RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

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RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/29/2016 7:59:10 PM

jwolf

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

Is Tulagi so critical for you to capture? That level 8 fort looks like an invitation to bypass.

Ouch, ouch, ouch on Rangoon. Good luck as you regroup and fight again.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 211

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/29/2016 8:22:00 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

February 25th 1944

More sub attacks against tankers near Darwin:

quote:

Submarine attack near Bathurst Island at 77,123

Japanese Ships
SS I-178

Allied Ships
TK Genota, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK Genota is sighted by SS I-178
SS I-178 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Genota

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Darwin at 77,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-177

Allied Ships
TK British Destiny, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK British Destiny is sighted by SS I-177
SS I-177 launches 4 torpedoes

The Japanese have done more with subs here in the past 5 days than they did in maybe the last 4 months. A few xAKs were sunk as well on both sides. My ASW fleets attacked some of the subs near Darwin but it doesn't look like any were sunk. As it is, I am reluctant to send my CVs east through this concentration of subs. So for now I will concentrate on trying to sink those subs while keeping the KB tied down at Kendari. The rest of my CVs in the SoPac are more than a match for any LBA the Japanese could throw my way.

The previous day I noticed a mere 50 fighters at Rabaul and none at Kavieng (a sure sign that the Japanese are tightly stretched). Recon at Kavieng showed it was being used as a rearmament base. As a result, I decided to launch raids on Kavieng's port. First I sent some sweeping fighters which cut through the Japanese CAP like a knife through butter:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 30,440 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M7 Zero x 7
A6M8 Zero x 7
A6M8-J Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-61-Id Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M7 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M7 Zero x 3
A6M8 Zero x 1
A6M8-J Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2
Ki-61-Id Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M7 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8-J Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

The second tier Japanese air force is no match for me at all. These last two days are probably the first time I have really felt that my fighters were vastly superior to the Japanese both in pilot quality and plane quality. Again, I can attribute this success to keeping the Japanese focused on the Timor area where those fearsome Georges and Franks are sweeping the empty air over Lautem.

The actual attacks went pretty well:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M7 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AKE Cormasta, Bomb hits 1
AMc Fumi Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 6
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
AKE Turuga Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AKE Cormasta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AD Misaku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AD Misaku Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Cormasta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Hopefully those heavy fire and heavy damage sunk those ships. Though this may not be significant as the IJN doesn't have any SCTFs here; by the time they could arrive perhaps Japan might send more AKEs. Though I would imagine they would be based in a more secure location.

Meanwhile, my CVs covered a landing at Woodlark. I did not expect a Japanese convoy to come in range of them so this was a nice surprise:

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 106,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M7 Zero x 6
A6M8 Zero x 16
A6M8-J Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Id Tony x 22

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 158
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 64
SBD-5 Dauntless x 38
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teikyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Kitano Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Horai Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AV Kamoi, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Husimi Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Tamo Maru #7
PB Chitose Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Not only did I sink a half dozen xAPs, I shot down more planes than I lost.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure I landed enough at Woodlark to take the base:

quote:

round combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6601 troops, 72 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 228

Defending force 7701 troops, 206 guns, 234 vehicles, Assault Value = 292

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

Assaulting units:
27th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
53rd JNAF AF Unit
8th IJN AA Battalion

Defending units:
Americal Infantry Div /6
II Australian Corps
2/16th Field Regiment
Sixth US Army /1

More of the Americal ID will unload tomorrow but even after that I will only have a 2 to 1 AV ratio over the Japanese. However, I did bring an army and corps HQ so maybe that will put me over the top. But this shouldn't be an issue; I am already loading up for Kiriwina Island which is just to the NW of Woodlark and has much lighter defenses.

