RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/27/2019 8:59:37 PM

apbarog

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

29 Nov 42

637th Tank Destroyer Battalion is moving to Katherine from the south. It had been spotted, and it was bombed by Bettys from Koepang. Some squads and vehicles were disabled. This is less important than the fight at Darwin, where Sallys and Lilys bombed the troops. Heavy rain prevented many losses. US bombers hit enemy troops at Darwin also.

A second US attack at Darwin.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25540 troops, 470 guns, 664 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Defending force 23396 troops, 249 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Allied adjusted assault: 174

Japanese adjusted defense: 326

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1254 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 30 (13 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (66 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (4 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Good result with the losses. Forts were not reduced, and disruption is now too high to continue attacking immediately. Units will rest. Supply from Gove will probably have to be forced back into Darwin. The enemy continues to show movement out of Darwin, but it is unknown how many, if any, units will actually leave to the south.

Many Allied ships from the Darwin invasion are now passing Horn Island, heading to Townsville. Support ships like AKEs and ADs are nearing Gove and will help support a cruiser force that will stay at Gove and help at Darwin. The big boys, however, are leaving the area. An Australian brigade is now loaded at Normanton and will head to invade Merauke, where the enemy has extracted most of its forces, and only about 2,000 men in 2 units remain. The bases has been pummeled and there may be no supply there. Merauke will help be a stepping stone to supporting Taberfane and Dobo.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 811

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/28/2019 8:31:02 PM

apbarog

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

30 Nov 42

22 Zeros sweep Milne Bay from Lae. 25 Warhawks are on CAP. There was a P-39 squadron here yesterday, but I moved it to Port Moresby to help defend a big troop convoy unloading. 16 Warhawks were lost. Just one Zero was downed, but 4 others were ops losses.

Both sides bombed troops at Darwin. US artillery attacked at Darwin, and it went worse than expected.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 666 troops, 68 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 678

Defending force 21997 troops, 244 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 400

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

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied troops will attack today. A cruiser force will move into range to bombard Darwin the next day. There are cargo ships spotted at Boela for the past few days. Dobo became a size 2 airfield, so P-38s are moved in to sweep Boela. A squadron of divebombers are moved in with fighter escorts.

December is a big upgrade month for US fleet subs. Some will begin upgrading immediately.

Allied carriers are spotted east of Cairns, southbound.

There are still lots of ships at Kusaie Island. I think that the damage to the port is making it a slow process to pull out units, which I think is what is going on there. The first 4 Fletcher class destroyers are ordered from Luganville to Nauru, for a possible raid to Kusaie.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 812

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/29/2019 6:46:58 AM

apbarog

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

1 Dec 42

Again bombers from both sides hit troops at Darwin. Various enemy bombing raids in China. Another Allied attack at Darwin.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24956 troops, 461 guns, 581 vehicles, Assault Value = 683

Defending force 20236 troops, 235 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 402

Allied adjusted assault: 260

Japanese adjusted defense: 170

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
962 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 45 (4 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 59 (15 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Good result. The troops are ready to go again. A small US cruiser force will bombard Darwin overnight. 2 small units have retreated south from Darwin. Probably non-combat units. We may take Darwin today.

Boela had bad weather, so no sweep or naval strike. Enemy ships are seen at Sorong, so we'll try there today.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 813

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/30/2019 5:56:11 AM

apbarog

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

2 Dec 42

Cruisers Salt Lake City and Chester bombarded Darwin, doing moderate damage to troops. These cruisers and 6 destroyers can do this every day, making a 9 hex move from Gove and rearming there.

The 19th Australian Brigade invaded Merauke. Defenses are very light, and the base should fall with an attack today.

Dutch sub KXIV fired 2 torpedoes at destroyer Shiratsuyu near Buna, but missed. Destroyers continue to make runs from Rabaul to Buna. I'm guessing they are bringing in supply. They could be evacuating troops.

23 P-38Gs had been moved to Dobo. They swept Sorong and found 9 A6M3 Zeros. They shot every one down, with no loss to themselves. 17 SB2U-3 Vindicators arrived, without their assigned escort, but found no CAP left over a small enemy task force in heavy rain.

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DMS W-4, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

The cargo ship had fuel loaded, and it burned. Sinking audio was heard immediately after combat.

Near Bassein, Dutch sub KXVI hit PB Kozan Maru with a torpedo. Sinking audio heard.

US troops attack at Buna for the first time.

Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12185 troops, 197 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Defending force 11428 troops, 105 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 255

Allied adjusted assault: 255

Japanese adjusted defense: 323

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
I US Corps

Defending units:
4th Division
90th Infantry Regiment
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Base Force
41st Field AA Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
85th Naval Guard Unit
8th JNAF AF Unit
40th JNAF AF Unit

Most of the enemy units had been kicked out of Port Moresby awhile ago. The 41st will rest. An artillery unit is on the Kokoda Trail and on the way. There's an armor unit at Dobadura, and it will reinforce eventually, but I can't leave the base undefended. Engineers will eventually go to Dobadura. Buna isn't going to fall easily. This is a low priority and we'll grind away and wear down the enemy.

The attack at Darwin goes better.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24857 troops, 461 guns, 566 vehicles, Assault Value = 644

Defending force 18876 troops, 236 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 290

Allied adjusted assault: 300

Japanese adjusted defense: 228

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1669 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 39 (27 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (2 destroyed, 35 disabled)

The infantry needs to rest for a day before attacking again. The base will fall soon. Followup support units are coming from Normanton.

South of Darwin, at Katherine, there's a small battle.

Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 1943 troops, 8 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 40

Japanese adjusted defense: 12

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Defending units:
57th Construction Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn

The base will fall to the tank destroyer battalion.

There's still a bunch of enemy task forces at Kusaie Island. I see transports, and nothing bigger than destroyers. There had been battleships, but they were spotted north of the island a week ago. I'm sending the first 4 Fletcher class destroyers on a high speed raid from Nauru to Kusaie. It could be very productive, or it could be suicide. Or both.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 814

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/31/2019 7:58:15 PM

apbarog

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

3 Dec 42

The 4 new Fletcher class destroyers move into Kusaie at high speed.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Taikei Maru, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
PB Tyuwa Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon

and

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
xAP Ural Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon

Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

All of the other task forces had left. OPilot told me that he had a cruiser force there, but it had just left. Chevalier took a shell hit and is SYS 7/FLOT 10-3/3-0/0. The other destroyers took between 5 and 10 SYS damage with the high speed run. All will retire to Luganville for repairs. It's worth noting that the US destroyers fired 2 torpedoes early in the 2nd fight, and a torpedo hit Makigumo and Ural Maru, but both were duds. Lots of ammo was expended in the fights, so the US ships were lucky not to run into a strong combat task force after these fights.

Katherine is captured by a US tank destroyer unit, which moved up from the south. Merauke is captured by the 19th Australian Brigade. Followup units are on the way.

Darwin was bombed by US bombers, and hit by the cruiser task force. The same will occur today, and the ground units will attack. Darwin may be captured today.

Here's an update on some damaged ships. Yorktown is still at Sydney and has about 45 days left to repair. I should have sent it to Pearl Harbor when it was at Vava'u. Battleship Idaho made it to Normanton and is repairing minor damage. Royal Sovereign arrived at the UK with FLOT 24 and will take 60 days to repair. Ramilles is SYS 2/FLOT 38/ENG 26/0, moving slowly, and still needs 59 days to get to the East Coast. Revenge is SYS 3/FLOT 40/0/0 and still needs 113 days of repair at Capetown.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 815

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 7:36:33 PM

apbarog

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

4 Dec 42

AM Geelong is patrolling the straits east of Darwin, straits that are being used every day by Allied ships. Geelong found I-122 and did some minor damage to the sub. The US cruiser force that has been bombarding Darwin every day did so again, and on the way back to Gove, found mines at Darwin and the two hexes in the straits. Fortunately, destroyers cleaned up a few mines and no ships hit any. Two reinforcement task forces are approaching, and with the straits mined, they are ordered to go the long way around north of Darwin.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24254 troops, 459 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 619

Defending force 17111 troops, 209 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

Allied adjusted assault: 272

Japanese adjusted defense: 70

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
6745 casualties reported
Squads: 153 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 219 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 147 (145 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 113 (113 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing

Defending units:
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
14th Army
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
10th RF Gun Battalion
32nd Nav Gsn Unit

US troops will not chase the enemy to the south, at least not immediately. Both US divisions have about 100 disabled combat squads and could use some rest. The enemy is no threat to the south, and is showing movement to the enemy dot base of Fenton. The only escape is for them to move west to the coast, a long trip on a trail. For now, US bombers will bomb the enemy troops. They are in the clear and there's nothing but clear terrain to be found. Time for some payback for previous Allied losses in clear terrain.

