RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut (A)

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 2:03:44 PM

AcePylut

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In yesterday�s turn�

In the DEI � I sent in a (2) DD tf, and a (2) DD (1) CL tf. The 2 DD tf encountered various small fry tf�s and sank 9 amc/sc ships. The CL must have had it�s settings screwed up or something, because it didn�t find anything and retired to base.

During the air phase, 25+ unescorted Bettys out of Manado sank the (2) DD�s. The key here is that the Bettys were unescorted. During the afternoon naval phase, multiple large tf�s started landing troops at Balikpapan.

My CV�s could effect an afternoon strike against this shipping on the following day� however� it appeared that one of the tf�s had about 4-5 �CS� ships in it. I�m a little weary of these, as sometimes CS ships turn out to be CV�s.

So what do I know: The KB (or at least part of it) made an appearance on my LR Search at Noumea. The Mini-KB is nowhere to be found. I would estimate <performs head calculations> that 2 IJ Fleet CV�s and the Mini-KB are unaccounted. No planes show up in the tf mouseover (and it seems to me that anytime there are actual carriers, planes show up in the mouseover). I have this region covered by at least 3 separate search groups, but DL is low on each fleet nonetheless. Outside of the �CS� tf, none of my search shows any Japanese CV�s or �141 Aux planes� in a mouseover. If his Carriers *are* lurking �out of search range�, he�d have to do a full speed run to get into range of my CV�s proposed location. I know that he knows that any dash through the straights would put his CV�s in the firing line of at least three Dutch Subs. I know he knows this because over the last week, those amc�s and sc�s I just sunk had been dropping enough DC�s in the Makassar Straights to create a steel bridge from Borneo to the Celebes. Another piece of info is that his Bettys were unescorted, and no Vals or Kates were involved in the attack, and none of my ships or bases had any indications of �recon� or �spotted� from Vals or Kates. I would think that if the KB was in the area, he�d have at least a few carrier Zero�s on escort. I don�t think he�d push his CV�s into the Makassar Straights and pretend to �hide� them by having all his carriers planes on �rest�.

Thus, I�m being led to believe that this �CS� tf is a �blocking� sctf of at least 4 Jap Heavy Cruisers and not any carriers... and that is a damn worthy target.

The aggressive nature of me wants to send in Lex and Enterprise. To effectuate a max range strike at Balikpapan, I would have to be at range 17 of the Bettys out of Manado. This means I need most of my F4F�s on Cap (as if they wouldn�t be, anyways). Well it means I would put more WildKitty�s on CAP than I originally planned. I believe that my kittys would effectively defend my carriers against the bettys�but then it only takes one golden torpedo to ruin the day. My CV�s can take a torp (barring a critical hit). My CV�s will be escorted by 5 CA, 2 CL, 6 DD (due to this thought that any ships in a tf past 15 lessen each ships AAA effectiveness � but perhaps that�s a WITP Original belief).

On my lunch, I�ll run the turn on my work pc (I ran the turn late last night, before bed) and get some data. I�ll also review the ops reports in depth and see if any search planes scouring the straights were downed by Zeros.

Also, at Christmas Island south of PH � I sank the CL Natori. She was raiding a couple of weeks ago.

Lastly, a 1 CL/2DD fleet I have lurking between Guam and Iwo for the last week� its search planes spotted a tf, but did not pursue the enemy. I�m going to pull it back to safety. I might bombard Marcus in passing, just to see if there are any LCU. If there are, then the invasion planned for 3 weeks will be scrubbed. If not, then I�ll move in 3-4 subs to the island. If the �bombardment� makes CB tend to this base, hopefully I can get a few sub torpedo non-dud hits on some ships of his. If no enemy ships roll over Marcus in the next 3-4 weeks, the invasion will be �on�.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 2:54:08 PM

Mike Solli

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I like that little TF that's hanging out in the middle of the Pacific. Small enough that it doesn't really matter if it gets caught but it can get lucky and take out a supply/fuel TF or a little transport TF. Sneaky.

What caught Natori?

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Post #: 272

RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 5:53:03 PM

AcePylut

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I like that little TF that's hanging out in the middle of the Pacific. Small enough that it doesn't really matter if it gets caught but it can get lucky and take out a supply/fuel TF or a little transport TF. Sneaky.

On second look - I will pursue the fleet before retiring :)

"SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: Japanese DMS at 112,84 near Agrihan , Speed 12 , Moving Southwest
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 2 Japanese ships at 112,84 near Agrihan , Speed 10 , Moving Southwest
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 5 Japanese ships at 112,84 near Agrihan , Speed 15 , Moving Southwest"

Sorry about the bad quality of the image - it's my work laptop.