All in all, my SoPac offensive seems to have caught the Japanese off guard. I took a number of days before the Japanese responded and their response was completely ineffective as I came out well ahead on planes shot down. The biggest issue I am facing are CD guns. They have really caused a lot of problems with merchant ships pressed into amphibious invasion forces because they take so long to unload. Note to readers who play as the Allies: use APA and AKA when invading bases that have CD guns. If you are going to press xAPs and xAKs into an amphibious role, only use them against targets without CD guns. I'd estimate I've lost nearly a dozen merchant ships unloading at Tulagi and if I had to do it again, I would have only used APAs and AKAs as they unload quickly enough to avoid the worst punishment.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 212

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/29/2016 8:52:52 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Is Tulagi so critical for you to capture? That level 8 fort looks like an invitation to bypass.

Tulagi, Noumea, and Rabaul are the only bases between Australia and Hawaii that can have a level 7 port and I want to have at least one of them. Noumea is defended by 2 full IJA divisions and when I attacked it, the adjusted Japanese AV was about 5,000 which is substantially more than what we saw at Tulagi. Noumea was bypassed so I could take Tulagi which is defended by a mere 275 AV bolstered by a single independent infantry brigade. Level 8 fort or not it's not a substantial defense when compared to other key bases. Tulagi is also an ideal logistical hub as it is midway between Australia and the Gilberts. Don't forget I haven't even really gotten my battleships and cruisers into play yet. Once they start bombarding heavily, those defenses won't last long. Also I have another two infantry regiments that are prepped that can land within 3 weeks. Maybe Tulagi isn't absolutely critical, but I do not expect it to cost me much more than a month and a few thousand casualties.

On a side note, how would I even bypass the base? Are you suggesting I pull out the 1,000 AV on the island? Can I even do that? And if so, wouldn't that put my ships into substantial danger from CD guns? I've never attempted such an operation before. Seems to me that it would probably lead to horrendous ship casualties.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Ouch, ouch, ouch on Rangoon. Good luck as you regroup and fight again.

Ya, it's gonna hurt a lot to take Rangoon. I'm much more concerned with taking Rangoon than Tulagi. And if the Japanese ship reinforcements here, it may take me another 6 months to finish it off. Unlike Tulagi, I cannot count on heavy air and naval bombardment to clear out the defenders.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 213

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/29/2016 9:03:52 PM

jwolf

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

Thanks for explaining your strategic thinking in the SoPac. I don't have another strategy to offer; was just asking naively after recoiling from the level 8 fort.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 214

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/29/2016 9:22:52 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Thanks for explaining your strategic thinking in the SoPac. I don't have another strategy to offer; was just asking naively after recoiling from the level 8 fort.

LOL. Well I certainly think it won't be the last level 8 fort I deal with. Just imagine what the Marianas could look like. Level 7-9 forts backed by full divisions. Those could be extremely difficult to defeat.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 215

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 6/30/2016 6:48:26 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

Feb 26, 44

I finally sunk an IJN sub near Darwin, though it wasn't an ASW fleet that did the deed:

quote:

Submarine attack near Bathurst Island at 75,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 20, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Conner
BB Alabama
BC Renown
CLAA Atlanta
DD Perkins
DD Jenkins
DD Maury
DD Morris
DD Endicott
DD Lansdowne

The the DD William Porter almost got one:

quote:

ASW attack near Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 17

Allied Ships
DD William Porter

And with that my CVs have broken free from that sub wall and will continue east towards the SoPac afterwards. It remains to be seen what the KB that has been at Kendari will do. Even if Japan should decide to send it to the Rabaul region, I am confident I will already have a couple of bases 9 hexes or less from Rabaul by that time. Then I will sweep the air of Rabaul with as many advanced fighters as I can get, especially P-47s and P-38Js which both can fly at over 420 Mph.

