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is it Midway?

 
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is it Midway? - 2/13/2006 5:48:36 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		A few turns of little action have passed. The float planes that sighted my sub between Johnson and Baker Islands has now manifested itself into a sighting of 3 AKs South West of Midway. More on this later.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/02/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 68,48

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Oi Maru
PC Ishigaki
PC Kunashiri
PC Hachijo
PC Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS Runner

Herb has started a campaign of ASW action against the subs I have stationed south of Tokyo. There are 3 ASW groups that have been pinging away at my subs, so far without any luck, but they are making it very difficult to interdict shipping. Very unsportsmanlike Herb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, not alot to report from combat, but I think we are about to see some serious wrestling. Firstly, in the Indian Ocean the UK regiment tasked with taking Andaman is loaded along with another TF of supplies. They will be covered by a surface Tf including 4 BBs and the two Brit Carriers (in their own TF). Herb has emptied Rangoon of planes so some prelimary airfield suppression is on the cards. In fact I have been trying to get this to happen for the last 3 turns but the weather has been too bad. Hopefully it will be much the same during the liberation as he can easily move planes back to bases on the West Coast of Burma and Northern Malaya.
My invasion of Wake has nearly made it to the jump off location about 12 hexes North of Hawaii. Obviously with the sightings of Jap transport ships around Midway this venture may have to wait for a wee while. It may even have to be unloaded at Midway as added defence. At the moment Midway has 2 RCTs, an engineering regiment, a CD unit and two base forces. This is not a whole lot of defence but behind size 9 forts should be able to survive against 2+ divisions while reinforcements can be bought in. If I was Herb I would look to sweep and bombard Midway first. With an engineering regiment there I should be able to repair damage quite quickly, then it is move in Dauntlesses and Wildcats to make life difficult for the shipping. The Long Island has arrived North of Hawaii and not quite in range of Midway with 2 sqds of Dauntlesses. There are 3 more sqds on Johnson. As long as I don't get them all smashed by a preliminary bombardment they should be able to take some toll on attackers. As always it is Midway's lack of supporting bases that will be the main issue though, if he is serious, as he usually is, then he will hit the place very hard and it may be too much for me to be able to keep the place open.
Back by Noumea the Saratoga is docked and finishes with 40 SYS damage points, very disappointing. The New Mexico heads out with 2 DDs for the US. She has 19 Sys damage and will take a roundabout route on the way home. She should be available again in about 2 1/2 months - sigh

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 211
RE: is it Midway? - 2/13/2006 3:30:58 PM   
saj42


Posts: 1125
Joined: 4/19/2005
From: Somerset, England
Status: offline 		If possible replace the Engr Regt on Midway with a Seabee/EAB unit (best suited to construction and repair)- . The Engr Regts are too valuable, they are an assualt unit; the Allies only get a 5 total.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 212
Nope - not Midway - back to Johnson or Palmyra?? - 2/14/2006 3:43:11 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Is Midway really the target???

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/03/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 28th Chinese Division, at 45,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 64
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 32
Ki-21 Sally x 11

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Some very large bombing runs being undertaken in China and on the stuck troops in the Owen Stanleys (in New Guinea).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 51st Base Force, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 101
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M3a Zero x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Ouch! 101 A6M2s. He is really putting in the training sessions. There is nothing I can do about the troops being hit in the Owen Stanleys and little I can do about China. I am contemplating sending the AVG to India (for supply reasons) and upgrading them to P-38s. These can make training attacks in China a nightmare and may even bring the air superiority claim back a bit further in my direction. P-38s aren't Corsairs but they will be tough on rookie pilots. They also have such great range that I can looked to LRCAP from more behind the lines bases. I have 60 P-38s in my pool at the moment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5
Beaufort I x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 67
B-25C Mitchell x 36