My tf consists of the CL Phoenix (selected because it had 4 search planes) and (2) DD. One of the DD's is the DD-Blue. My ex-wife's grandfather served on this ship in WW2. He was at Pearl when it was bombed (he said he spent 3 days fishing bodies out of the harbor). He was on the ship at the Battle of Savo Island. My ex's grandfather was a "lookout's bad eyesight" away from being blasted into little bits by the entire fleet... here's the excerpt from Wiki...

"To avoid Blue, Mikawa changed course to pass north of Savo Island.[9]:36 He also ordered his ships to slow to 22 knots (41 km/h), to reduce wakes that might make his ships more visible.[1]:103 Four minutes later, Mikawa's lookouts spied either Ralph Talbot about 16 kilometres (10 mi) away or a small schooner of unknown nationality.[1]:103[10]:171[24] The Japanese ships held their course while pointing more than 50 guns at Blue, ready to open fire at the first indication that Blue had sighted them.[9]:36 When Blue was less than 2 kilometres (1 mi) away from Mikawa's force, she suddenly reversed course, having reached the end of her patrol track, and steamed away, apparently oblivious to the long column of large Japanese ships sailing by her.[10]:171�3 Seeing that his ships were still undetected, Mikawa turned back to a course south of Savo Island and increased speed, first to 26 knots (48 km/h), and then to 30 knots (56 km/h). "

quote:

What caught Natori?

Well I'm a little embarrassed to say... but a transport fleet of spd 20+ transports caught it. One AP put a 3" shell into the Natori, then a US DD put a 5" into it. Then I outran that 18kt cruiser.... to allow my "following" fleet of 1 CA 2 CL 4 DD to engage and sink it.

I had screwed up and set my sctf set to follow the transport and not the other way around. D'oh. It didn't come back to bite me.

The transport fleet was the one that dropped off the soldiers at Tab. Unfortunately, my fleet couldn't stick around for a week to unload the heavy equipment until I get one of those 30 Squad Naval Support units in Tab. That will occur in about 4-5 days. Then I will make another run into Tab with the heavy equipment on a streamlined tf.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/7/2018 5:56:08 PM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 5:55:55 PM

rustysi

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From: LI, NY
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quote:

During the air phase, 25+ unescorted Bettys out of Manado sank the (2) DD�s. The key here is that the Bettys were unescorted.

Manado is out of fighter range (Zero is 7/8 normal/extended) unless he could use drop tanks. I'm not sure he'd be able to meet the criteria for their use at this point in that location.

quote:

it appeared that one of the tf�s had about 4-5 �CS� ships in it. I�m a little weary of these, as sometimes CS ships turn out to be CV�s.

Or CVE's.

quote:

I believe that my kittys would effectively defend my carriers against the bettys�but then it only takes one golden torpedo to ruin the day.

Probably, but as you say it only takes one or two to get through, and your day is ruined.

quote:

a 1 CL/2DD fleet I have lurking between Guam and Iwo for the last week� its search planes spotted a tf, but did not pursue the enemy. I�m going to pull it back to safety. I might bombard Marcus in passing, just to see if there are any LCU.

That sighting could be bogus. As to bombarding Marcus, I like the idea as it'll definitely tell you if there're LCU's at the place, but might it tip him off. Maybe a better idea is to have a bombardment TF lead the invasion TF by a day, and abort if LCU's are found. This way he's no time to react beforehand. Or not if you don't plan to invade for a while. Then again he could reinforce in the meantime. Or...

Layers, on top of layers... You can go bananas second guessing yourself in this game.

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Post #: 274

RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:03:24 PM

rustysi

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quote:

The transport fleet was the one that dropped off the soldiers at Tab.

You have an obsession with this location that I fear is going to end badly for you. To that I say go on with your ops as I'm curious to see how the 'Bird' will respond.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:04:48 PM

rustysi

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One other thing. Again I ask, what is the game date?

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:14:29 PM

AcePylut

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I'm going after that little transport fleet by the Mariana's. Should I survive any possible aircraft response out of Siapan, then it's only "natural" to bombard Marcus on the way home.

Either way, CB knows I have float planes past Marcus Island and thus, he knows I have at least a CL behind his lines. This, in itself, should drive him to at least get some eyeballs looking east from Marcus.... my gut, right now, tells me the invasion of Marcus will be scrubbed... but I do like the idea of bombarding it a day before the APD's show up. I can always call off the invasion. I have 4 subs spaced 2, 4, 6, 8 hexes from Marcus to the east. If, in a week or two, they start showing DL, then I know he's got search planes at the Island and most likely an LCU.