So if you recall I landed an ID, a corps HQ, and army HQ at Woodlark to take the base. After seeing I had only about a 50% edge in AV, I thought the attack would stall. Well I guess using a corps HQ and army HQ can make a world of difference:

quote:

Ground combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6123 troops, 211 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 359

Defending force 7962 troops, 113 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 226

Allied adjusted assault: 1266

Japanese adjusted defense: 215

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
403 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
II Australian Corps
Sixth US Army
2/16th Field Regiment

Defending units:
27th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
53rd JNAF AF Unit
8th IJN AA Battalion

Not only did I reduce the fort, I did it with 5 to 1 odds! I legitimately could have captured the base on the first attack with those assault odds. My AV increased by a factor of 3.5. It seems to me that using the right combo of HQs can greatly increase your ceiling for adjusted AV but it takes a good dice roll to get it. And now that I've reduced both the fort and Japanese AV, taking the base shortly seems almost certain.

Another good day in the SoPac for me as the Japanese pulled their fighters back to Rabaul and left my bombers to smash the airfields in the region. Once I get my full fleet assembled in the SoPac, there will be little the Japanese can do to stop me. Both Bougainville and New Ireland islands are weakly held and my troops should have no problems taking bases quickly there. At this point it seems very possible to wrap up my SoPac operations within a month, culminating with the capture of Kavieng in northern New Ireland.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 216

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/1/2016 6:50:08 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

February 27th 1944

I seem to have a problem with my subs patrolling east of Singapore who are based at Colombo. When they come back to rearm or refuel, they have a bad tendency to route through Singapore:

quote:

TF 240 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)

Allied Ships
SS Trident, Mine hits 2, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 243 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)

Allied Ships
SS Truculent, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Not sure why this keeps happening. It didn't always do this; subs used to avoid Singapore. It might be because I am using direct routing but I have noticed in the past even direct routing will avoid enemy bases unless coastal routing is selected. I would really like to see a patch such that subs try to avoid any hexes with mines unless specifically ordered to do so. Surely there is no good reasons subs heading back to Ceylon shouldn't just go around Singapore from AI routing.

The Japanese launched a naval strike against a cruiser force in the the eastern DEI covering some convoys:

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 82,117

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 150 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 40
D4Y1 Judy x 21
N1K2-J George x 106

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Rotherham
CA Suffolk, Torpedo hits 1
DD Oreleck
DD Warramunga
DD Bulmer

Took at least 20 planes down for a single torpedo hit on a cruiser. The CA Suffolk should sail away just fine to get repairs in Sydney.

Today I landed at Wake. The CD gunfire was MUCH less than I expected:

quote:

Invasion Support action off Wake Island (136,98)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSD Belle Grove, Shell hits 1
DD Evertsen
DE Seid
LSV Catskill, Shell hits 3
PF Coronado
APA Leon

That being said, I still took a fair number of casualties on the shock attack:

quote:

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9861 troops, 172 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 348

Defending force 1492 troops, 38 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Allied adjusted assault: 44

Japanese adjusted defense: 18

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
872 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 35 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th Combat Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
14th Canadian Bde /4
18th Marine Defense Battalion
6th USA Defense Battalion

Defending units:
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
33rd JNAF AF Unit

My adjusted AV really plummeted here. Might be due to overstacking; I'm a good 60% over the limit. Hard to say. That being said, I took the fort down two levels and most of my LCUs are intact. Seems only the 18th Combat Engineer Regiment got hit hard based off the number of destroyed engineering squads.

Meanwhile to the west I am still finishing off the defenders at Ponape. The type of battle I am fighting there is very in line with the historical experiences of the US in the Pacific:

quote:

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21026 troops, 421 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 506

Defending force 6185 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Allied adjusted assault: 492

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 32 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
I US Amphib Corps
Bobcats USN Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Base Force
28th JAAF AF Bn

This battle has dragged on for many weeks requiring numerous attacks. This is probably my 5th attack since taking the base. And there are still thousands of troops left. Those Japanese just don't want to surrender. Kind of annoying because I want to get these units prepped for new targets. But then again all these attacks are probably building up experience for my units.

