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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J) DBB-B

 
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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 12/28/2017 4:55:08 PM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		Good to see you zuluhour.

I was like you, always playing PDU ON to have the most options as a player. But once I tried PDU OFF, I really prefer it off. PDU ON results in "your best" versus "my best" all the time. With PDU OFF, there's a wide variety of engagements. It's just more interesting, to me, and presents more of a challenge to handle the variety.

(in reply to zuluhour)
Post #: 301
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 12/29/2017 12:41:25 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		14 Apr 42

Saumlaki in invaded. We have no defenders here.

Just off the coast of Vietnam, S-36 is patrolling. The sub has been based at Manila, getting fuel as needed. Today it spots a big xAK task force, fires 2 torpedoes at a patrol boat, and gets a hit. It later reattacks, and hits patrol boat Tatebu Maru again, undoubtedly sinking the small ship. S-36 still has some torps left. When it is out, it will refuel at Manila and head for Australia, as there is no torpedo support in the Philippines.

Same old enemy port attack at Manila. Nothing left in port. Zeros continue to escort.

Same Betty attack at Noumea, splitting the bombs between the airfield and the troops. Almost no damage in thunderstorms.

High detection levels still around Tulagi, and Ndeni. Nothing definitive as far as KB goes. It has been missing awhile. Got SigInt of the 42nd Naval Guard moving to Kwajalein. Could be a defensive move, could be an offensive move.

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Post #: 302
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 12/29/2017 1:15:22 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		I haven't talked about future plans much after postponing the Marshalls invasions. Don't worry. We're in the calm before the storm. Lots of pieces are on the move. When the event is imminent, I'll spill the beans and we'll see what happens.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 303
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 12/30/2017 1:23:35 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		15 Apr 42

Sub Tambor spots a well-escorted AK convoy due NW of Koumac, probably inbound. 2 torpedoes are fired at AK Hirokawa Maru, and one hits...but is a dud. SigInt today says that 9 Tank Rgt is planning for Noumea. This isn't the first armor unit planning Noumea. There's a decent chance that there's tanks on those AKs. Too bad.

Still the same 5 enemy units at Noumea. 2 infantry divisions and 3 artillery units. La Foa is now up to 6 units.

Pingsiang gets a lot of enemy bomber attention today in China. A Chinese corp is withdrawing from here, but gets booted out in combat.

And we got another piece of SigInt about NE Australia. Now 1 Recon is planning for Townsville. So far, 2 regiments and 1 armor planning for bases in NE Australia. Not overwhelming or convincing evidence, but defences are weak in the area. I'm not deploying great strength in the NE, which would invite a landing a bit further south. I'd rather see a landing on far NE Australia.

< Message edited by apbarog -- 12/30/2017 1:30:39 AM >

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Post #: 304
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 12/31/2017 7:27:33 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		16 Apr 42

Clark AF is bombed. The airfield has been damaged and hasn't had aircraft in months. Manila's port is bombed again. Nothing here.

Tennant Creek's base force is bombed by Nells. A few days of bombing in the clear terrain there and the unit may be eliminated. It's the only Australian unit there. I have fighters at the next base south, at Alice Springs, but Tennant Creek is too difficult to keep supplied. I did get SigInt recently of the 1st Formosa unit at Katherine, which is a new bit of intel. Maybe an offensive coming here? Or just a stronger defense.

A Chinese corp in clear terrain near Changsha gets pounded. The usual treatment.

Bettys bomb Noumea's troops and airfield, but do almost nothing in the rain. The number of units at adjacent La Foa continues to increase, with 9 units there now. The reduction of Noumea is bound to begin soon.

2 enemy tank regiments continue to advance in Burma, knocking back the 6th Burma Rifles Battalion.

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Post #: 305
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/1/2018 1:48:15 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		Wouldn't it be nice to stalemate the Japanese at Noumea? Make it our Guadalcanal? It's already Guadalcanal on steroids, with 2 enemy divisions plus there now. Remember, it's still early. It's only April 1942. The Marines landed on Guadalcanal in August 1942, and did it on a shoestring. To stalemate the Japanese anywhere, in force, in April, is a real challenge.

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Post #: 306
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/1/2018 11:39:40 AM   
zuluhour


Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		It's been almost two weeks since the last bombardment you noted on Noumea, any chance forts are repairing/building? Supply ok?

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Post #: 307
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/1/2018 5:34:13 PM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		No enemy cruiser bombardments since then. Noumea has become torpedo junction for the Japanese. I think the bombardments will return when the ground attacks start at Noumea.

No chance of fort building. Bettys bomb every day from Koumac, with 45 Zero escorts. The runway is usable, but the airbase service damage is very high. I could move a bunch of fighters in, and have a decent day in the air, for one day, but get a lot of planes damaged that wouldn't get repaired. This move will only be worth it in conjunction with a bigger move, which may or may not be coming.

Supply peaked around 18,000. It's down to 8,000 now. Lots of Catalinas are flying in supply, which is helping, but totals are still decreasing slowly.

(in reply to zuluhour)
Post #: 308
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/2/2018 4:35:32 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		17 Apr 42

A couple of Brit DDs are sub hunting around Ceylon. Today they found I-154, and DD Hotspur got a good depth charge hit on it.

