RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesesteak v. RADM Yamaguchi

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesesteak v. RADM Yamaguchi

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RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:08:09 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Western OZ - Quiet
Eastern OZ - He appears to be marching in force down to Townsville. I suspect he plans an aggressive move down the coast if we don't oppose him. Since Townsville is an open hex, we will need to be careful about attracting nuclear bombardments.

I was under the impression Imperial players were always starved for good construction units, but he has built up the area around Luganville with speed. Level 5 airfield there already, and the base value for Japan is up to 650. Appears like an autovic is being targeted.

Bad things happened around Lord Howe. We perfectly timed our arrival with that of the beefy mini-KB. Grim reading. That being said, Raoul Island is faring somewhat better.

Things start poorly:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 02, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lord Howe Island at 97,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 1
DD Cushing
DD Shaw

SS I-5 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Colorado
I-5 diving deep ....
DD Cushing fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Shaw fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shaw fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shaw fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Things get far, far worse:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 99,169

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 35
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Cushing, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Cushing

At least Cushing attempted to put up a smoke screen, too bad it didn't last during the afternoon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 99,169

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 35
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Cushing, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 301

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:10:49 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Don't worry, dear readers, there were plenty of flight ops left to ruin our landing TF:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 100,169

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N1 Kate x 1
B5N2 Kate x 56
D3A1 Val x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Darvel, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Australia, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CM Bungaree, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Chaumont, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Vampire
xAP Ormiston, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Launceton
xAP Bloemfontein, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Lycaon
xAKL Hamakua, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
881 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Darvel
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Hamakua

We've lost more CAs than we currently have access to. All without engaging in decisive combat. Subs have been crippling, combined with some staff errors.

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 302

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:12:36 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Lord Howe ends not with a bang (unless you count the booms of bombs hitting our ships), but a whimper

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 99,169

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Benham, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Cushing, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Benham
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Cushing

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 303

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:19:37 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 100,169

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N1 Kate x 1
B5N2 Kate x 56
D3A1 Val x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Darvel, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Australia, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CM Bungaree, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Chaumont, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Vampire
xAP Ormiston, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Launceton
xAP Bloemfontein, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Lycaon
xAKL Hamakua, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
881 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Darvel
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Hamakua

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 100,169

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Ormiston, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Vampire
xAP Lycaon

Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 20000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Ormiston

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Lord Howe Island (100,169)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Vampire
DD Voyager
xAP Malaita
CA Australia, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DD Vampire firing at 25th Air Defense AA Regiment
DD Voyager firing at 8th JNAF AF Unit
DD Voyager fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Lord Howe Island (100,169)

TF 171 troops unloading over beach at Lord Howe Island, 100,169

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

So long Kates, and thanks for all the fish!

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 304

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:22:03 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Thanks to Fins, at least there is good news from our supply-starved land-lubbers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 78956 troops, 758 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 2605

Defending force 57968 troops, 417 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1532

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1632

Allied adjusted defense: 4569

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
7019 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 307 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 50 (1 destroyed, 49 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2135 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 220 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Assaulting units:
116th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
61st Infantry Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
34th Division
12th RGC Ind. Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
7th RGC Temp. Division
22nd AA Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
21st Group Army
2nd Group Army
31st Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 305

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:33:13 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Fast forward a few days, and our forces are wiped out. We interdict with DDs. They disappoint, but at minimum scare off the reinforcements. His subs pick up our surface combat reinforcements streaming in. Note that previously, these ships were attached to our CVs. Here's to hoping he thinks they still are.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sale at 85,173

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
CL Helena
DD Le Triomphant
DD Worden

SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Helena
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden cannot establish contact with SS I-15
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden cannot establish contact with SS I-15
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lord Howe Island at 100,169, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Chiyo Maru #4
PB Heiei Maru #7
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Saiko Maru
PB Santos Maru
PB Shoei Maru
PB Shosei Maru
PB Shotoku Maru
PB Sozan Maru
PB Taiko Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Flusser
DD Tucker

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Shosei Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Taiko Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Flusser engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Flusser engages PB Shotoku Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Shosei Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Flusser engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Tucker engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Flusser engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 8,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sale at 86,173

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CL Helena
DD Porter
DD Case
DD Le Triomphant
DD Worden

SS I-8 launches 6 torpedoes at CA New Orleans
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Le Triomphant fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 306

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 5:54:17 PM

Cheesesteak

Posts: 301
Joined: 11/8/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

What he doesn't see, however, is damn near the entirety of the USN moving around behind the scenes. Fuel is becoming a major issue in OZ, but we have 150k stockpiled at Auckland.