To the west I destroyed the remaining paratroopers at Lautem:

quote:

Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8445 troops, 104 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 852

Defending force 414 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Allied adjusted assault: 106

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 106 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
579 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
2/9 Cavalry Cdo Battalion
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Australian Division
I US Corps
6th USN Naval Const Rgt /1

Defending units:
1st Para Assault/C Div /1
1st Para Assault/A Div /1

As you see I brought the two IDs back here as well. The rest of Timor will wait.

And in the South Pacific I made more progress with Woodlark:

quote:

Ground combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7057 troops, 219 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 350

Defending force 7454 troops, 112 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 175

Allied adjusted assault: 474

Japanese adjusted defense: 381

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
277 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
Sixth US Army
II Australian Corps
2/16th Field Regiment

Defending units:
27th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
53rd JNAF AF Unit
8th IJN AA Battalion

Bringing down fort levels is always a good thing.

Looks like the KB might have left Kendari at last. Too late my friend! Landings at Kiriwina have already started. And if you have read Target Rabual you would know that Kiriwina was the main fighter base for P-38s in attacking Rabaul. By the time the KB arrive, I'll be ready to sweep Rabaul. Those are going to be some MASSIVE air battles. I'm planning on bringing every P-47 in the Pacific in support. It's going to be a glorious moment once I've cleared the skies enough to start pummeling the airfield.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 7/1/2016 6:54:30 PM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 217

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/7/2016 8:17:00 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

February 29th 1944

Wake fell on the second attack:

quote:

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7943 troops, 166 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 256

Defending force 1120 troops, 37 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 98

Japanese adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1523 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 117 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
14th Canadian Brigade
18th Combat Engineer Regiment
18th Marine Defense Battalion
6th USA Defense Battalion

Defending units:
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
33rd JNAF AF Unit

Rangoon was very bloody again. At least I got the fort down:

quote:

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 183633 troops, 3047 guns, 2792 vehicles, Assault Value = 5449

Defending force 74595 troops, 803 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 2361

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 4840

Japanese adjusted defense: 7249

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1303 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 209 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 57 (6 destroyed, 51 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (4 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
17996 casualties reported
Squads: 195 destroyed, 2061 disabled
Non Combat: 64 destroyed, 243 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 114 disabled
Guns lost 316 (11 destroyed, 305 disabled)
Vehicles lost 130 (18 destroyed, 112 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Chinese Corps
26th Indian Brigade
7th Indian/A Division
11th Indian/B Division
268th Motorised Brigade
7th Australian Division
5th Chinese/C Corps
7th Indian/C Division
Provisionl Tank
29th British Brigade
5th Indian Division
25th Indian Division
7th New Chinese Corps
14th Indian Division
5th Chinese/B Corps
11th Indian/A Division
72nd British Brigade
22nd Indian Brigade
6th Australian Division
19th Indian Division
17th Indian Division
2nd British Division
5th Chinese/A Corps
7th Indian/B Division
11th Indian/C Division
14th Army
2/9th Field Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
8th Medium Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
5th Field Regiment

Defending units:
21st Division
8th Division
16th Division
2nd Division
10th Division
1st RTA Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Burma Area Army
11th Shipping Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion

At this rate it's going to take me months...

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 218

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/7/2016 8:22:28 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 1st 1944

Slow progress at Tulagi. Definitely going to be an easier battle than Rangoon:

quote:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34477 troops, 836 guns, 658 vehicles, Assault Value = 1149

Defending force 17446 troops, 122 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 236

Allied adjusted assault: 1315

Japanese adjusted defense: 739

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7

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

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1670 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 54 (16 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (10 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Marine Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
35th Infantry Regiment
7th Infantry Division
V US Amphib Corps
9th Marine Defense Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
1st Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
111th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Base Force
2nd Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
36th JNAF AF Unit