When I think about this upcoming raider fleet action from the top level meta, the grand level strategy, engaging a �hopefully under-escorted transport fleet� serves me much better than invading Marcus. Putting a raider fleet into his Pacific supply lines will force him to consider covering �all� his transport fleets with combat ships, or at least it will force him to cover these lanes with �heavy enough LBA�. Anything that he uses to protect transports behind his lines is stuff that�s not being used on the front line. This small action, risking a CL and 2 DD�s, may reduce his front line combat capability in a manner that a fleet 20 times larger wouldn�t.

When I send him the turn, my comment will be �2 can play the Raiding Game 😊�.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:24:25 PM

AcePylut

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rustysi

quote:

The transport fleet was the one that dropped off the soldiers at Tab.

You have an obsession with this location that I fear is going to end badly for you. To that I say go on with your ops as I'm curious to see how the 'Bird' will respond.

It's Jan 22nd, '42.

I lost Tab badly in a previous match. I dumped an entire Marine Division on the island. The IJ counterattacked a couple days later. I didn't get enough supply ashore. My entire division surrendered on the first IJ attack. It was a definite morale killer.

I'm not going to suicide myself over it.... it's far too early in the war. My goal is to force any invasion of the island to be done in at least "bigger than regiment" strength. This will occupy enough IJ time (fingers crossed) to allow me to continue to reinforce Christmas, Fanning, Johnston, Canton, and Baker islands. My greatest hope is that the "First Wave" of any IJ assault troops doesn't take it, and then CB is the guy that has to decide if he "wants to come back with a heck of a lot more" or not...

And all that will cost him time. Time is the second greatest commodity in this game.

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/7/2018 6:26:09 PM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:35:21 PM

rustysi

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quote:

When I think about this upcoming raider fleet action from the top level meta, the grand level strategy, engaging a �hopefully under-escorted transport fleet� serves me much better than invading Marcus. Putting a raider fleet into his Pacific supply lines will force him to consider covering �all� his transport fleets with combat ships, or at least it will force him to cover these lanes with �heavy enough LBA�. Anything that he uses to protect transports behind his lines is stuff that�s not being used on the front line. This small action, risking a CL and 2 DD�s, may reduce his front line combat capability in a manner that a fleet 20 times larger wouldn�t.

Its gotta be a concern for him, as this is his main SLOC to his southeast area of ops. I don't know how CB sets himself up, but I do know that I keep a 'Home Fleet' if you will for such occurrences. Part of that fleet for me would easily dispatch your force in the area.

Again though its takes a bit of time for me to get the appropriate forces on station and I'm not sure what date your in in your game.

Also I've normally got a number of air units in the HI for training, some live fire wouldn't hurt.

But that's me...

Besides, I'd still be a bit behind the curve, as I'm reacting and not acting, as you are. I mean I can't be everywhere at once.

Then again you're giving me some ideas on how to 'escort' my TF's through the region.

< Message edited by rustysi -- 12/7/2018 6:41:09 PM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:38:07 PM

rustysi

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quote:

It's Jan 22nd, '42.

Yeah, 'Home Fleet' is in place by then.

quote:

I'm not going to suicide myself over it.... it's far too early in the war. My goal is to force any invasion of the island to be done in at least "bigger than regiment" strength. This will occupy enough IJ time (fingers crossed) to allow me to continue to reinforce Christmas, Fanning, Johnston, Canton, and Baker islands. My greatest hope is that the "First Wave" of any IJ assault troops doesn't take it, and then CB is the guy that has to decide if he "wants to come back with a heck of a lot more" or not...

Fair enough, and definitely makes sense.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:50:17 PM

rustysi

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quote:

I lost Tab badly in a previous match. I dumped an entire Marine Division on the island.

Good. See, lessons learned.

I too tend to learn the hard way.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 6:57:55 PM

AcePylut

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I didn't talk about this earlier in the match because it's boring stuff.

By the 2nd week of the war, I had 3 subs en-route to Marcus. They took up positions 2, 4, and 6 hexes east of Marcus. The sole job of these subs was to "scout for search planes". Should any of my SS show detection, then I'd know CB has search planes at Marcus. These subs (and the ones that replaced them when fuel got low) have not shown 1 level of detection (I check every day), there hasn�t been one �SS-JapKiller sighted by Mavis� report, and not one asw fleet sent to engage them.