North of Tulagi, sub Grayling spotted an xAK with a patrol boat, fired 2 torpedoes at PB America Maru, and got a hit, but it was a dud.

Noumea was swept by 35 Zeros. This is notable because it was the first time the Zeros came from Luganville instead of Koumac.

Clark and Manila bombed, for whatever reasons.

Bombings in China, mostly on units in clear terrain.

A fragment of a Burma unit was bombed at Bassein, adjacent to Rangoon. The fragment has been isolated and just waiting to be destroyed. 30 Sallys did just that (clear terrain). The rest of the unit had been airlifted to India and will now start rebuilding.

Lashio is lost to a sizable enemy stack. I moved some short range recon into the nearby Chinese base to watch this stack. It will probably use the rails to move north, but it could go east into China.

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29217 troops, 403 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 884

Defending force 369 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 824

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 824 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
413 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
21st Division
5th Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
BFF Brigade (was just a fragment left)
102nd RAF Base Force /1

There are 3 enemy infantry divisions in Burma. 2 are here at Lashio. The other is near Magwe and is showing movement to the northwest into the jungle, pointing toward Chittagong. I'm watching these 3 closely.

A couple of notes: 65 Brig is said to be on ships moving to/at Bengkalis. Pretty sure it is getting picked up here with an unknown destination. Singapore showed a few more units than recently shown, and I see movement north on the rails. 1 RF Gun is planning an attack at Cox Bazaar.

I got a good recon of La Foa today. There are 9 units, but the strength is lower than expected: 7540 men, 21 guns, 46 vehicles. There had been an armor unit in the enemy's initial push to Noumea. After it got there, and saw what I had there, the armor retreated north. The numbers make me think it isn't at La Foa, and that there isn't another enemy infantry division at La Foa either. I do, however, see a big AK task force at Koumac now. It is undoubtedly the one spotted to the NW of Koumac a couple of days ago. Who knows what it is doing. Anyhow, an immediate enemy attack at Noumea now looks less likely.

With KB gone for awhile, I'm getting that feeling that Aurorus is up to something. There is an enemy sub poking around New Zealand now. It's NW of Auckland, on the oth side of the island to intercept anything. It's on a search/recon mission. I send a couple of destroyers over to its area. The important fact is that Aurorus is looking at the Auckland area now.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 309
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/2/2018 9:56:11 PM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		18 Apr 42

Enemy artillery bombards Noumea, as usual, but it is noted that the 56th Engineer Regiment has arrived, supplementing the 2 enemy infantry divisions and 3 artillery regiments. SigInt says that the 11 Tank is at Koumac and the 16th Army HQ is at LaFoa.

Other SigInt says that the 65th Brigade is loaded and on the way to Butuan. Butuan is on Mindanao, so this unit will move to the inland mountain holdout to try to capture it. If the SigInt isn't a ruse.

Another piece of SigInt says that 5 Tank is planning for an attack at Bataan. I've been seeing a slow increase in preparation for Luzon, and also for NE Australia. Again, if they aren't part of a ruse.

There's an enemy sub poking around near San Diego. I have to be careful with the reinforcements coming in from Panama now.

Lots of stuff on the move. Things are happening, just not combat. Not yet.

Aurorus stated some concern about destroying my unit in Burma yesterday, using bombers in clear terrain. I've voiced concern here in the forum also. In previous games for me, both sides voluntarily showed restraint. Aurorus didn't intend on destroying the unit. He didn't know that it was just a fragment, but he knew about my previous thoughts on the matter.

In this game, though, it is allowed. And using 4 engine bombers on ground troops is allowed. In clear terrain also. He's allowed to do it, and so am I. He's been very effective hitting clear terrain in China, Java, and Burma. And I'm ok with that. I don't like getting hit so hard in a manner that I'm not used to, but that's ok. I adapt. And let's face it, the Allies can't respond in kind to a great degree right now, but the time is coming when enemy movements in clear terrain will mean death. It's part of the game, and I accept that. I appreciate that Aurorus noted my previous concerns and guessed that I may not be happy. I'm ok. It's a game, and the rules work both ways.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 310
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/4/2018 3:07:59 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		19 Apr 42

Allied surface group spotted by a sub near Norfolk Island. This group is headed east past Norfolk, but another group is at Norfolk.

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein
CA Houston
CL Achilles
CL Leander
DD Evertsen
DD Kortenaer
DD Van Ghent
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With

SS I-174 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Piet Hein

Dobo is invaded by the 66th Naval Guard.

Some enemy sweeps and bombing at Changsha. Just one weak Chinese corp here. The rest have headed for the hills.

8 B-17s bomb enemy troops at Lashio. There are 2 infantry divisions here. I see movement both eastbound and westbound there today. Need to watch those divisions.

The daily artillery attacks at Bandoeng and Noumea.

SE of Chittagong, the enemy 18th Division and 15th Army HQ knocks back the 1st Gloucestershire Battalion, which has been heading north.