US troops at Darwin are immediately tasked with preparing for Babar and Ambon. Darwin has 30,000 supply, which is a pleasant surprise. The units had extra but not that much extra, so the bonus supply is, a bonus. The base is badly damaged and engineers get to work. More minesweepers are sent to Darwin from Gove. Normanton has been the submarine forward base. Now the AS there will move to Gove. A huge naval base support unit will be moved from Townsville to Darwin. Darwin will be the huge support base for future moves north and northwest.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 816

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 8:10:16 PM

BBfanboy

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

Nice work taking Darwin back! I wouldn't move that AS there until you can put enough CAP up to fend off raids from the DEI.

_____________________________

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 #: 817

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 11:27:44 PM

Wuffer

Posts: 402
Joined: 6/16/2011
Status: offline

First Java, than India and now Australia, this is allready a serious attrition of japanese ground forces. Add to this his probably sunken cruisers and it's fair to argue that your progress is amazing.
My last comment was obviously prone to a complete misunderstanding, I regret that as this achievements are no way 'easy'; vice versa, it's a superb example how a coherent strategy with a flexible approach in operational manoevering could not only grap the initiative against a stronger opponent but also a significant foothold in the DEI and all before the first year has ended. Liked the true island gambit as well; while they will be missed I guess their sacrifice will shorten the war.

What I have learnt in life that all kinds of art are only looking easy when done by someone with 'battlehardened' skills. This AAR looks, smells and feels 'pro'.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 818

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 11:42:16 PM

apbarog

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

Thanks Wuffer. I am experienced but don't consider myself a "pro". Just last turn, I accidentally started unloading a supply convoy on the Australian coast, not at a base. There's always mistakes and room for improvement. One of the great things about this game is that you can play for many years and still learn things.

Thank you though. My plans have been mostly successful. I've tried to get my opponent into a defensive mindset as soon as I could, and I think that was successful. I've prioritized sticking to my plans over chasing the Japanese Navy and trying to have the big carrier battle. Now that Darwin is taken, progress will slow there. The US fleet is heading to Ceylon for a huge amphibious assault of Burma. Aiding China will cost progress through Timor and beyond. It's a continuation of hitting the enemy where they are not.

When I do challenge KB, and I will, it will be in the most advantageous conditions that I can get, and it will be a surprise.

(in reply to Wuffer)

Post #: 819

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 11:43:09 PM

apbarog

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

4 Dec 42 - China

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 820

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/1/2019 11:54:47 PM

Anachro

Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog
Thanks Wuffer. I am experienced but don't consider myself a "pro". Just last turn, I accidentally started unloading a supply convoy on the Australian coast, not at a base. There's always mistakes and room for improvement.

False modesty! That's no mistake, that's just an oversight and both "pro" and mediocre players do that. This game has too many moving parts, details, etc. every single turn: there will always be something overlooked. You have been doing a great job in your game.

However, I do suspect your opponent is newer to the Japanese side of things as I think you mentioned when you guys first started your game that your opponent had been playing as the Allies versus Aurorus( I think?) before he disappeared from the forums.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 821

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/2/2019 12:09:00 AM

apbarog

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

Good point Anachro. OPilot is newer to the Japanese side than I am for the Allied. I'm a long-time Japanese player but my last 3 games were as the Allies, and that has consumed more than several years.

Not false modesty. I think I can compete against most like-minded opponents who choose to play the game in the context of wanting to feel like we're fighting the real Pacific war, not trying to win the game in any manner that the game engine allows. There are some outstanding players on the forum that are way out of my league.

(in reply to Anachro)

Post #: 822

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/2/2019 6:06:24 PM

apbarog

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

4 Dec 42 - The Marshalls

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 823

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/2/2019 6:57:40 PM

aleajactaest10044

Posts: 33
Joined: 5/3/2014
Status: offline

Filed in wrong AAR - deleted

< Message edited by aleajactaest10044 -- 4/2/2019 7:13:04 PM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 824

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/2/2019 7:11:21 PM

aleajactaest10044

Posts: 33
Joined: 5/3/2014
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

Good point Anachro. OPilot is newer to the Japanese side than I am for the Allied. I'm a long-time Japanese player but my last 3 games were as the Allies, and that has consumed more than several years.

Not false modesty. I think I can compete against most like-minded opponents who choose to play the game in the context of wanting to feel like we're fighting the real Pacific war, not trying to win the game in any manner that the game engine allows. There are some outstanding players on the forum that are way out of my league.

I too fall into the camp of playing the war in a historical manner. Your modest in that you play very well, a fact reflected by the progress you've made in an Allied 1942 campaign. I would love to see you do a Big B or RHS mod someday.