After 2 weeks of no-detection, I decided to send a CL/2DD tf to patrol between Guam and Saipan (you can see the patrol route in my image above) for raiding purposes. My CL�s search craft were set to range 2 and my fleet was set to react at range 2 (to avoid pursuing anything into more dangerous waters where I couldn�t extract myself form LBA with a full speed run). It�s been patrolling here for about 2 weeks, undetected. My Seagulls sighting this IJ fleet is the first indication to him that I actually have a fleet here. The IJ fleet is also the first thing I�ve spotted.

If he does have a �Home Fleet�, it�s not going to make it past Iwo to Saipan in one day� and by day 2, I�ll be outta there. If he has a fleet at Guam just waiting for something like this � then good move by him! I�m betting 1 CL and 2 DD that he doesn�t have a fleet in situ at Guam or Saipan, though� because I think if he�d expected something like this, he�d have search planes up and my ships would have spotted the planes (and been spotted by them) a while ago.

Now� I have to hope I can make a midnight intercept of a fleet on the open seas that�s 40+km away. My ships are twice as fast as him, so I�ll first waypoint myself into the hex he�s in now. Then I�ll set a way point 2 hexes SW. Then I�ll set a waypoint 3 hexes east. I�ll set my home base to some island up in the Aleuts so my fleet retires to the NE and away from anything that might be stationed at the Marianas. If he pulls a "hard drive west, or east" then I'll most likely miss the intercept. Oh well.

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/7/2018 7:00:16 PM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 7:05:38 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AcePylut
It's Jan 22nd, '42.

I lost Tab badly in a previous match. I dumped an entire Marine Division on the island.

I usually just send one guy in a rowboat to take a dump on an island and see what's there.

Just tell a sailor who has been at sea for three months that he has a day's leave coming but he has to take it right now! If he hesitates tell him you hear the local native girls love sailors... If he doesn't return, there are Japanese (or native girls) on the island.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 7:13:49 PM

rustysi

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quote:

The IJ fleet is also the first thing I�ve spotted.

Yeah, not too much goes through this locale this early in the game. Maybe in a month or so IIRC.

Its definitely a good op on your part. I doubt there's much he can do (or myself) as bases won't be quite ready to secure the SLOC this early in the game. Later on I've usually got Iwo and Pagan etc. set for my aircraft hops to the SE. Its then I've search and or air assets active along the line. As well as LCU's at the various bases in the AO.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/7/2018 7:14:41 PM

rustysi

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: AcePylut
It's Jan 22nd, '42.

I lost Tab badly in a previous match. I dumped an entire Marine Division on the island.

I usually just send one guy in a rowboat to take a dump on an island and see what's there.

Just tell a sailor who has been at sea for three months that he has a day's leave coming but he has to take it right now! If he hesitates tell him you hear the local native girls love sailors... If he doesn't return, there are Japanese (or native girls) on the island.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/8/2018 1:48:49 AM

AcePylut

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Time to roll the bones - orders sent to my ships...

Spread across the DEI are 4 SCTF units that will converge, along with the CV's Enterprise and Lexington, in the DEI, and attempt to launch planes at the Evil Japanese. If I sink some ships, great. If I arrive to late, oh well, I will retire. If I lose all my ships, well dang.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/8/2018 2:26:37 AM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/8/2018 1:50:11 AM

AcePylut

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And here's my Marianas intercept plot... I set my search craft to night search.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/8/2018 2:25:00 AM

BBfanboy

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/8/2018 1:07:29 PM

dave sindel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

And here's my Marianas intercept plot... I set my search craft to night search.

Good luck and good hunting on both this op and the DEI op

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/9/2018 9:36:32 PM

AcePylut

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Just got the turn back and ran the combat replay..

In the passage between Iwo and Saipan... my 1 CL 2 DD tf came up empty and couldn't run down a transport tf half it's speed... so that was a big giant nothingburger.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/9/2018 9:38:03 PM

AcePylut

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Halfway between San Fran and Pearl, the I-26 parked a torp into the xAK Mt. Mickinley and sank it. Why I bother with escorts is beyond me, because they don't seem to do a dang thing.

(Ok I'm just whining and venting, no need to respond on that regard)

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/9/2018 10:04:46 PM

AcePylut

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In the DEI -

More IJ troops poured into Balikpapan.

In the first invasion action, the xAK Yamabiko Maru took a 120mm hit from CD.
2 more rounds of amphib invasion went in un molested
In the fourth round, xAK Hokutai Maru took (2) 75mm and (1) 120mm CD hit.
5th, 6th round of amphib was unmolested.
7th round, the xAK Arizona Maru took a 75mm and a 120mm CD.
8th round, the xAK Shinryu Maru took a 75 and 120.
9th round, xAK Hokutai Maru took (3) 75mm, xAK Tyoko Maru took a 120.

and that was the nighttime invasion action.