Now I have a dozen cruisers and eight battleships bombarding the base daily. Planning on landing some unit fragments so I can form those regiments into divisions. Also need some supply before my next attack. Hopefully daily bombardments will reduce the supply the CD guns have to fire back on my ships that are unloading. I'd guess by now I've lost a dozen ships at Tulagi to CD guns...ouch. But I REALLY want that level 7 port as a logistical hub. It's perfectly situated to feed both the SoPac and SwPac near Darwin.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 219

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/7/2016 8:36:52 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 4th 1944

SWPAC:

The Japanese continue to priority in the DEI. Now there are convoys going to bases that had gone dry long ago. Fine by me; once I bring my air force and navy back I'll just end up destroying that supply.
Japanese still in a counterattack mode here bombarding my bases and sending in bombers.

SOPAC:

Everything for me is concentrated on the SoPac. Things moving quickly here. As you see, I now hold many of the islands NE of New Guinea. Just getting them repaired before I launch my assault on Rabaul. I have landings coming soon for Buin and Shortland and I'm already sending transports to go pick up the Kavieng invasion. The Japanese tried CAP traps in Rabaul with small transports ships but I put all my planes to range 5 so they wouldn't fall for that trick. As long as the rest of the IJN is in the SWPAC I can do this without worry.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 7/7/2016 8:39:56 AM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 220

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/8/2016 6:04:55 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 5th 1944

Despite heavy continuous bombardment every day, the guns at Tulagi are still alive to fire at my amphibious TF landing some unit fragments and more supply:

quote:

Invasion Support action off Tulagi (114,137) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

280 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 6
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 7
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 5
BB California, Shell hits 2
BB Pennsylvania
BB Oklahoma
BB Nevada
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2
DD Allen, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Mugford, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sampson
DD Thatcher, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Miller
DD Cowell, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Capps, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Charles Badger
DD Ammen, Shell hits 3
LST-126, Shell hits 1
xAP James Gordon Bennett, Shell hits 2
LST-167
LST-353
LST-169
LST-166
DD Flusser
LST-174

Half a dozen destroyers are going to need repairs after this. Some of the BBs have around 15 system damage such that some of their AA guns are out of operation. No matter. I only need them for their 14-16 inch guns and heavy armor.

And I just noticed that one of the infantry regiments of the division I wanted to form up at Tulagi has upgraded to 57mm AT guns while the rest have 37mm AT guns. Very obnoxious. I wish there were a way to do a forced upgrade/downgrade to form divisions from their fragments. Even if that meant ditching one type of AT gun so they all have the same equipment it would be more than worth it. Would love to see that in a patch. Instead I have to let the regiments attack individually which generally results in at least one of them getting trashed. Current situation at Tulagi:

quote:

round combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6674 troops, 91 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Defending force 35726 troops, 820 guns, 690 vehicles, Assault Value = 1022

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
5th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
111th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Base Force
36th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
35th Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
24th Marine Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment
7th Infantry Division
V US Amphib Corps
9th Marine Defense Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment

Now that I've landed more supply I'll probably launch another attack. I have yet more LCUs on the way that should be there within the next 3-4 days. The Japanese still have level 7 forts so I'll need all the help I can get. Once I get it down a few more levels I'll send in my bombers (right now they are just too ineffectual to be worth it).

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 7/8/2016 6:09:20 PM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 221

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/11/2016 3:02:46 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 6th 1944

Finally decided to attack Rabaul. I sent a large Fletcher TF to bombard Kavieng and catch shipping. It did both very well. First it, intercepted a TF unloading supply:

Then it hit the airbase and smashed a number of planes:

Cruisers would also hit Rabaul to good effect:

The hundreds of fighters I sent in had no opposition. I sent a limited number of bombers in as well which caused some damage. Tomorrow I will send the kitchen sink at Rabaul. With the best fighters of the IJA and IJN still sweeping the open air over Timor, I shouldn't have much issue. Seems like I can disable Rabaul's airbase without a real fight...