(in reply to aleajactaest10044)

Post #: 825

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/3/2019 12:04:57 AM

apbarog

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

5 Dec 42

Small Allied minesweepers go to work around Darwin. 2 task forces moved around to the western approaches to Darwin to avoid mines. They'll move into Darwin tonight, hoping that all the mines are cleared. Can't linger out there with no air protection at Darwin yet. Darwin's airfield is too damaged.

P-40Es and P-38Gs sweep Lae from Port Moresby. The Warhawks went in first, which wasn't good for them. 10 were lost with just a couple of A6M3s Zeros downed. The P-38s did very well though. Total losses were 20 A6M3s for 10 P-40Es and 1 P-38G. The P-38s will go again today. A cruiser and destroyer task force appeared at Lae, probably unloading troops. Unfortunate that I didn't have the divebombers at Port Moresby ready to go. I didn't see the ships coming.

The usual bombing in China from the Japanese. I had an artillery unit disperse due to no supply in a contested hex. Don't remember seeing a unit disperse without any recent combat.

Enemy bombers hit Cox's Bazar.

US bombers hit Japanese troops south of Darwin, but did very poorly in heavy rain. Hoping for better weather.

51 Bettys with 31 Zeros hit Milne Bay, doing moderate damage to the airfield and port. No CAP there presently. Fragments of units at Milne Bay are now leaving on ships from Port Moresby. I'll put fighters at Milne Bay tomorrow for when the ships arrive.

US troops attack at Buna.

Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11940 troops, 197 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 327

Defending force 11240 troops, 105 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 237

Allied adjusted assault: 498

Japanese adjusted defense: 259

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
633 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
I US Corps

Defending units:
90th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
8th JNAF AF Unit
41st Field AA Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
15th Naval Construction Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
3rd Base Force
85th Naval Guard Unit
40th JNAF AF Unit

Not good enough to continue. The troops will wait for reinforcements. I'd be happy if the enemy continues to reinforce this part of New Guinea. I think that is happening at Lae. I'm not planning a big offensive here, just a continued war of attrition and attention grabbing.

The enemy flew recon over Nauru. This is a new development.

Here's a graphic of my pilots in the P-38G squadron at Port Moresby. These pilots are the best of what I have. In P-38s, I highly value the defensive skill. P-38 reinforcements are slow. There just aren't many of them coming, so I don't want to lose them. They seem to do excellent work sweeping in the hands of elite pilots.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by apbarog -- 4/3/2019 12:08:05 AM >

(in reply to aleajactaest10044)

Post #: 826

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/3/2019 4:38:47 AM

apbarog

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

5 Dec 42 - The Solomons

[EDIT: Correction on graphic --- getting the units to Rennell Island, not Rossel Island. Rossel is an invasion target. Rennell is the staging base.]

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< Message edited by apbarog -- 4/3/2019 4:39:54 AM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 827

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/3/2019 7:47:11 PM

apbarog

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

6 Dec 42

Minesweepers successfully clear Darwin's harbor as transports and cargo ships arrive. The sweepers are now tasked to clear the eastern approaches.

Cruisers Salt Lake City and Chester and 6 US destroyers bombard Babar for the first time. A few Lilys and Dinahs are damaged. 482 casualties and moderate base damage done.

Sub Permit is hit by a depth charge in the shallows near Akyab. It's best to keep the subs out of the shallow water, but I occasionally go there to show that I will, and keep the subchasers looking there. Permit is only moderately damaged and will go to Colombo for repairs and an upgrade.

The followup P-38 sweep of Lae wasn't a good idea. A fresh A6M2 squadron had been moved in to help the A6M3 unit already there. 9 Lightnings were lost, 5 to ops losses, and 7 Zeros were downed. 2 pilots were KIA, including an ace. Another ace was made and another is MIA. The unit is ordered back to Cairns to rest and fill out. Using them a second day wasn't using them in the most optimal way. I need to keep hitting occasionally and resting regularly.

Merauke is cleared of the enemy. Support units are landing now. I reconsidered the numbers at Buna and decided to attack again. We got the forts down to 1, and although the losses were higher for the US troops, the odds weren't far from a 2 to 1 level last time. An engineer unit just got to Kokoda and will start building. An artillery unit there has been moving to Buna.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 828

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/4/2019 6:18:50 AM

apbarog

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

7 Dec 42

Sallys tried to bomb Darwin at night. An anti-aircraft unit was in the process of unloading there. Combined with other flak embedded in other units, most of the Sallys were damaged and a couple were shot down. No damage to the airfield in thunderstorms. I have been responding with the infrequent enemy night bombing with a more overwhelming night attack of my own. I forgot to do so this time. I'll respond in kind tomorrow, probably. The Allied heavy bombers can do so much more damage with a night attack, particularly on ships in port. I do this to discourage night bombings, as I'd rather not play the game of bombing at night where I can't bomb during the day. But I'll do so when provoked.