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 43

At last the weather over Akyab is good enough to allow the planes to hit Rangoon. Unfortunately the Liberators flying the greater distance from Dacca do not join in or take the opportunity by themselves. Still a reasonable amount of damage done for the first attempt. As you can see, and may remember, the once formidable airspace above Rangoon is now free of enemy fighters - how long will this last?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
DMS Boggs

I had the resident P-38s resting and these Lunga based Betties reached out to Luganville. Thankfully they were bombing at 15,000 ft so don't hit their targets. The pitiful number of Wildcats on CAP do manage to find and despatch 2 of the raiders.
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Sub attack at 64,70

Japanese Ships
PG Choan Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Hayakafuku Maru
PG Hakkai Maru
PG Chosa Maru
PG Choko Maru #2
PG Chohakusan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

Despite Herb's best efforts to get rid of my marauding subs, sometimes the hunters become the hunted. I don't know whether this is a mortal wound, but it will definately mean there is one less ASW ship plying it's trade in the Pacific for a while (maybe permananetly).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK, to the haps that occur but are not part of the combat replay.

Herb has flooded the area between Ndini and Luganville with subs. I had most of the two Liberator groups on Luganville tasked with search missions and they spot many of these grey wolves, one even claims a bomb hit on one. Herb has his level bombers set to hit naval targets and he has already shown (by hitting the Saratoga and the New Mexico) he could put a serious dent in an ASW mission. So I am thinking I will do run out and run in missions against this cloud of subs.

The Andaman liberation is moving ahead nicely, in the next turn covering forces should refuel in Columbo. The transports are already at sea waiting for their escorts.
So, lastly, what is Herb up to in the Central Pacific. He sent a number of recon planes to Midway and moved about 3 AKs within 5 hexes (to the SW). He also moved what looks like 1 CA and one CV (although this is one search result I am very dubious of) to within Alf range, conducting yet another recon mission. This just doesn't look like a viable attack.
Search planes this turn scouted another Jap TF, with cruisers included, about 9 hexes SW of Johnson and about 10 NNW of Palmyra. Neither of these places is terribly well defended. These reconned ships areI now feel that one of these is the target, and as such have to be prepared to loose them. I cannot get reinforcements there easily. However, it is now the last month in '42 and if he takes one of these two islands you have to wonder why? Sure it can provide a base that will allow scouting to some depth and more specifically of Pearl. But it will be so easy for me to shut them down unless he keeps the KB in close attendance - something he is not likely to do as that is just an invitation for me to hit somewhere else. So this may be just an attack to kill an RCT and base force. Something I don't want to encourage but will hardly undermine the war effort and more likely will give me the opportunity of killing more naval targets than Herb wants.
So if this is the plan - roll on Herb!

Tallyho - He thanks for that info - didn't know how scarse the engineering regiments were! I don't think the target is Midway now - see my thoughts - and I would have had all manner of difficulty getting them out if the whole combined fleet turned up. I am going to take your advice as soon as the area gets a little cooler - Midway is now at full size and fortification so no need for such engineering firepower. Thanks for reading.

(in reply to saj42)
Post #: 213
RE: Nope - not Midway - back to Johnson or Palmyra?? - 2/14/2006 11:34:51 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/04/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,70

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7
PC Ch 2
PG Nagata Maru
MSW W.21
MSW W.10
MSW Wa 5

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

Something I wouldn't usually include in the CR except Herb seems to really hate this sub - he has 3 ASW groups in the same hex - ye tthe Trigger still tries to add to its tally - no luck though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 33


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 50

The Liberators add their weight to the Rangoon suffering only to have the mediums bogged down by the weather.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

I still have eyes for Gili Gili as a possible invasion target so I can get the blocked in past protectors of Port Moresby out to Oz and let them recuperate numbers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Vanikolo , at 72,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Herb keeps sweeping this dot hex and the Wildcats keep wandering away from Ndini. No loss today but instead I now LRCAP with the P-38s from Luganville. Lets see if he forgets to change their setting?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 42,65