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 222

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/12/2016 8:11:14 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 7th 1944

Subs haven't done much against warships in the last few months but today I had some sucess:

quote:

Sub attack near Tockangbesi-eilanden at 70,110

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Torpedo hits 1
DD Takanami
DD Arashio
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

Undoubtedly the lack of IJN targets has played a role. IJN is at less than half its possible strength in nearly every ship category.

Today about 60 4E hit the airbase of Rabaul without encountering any air opposition. I don't think the level 9 air base is fully disabled yet but another few days at it and I'll have it shut down for the rest of the war. The mightiest base in the Pacific silenced without so much as a fighter scrambled in defense. Kind of sad in a way...maybe I should have attacked it earlier.

Progress in the SoPac. Buin fell with a single attack:

quote:

Ground combat at Buin (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2817 troops, 85 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 271

Defending force 1068 troops, 10 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Buin !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion
104th Combat Engr Rgt /7
158th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /7
181st Field Artillery Regiment
1st USA Defense Battalion
2nd USA Defense Battalion
4th USA Defense Battalion

Defending units:
28th JNAF AF Unit

Units landed at Torokina just to the north today as well. Torokina has a level 4 air base and is close enough to Kavieng for P-47s. The entire island of Bougainville is barely defended.

Same cannot be said about the Japanese at Tulagi. Despite continuous bombardment the Japanese are still recovering enough to increase their AV:

quote:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33970 troops, 820 guns, 690 vehicles, Assault Value = 1051

Defending force 16876 troops, 123 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

Allied adjusted assault: 892

Japanese adjusted defense: 1093

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 7)

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

Japanese ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
994 casualties reported
Squads: 86 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 52 (18 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
19th Infantry Regiment
24th Marine Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
7th Infantry Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
V US Amphib Corps
30th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
5th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
8th Base Force
111th Naval Construction Battalion
36th JNAF AF Unit

Maybe I should have bypassed Tulagi after all. Having a level 7 port isn't THAT important. I didn't think a mere 200 AV would cause me so many problems. But at this point I'm better off just finishing it off. And I have plenty of other LCUs in the area to keep up my offensives; biggest limiting factor has been availability of amphibious transports.

Question to readers: how long can the guns in Tulagi keep firing without any new supply? If the CD unit gets down to 0 supply, will it stop shooting? Furthemore, how do I pull out units from a base like Tulagi? I've never attempted such an evacuation before. Right now I'm a good deal over the stacking limit and many LCUs are trashed and are doing more harm than good at this point. I think it might help pulling out some of those LCUs provided that I can pull them out without losing a bunch of ships.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 223

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/12/2016 8:35:31 PM

Mike McCreery

Posts: 4232
Joined: 6/29/2013
Status: offline

As long as you can put ships at Tulagi you should be able withdraw troops without being attacked by the naval guns.

_____________________________

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 224

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/12/2016 10:13:00 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wargmr
As long as you can put ships at Tulagi you should be able withdraw troops without being attacked by the naval guns.

I see. Do all ships load at the same rate? Would landing craft be better at this task because they can do it faster?

(in reply to Mike McCreery)

Post #: 225

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/12/2016 10:14:23 PM

Mundy

Posts: 2869
Joined: 6/26/2002
From: Neenah
Status: offline

That would be my guess. Their crummy speeds also aren't such a liability in the Solomons.

_____________________________

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 226

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/13/2016 4:58:56 AM

Mike McCreery

Posts: 4232
Joined: 6/29/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wargmr
As long as you can put ships at Tulagi you should be able withdraw troops without being attacked by the naval guns.

I see. Do all ships load at the same rate? Would landing craft be better at this task because they can do it faster?

I would say yes but honestly, pulling entrenched troops off an island isnt something I have done enough. I am pretty sure the amphibious load/unload will be used to calculate loading.