I may need to bomb at night when I get to the Japanese Home Islands, but I don't see a reason to do so now.

Warhawks swept the enemy hex between Cox's Bazar and Akyab. I wanted to see if there is enemy ranged CAP there. There wasn't. Hoped to whittle down some enemy fighters. P-38s didn't fly on the same mission.

DB-7s from Taberfane hit Babar's airfield but did minor damage in light rain. B-24s bombed Myitkyina's airfield, which is already badly damaged and barely repairing. I'll have an Indian division pop out of the jungle near Myitkyina soon, so I'm making an appearance here to show interest, hoping to draw more enemy into the northern interior of Burma.

I-176 spots a Dutch destroyer and 3 xAKLs which just unloaded troop unit fragments at Milne Bay. DD Piet Hein hit the sub with 2 depth charges after 6 torpedoes missed the destroyer.

Sub Haddo is north of Okinawa, making the first appearance of US subs in this area. It spotted a cargo task force. 2 torpedoes were fired at xAK Kinai Maru. One hit but was a dud.

Another US attack at Buna. Less progress this time.

Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11572 troops, 197 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 286

Defending force 11019 troops, 105 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 223

Allied adjusted assault: 176

Japanese adjusted defense: 225

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
406 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
591 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

The first Allied troops for the Burma invasions start to load at Bombay to go to Ceylon. Ceylon's bases will be the ports of embarkation for the landings. A US division still has a couple of weeks just to get to Capetown, and then travel to Ceylon. The US fleet is now westbound, south of Australia, heading to Ceylon. It takes a long time for this kind of major deployment, changing theaters.

I wonder where KB is. It's been gone for weeks, and hasn't shown up near Timor. It's possible that OPilot noticed the drastic pullback from Cox's Bazar, and troops missing from Calcutta and surrounding bases. If they aren't attacking Burma directly, he could be wondering where they went. A Burma invasion isn't the only possibility. It isn't even the only invasion possibility. They could be being sent to Australia. I don't see him sending KB to the Indian Ocean in a defensive manner without proof that the US carriers are going there.

Mini-KB, on the other hand, has been missing for many months. The only SigInt I got for them was a few weeks ago, when a CVE was headed to Soerabaja. I wonder if they were (or are) on a fishing expedition between Ceylon and India. Being that it's more likely for my shipping heading to Ceylon to be spotted by subs than ships, I've turned off all search planes from all ships. That has some risk, but I want the reward of surprise off the coast of the Andaman Islands, and then the Burma coast.

You just never know what your opponent is thinking, only what you see them doing.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 829

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/5/2019 5:54:26 AM

apbarog

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

8 Dec 42

All of the enemy mines around Darwin have been cleared.

Zeros from Lae swept Milne Bay but found no CAP. A small US transport task force had been spotted near Milne Bay yesterday, but it was outbound, having dropped off troops already. US fighters were seen there also. OPilot probably thought the ships were inbound and CAP would be there.

I'd been expecting air activity from Koepang to hit Darwin, since the airfield has been badly damaged since US forces captured the base. Finally 42 Oscars swept. I had just moved in a P-39 squadron with excellent pilots. Both sides lost a couple of planes. The P-39s were worn down though, so when a naval strike arrived, CAP was weak.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 23

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Nairana, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AMC Monowai
xAP Cremer, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Alden, Torpedo hits 1 (SYS 21/FLOT 48-24/ENG 0/FIRE 0)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

The ships were almost completely unloaded. There's a bunch of xAKs here too, unloading supply, but they were not attacked. They'll all leave today, and I'll bring the small fragments back in later. More fighters move to Darwin today.

The 2 US cruisers and escorts that had been bombarding Darwin moved up near Taberfane and were not spotted. They are 9 hexes from Ambon, and I'm seeing multiple task forces there. Some patrol boats, some cargo ships. I'm sending the US task force at high speed to raid Ambon tonight.

The transports that will head from Australia to Ceylon are starting to arrive at Albany, south of Perth. They are refueling there and will wait for the carriers which are a few days to the east. Then the armada will move to Ceylon. I'm really looking forward to the Burma operation.