Attachment (1)

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Post #: 311
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/5/2018 2:01:51 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		20 Apr 42

NE of Auckland, I-26 spots a big empty xAK convoy headed back to the West Coast. 2 torpedoes hit xAK Tjikandi, but one is a dud. The cargo ship is seriously damaged, with heavy flooding and a bit of fire. The ship will try to get back to Auckland, unescorted for a day, moving just one hex a day. Odds are it won't make it.

SW of Vava'u, I-21 is spotted by KV Dundas. The sub takes minor damage. Enemy subs are showing up all over the place now. There's some off the east coast of Australia, but little Allied activity looking for them. Now a sub by Auckland. SW of Vava'u is well SE of Suva and well SW of Pago Pago. Aurorus hasn't gotten a lot of sub hits lately. He's more dispersed now, looking for Allied shipping. Other subs have been spotted near San Diego and near Midway.

Zeros from Luganville sweep Noumea, and Bettys and Zeros from Koumac hit Noumea's troops and airfield in the afternoon. Minimal runway damage.

Changsha was bombed heavily, and then attacked and lost to the enemy. Most Chinese had already left, not wanting to be eventually encircled.

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44698 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1480

Defending force 5510 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 171

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 1022

Allied adjusted defense: 41

Japanese assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1988 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 34 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 30 (20 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
70th Division
60th Division
Kyuko Naval Guard Unit
58th Division
63rd Division

Defending units:
3rd New Chinese Corps

< Message edited by apbarog -- 1/5/2018 2:42:36 AM >

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Post #: 312
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/5/2018 7:10:11 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		All you need is Quinton McHale leading a PT TF and you'll be set.

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 313
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/6/2018 2:13:07 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		21 Apr 42

Just west of Tavoy, sub Seawolf is spotted by an enemy combat task force. Cruisers Mikuma and Mogami, with 3 destroyers.

Moving along the north edge of the Solomons slot, Dutch sub O23 is spotted by a big task force with at least 4 APDs and 3 xAKs. No hits.

Sub Drum moved to Makin to investigate shipping spotted there by Catalinas. 2 torpedoes are launched at xAK Rakuto Maru but miss.

29 Nells bomb Tennant Creek's airfield, doing major damage.

Manila is bombed.

Noumea is swept by Zeros from Luganville. 2 Bettys strikes follow, each escorted by Zeros from Noumea. Afternoon attacks. Bettys could be on naval strike as a primary mission.

Sonias escorted by Nates bomb Chinese troops south of Kweilin. 2 Hurricane squadrons fly in from Ledo and will LRCAP the hex tomorrow. We're due for a good ambush.

SigInt says that 124 Infantry Regiment is moving to Port Blair. Also, 65th Brigade is again reported to be loaded on ships and headed to Butuan. A sub is now patrolling Butuan and the adjacent hex to the west.

No sign of KB, and no indication of more troops moving to Noumea from the north. Lots of units at La Foa, but not big units. I believe that the enemy is working on building up the airfield there. It's still a 0. An airfield at La Foa will help isolate Noumea even more.

As any AE player knows, it takes a long time to put together a major operation. We're getting closer, day by day.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 314
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/7/2018 12:08:34 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		22 Apr 42

Very heavy bombing of Chinese troops at Siangtan, adjacent to Changsha. The Chinese are fleeing but won't get away with the constant bombing.

Today over 40 Oscars swept Tennant Creek. Enemy bombers had been hitting the base. Aurorus was guessing that I'd move in fighters to hit the unesorted bombers, but I did not. The airfield is already too damaged, and Tennant Creek has very little supply.

Next to Kweilin, my LRCAP ambush was successful. 45 Sonias were escorted by 30 Nates, and 10 Hurri Is and 13 Hurri IIa's intercepted. 4 Nates and 15 Sonias were shot down. One Hurri was an ops loss. The Chinese troops were spared a day of bombing damage. Watching the replay, it was noticable that the Hurri Is weren't very good, even against escorting Nates. The IIs did better. I'm sending the Is back out of China to upgrade in India, and will move more IIs into China soon.

More enemy showed up at Noumea: 2 tank regiments. Does Aurorus think he has enough to attack now? And does he? We shall see.

Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29050 troops, 314 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 1010

Defending force 12714 troops, 205 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 382

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

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

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
16th Division
4th Division
56th Engineer Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
223 Group RAF
Noumea Base Force
70th Coast AA Regiment
45th Base Group /1

I am going to rush in a part of a Marine regiment to Noumea, using fast transport. But it will be a number of days until they can arrive. The numbers won't be huge, using about 10 APDs, but it may throw off the numbers just enough to hold Noumea a little while longer. The incoming Marine regiment is the third regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. The two Marine regiments already at Noumea are the rest of that division.

Note that La Foa has 8 units now, with 6520 men, 14 guns, and 69 vehicles.
Koumac is way up to 18 units now, with 7060 men, 69 guns, and 10 vehicles.
My recon of both bases was decent, but not excellent. I trust the number of units, but the details may be low.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 315
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/8/2018 2:01:45 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		23 Apr 42

8 LB-30s from Brisbane and 8 B-17Es from Suva bomb enemy troops at Noumea. It is raining, and no damage is done.

Toboali is invaded by the 91st Naval Guard. Cleanup behind the lines.