The morning saw my carriers and sctf's in position to launch its planes at a large variety of tf's......

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/9/2018 10:16:04 PM

AcePylut

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My carriers had clear weather, enemy in sight, orders sent to the pilots to seek and destroy any and every enemy ship.

In the morning phase, the first attack saw 36 Dauntlesses, 18 Vindicators, and 12 Swordfish engage the transports at Balikpapan covered by 8 Zeros (see Circle #1). The enemy downed 7 dive bombers, but the rest broke through and savaged the enemy transports. These are all 1000lb bomb hits...

xAK Kazuura Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Kinka Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Takaoka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Shinryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Zyuyo Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Nanman Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Myoko Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage36
xAP Ural Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Yomogi, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Yasukawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Atlas Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

This was my first, best attack of the day.

Round #2 saw 12 Devastators engage 3 DD's at Circle #2. No hits were scored.

Round #3 saw 18 Dauntless and 15 Devastators engage 4 DD at Circle #3. No hits were scored.

Round #4 saw 18 Dauntless engage 4 DD at Circle #2. No hits.

That wrapped up the morning events.

In the afternoon...

48 Dauntless engaged the amphibs at Balikpapan (Circle #1). 8 Zeros were on Cap, and downed 8 of my planes. After breaking through CAP, they made their bomb runs and did this ....
AK Kinka Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryuun Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Atlas Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Tosan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Misaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Keiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Round 2 of the PM phase saw 11 SBD's launch against 3 DD at Circle #2. No hits.

Round 3 saw 11 TBD engage 1 DD at Circle #3. No hits.

Round 4 saw 12 TBD engage 3 SCs at Circle #4. 2 hits, 2 ships sunk.

And that wrapped up the days events. No enemy planes flew against my ships.

Spread between my tf are 10 CA, 5-6 CL, and about 15 or so DD. I'm mulling if I want to send in some ships to engage in surface action, or if I should call it a good day and pull back.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/9/2018 10:57:18 PM >

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/9/2018 10:27:27 PM

BBfanboy

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Looks like complete surprise, so running the SCTF into Balikpapan at top speed with orders to RTB after should net some DDs, if your guys can shoot straight and dodge torps!

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 1:26:10 AM

AcePylut

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I thought about that but decided against it. I got some good smacks in with my planes, no need to risk a CA or 3 to sink a couple of DDs and assorted other small fry. That would change this success into a draw at best.

Not to mention, he's got at least 4 airbases of level 3 all within range of Balikpapan. I would expect that he's going to have all his netties on strike in hopes of getting a CV.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 1:55:19 AM

Anachro

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He'll ave nells/netties, but it's an open question as to whether or not he'll have air HQs with torps. They might have to do level bombing: much less accurate, destructive.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 2:36:18 AM

AcePylut

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He has torps at Manado. I found this out the hard way when his strike of 25+ bettys sank 2 DD's a few turns ago

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 2:42:44 AM

Canoerebel

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Ace, nice ambush of that merchant TF. Were any troops aboard?

P.S. I think I'd strongly consider detaching two or three small DDs to take a crack at the ships.

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 8:56:06 AM

Encircled

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I'd pull back to be honest.

Maybe a couple of DDs at full speed to run to Soerabaja with a waypoint set at Balikpapan?

Oh, and get the rest of your fleet out of there at full speed

Great ambush though!

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RE: Mushrooms over Maizuru: Chickenboy (J) vs. AcePylut... - 12/10/2018 2:42:24 PM

AcePylut

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I wussed out and didn't send in any ships. There are at least 4-5 DD's there, which means I'd have to send in 4-5 DD's and a couple CL's at a minimum. I'm pretty sure he's going to have Miss Betty on strike, escorted by drop-tanked Zero's.

Surprise is lost. If I were CB, I'd pull all ships to Balikpapan and heavily LRCAP it and set my bettys to strike. I'd hope that "he" (me) would send in some ships that would get damaged enough to not escape the betty attack.

As it is - I've lose 2 total DD's in this Op and sank a few of his transports.

There isn't much more reward I can get out of it and it's not worth it to risk the ships. I don't want to turn a tactical success into a tactical draw. Either way, this is a Operation level success and Strategic level success.

Now, I need to book my carriers around Oz, over to Tahiti, up to PH, repair any damage, then head up to the Aleuts. Hopefully this all happens before the IJ comes a-calling. We'll see.

< Message edited by AcePylut -- 12/10/2018 3:35:35 PM >

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