Speaking of Burma, enemy units have moved inland from Akyab and are turning north to try and flank the defense at Cox's Bazar. I'm seeing movement into the hex adjacent to Cox's Bazar, on the trail to Chittagong. I'm moving reinforcements to this hex.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 830

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/5/2019 11:40:01 PM

apbarog

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

9 Dec 42

Sturgeon fired 4 torpedoes at destroyer Yugumo just west of Ternate, but missed. More importantly, Kirishima, Hiei, Haruna and Kongo are spotted in this task force. It took awhile, but the big guns finally headed towards the action. Unfortunately for them, the Allied offensive in this area is now pausing for action in other places. There are 2 important questions: is KB coming this way also, and can the new Allied bases at Taberfane, Dobo, Darwin and Gove survive what's coming their way.

Ambon is raided. In the first battle, PB Kantori Maru is sunk. In the second battle, tiny AMc Genchi Maru is sunk. The US ships then headed for home. I'm still seeing a cargo task force there, so the raid missed them. With the enemy battleships spotted less than a day away to the north, it may have been fortunate to raid today instead of tomorrow.

Northwest of Naha, Haddo fired 2 torpedoes at a big tanker, TK Itukusima Maru, but missed. I've definitely found a major shipping route.

Enemy bombing in China, as usual. Plenty of fighters still escorting.

36 Oscars swept Darwin. They found a couple of P-39s, 9 F4F-3s and 32 F4F-4s. 14 Oscars were downed, for the cost of 3 Wildcats. The enemy switched things up and used the Bettys at Koepang to hit the Americal Division moving inland south of Darwin. The US fighters at Darwin switch to a ranged 1 CAP to cover Americal.

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Post #: 831

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/7/2019 1:39:03 AM

apbarog

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

10 Dec 42
The usual heavy bombing by the enemy in China. US bombers hit the Japanese troops at Fenton, south of Darwin. For now, the enemy looks content to stay there. It's just a dot base, so there's no evacuation taking place, but the enemy could be air-dropping supply. It's possible that OPilot wants to build the airfield to a size 1 to help evacuate troops. Americal Division and support units plan on eliminating the enemy before that can happen.

No sign of the enemy battleships that were near Ternate yesterday. They weren't spotted at Ambon or at Koepang. Could have gone to Kendari for fuel. I think we'll be seeing them soon.

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Post #: 832

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/7/2019 8:52:15 PM

apbarog

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

11 Dec 42

Near Buna, S-41 fired 4 torpedoes at destroyer Hatsushima but missed. This is a cruiser force that is similar to what was just seen at Lae. It lingered at the end of the day just east of Buna, but 4 squadrons of divebombers ready to go at Port Moresby didn't fly, probably due to bad weather over the ships.

P-38s swept over an enemy infantry division southeast of Chittagong, but found no fighters. The infantry was bombed afterwards.

Major enemy bombing effort on the Chinese troops southeast of Sian. Severe storms prevented more casualties, but lots of enemy planes participated. No shortage of escorts, either.

Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 5
Ki-51 Sonia x 33

then

Ki-48-IIa Lily x 19
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 5

then

Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Sallys and Oscars then hit Kweilin, doing moderate damage to the airfield. I hope to catch these guys tomorrow, moving 4 Chinese fighter squadrons to Kweilin.

US troops attacked again at Buna, taking more casualties again but removing the forts. The US troops should be getting some benefit from I US Corps with them, and the Southwest HQ being at Port Moresby. I US Corps is fully prepped for Buna, and is 41st Infantry Division. Mac is only partially prepped for Buna.

US carriers will arrive at Albany and refuel, then the armada is off to Ceylon.

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Post #: 833

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/8/2019 7:29:43 PM

apbarog

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

12 Dec 42

The mystery task force turned out to be the previously spotted battleships.

Night Naval bombardment of Taberfane at 82,117

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 14 damaged
DB-7B: 48 damaged
DB-7B: 1 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 2 damaged
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kinugasa
CL Yubari
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
DD Hayate
DD Oite
DD Naganami
DD Kazegumo
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
650 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (8 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 77
Port hits 25
Port supply hits 17

Just 4 planes were destroyed: 2 Lightning recon planes and 2 DB-7s. Most of the supply was destroyed though. I'm sending more. I could have evacuated my planes, but I took the chance that they could get some strikes in, either from Taberfane or Dobo. But the enemy task force was not spotted during the daylight. US subs that just got out of refit load mines at Luganville and will sprint to Taberfane, carrying mines. A mine hit could slow the battleships and leave them within bomber range after a bombardment.