_____________________________

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 227

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/15/2016 5:36:09 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 10th 1944

Another bloody day but a day of progress:

quote:

Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 186433 troops, 3230 guns, 2887 vehicles, Assault Value = 4946

Defending force 73068 troops, 801 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 2258

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 3584

Japanese adjusted defense: 5203

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2779 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 307 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 73 (1 destroyed, 72 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
13563 casualties reported
Squads: 350 destroyed, 1125 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 227 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 183 disabled
Guns lost 255 (13 destroyed, 242 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)

The fort falls but I lose a full division in destroyed infantry squads. Ouch. Going to have to wait a while before launching another assault. Hopefully my bombers can take advantage of the reduced fort to be more effective.

quote:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41146 troops, 976 guns, 803 vehicles, Assault Value = 1213

Defending force 16594 troops, 124 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 183

Allied adjusted assault: 1087

Japanese adjusted defense: 784

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
613 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1059 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 24 (10 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (8 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Marine Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
24th Marine Regiment
7th Infantry Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion
V US Amphib Corps
226th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
5th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd Air Flotilla
8th Base Force
111th Naval Construction Battalion
6th Fleet
36th JNAF AF Unit

The progress at Tulagi is much easier to swallow. The Japanese took nearly as many casualties as I did while knocking down the fort another level. I think I've finally gone over the hump here; everything else should get easier until the base is mine.

(in reply to Mike McCreery)

Post #: 228

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/16/2016 8:59:17 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

Looks like the KB is heading east towards Truk which has a substantial number of fighters:

Unsure what purpose this will serve. If I want to knock out the fighters at Truk I certainly can. Nor do I have any operations planned in the CentPac for some time. But it does leave the window open in the SWPAC to get going again. Right now I'm quietly shuttling around units with transport ships to get ready for more action. Once I have completed my OPs in the SoPac, I will split up my carriers again and start a new advance in the SWPAC.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 229

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 2:55:06 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 11th 1944

Decided to attack Tulagi a second day in a row. It was a bad idea:

quote:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40224 troops, 969 guns, 796 vehicles, Assault Value = 1126

Defending force 15972 troops, 124 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 163

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied adjusted assault: 367

Japanese adjusted defense: 412

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 10 (6 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1108 casualties reported
Squads: 65 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 32 (12 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Marine Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
24th Infantry Division
25th Marine Regiment
25th Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
249th Field Artillery Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
V US Amphib Corps
30th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
1st Kure Assault Div /3
8th Base Force
111th Naval Construction Battalion
2nd Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
36th JNAF AF Unit

Got the fort down but I lost 65 assault squads and only disabled 8 Japanese squads. It also looks like the Japanese flew in part of the 1st Kure Assault Division though that fragment was destroyed in the attack. I should be able to prevent that in the future with some LRCAP. The one good thing is that I was able to form the 24th and 25th IDs at last in Tulagi by getting the last unit fragments on the island (though I lost a few transports). But divisions are really important in taking bases like this because they tend not to have as many squads destroyed and can be split into thirds for rest which increases their recovery rate. If I had to do it again I would have formed the divisions BEFORE landing even if that meant shuttling units around to make that happen.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 230

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 8:02:41 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

Guess the KB isn't going to Truk after all; it's going too far south. Still too far away from Kavieng to be a threat this turn. But I am assembling my CVs for battle while I assemble my invasion fleet for Kavieng.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 7/17/2016 8:05:37 AM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 231

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 1:43:59 PM

Skygge

Posts: 199
Joined: 11/5/2004
From: Denmark
Status: offline

quote:

Guess the KB isn't going to Truk after all; it's going too far south. Still too far away from Kavieng to be a threat this turn. But I am assembling my CVs for battle while I assemble my invasion fleet for Kavieng.

Seeking battle with the KB should be a priority for the allied in 1944. Exchanging carriers at this point of time favors the allied. Japanese trying to conduct Island defense with land air only is difficult.