3 enemy divisions attack a weak Chinese corp at Siangtan, next to Changsha. The Chinese corp is almost eliminated, losing every combat squad (147), every engineer squad (14), and every gun (61). 94 non-combat squads are destroyed, with just 44 non-combat squads surviving.

Bandoeng gets the daily huge artillery bombardment. Movement is now seen at the coastal base adjacent, with units headed to Bandoeng. This is where an infantry division and armor moved to when an early attack at Bandoeng failed. I'd read a post by Aurorus (not his game thread) where he mentioned my fortress Bandoeng like it was a "fortress Palembang". It has to be frustrating to not be able to clear out the Dutch, but there's one thing in his post that was not true. He said that the Dutch did not have any "real supply". He doesn't know that when the retreat to Bandoeng began in the north, I pulled as much supply to there as possible. Soerabaja was being moved on, and most of the supply there, went north. Bandoeng had over 35,000 supply at the start if I remember correctly. It still have over 20,000. I've even been allowing Dutch replacements to arrive in units.

I would have dealt with Bandoeng differently. I would have moved one infantry regiment into the base hex, with small units moving around it and then closing off every hexside. This would have taken quite awhile, with the terrain to the SW, but the base could have been isolated. The small surrounding units could then move out of the hex and be used elsewhere, and the only indefinite commitment is one infantry regiment. Then use the Dutch as training for new bomber pilots.

As it is, the units below are still tied up there, and others are adjacent, which were another infantry division and some armor units. And it's the end of April, and the end of Bandoeng is not in sight. Not without more attacks that would be painful for the attackers.

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Bandoeng is no Palembang. Bandoeng itself means nothing. Isolate it and let it rot. Palembang is (obviously) and important base. Taking it means something. They are different.

I did not post in the mentioned thread because the battle is ongoing and I didn't want to disclose the true supply situation there. As an aside, there's still supply at the mountain holdout on Mindanao too, although less than 10,000. I spotted the convoy at Butuan today. SigInt repeatedly told me that the 65th Brigade was going there. An S sub was patrolling, but no engagement occurred. The sub will try again today. The 65th will undoubtedly be going to the mountainous hex to help capture it.

As for Noumea, see the map for the plan for today.




Attachment (1)

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Post #: 316
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/8/2018 7:53:02 PM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		24 Apr 42

S-36 is at Butuan, and is spotted by the xAK task force there. Patrol boats attack, but get no hits. I'm a bit disappointed to have gotten such good SigInt about this task force, and S-36 not getting an attack in. I generally have good luck with my subs, but not in this case.

The big event for today was at Noumea. An Allied cruiser TF was supposed to run in at night and bombard enemy troops, and run back south. Instead, the ships arrived during the daylight and stayed to bombard. The bombardment did minimal damage to the enemy troops, but before that, the Bettys arrived. When I saw my ships still there during the daylight part of the turn, I knew that this was going to go very badly.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G4M1 Betty x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Achilles
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
CL Perth

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Instead, no torpedoes or bombs hit a ship. Lots of torpedoes went for cruisers too, and they just missed. An incredible piece of good luck after the bad luck of the ships still being there. The ships had just refueled at Norfolk Island, so fuel shouldn't have been a problem. I will check the TF settings when I get the turn from Aurorus.

It's also interesting that not all of the Bettys had torpedoes. I didn't notice if all of the planes came from Koumac. Bettys could have joined in from Luganville. I'll have to count hexes and see if that would have limited torpedo use. Or it's just that Koumac didn't have enough torpedoes.

A big Allied xAK TF south of Vava'u is spotted by I-17. The sub attacks AM Tern but misses.

Myitkyina is lost to the enemy. That was the last Allied inland base in Burma. Akyab and Cox Bazar is still Allied, but the enemy is marching through the jungle towards Akyab now. Akyab has a small Allied unit. Cox Bazar is empty. The line is forming south of Chittagong, so these two bases will be lost.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 317
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/9/2018 2:28:49 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		I was very careful with the bombardment TF settings. And I left it on Remain on Station. It may not explain why the bombardment didn't occur at night, but the TF was going to stay there regardless, due to my mistake. I was fortunate not to lose a bunch of ships.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 318
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/10/2018 2:13:36 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		25 Apr 42

I-28 is spotted again by the same xAK TF south of Vava'u. The sub seems to be tracking these ships, having found them 3 days in a row. I've been encouraging this, as the sub is being drawn away from Vava'u, and that is in my best interests at the moment.

Noumea's airbase is completely repaired. Zeros reappear to sweep, but I didn't move any fighters in. Yet.

Near Kweilin in China, the enemy barely gets a 2 to 1 attack:

Ground combat at 76,55 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30777 troops, 347 guns, 253 vehicles, Assault Value = 983

Defending force 7592 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 227

Japanese adjusted assault: 408

Allied adjusted defense: 199

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
354 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3168 casualties reported
Squads: 76 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 60 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Division
13th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
17th Division
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
16th Group Army

Another Chinese corp wrecked in the attempted withdrawal.

Enemy cruisers possibly sighted near Tulagi.




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Post #: 319
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/10/2018 8:38:21 PM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		26 Apr 42

An active day for small Allied escort ships. I-171 fires 2 torpedoes at xAKL Caledon south of Norfolk Island. Both miss, and escort AM Mildura does some damage to the sub.