I guessed wrong in China, and the enemy bombed bases other than Kweilin. I'm sending all of the Chinese fighters back to the capital.

Americal attacked at Fenton, and found that the enemy had built forts and have supply. The enemy will be eliminated but it will take some time. The casualty ratio was good. The US artillery will bombard for a day or two, then Americal will attack again.

Ground combat at Fenton (76,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12263 troops, 250 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Defending force 15769 troops, 136 guns, 99 vehicles, Assault Value = 201

Allied adjusted assault: 85

Japanese adjusted defense: 171

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
724 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Division
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
38th Field Const Co
14th Army
34th JNAF AF Unit
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
56th Const Co
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Air Division
55th Const Co
57th Construction Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn

I know that OPilot will be watching a basketball game tonight, so I'm holding onto this turn for today and doing a lot of things done just occasionally.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 834

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/10/2019 12:26:01 AM

apbarog

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

13 Dec 42

Zeros swept Taberfane from the east coast of New Guinea, at Hollandia, for the first time. Oscars then swept from Ambon. No CAP. The runway was too damaged to get any planes into the air. Bettys with more Zeros then arrived, damaging planes and destroying a couple, and doing very minor damage to the airfield in severe storms. I was able to move some of the P-40s there to Dobo, where they will fly a ranged CAP tomorrow.

The Allied air attack at Akyab didn't really work. I used 2 Hurricane IIc squadrons to sweep. I didn't expect that to go well, but I thought they could contribute. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes flew first, and most of the 2 units were lost, running into 47 Oscars and 12 Tojos. P-38Fs then followed up, and did much better, downing about 16 planes and losing just a few. Then P-40Ks swept in an inconclusive manner. 17 SBDs then went after shipping at Akyab, and a few Dauntlesses were lost to a reduced CAP of about 10 Oscars and 3 Tojos. One bomb hit xAKL Hakuyo Maru with heavy clouds. In the afternoon, an SBD squadron flew unescorted to Akyab, and found a rejuvenated CAP and took lots of losses with no bombs dropped.

Total air losses for the day were 21 Oscars and 6 Tojos for 23 Hurricanes, 17 SBD-3s, 3 P-38Fs and 2 P-40Ks.

Two enemy destroyers were spotted lingering just east of Buna, and today the US divebombers flew. Moderate rain prevented lots of bomb hits, but there were enough to sink DD Akizuki and badly damage DD Teruzuki. S-39 tried to finish off Teruzuki but missed with 2 torpedoes.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 835

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/10/2019 9:59:23 PM

apbarog

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

14 Dec 42

25 Lilys bombed Dobo's airfield, flying from a base up north. Taberfane's airfield is still badly damaged, so I had moved the still-flyable P-40s from there to Dobo. 14 Warhawks intercepted the unescorted Lilys and shot down 12 of them. I expect a revenge counterattack today, expecting the heavy fighter sweep that Taberfane got a few days ago. I move 2 more squadrons to Dobo, including Spitfires.

SB2Us at Darwin have been setup with drop tanks, giving them a range of 10. There's been minor shipping at Lautern on Timor, but the Vindicators hadn't flew. An xAKL and PB appeared at Dili today, and the Vindicators struck. 3 bomb hits on xAKL Koyu Maru, which will probably sink.

Bettys with Zeros from Koepang, followed by a 39 Oscar fighter sweep, hit the 97th Field Artillery Battalion just southwest of Darwin. The artillery moved there to block any western escape of the enemy from Fenton, and will now move to Fenton and close the hexside. Almost all of the artillery was disabled, but that's of little consequence. The mission was to control the hex and hexside. As it is now, the only escape out of Fenton for the Japanese is due east, completely the wrong direction to have any chance of making it home. OPilot seems resigned to defending Fenton as long as possible.

Ground combat at Fenton (76,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12111 troops, 250 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Defending force 15091 troops, 136 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Allied adjusted assault: 111

Japanese adjusted defense: 103

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
664 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
38th Field Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
10th RF Gun Battalion
55th Const Co
5th Air Division
57th Construction Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
34th JNAF AF Unit
14th Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
56th Const Co
28th JAAF AF Bn

Just a matter of time for cleaning up Fenton. Americal is taking casualties though, which is the enemy's plan. I'd rather take the casualties, in a reasonable amount, quickly, and allow Americal to get ready for their next invasion.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 836

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/11/2019 2:24:34 PM

BBfanboy

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

Don't let Americal get too beat up - I think that affects the ability/odds to get the extra point of prep each day for the next target.