Considering he's rebuffed our main counter, and yet still sees ships pouring into Sydney, he probably assumes our CVs are nearby. KB has been missing since Canton Island fell. Odds are he or has already vectored them this way.

One one side, you have a CA-depleted Allied fleet with major ports close by, and suitable LBA fighter cover. On the other, you have what is probably KB+ and a heavily invested Luganville supported by a series of airbases (including Noumea). Two xAPs and three DDs sit at Raoul unloading fuel. The disastrous allied attempt to retake LH is fresh on our minds.

Fins and I are in perfect strategic agreement regarding acceptable risk and where else we can use our CVs while he is sailing his KB this way and that in the South Pacific. Flip side, we cannot allow him to progress farther without meaningful opposition. Everything on the menu for him would be too valuable.

Anachro, I know you asked for an overall review. Not to be forgotten is the heroic march of our Burmese forces North towards the relative safety of Akyab. Nearly there!

China is China. I'm not good enough to add anything of value to our play here beyond regurgitating Alfred's advice. Fins can talk to it better than I can. Speaking of, Fins, I constantly do a double-take when you mention FAC. My name's Gregg so we can't really use that acronym haha. Once I devise the first sinking of a CV, then I'll earn a proper moniker.

After making his initial push, the Aleutians are pleasantly quiet.

The IO is silent.

_____________________________

"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 307

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 10:36:11 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

To fill in a few gaps here for those of you like me that have to know the whole story:

On April 1, 1942:
-Colorado bombarded Lord Howe, the reason she was back the next day was that she had only used about 1/4 of her ammo...unfortunate.
The Warspite and Mississippi were actually supposed to be around too, so perhaps we got lucky.
-CLs Marblehead and Perth got a nice bombardment in at Cairns, destroying 3 Zeroes and doing what appears to be moderate damage.
-Our P39s did poorly sweeping Magwe, which was a reversal from the previous day. I think this was mostly down to sweeping a second day without swapping squadrons. Staff is incompetent.
-We found out he has an Air HQ up at Adak I. as Mabels flew a strike mission against the BB Tennessee (enemy TF at Adak, we were hoping to hit it)

< Message edited by aaffins -- 11/27/2019 10:42:02 PM >

(in reply to Cheesesteak)

Post #: 308

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 10:41:21 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

On April 2, 1942 the aforementioned dumpster fire of an invasion of Lord Howe I. took place. To add a bit of commentary, we believe that the enemy carriers were the 'mini' KB, which we believe contains at least the Kaga, and possibly a second CV. These had been covering landings in NE Oz earlier this week and were last seen heading for Truk/Rabaul, presumably to refuel and rearm. He must have turned south almost immediately after getting out of PBY range. Well played on his part, although we weren't exactly discrete with our daily bombardments.

In addition to the mess at Lord Howe, we tried to sweep Cairns with USMC F4F's then follow that up with two squadrons of B-17s. It did not go well.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (25 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 309

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 10:48:48 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

April 3, 1942 we ran away and he finished off several cripples as well as the few poor grunts that made it ashore at Lord Howe.

On the positive side, our forces landed in ok order at Raoul I. The two USMC raider bns were around 40% prep while the Kiwis had none, so disruption and disables were heavier than I'm used to as an IJ player. I have a lot to learn about launching Allied invasions it seems.

We also had another (in my opinion) unforced error by our opponent in China, this is an attack without bombarding to see what he's up against in a hex we just moved into (it's adjacent to Singyang):

Ground combat at 85,48 (near Sinyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12497 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 456

Defending force 47051 troops, 278 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1608

Japanese adjusted assault: 64

Allied adjusted defense: 952

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 14

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

Japanese ground losses:
3314 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 331 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled

Allied ground losses:
456 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
110th Division

Defending units:
68th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
33rd Group Army

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 310

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 10:52:08 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

April 4, 1942 was a lot of maneuvering but nothing really happened.
We did smash the IJA 110th Div that he launched that ill advised attack with last turn.
We also found out the opposition at Raoul:

Ground combat at Raoul Island (128,177)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 884 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Defending force 1250 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Raider Battalion
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
N Force Detachment

Defending units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy
34th JNAF AF Unit

Looks doable...

4/5/42 was also quiet our first attack at Raoul achieved 1:1 odds and reduced forts from 2 to 1. Think we'll be able to secure in a few days barring enemy reinforcement.