I-28 is sighted by the big xAK task force near Pago Pago. AM Tern once again goes after I-28 but doesn't get any hits. Aurorus commented about AM Tern and the diligent attacks going on for the past four days. He thought that Tern should be out of depth charges, but it is not. SW of Vava'u, AM Cessnock does some damage to I-17.

Near Tulagi, sub Grayling spots a CS and some DDs, fires 4 torpedoes at DD Yayashio, but misses. No guarantee that there are CVs with the CS, but there's a higher chance of them being here now with this spotting.

Dutch sub KIX torpedoes and sinks tiny AMc Misago Maru near Milne Bay.

East of Vava'u, I-28 fires 2 torpedoes at APD Sands but misses. The APDs get 2 good depth charge hits on the sub. The APDs are moving to Vava'u to be available if needed.

Noumea is swept by about 35 Zeros from Luganville. No Allied CAP here.

Bombings in China supporting the Japanese offensive in the south. Most bombing is meant to slow the Chinese movement in the woods in the pocket. Some Allied fighters set up to LRCAP here tomorrow.

Hengyang, near Changsha, is lost.

The enemy order of battle at Bandoeng has switched back to an attacking formation, with most of the heavy artillery moving out to the coast. We've seen this switch before. Now there's 2 infantry divisions, 3 tank regiments, and 2 artillery units.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 320
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/11/2018 6:00:54 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		27 Apr 42

38 Zeros sweep a hex near Kweilin. A hex that was bombed without escorts yesterday and without sweeps. I put some I-16s on LRCAP there, and they didn't have a chance. 4 are lost. Sometimes Aurorus gets me, sometimes not. Today he did.

But near Hengyang, I moved some Hurri IIs to the area and did a 3 range LRCAP of Chinese troops running for the hills. 21 Lilys showed up, with no escort, and no sweeps. 16 Hurris intercepted...and then the raid was overhead, with no engagement. Got there too late I guess. The raid was spotted 34 miles out, and but was only at 2,000 feet. Unfortunately, the Hurris were at 20k. That probably didn't help.

In Burma, 16 B-17s from Calcutta hit Lashio's airfield. I have had regular recon of Lashio from a nearby Chinese base, from when I was watching where the troops would go. Just 3 enemy units remain, and they look small, so the division is gone. I did notice no fighters and no bombers but a bunch of other planes, so I hit the airfield. Moderate airbase damage, and 5 Thalias and 1 MC-Sallys destroyed on the ground. Planes were here either to supply advancing troops in the jungle, moving toward India, or to prepare to drop some paras. Akyab is minimally defended, but Cox Bazar is empty, and Aurorus knows it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a drop there. I think I have everything covered in India near the Indian border though.

Christmas Island IO (near Java) is invaded. I have no defenders.

The daily artillery attack at Noumea. No change in order of battle.

The surprise of the day was at Bandoeng, Java. The enemy attacks.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26425 troops, 236 guns, 278 vehicles, Assault Value = 917

Defending force 17173 troops, 174 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1417

Allied adjusted defense: 397

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
746 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
17777 casualties reported
Squads: 208 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 720 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 236 (236 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (52 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 19

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
2nd Tank Regiment
38th Division
4th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Mobiele Battalion
I Landstorm Cdo
2nd KNIL Regiment
I Marechausse Cdo
1st KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Cdo
A-III-Ld AA Battalion
KNI Zeemacht
KNI Leger
ML-KNIL
VLG-III Sup Groep
VLG-V Sup Groep
VkA-3 Sup Afd
ABDA
Andir ML Base Force
HQ I KNIL Division
VkA-1 Sup Afd
A-I-Ld AA Battalion
VkA-4 Sup Afd

I was surprised to see it fall with just one attack. The massive artillery bombardments steadily wore down the defense, and that made the difference. I still have over 20k supply here. Time to wonder where these divisions will go.

Today I moved 3 fighter squadrons to Noumea. All of them will sweep Koumac. I want to wear down the enemy and encourage an enemy strike on Noumea tomorrow. That will of course be escorted by Zeros, Zeros that aren't on CAP at Koumac. Many bombers will hit Koumac from Australia. Maybe wishful thinking, but that's the plan.

In Australia, I noted that Cloncurry got enemy recon today for the first time. There have been a bunch of indications that there could be an expanded enemy operation in NE Australia. SigInt has shown multiple units prepping for NE Australian bases, although none prepping were bigger than a regiment. A sizable unit is at Katherine, with an armor unit there, and another at Daly Waters. There's Bettys and Oscars in the Darwin area too. Could be a ruse, but maybe not.

Cloncurry and Normanton have some defense. It is weak, but more than what starts there, which I believe is nothing.

2 turns today! Very unusual but greatly appreciated. Aurorus' other game may have slowed down.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 321
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/12/2018 3:15:36 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		28 Apr 42

In a nuisance diversionary move, DD Le Triomphant runs into Woodlark Island and bombards the base.