_____________________________

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 #: 837

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/11/2019 7:08:46 PM

apbarog

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

15 Dec 42

Shad spots a big task force about 10 hexes WNW of Truk. Could be inbound or outbound. Looks a lot like a carrier TF.

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Abukuma
CS Chiyoda
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze

The usual enemy air activity in China. OPilot is very good at switching targets every day, making it difficult to get an air ambush with the Chinese squadrons.

Another Americal Division attack at Fenton. They rest today and let the artillery bombard.

Ground combat at Fenton (76,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11999 troops, 249 guns, 255 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Defending force 14459 troops, 135 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Allied adjusted assault: 74

Japanese adjusted defense: 66

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
769 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
5th Air Division
55th Const Co
56th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
34th JNAF AF Unit
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
14th Army
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
57th Construction Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 838

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/13/2019 4:21:59 AM

apbarog

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

16 Dec 42

Oscars from Ambon swept Taberfane, which has a badly damaged airfield. 3 Allied fighter squadrons were at Dobo, however, and were assigned a range 1 CAP. Losses were 9 Oscars versus 4 P-40s and 1 Spitfire. Cargo ships are unloading at both Taberfane and Dobo, but weren't spotted. It's only a matter of time until that 4 battleship task force comes back to bombard. I do have mines at Taberfane now.

The 17th Indian Division was on a flanking move to the northeast of Myitkyina, appearing to want to move closer to the base. I wanted them to be spotted, and they were. Sallys with lots of Oscars hit them in the jungle, causing 40 casualties. My hope is to draw more enemy to the area. I do see units moving from the front a bit to the northwest, now moving towards Myitkyina.

Heavy bombers hit Buna's port, doing light damage in light rain.

Divebombers from Darwin spotted patrol boats at Lautem.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Toyotu Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Although Lautem and the neighboring base on Timor are size 3 and 4 airfields, there have been no enemy fighters there.

Americal will attack again at Fenton. Enemy defenses are starting to crumble, with no supply at Fenton.

Ships are moving to Ceylon for the Burma op. The transports from Australia, escorted by carriers and combat ships, move 6 hexes a day, and have 102 hexes to travel. That is 17 days of travel to Colombo. British carrier Illustrious is with them, and needs to withdraw in 19 days. I'm undecided whether to withdraw it or pay the points and use it in the operation.

Ships are also moving from Capetown. They'll take 14 days to get onto the map, then a few days to get to Colombo. Also, the 43rd US Infantry Division will get to Capetown in 3 days. It'll take a day to load, and then need 14 days to get onto the map. All of the other ships will be waiting for the division at Ceylon. That gives you some idea when the Burma op will kick off.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 839

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 4/14/2019 7:17:58 AM

apbarog

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

17 Dec 42

Two enemy destroyers were spotted by S-27 near Buna. They are continuing to run into Buna, probably dropping supply off. 2 torpedoes missed DD Ariake.

40 Oscars swept Cox's Bazar, followed by 53 Sallys with 42 Oscar escorts. Minor damage was done to the airfield, in severe storms. There was no CAP but there were P-38s based there. They flew to Rangoon for the first time, sweeping, and found 30 Nicks on CAP. The Lightnings did very well against the Nicks, who were probably expecting bombers.

The bombers did arrive, but after the P-38s, so the remaining Nicks were very ineffective. Squadrons of B-24s and B-17s hit Rangoon's port. Here's a summary of the ship hits:

AG Soya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 6
AD Choko Maru, Bomb hits 1

ACM Toroshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AKE Takao Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AR Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 1

CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AR Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire

CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires

Suzuya obviously attracted a lot of attention. None of the 23 bomb hits on the cruiser penetrated. 4 ship guns were destroyed. I believe they were small caliber guns. At least the ship has heavy fires. I was more interested in hitting the support ships.

Total air losses were 13 Nicks for the cost of 1 P-38 and 1 B-17.

Fenton was captured, and the enemy's only retreat was to the east. I will once again cut off any western escape and finish off the enemy, eventually.

Ground combat at Fenton (76,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13933 troops, 259 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 407

Defending force 13710 troops, 130 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Allied adjusted assault: 250

Japanese adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Fenton !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4665 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 198 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 52 (50 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 98 (91 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 12
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
13th Armoured Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Division
56th Const Co
14th Army
10th RF Gun Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Construction Battalion
55th Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
5th Air Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
48th Field AA Battalion
34th JNAF AF Unit
57th Construction Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by apbarog -- 4/14/2019 7:18:26 AM >

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