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The Seadragon, a previously successful boat, radios a frantic warning that it is under attack. She has not been heard from since. She was on Patrol between Celebes and Mindanao so is in a difficult place to investigate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Utupau at 73,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
ML Weehawken, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Arrgghh. I really don't want this ML sunk. It has a wicked payload. Herb has moved this mountain of subs in around Ndini and Luganville and they find their first mark. I am trying to move this damaged ship out of the likely path of the subs to try and get back to Luganville - I'd say a 50-50 chance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As to Midway and the other Islands. I admit I am lost as to Herb's intentions. The units below Midway again stay in the locations they were in this turn - I have tried a bit of fancy footwrk - sending 6 PT boats out to where the AKs he is using as plane bait (I believe) are located. I don't think he will expect this. He is likely to then set zeros to low level naval attack - so I'll move in Wildcats at 5000 ft to defend the boats.

The other TFs off the coasts of Johnson and Palmyra have also not moved. A sub has been despatched to try and glean a bit more info.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 214
RE: Nope - not Midway - back to Johnson or Palmyra?? - 2/17/2006 5:10:08 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Herb's Night school days have started again and that will mean some further slow down in the number of turns. herb emails that he has been sprung and that it was only a recon in force to Midway.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/05/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 74,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DD Chew
DD Barker
DD Allen

An ASW TF sniffs at a sub but can't land a hit. B-24s from Luganville have much better luck reporting 3 hits on different subs! He should get the message - sod off you horrible Imperilist!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ndini , at 72,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
C5M Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

A bad day for the marine wildcats as Herbs zeros hand them the arses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Beaufort I x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 53
B-25C Mitchell x 57


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49

Many bombing runs, by both sides actually, my main targets being Rangoon and the troops camped over the river from Mandalay. His have been my crossroads troops below Homan and spatterings of other troops in no particular order. Heaviest strikes are against the lost troops in PNG including some of the new A6M3a fighters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
Kittyhawk I x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun

Just as the day was looking like a bad one for Allied air losses the Betties try another unescorted raid on Luganville. A poor showing numbers wise by the defenders but the P-38s are in touch enough to make the attempt damgerous to Pilot health.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 93,65

Japanese Ships
PC Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 3
AP Kasuga Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Seiwa Maru, Shell hits 9

Allied Ships
PT PT-159
PT PT-160
PT PT-161
PT PT-162
PT PT-163
PT PT-164

heh heh - my little attempt on Herb's stationary ships off the coast of Midway. It doesn't pay to stay too still Mr Herbie-san. Not a bad effort by the mosquito boats. This is enough to convince Herb that I am not taking the bait. He will either move forward to bombard and damage any areas within reach and retire, or just retire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not too much to add. The ball is in Herb's court about Midway, I am not coming out to play.

The Andaman Island operation is massing East of Ceylon. A base force has been lifted from Akyab by the force that just landed a UK air regiment there - the base force will move in to Andaman after the capture. Plans are to use Andaman as a fighter base for LRCAP of BB bombardment missions of the coast of Burma and Malaya.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 215
RE: Nope - not Midway - back to Johnson or Palmyra?? - 2/20/2006 3:24:40 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		A report after two days. Herb appears to be retiring, I get a minor victory in the ASW war, and Liberators out of Luganville kill "Hanamoto"; the object of Herb's AAR. I don't know what he will do about his AAR now...?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 69,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC SC-642
DD Rathburne
DD Humphreys
DD Crosby

The culmination of a successful ASW response to Herb filling the sea around Luganville with subs. He has sunk a SC and damaged a ML (which is still finding it's way back to Luganville via a circuitious route). This sub (one of the Glen boats more's the fun) is the 3rd to be sunk along with airbourne damage to 3 others.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 56
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 77

The second day of attacks on Gili Gili. I have a decent heavy bomber contingent in the South Pacific now. I have also managed to protect them from suffering devastating losses in pilots so they are high in experience. These planes, out of Cooktown, regularly hit Port Moresby and GG, i am thinking of adding a sneaky strike on Lae as he has heavily occupied the place with training planes to bomb my units in the Owen Stanleys.
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Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
B-24D Liberator x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
C5M Babs: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 69