Night Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island at 104,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Le Triomphant

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

Nothing significant but some Zeros were damaged. Sometimes a small attack highlights some vulnerabilities and causes some added defenses when none are really needed. Defenses that could be used elsewhere. Now that I've justified the move, it was just a fun little raid. I really like DD Le Triomphant. It's a nice destroyer with a great crew.

West of Vava'u, CL St. Louis and DD escorts run over I-17, and get a couple of good depth charge hits on the sub. The US ships are catching up to the armada to the west.

The enemy continues to unload at Broome. Port Hedland is invaded.

My heavy fighter sweep of Koumac was bloody, but it did down some enemy planes. That could be important in the next few days. 2 P-400 and a P-40E squadron fly sweeps. Total losses are 17 Zeros, 17 P-400s, and 13 P-40Es. Bloody, but it's obvious that those Zeros pilots are experts. They must be destroyed and that will take some losses to do so.

Near Norfolk Island, an Allied cargo TF is spotted and attacked. Some P-39s fly limited LRCAP from Norfolk at range 4.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Norfolk Island at 115,167

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Echuca, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL White Wing
xAKL William McArthur, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Fiona, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Carlisle, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Island Mail, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The cargo ships are carrying supply for Noumea. Hate to lose any ships, but with a major operation going on, some xAKLs are the least important ships to lose.

More enemy bombing in China. It's becoming obvious that the Chinese corps in the "pocket", shown on a recent map, are not going to escape. They'll continue to try, but when they are trapped, they'll hold out in the woods and make the enemy come to them, to at least buy some time. China is looking uglier by the day. I feel like I'm botching the defense in the south. This is my first Allied AE game where the opponent is aggressive in China. I'm learning, but at a cost.

Time to spill the beans on what I've really been up to. If you remember, I had a big operation to invade the Northern Marshalls. That operation was cancelled (really postponed) when KB came running from the Koumac area. The fleet went to Pearl Harbor and everything upgraded that could upgrade. Carriers, cruisers, and destroyers upgraded. When most of the fleet was upgraded and repaired, it set sail to the South Pacific, along with all of the nice AP transports.

I had decided to reinforce Noumea after all. With the heavy enemy concentration at Noumea, my plan became to bring in the rest of the 2nd Marine Division, and the Americal Division, along with some artillery and the 1st US Naval Construction Battalion. And importantly, I am trying to land a bunch of supply.

All of the US carriers and 2 British carriers are involved. 3 slow battleships are participating, and just about all of the US cruisers and destroyers. There has been no sign of enemy ships for quite awhile. I'm hoping to get in, unload in a couple of days, and get out. Supply ships may remain, but with fighters now based at Noumea and with the airbase fully repaired, they may be protected.

It's important to not lose carriers or the nice APs. But they are in harm's way, with lots of Zeros and Bettys expected.

And note that I don't expect to be able to kick the enemy out of Noumea. The Japanese have 2 infantry divisions, some artillery, and some armor. I will have much the same. I want a stalemate. I want the enemy to decide between bringing the fleet back and try to defeat even more US troops, or withdraw.

It would have been nice to invade La Foa or Koumac behind the lines, but the units weren't prepped for that. That may happen down the road. I want Noumea to become our Guadalcanal, but one on steroids. Lots more troops. This would be a nice place to hold the enemy's attention and stall for more time. With each week, more troops are arriving. If the enemy is still here, it isn't somewhere else, like New Zealand or Australia or India.

That's the plan. Things are been fairly quiet, other than the China collapse, for quite awhile. Now it's time for a few tense turns.





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Post #: 322
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/12/2018 3:51:34 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Good luck with your new "Guadalcanal"! You are earlier than historic to slug it out with the Japanese, but he is further away from home than the real Guadalcanal battle, and you are closer to your LOC.

_____________________________

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 apbarog)
Post #: 323
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/13/2018 1:25:20 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		29 Apr 42

Sub Saury fires 4 torpedoes at DD Kasumi but misses. Then Saury reattacks and fires 4 torpedoes at huge xAP Husimi Maru, and gets a hit, but it is a dud. Saury gets hit with a depth charge in the shallow water and will retire to Perth. Another US sub is in the area and is vectored in to go after that big transport.

Cocos Islands is also invaded and lost. Port Hedland is lost also.

Most of the Allied TFs near Noumea are spotted, and the enemy attacks from Koumac.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Isle of Pines at 116,161

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G4M1 Betty x 30

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 9
Martlet II x 19
F4F-3A Wildcat x 45
F4F-3 Wildcat x 27
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 16 destroyed

No Allied losses

B-17s and LB-30s bomb Koumac's airfield and port. CAP is heavy and so is the flak.

Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
LB-30 Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, Bomb hits 1

8 B-17s bomb Luganville's airfield. There is no CAP. Minimal airbase damage.

In the afternoon, another enemy strike from Koumac, with fewer planes.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Isle of Pines at 116,161

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 9
Martlet II x 10
F4F-3A Wildcat x 29
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

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

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied carrier aircraft did well and was sufficient for what they had to handle. It helped that the carriers were not spotted until today, and Koumac wasn't as loaded up as it could have been. And still may be.

Total air losses are 41 Bettys, 16 Zeros, and 3 Jakes, for the cost of 4 F4F-3As, 2 Martlet IIs, and 1 Fulmar. A good day in the air for the good guys.