< Message edited by aaffins -- 11/27/2019 10:54:01 PM >

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 311

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 11:04:49 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

Our end of March summaries since we skipped those a bit, ships sunk:

Attachment (1)

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 312

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/27/2019 11:20:31 PM

aaffins

Posts: 254
Joined: 3/7/2010
From: Richmond, VA
Status: offline

And here's the aircraft losses. Some highlight since I can look at this vs. last month side by side:

-43 Sallies destroyed
-50 Zeroes destroyed
-68 Jakes destroyed (IJN hasn't admitted it yet, but we're pretty sure we sank a CS and an AV in March)
-56 Vals destroyed (mostly from KB's misadventure at Brisbane)
-55 Babs destroyed (not sure what's going on here...AA?)
-47 Nells destroyed (again mostly ops losses, not sure if this reflects odd usages or perhaps we got lucky sinking a ship with an air group loaded we're not aware of)
-50+ Oscars destroyed (this is from the air battles in Burma)

Lowlights:

-20+ Hurricane IIbs destroyed (Burma air battles)
-14 Hudsons destroyed

Attachment (1)

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 313

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 7:02:06 AM

CaptBeefheart

Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline

Only one word for that: Ouchie. If it's any consolation, I got a chuckle seeing Zeros try to drop 60kg grenades from 20,000 feet on your ships.

I wonder if you could sneak in some 1000-ft B-25 or B-26 skip bombers on the mini-KB? Do you have any pilots trained in Low Nav?

Cheers,
CB

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 314

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 3:56:09 PM

Anachro

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

Where precisely are your carriers? Or are you worried about opsec and not giving that away?

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)

Post #: 315

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 9:16:14 PM

aaffins

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Only one word for that: Ouchie. If it's any consolation, I got a chuckle seeing Zeros try to drop 60kg grenades from 20,000 feet on your ships.

I wonder if you could sneak in some 1000-ft B-25 or B-26 skip bombers on the mini-KB? Do you have any pilots trained in Low Nav?

Cheers,
CB

We do have a few, however he kept outside of 2E range.

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Post #: 316

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 9:17:36 PM

aaffins

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Where precisely are your carriers? Or are you worried about opsec and not giving that away?

They were transiting from Perth to Melbourne, maybe 2/3s of the way to Melbourne, were just a little bit too far away to get involved.

(in reply to Anachro)

Post #: 317

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 9:24:13 PM

aaffins

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April 6, 1942

Nice:

Sub attack near Isle of Pines at 117,162

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 1
CA Tone
CS Chitose
DD Ayanami
DD Isonami
DD Shirakumo
DD Uruyuke
DD Tatsuyuke
DD Yugiri
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus

Enemy TF is 7 hexes SSW of Noumea. Seems likely that he's moved the KB into the area, although there's a slight chance the Akagi was in that group that devastated us at Lord Howe.

Our troops at Raoul went 1:2 so we'll rest for a day.

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 318

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/28/2019 9:33:12 PM

aaffins

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April 7, 1942

Here we go...he appears to have deployed all of this carriers in 3 TFs moving towards New Zealand. At this point we have no indications that there are amphib forces following them, so this seems more likely to be a large raid than in invasion. Possibly in reaction to the aggression we've shown at Raoul?

A tanker convoy gets caught in the net:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waipapakauri at 111,180

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
D3A1 Val x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Gulfhawk, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
KV Wetaskiwin, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Esso Durban, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Esso Richmond, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

We're fortunate that we got a little spooked and put Hornet and several air transport TFs on a safer routing. Hornet is just out of range. Our CVs are 23 hexes to the west of the closest enemy TF (the one just NW of Waipapkauri).

Obviously some big turns coming up here, our inclination is to take advantage of the divided KB and attack. My big concern is that we have not upgraded any fighters so VF-3 is still flying Buffs and the rest of the fighter squadrons have the older F4F's. Fuel state isn't great, but not a huge concern - we have 154 moves at normal speed, approx. 50%.

Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

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Post #: 319

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 12:58:45 AM

Anachro

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I'm having a hard time visualizing what bases he controls in the South Pacific. Based on your most recent image, it appears he has control of Suva, Noumea, etc. What about the bases to the east of that like Canton Island, etc.? What is the strength of Japan's land-based recon/navsearch capabilities from these bases?

My initial viewpoint based on the geography of the area is that it seems easier to hide your carriers if coming from the exposed eastern flank, but you state your carriers are 23 hexes away along the western flank. This is too far to come in without a very risky flank speed maneuver, and there's nothing to show as of yet what your enemies intentions are with his various CV TFs. They could remain separate, or he can recombine them, in which case your CVs could find themselves in trouble and overwhelmed, especially given that they are divided as shown by the current location of Hornet. Moreover, since your opponent is operating in multiple TFs, he has a number of surface vessels with him and can split those off and use them independently if he should desire.