The deathbringers of Hanamoto. I have been regularly reconning Lunga and Herb had been covering the base with some tonys. In the last 2 days he had not sent them up so I figured I might have a window to hit the base. The Liberators make a pretty good mess of the place loosing 1 of their number and hammering the fighters on the ground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 63,74

Japanese Ships
ML Tsugaru
ML Ikitsushima

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

Damn, I would have loved to put one of these little pests under the waves!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Indian Ocean the liberation of Andaman is about to enter the more dangerous part of the venture. There are no planes stationed at Andaman itself but there are still plenty of working airfields on the mainland. With no planes on the island I may yet have another day of grace.

China is at a loggerhead. I have blocked all his advances and he has stopped mine. In the end I should fail in this escapade as he has better troops and more of the rail line to move them around.

Ndini's reinforcements (of two seebee units) continue to unload unmolested, hopefully this continues now that the Liberators have had their visit of Lunga. It is still taking a long time to build up the dot base despite the presence of 4 construction engineering units.

It is in the Central Pacific that everything is happening.

Herb's southern group, which from scouting, appears to hold the carriers (or most of them) begun to head SW last turn. I bolstered Baker Island with 2 Wildcat sqds, 2 dauntless and an Avenger sqd. This day though they haveheade more westerly out of range of Baker. I think their destination is now Truk. With the location of this fleet yesterday I sortied Mitchum at full speed with the 3 Pearl based carriers, Lexington, Hornet and Wasp, due West from Pearl in a hope of catching up to the smaller Northern group threatening Midway.

I have also started the liberation of Wake. At Pearl multiple TFs are formed: two bombardment/surface fleets, one with 4 fast BBs and the other with 4 slower, 2 ASW TFs, a minesweeping TF, a minelaying TF and another DD only surface TF for replacement escorts. Also I have a aircraft replenishment TF built around the Nassau - I have attached a picture of her aircraft layout. I would have thought this was far too overloaded to even allow the planes to fly off to land at Wake (once captured), will I therefore have to dock with Wake to offload?

These TFs will join with the invasion TF, followup TF (Holding base forces), supply TF and replenishment TF that are currently 9 or so hexes North of Pearl.

Watch this space Gentlemen!




Attachment (1)

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 216
Andaman invaded - 2/22/2006 6:20:40 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Andaman Liberation begins - awful attack against Rangoon - bah.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/09/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 15
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 11
Port supply hits 4

A bit of preparation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Andaman Island, 23,34, firing at TF 1127
TF 1127 troops unloading over beach at Andaman Island, 23,34


8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Romney


Allied ground losses:
448 casualties reported

Alot of casualties for a single Brit Brigade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Andaman Island, 23,34, firing at TF 1127
TF 1127 troops unloading over beach at Andaman Island, 23,34



Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported

A few more just to add salt to the wound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 65


No Allied losses

So I thought Herb was defending Moulmein, sent the P-38s there, nope they are somewhere else.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 35

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7
Beaufort I x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 43
B-25C Mitchell x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 15 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Then this attack goes in with P-40Es as escort damnit! The P-40s get smashed at their full range and the Mitchells have such fragile morale that a few damaged and detroyed and they are on their way back to Akyab. I set the P-38s to sweep Rangoon and retire the Blenheim IVs, upgrading them to Wellingtons, and move up the other Wellingtons to Akyab.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 13
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 9

Another strike against Andaman. These ships will stay to continue the attack but they have expended a bit of ammo now so their power will be reduced. Liberators out of Dacca are tasked with bombing the defending troops - the weather will be important in this one's possibility of going ahead.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3717 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2921 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