Today reinforcements will arrive at Noumea, and a garrison for Isle of Pines will be unloaded. Noumea's defense will go right to the 35,000 men limit. Lots of supply will be unloaded.

My concern is that Aurorus will move the spotted small TF into Koumac to draw a naval strike into a large CAP. I could range limit my carrier aircraft to 4 to avoid that, but that could also prevent a strike on enemy carriers if they show up. I decide to sweep Koumac with a squadron from Noumea and a carrier squadron, to hopefully do their work before any naval strike might occur. Noumea CAP will help cover the leading BBs, the CVs, and the ships at Isle of Pines, as well as Noumea. Carrier CAP will do the same.




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Post #: 324
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/14/2018 3:18:25 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		30 Apr 42

I had to laugh when I saw the first attack in the replay today. I-23 surfaces at Noumea to shell and torpedo xAKL White Wing. White Wing was the sole survivor of the xAKL TF hit by Bettys, sinking 5 xAKLs and the small escort. White Wing tried to make it to Noumea, forcibly unescorted. With all of the ships at Noumea, all more important than an xAKL, I-23 found the one unescorted ship.

As I said yesterday, I expected a heavy CAP at Noumea with enemy ships brought in, possibly drawing a naval strike into the heavy CAP. That's exactly what happened. I expected a heavy CAP, but not 109 Zeros. First, carrier F4F-3 swept, then P-39s from Noumea. Then a naval strike from my carriers went after a cruiser group at Koumac:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 89

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 45
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Kako, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka
DD Urakaze
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire

B-26s from Norfolk Island bombed enemy troops at La Foa, doing very little damage. It found the 16th Army HQ, the 146th Infantry Regiment, and the 148th Infantry Regiment. There's more units there too.

B-26s in China bomb the 3rd Division near Hengyang in clear terrain, causing almost 200 casualties. Aurorus will have to start some CAP instead of always using sweeps to find my CAP.

Liuchow is lost in China. It was mostly evacuated.

Total air losses are 19 F4F-3s, 9 P-39s, and 7 SBD-3. No enemy losses. At least I hit some ships.

There is little doubt that KB is on the way from the Tulagi area. I believe that the ships at Koumac were rushed there to do 2 things: be there, in case I was invading there today, which was possible from where my ships were, and to draw a naval strike into the massive CAP. Expecting KB, judging from the D/L to my subs, I have to leave Noumea. All APs will leave. 95% of the troops have unloaded. Very little supply has unloaded, and it is vital that I get more supply into Noumea. The cargo ships will risk staying another day. CAP at Noumea will be only from Noumea. A small cruiser force and a DD force will stay at Noumea. See the map for details.

Let's hope that my subs can find a carrier, and the KB doesn't make it into range of Noumea for another day. I need that supply.

It is interesting to note that there is movement from La Foa to the north. The graphics are unclear at Noumea. There could be movement there to the north, I'm not sure. Maybe Aurorus thought I was coming to land at Koumac. There's enough US troops at Noumea now that it will not fall. Not unless it I run out of supply, and the enemy can bring many naval bombardments. I will do what I can to defend Noumea, but I will not risk my carriers unless the conditions are absolutely right.

Koumac has 18 units, with 20860 men, 153 guns, and 24 vehicles. Probably a division there.




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Post #: 325
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/15/2018 3:07:21 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		1 May 42 - Part One

The fast Dutch minelaying ship that I keep speaking highly of is actually a British ship, Abdiel. I like it a lot. It is very fast. I've been using it on high speed runs to drop mines in very dangerous positions, and run back out to a safe range by daylight. A few days ago it dropped mines at Balep Island, next to Koumac. Today, finally, success:

TF 76 encounters mine field at Belep Islands (112,155)

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Mine hits 1, heavy damage




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Post #: 326
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/15/2018 3:48:35 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		1 May 42 - Part Two

Near Norfolk Island, I-26 spots 4 APDs headed south, and torpedoes APD Humphreys, sinking her. Near Isle of Pines, I-8 fires 2 torpedoes at DD Aylwin but misses.

Battleships West Virginia and Maryland, with CL Adelaide and DDs bombard enemy troops at Noumea, causing 58 casualties. Battleship Revenge then did the same, causing 37 casualties. Nothing significant, but it's time to leave, so they might as well contribute. Then I-22 spots Revenge and escorts, and fires 8(!) torpedoes at Revenge, getting one hit. I guess that I'm lucky that only one hit. I've said it before, but those old slow battleships are just torpedo magnets. Revenge is SYS 17/FLOT 10-3/ENG 31-3/FIRE 0, so it will be ok, barring any more unfortunate encounters. Another big ship with a long trip to the shipyards.

Near Efate, sub S-44 is spotted by a TF with BB Kirishima, CA Chikuma, CS Nisshin, and DDs. No hits on the sub. Then S-44 is spotted by another big TF, with BBs Hiei, Haruna, and Kongo, CA Maya, CL Oi, and 9 DDs. Again no hits on the sub, but no torpedoes fired either.