I think you sticking to your guns and slugging it out is the right thing to do. The allied need aggressively advance in 1944. As soon as the odds starts to swing allied way and forts go down it will invariably end
with the destruction of the Japanese defenders.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 232

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 6:41:36 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Skygge

quote:

Guess the KB isn't going to Truk after all; it's going too far south. Still too far away from Kavieng to be a threat this turn. But I am assembling my CVs for battle while I assemble my invasion fleet for Kavieng.

Seeking battle with the KB should be a priority for the allied in 1944. Exchanging carriers at this point of time favors the allied. Japanese trying to conduct Island defense with land air only is difficult.

I think you sticking to your guns and slugging it out is the right thing to do. The allied need aggressively advance in 1944. As soon as the odds starts to swing allied way and forts go down it will invariably end
with the destruction of the Japanese defenders.

Well back in 1943 I was able to concentrate all my CVs against 1/2th the KB and smashed it in a decisive battle. That along with some help from subs and even a French BC in 1942 has helped me achieve a decisive lead in CV power. Here are the current ship losses:

So really I've already had my Midway moment...I'm focusing on covering landings like the historical US. Currently I field 4 fleets of around 300 planes each to counter the Japanese fleet you see here. A CV battle would be nice but I think Rev Rico is too smart for that.

"Aggressively" is a strong word to me. I am happy to admit I advance cautiously. Always go under LBA and excessive amounts of CV/E cover. Maybe I could go faster but I just don't like taking those risks.

(in reply to Skygge)

Post #: 233

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 6:47:21 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

Though now that I'm thinking about it maybe I'll sortie my CVs and some CVEs up north towards the KB before the landing to see if I can get the Japanese to fight. I'm still waiting for my Kavieng invasion to form up so this could be a good opportunity to really put my CVs deep in enemy waters to give battle to the Japanese. Especially because a good number of enemy surface ships are still out west. Interesting.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 234

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/17/2016 7:20:04 PM

Skygge

Posts: 199
Joined: 11/5/2004
From: Denmark
Status: offline

quote:

So really I've already had my Midway moment..

The dream of allied players. Well done

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 235

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/18/2016 7:02:37 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 12th 1944

And just like that the KB turns back west. Very confused what Rev Rico was thinking here. All he did was waste fuel.

(in reply to Skygge)

Post #: 236

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/18/2016 5:50:14 PM

BBfanboy

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

A single US sub with working torpedoes in his path strikes fear into the heart of Admiral Kurita!

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 237

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/18/2016 8:33:19 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

March 13th 1944

I sent in a pair of attack bomber squadrons to interdict shipping going towards Timor. I knew it was going to probably end in a bunch of bombers shot down but I went for it anyway...

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 54

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 8 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 51

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tatutaki Maru
AK Kazuura Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
AK Kazuura Maru, on fire
AK Naruto Maru
xAK Taian Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Nagato Maru
AK Okiyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yamazato Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kinkasan Maru
xAK Naples Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Despite the heavy casualties in the first wave, 9 bombers were able to sortie again in the afternoon and sink a couple of transport ships. So net positive return on VPs.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 238

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/18/2016 8:50:06 PM

Skygge

Posts: 199
Joined: 11/5/2004
From: Denmark
Status: offline

quote:

I sent in a pair of attack bomber squadrons to interdict shipping going towards Timor. I knew it was going to probably end in a bunch of bombers shot down but I went for it anyway..

When playing the imperial side I find it disconcerting to watch B-25 come in low and mess up my otherwise well protected shipping. It always make me think twice about sending more ships into that area.

Such experiences can put a wear on Japanese self-confidence.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 239

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 7/18/2016 9:09:22 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Skygge
When playing the imperial side I find it disconcerting to watch B-25 come in low and mess up my otherwise well protected shipping. It always make me think twice about sending more ships into that area.

Such experiences can put a wear on Japanese self-confidence.

It's especially strange to see convoys going to bases on islands that I already have a foothold in. Intel showed an infantry division heading there as well. So I will simply bypass it and leave some units behind to guard against counterattack.

(in reply to Skygge)

Post #: 240

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