amoy harbour. At the same day an RN Albacore damaged an enemy light cruiser with a torpedo in Andaman Sea. Also a �first�.

The closing off of the ocean area between Formosa and Luzon with a tight submarine net hasn�t worked completely, an enemy convoy slipped through into the south China Sea undetected. Due to this MacArthur has set in motion another operation, that of taking Batan Island between Formosa and Luzon. This was executed by three USMC Para battalions flown in from Vigan, at the same time landings were made from three destroyer transports, also operating from Vigan. On the second day all Japanese resistance was beaten down. Two PT divisions have been transferred there together with a squadron of Kingfishers. Untill further, there shall also be four destroyers in the area. That should give ample coverage.

This evening there are two distinct hotspots, one near Sabang and one near Manila. In the Andaman Sea an enemy battleship force has been operating with impunity and ravaged the harbours of Port Blair and Sabang, sinking several transports � it is reported just south of Sabang this evening. The battleship has been identified as the Huyga which was allegedly sunk by the Royal Sovereign when she went down. Could be a sister ship. The Royal Navy Command on Ceylon has decided that enough is enough and has assembled a cruiser force in the Andamans, it is now going full speed for Sabang. The ships are Cornwall, Enterprise, Dauntless, Emerald and Newcastle with six destroyers. Carrier Indomitable is positioning herself northwest of Sabang to try to get in a shot with her Albacores. The RN submarines Trusty and Truant have been moved south to the narrowest point of the Malacca Strait, just north of Singapore. They hope to get a chance when the enemy battleships eventually have to withdraw to Singapore.

The enemy land forces outside Sabang and Akyab are continuing their headlong attacks with ever larger losses.

The other hot point is Manila Bay. An enemy battleship force has been reported approaching Manila Bay, probably in for some replenishing. An intricate plan has been laid to trap them. Four PT divisions, operating from Lubang and Iba, shall sweep the area and there are two independent two-ship destroyer detachments for scouting and interdiction. The allied main force is coming down from Vigan, two flotillas with, in all, three battleships - West Virginia, Mississippi and North Carolina with the cruisers Indianapolis, Quincy, Concord, Atlanta and three destroyers. These are not going straight in but shall rather await the eventual results achieved by the PT�s. It is expected that the enemy battleships shall leave Manila again before the morning but all bombers in TayTay and Vigan have been organized for an extensive search. Carriers Enterprise and Hornet has left Penghu, the Pescadores, with their escort, to a position in the South China Sea, northwest of Manila.

The enemy has been relatively successful in his submarine warfare lately. Also, long-range torpedo-bombers flying from Rabaul have scored some successes in the Coral Sea. Air attacks on Port Moresby from a carrier force in the Bismarck Sea resulted in disastrous losses for them. PM is pretty well defended in the air with several RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons, two Beaufighter squadrons and a Spitfire detachment from the RAF. All US squadrons have been withdrawn.

Fred

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RE: Rookie AAR - 5/25/2016 12:22:57 PM

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Sitrap October 8th 1942 � afternoon

The trapping of the enemy battleship task force approaching Manila worked only partially, and developed into a three-day hide-and-seek operation where Japanese ships entered Manila Bay successfully, escaped out again to Subic Bay, only to return to Manila Bay again. All the time pursued by allied ships and planes from all directions. Unfortunately, after the first day, West Virginia and North Carolina had problems with their ammo replenishment, Mississippi had to take the brunt alone, and suffered for it together with five US destroyers and three PT boats (see list). The enemy light cruiser Oi was sunk together with an enemy destroyer. In the confused night fighting torpedo hits were claimed by destroyers and PT boats on Kirishima and Mutsu, both of them battleships. During day-time the enemy ships were harassed by land-based bombers and aircraft flying from two US carriers west of Luzon. CVE Hosho accompanied the enemy task force into Manila Bay. Her mission was obviously to transfer more fighters to Luzon, as a couple of dozen Nates suddenly appeared where there had been none for weeks.

Hosho was damaged, too, and left behind when the capital ships escaped, later to be sunk in Manila bay by gunfire from Indianapolis and a torpedo from destroyer Anderson, taking with her a dozen Zeros and Kates. Nothing more was seen of battleship Kirishima and an accompanying destroyer but three days later, battleship Mutsu was caught in the blockade net between Formosa and Luzon, first bumped into by destroyer Mustin that was looking for blockade-breakers in the night. Mustin was promptly sunk, a companion successfully evaded. Mutsu was picked up again in the morning by scouts flying from Batan Island, later also by SBD�s from Yorktown and Lexington, they were patrolling east of Batan Island. Throughout the day she was attacked and bombed by dozens of Kingfishers, Vindicators, TBF�s and SBD�s, even some PBY�s. She finally succumbed in the evening. Mississippi was revenged.

South of Formosa the blockade has not been 100 % effective. Just recently an assembly of small convoys that had piled up on the western side tried to get through to Japan. Even if bomb hits were claimed on most of them, no sinking could be confirmed. To that effect more support personnel, surface vessels and patrol planes have been transferred to Batan Island. There have been singular successes in the vicinity of Hengchung and Orchid Island.

Fred

Picture: Sinkings, among others, in the battle of Manila Bay