RO-62 torpedoed the one cargo ship at Isle of Pines, xAK Don Isidro. The ship is badly damaged and a bit on fire. It will try to make it to Noumea, where it will certainly meet its final doom shortly.

With daybreak, 34 Oscars sweep Noumea from Luganville. P-39s and P-40Es are on CAP, and more enemy are downed than friendly lost. Then 13 Nells arrive, with 68 Zeros either escorting or on LRCAP. The Zeros do well, but the Nells miss with all torpedoes.

Then the fireworks really get started. As feared, KB has gotten within range of Noumea, setting up at Aurorus' favorite range of 7.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N1 Kate x 18
B5N2 Kate x 51
D3A1 Val x 35

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
PC Pulaski, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Sinabang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Witte de With
AM Kalgoorlie, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Durban, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Era, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Sipirok
xAKL Luzon, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Dunlap
CL Dragon
xAKL Meroendoeng, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Van Ghent
xAK Diamond head, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Cardross, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Mulubinda, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tuscaloosa City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Preston

Then another morning raid:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N1 Kate x 6
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Mormacrey, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Durban, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
KV Dundas, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL St. Louis
CL Dragon

And another big raid in the afternoon:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
B5N1 Kate x 33
B5N2 Kate x 89

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Goulburn, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Boelongan, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Witte de With
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Tuscaloosa City, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Ulooloo, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Elisavet, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Corrimal
xAKL Silindoeng, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen
DD Van Ghent
DD Drayton
xAKL Escalante, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Preston
xAK Aroona, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Siberoet
xAKL Lepus, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Crown City
DMS Chandler, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL James Cook
DD Cummings
xAKL Soerabaja, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Fanning

A lot of ugliness here. Sunk ships include a light cruiser, an APD, a PC, an AM, 8 xAKLs and 8 xAKs. 2 badly damaged light cruisers (one US) disbanded at Noumea and will presumably be lost. Same for another xAKL and an xAK. I had decided to take the risk in order to get supply into Noumea, which was down to 4,000. It is now at 11,000. That is not great, but better than before. I won't say that the tradeoff was worth it, but it was necessary, in my opinion. A well defended Noumea isn't well defended with no supply.

I do see enemy troop movement out of Noumea.

Here's some damaged ship conditions. Revenge already mentioned.
CL Durban SYS 17/FLOT 98-60/ENG 17-14/FIRE 0 Disbanded Noumea
CL St. Louis SYS 7/FLOT 78-51/ENG 17-16/FIRE 0 Disbanded Noumea
DMS Chandler SYS 22/FLOT 77-45/ENG 2-1/FIRE 0 Disbanded Noumea
KV Dundas SYS 18/FLOT 20-11/ENG 2-0/0 Escorting cargo ships


Now the dilemma.

My first decision was whether or not to try to defend all the cargo ships still at Noumea, almost 30 of them. They are currently 7 hexes from KB, and the fastest can only move 6 hexes per day. KB will move 8 hexes at normal speed. This means if KB moves directly towards Noumea, these cargo ships cannot get out of KB's range no matter which direction they go.

I could decide to let the cargo ships go on their own and hope for the best. I had said that I cannot lose my carriers. KB is danger close, but my carriers are far enough away that they can run to safety. My worry is that KB just came from Tulagi, and is undoubtedly nearly full of fuel. If I were the Japanese, I'd jump at the chance to chase down the Allied carriers. I'd run them full speed south and maybe catch the carriers, and certainly catch everything else seemingly running south.

So I'm doing the unexpected. My cargo ships at Noumea will flee due west. Some will move 4 hexes, some 5. Allied carriers will boldly (or stupidly) move NW to cover these ships. They will be 5 hexes west of Noumea. If KB moves next to Noumea, we're going to have a carrier battle. If KB moves next to Koumac, and it's extra CAP, we're going to have a carrier battle. I'm guessing that KB is going to move south and stay out of range of a carrier battle. However, with this move, I'm accepting that a battle is very possible. If KB stays out of range, it's possible that a bombardment force could hit Noumea and then retire to Koumac, where it would be target for my carriers.

Anything could happen tomorrow. It's going to be a sleepless night at Allied headquarters.




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(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 327
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/15/2018 4:57:38 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		[Popcorn Icon]. Good luck!

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 328
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/15/2018 5:53:38 AM   
apbarog


Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline 		Thanks!

I do have 5 US carriers and 2 Brit carriers, so it's no small force. I've replaced 2 of my TBD squadrons with extra SBDs. I've limited my TBDs to range 4, limiting them to using their torpedoes or not flying. The pilots are poorly trained in bombing. The Brit carriers could bounce a few bombs on the armored decks. And I've done the first refits for my carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. A bit better AAA, not great like later in the war, but better than at start.

On the down side, the enemy is moving many battleships with the carriers, and they could soak up a lot of my SBD bombs. And the enemy pilots are much better than mine.

All we can do now is wait and see.

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)
Post #: 329
RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 1/15/2018 3:27:39 PM   
Bif1961


Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline 		Operation scatter let his KB air groups go after everything else while your carriers are behind them and when he has spent all his planes in attacking the thundering herd you planes with have but one target, unlike hi s going after dozens of low value targets.

(in reply to apbarog)
Post #: 330
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