Beyond being very cautious with CV Hornet in her movement to make absolutely sure she doesn't get inadvertently hit by a KB that blunders into her, I would think the prudent option would be to tarry along the western flank at a safe distance so as not to accidentally fall within range of a carrier strike should he move towards you, while also staying out of his LBA nav search range. That way, you can figure out what his intentions are and strike if opportunity presents itself, even if that opportunity turns out to be against, say, an exposed SCTF instead of his carriers in subsequent turns. It's very important this early in the war if considering a surprise attack to maintain very good DL on the enemy carriers while avoiding all DL for your own until the very day of battle, as the Allies did at Midway.

In January '42 of a prior PBEM game, I actually did manage to sink 2-3 carriers of the full KB with just 3 American carriers (still operating Buffalos and Devastators), but this came about through a variety of factors: 1) KB was operating alone deep in the SoPac south of Luganville with minimal navsearch assets beyond the search planes of her carriers; 2) She had already conducted extended carrier ops and no doubt her planes/pilots were higher on fatigue; 3) I had multiple days of 9/10 or 10/10 DL on the enemy carriers whereas mine had no DL on them until the very day of battle when I surprised KB off of it's northeastern flank; and 4) I had multiple surface combat TF's in the area as well that absorbed a large portion of the enemy KB's strikes and therefore saved my carriers.

This is all to say, you need to have very good conditions for a surprise attack to be successful in a carrier battle in '42. So hang back and wait for a good opportunity to strike if it should develop. I cannot overstate how important it is to keep your CVs undetected. One idea I might consider, depending on how aggressive you think your opponent is, is maybe offer up a target along the flanks and see if he comes, further exposing himself and pushing himself out of any LBA nav search umbrella he might have. But if you do that, please don't use capital ships as the bait (and especially not your CVs). Keep them hidden.

< Message edited by Anachro -- 11/29/2019 1:17:10 AM >

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 320

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 2:10:34 AM

BBfanboy

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He has an AV with his western force, probably to operate Jakes for longer ranged search. Not sure if it can operate Mavis aircraft. He clearly is trying to envelop NZ where he suspects your carriers are.
You might have an opportunity to use next turn to approach a bit closer (say 12 hexes) to ambush the AV and CVLs, but you need an absolutely safe bolt-hole to escape before the full KB comes. At this point, the western map edge to Capetown is your only safe exit and you will need fuel to make the journey. If you have any AOs with fuel on the west side of Oz, you might be able to manage it. Otherwise, stay out of trouble and conserve your fuel.

_____________________________

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

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Post #: 321

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 5:42:00 PM

aaffins

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Thank you guys for the feedback, I should clarify the intent was to close during this turn with the intention of potentially engaging with one piece next turn...unfortunately that did not work out...

Our routing didn't work out and our CVs were detected, presumably by Jakes flying from Lord Howe I. Luckily Hornet remains undetected, as do several high value TFs fleeing southward.

Meanwhile the enemy's western TF concentrated with the central just north of NZ, while the eastern TF move to the SE between Auckland and Raoul I. Air search indicates the two groups are roughly equal size in terms of aircraft. Map below.

The only action was a strike flown against some empty transports I was hoping would disband in Auckland harbor before they could get hit:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auckland at 115,185

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
B5N1 Kate x 17
B5N2 Kate x 85
D3A1 Val x 41

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Maori, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Fox, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Lurline, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Westralia, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
DD Brooks, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Rangitiki, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Duntroon, Bomb hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Rangitata, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Our troops at Raoul get 1:2 and fail the eliminate the enemy forts.

Nanning falls, a moderate disappointment. It will be interesting to see if he uses that 1,400 AV of unrestricted units he used to move us out of Nanning to push forward or if he pulls them back for other duty elsewhere. If he pushes forward it significantly increases the challenge of defending Changsha.

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Post #: 322

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 6:02:12 PM

BBfanboy

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Detection of your CVs could not come from Jakes at Raoul Island - Jakes only have a range of 10 hexes. I expect that the detection comes from Glen subs just north of your CVs.

I don't like the route you have selected for your CVs. It assumes the Japanese will withdraw to the North or Northeast. Having spotted your CVs he will likely come at flank speed due west. You should be headed for the western map edge, IMO. If you stick around NZ, he can win the chase-down because he will have AOs nearby to go this deep into the southern oceans.