The first attack is encouraging with the fort being removed. I don't know what Herb could have in store for me but I set the Brigade up to strike again. Hopefully they accomplish a takeover but they are at about half strength, with disruption, and are very disorganised. It could be a bad move. There was a sneaky NLF unit there that aerial recon failed to pick up. If this next attack doesn't work I will have to rest the troops for a day or so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herb will no doubt be wondering what next. I note the KB (or at least get carrier based search planes buzzing around my subs) is heading SW now - maybe back to the area of Luganville. This is very positive for the attack on Wake, which is now heading west. My foray with the carriers failed to find anything and they are now moving to intercept the invasion and replace fuel used on their 2 day full speed sprint.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 217
RE: Nope - not Midway - back to Johnson or Palmyra?? - 2/23/2006 5:44:27 PM   
saj42


Posts: 1125
Joined: 4/19/2005
From: Somerset, England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: wobbly

Ndini's reinforcements (of two seebee units) continue to unload unmolested, hopefully this continues now that the Liberators have had their visit of Lunga. It is still taking a long time to build up the dot base despite the presence of 4 construction engineering units.


IRL Ndini was scouted and surveyed but never occupied as the strain of Malaria on the island was so virulent that no-one was able to function effectively there.

quote:


It is in the Central Pacific that everything is happening.

Also I have a aircraft replenishment TF built around the Nassau - I have attached a picture of her aircraft layout. I would have thought this was far too overloaded to even allow the planes to fly off to land at Wake (once captured), will I therefore have to dock with Wake to offload?


DON'T land those VR planes on Wake. VR squadrons are used to send replacements to your CV squadrons (rather like a mobile aircraft replacement pool). Nassau is not overloaded - she will launch a/c in this 'ferry' role. The VR units are actually groups , not squadrons, and will rapidly expand to a huge size if based ashore. Check the pilot experience - in most stock scenarios they are 25 Exp - you don't want those on your CVs , nor Wake for that matter.

_____________________________


Banner by rogueusmc

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 218
Andaman taken!! - 2/24/2006 1:20:06 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		HI Tallyho - thanks for the input - how do I split the Nassau groups up to drip feed them to carrier groups while at sea????

A very very good day for the forces of good, although I have had a combat replay discrepancy.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/10/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Andaman Island at 23,34

Japanese Ships
AK Borneo Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Revenge
BB Ramilles
BB Resolution
CA Hawkins
CA Frobisher
CL Sumatra
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius
CL Birmingham
CL Glasgow
DD Van Galen
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound
DD Napier
DD Nepal

The bombardment group is still about Andaman and this freighter pulls into the Island - I don't understand why this was done. Anyway - no more transport.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 5

Another preparatory bombardment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 17 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

At last I get the sweep orders correct and the well trained P-38 drivers make a hell of a mess. Strange observation here is that 10 Tojos get into the air, the P-38s shoot down 17, and in the intel 17 Tojos are lost to AtoA....?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 60
B-24D Liberator x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
H8K Emily: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 70

This one really caught Herb on the hop. Heavy bombers coming in at 15K find no fighters on CAP and bomb uninterrupted - 1 is lost on the way back through operational damage. The raid nets 41 aircraft on the ground!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 136th IJA Base Force, at 23,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 30


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported

The Liberators actually fly! All the way from Dacca to Andaman.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st USA Division, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
A6M3a Zero x 35

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported

Despite the damage done to their airfield these trainers get into the air and hit the troops in the Owen Stanley mountains.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 29th UK Brigade, at 23,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 4 destroyed

These Lilys meet the seafires on LRCAP over the Andaman invasion and are repulsed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Andaman Island , at 23,34


Allied aircraft
Seafire x 4
Swordfish x 30


No Allied losses

Here is the combat discrepancy. This is the only action the swordfish take part in and as you can see none are damaged. When I open the turn I can see a Jap TF of 2 BBs and 2 DDs, undoubtable not all there is, and I have lost 7 (!!!!) swordfish, 2 to ops and 5 to flak!! I can only surmise that the swordfish took a swipe at these ships and lost a sizable number of them in the attempt - for who knows how much damage in return.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,33