_____________________________

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

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Post #: 323

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 6:43:08 PM

Anachro

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With your CVs detected, you already know that your best option now is to retire safely as any chance of surprise has been lost. Depending on how much fuel you have and the fuel at your bases, I'd flank due west towards Melbourne. Let him burn precious fuel chasing you: it's not easy to replace for Japan! If you have a decent amount of fighters at Auckland, keep trying some CAP traps to wear down his fighters if possible. If I were your opponent and felt confident in my main KB, I'd have a a secondary force of surface vessels or CVLs/CVEs hang back to cut off retreat from Auckland while KB attempts to chase or at least head-off the sudden appearance of Allied CVs.

This has all the hallmarks of a raid to me; it does not look like your opponent is planning to invade Auckland. So focus on saving what you can and in the medium-term strengthening your LoC through French Polynesia to NZ and then Aussieland to begin getting supply/fuel setup there. Make sure to have a chain of nav search to spot raids trying to hit your LoC. How strong is your opponent's push on Townsville?

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 324

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 6:50:21 PM

aaffins

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Detection of your CVs could not come from Jakes at Raoul Island - Jakes only have a range of 10 hexes. I expect that the detection comes from Glen subs just north of your CVs.

I don't like the route you have selected for your CVs. It assumes the Japanese will withdraw to the North or Northeast. Having spotted your CVs he will likely come at flank speed due west. You should be headed for the western map edge, IMO. If you stick around NZ, he can win the chase-down because he will have AOs nearby to go this deep into the southern oceans.

We were 9 hexes from Lord Howe when detected (it's just off map to north in the above screenshot). We will probably withdraw next turn, but should be able to stay out of range on this routing and can collect Hornet so she does not get isolated. We believe the 'real' KB is the one east of Auckland, so it will be tough for him to chase us down if he's dragging along CVEs.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 325

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 6:52:32 PM

Anachro

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KB alone can overwhelm your CVs. He doesn't need to bring his CVEs along to drag him down. A flank speed run by CV's alone can see him move ~15 hexes in one turn or thereabouts. I agree with BB that it was probably recon plan-equipped subs that spotted you.

(in reply to aaffins)

Post #: 326

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 6:53:15 PM

aaffins

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Anachro
How strong is your opponent's push on Townsville?

He has actually stopped one hex away and not entered. He has what appears to be a cruiser force approaching so we've moved our aircraft safely inland to Charter Towers. This has given me slight pause...perhaps this is a diversion and he plans to strike somewhere else now that we've deployed forces forward? SigInt tells us the IJA 2nd Inf Div and 77th Inf Regt are embarked somewhere.

(in reply to Anachro)

Post #: 327

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/29/2019 7:08:52 PM

BBfanboy

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Everything above Brisbane can be ceded to the Japanese and they will eventually have to withdraw, with losses as you kick them out.

One line below Brisbane is the hex line that triggers activation of substantial emergency reinforcements for Australia, including some US air units IIRC. But you need supply to get them up to TOE and to engage in combat.

Japan can still take most of Oz if it concentrates on that but the deep push into SOPAC indicates they are not all-in for OZ. For this reason I think you will be able to hold everything from Brisbane south. That does not mean you absolutely have to abandon Townsville but he can easily push you out of there and then your troops must find a way south with tanks probably pursing them. Fortunately the Aussies have some A/T guns (Tank Attack units).

_____________________________

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 aaffins)

Post #: 328

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 11/30/2019 2:36:50 PM

aaffins

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Yes, I think unless he commits significantly more forces (the 3 divisions of 21st Army he's using in China perhaps...) we should not cede Townsville.

4/9/42

Here is that "cruiser force"

Night Naval bombardment of Townsville at 92,144 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 6 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 26 (5 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (3 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 32
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 1

BB Hyuga firing at A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at BB Hyuga
BB Ise firing at C/D Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment
C/D Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at BB Ise
E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at Townsville
BB Fuso firing at Townsville

Rather than pursue aggressively he concentrated all of his carriers in one hex 9 hexes NE of Auckland, so no combat to speak of this turn. We have no intention of taking on that death star of course, but we flew 2 squadrons of USMC fighters into Auckland to attempt a CAP trap.

< Message edited by aaffins -- 12/1/2019 6:52:46 PM >

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Post #: 329

RE: Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesest... - 12/1/2019 12:31:51 PM

Anachro

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Personally, unless he commits a LOT of forces, I would try hard to hold Townsville. You know better than us with all the info you have if you CAN hold it, but from my perspective it's very useful to hold on to Townsville for future operations into Guinea, the DEI, etc. It also makes a good staging point for pushing him out further north up towards Portland Roads if he's taken those places.

< Message edited by Anachro -- 12/1/2019 12:32:25 PM >

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