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
DD Panther
DD Paladin
DD Pakenham

I also have this attack against a sub nosing around - which apparently sinks it. However, when the turn opens I can still see a Jap sub in the same hex as the carrier force - the one attacking here... Who knows?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3468 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2606 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Andaman Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
151 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

The conclusion of the matter though is that Andaman Island is taken. It is in a very sorry state of repair, but matters are such that I need to move fighters, P-40Es, to bolster the defense of the landings. I new set of troops is about to land - a base unit. So the surface ships will rush back in to Andaman in case herb tries to retrieve his men or get in the way of this new landings. The carriers will also be about.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(in reply to saj42)
Post #: 219
RE: Andaman taken!! - 2/24/2006 3:13:03 PM   
saj42


Posts: 1125
Joined: 4/19/2005
From: Somerset, England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: wobbly

HI Tallyho - thanks for the input - how do I split the Nassau groups up to drip feed them to carrier groups while at sea????



That should be automatic - if the Nassau is within range and the CV squadrons are set to replacements 'ON'.
Not sure what the range is (normal / extended / ferry) as the manual isn't too clear (IIRC).

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 220
RE: Andaman taken!! - 2/27/2006 6:10:40 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Hi Tallyho - excellent info - thanks mate. So I just stooge the Nassau around within transfer range - she just went up in my estimation of worth!

A surprise in the combat replay of the initial attack on Andaman. Apparently my ghost ships to the south were the escorts for the light carrier Ryujo. I saw none of this in my action replay but the Ryujo launched planes with full fighter support on my Brit carriers with no luck. The Brits are devastating in reply sinking the Ryujo for the loss of the 7 Swordfish I noted in the intelligence report!!! First flat top scratched by the good guys! (although he has damaged 2 of my fleet ones).

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/12/42

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ASW attack at 106,68

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Downes
DD Preston
DD Smith
DD Perkins

The devasttation I am unleashing on the Jap subs continues with this one found off the Western Coast of the French Frigate shoals. She sinks. The I-31 damaged in the previous turn also sank this turn AND a liberator manages to find and bomb another!! Herb must be thinking about reitiring them again.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 35
P-38G Lightning x 61


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 24

I am continuing to do damage to the airfields in the South of Burma. Morale is the biggest problem as the planes often refuse to coordinate. I therefore have to let them rest and that allows the engineers to overcome the damage that's been done.
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Day Air attack on Andaman Island , at 23,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-49 Helen x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed

Herb unleashes the LBA on newly captured Andaman. The Warhawks do a stirling job of repulsing the effort. These aircraft are much better on defence than after a long range escort mission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,46

Japanese Ships
AK Arisan Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish

Even the allied subs are in on the action - this is right up by Tokyo - an undefended AK is attacked on the surface.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The capture of Andaman can be considered a success but the UK Brigade that was used to take the place is a spent force. It has 3 operational squads!! I can't get the remnants of Herb's forces out and I have landed a base force of my own so he can't take the place back from me either. I have therefore slated a depleted Indian Division to the job. The TF that dropped off the invasion forces will now pick them up and take them to Andaman and then load up with the crippled UK Brigade for recuperation in India. I will also pull out the tank Brigade in Akyab. They will retire (via sea) to Chandpur and get some rest before either joining the forces at Mandalay for moves on Rangoon, or Amphibious landings below Rangoon.

The KB still appears to be about the Gilberts - best estimates place them 4 hexes west of Tarawa. Every step they take away from Wake is good news. The invasion forces are now just North of Midway and steaming at about 3 hexes per day. It is interesting if somewhat belated (I think..??) but intel has a Jap mixed Brigade planning on invasions of Midway...? Aerial recon of Wake has commenced again and it still appears only 1 unit resides there. I think it is Emilys as one found a sub I have about the island; it is ringed with them.

The heavy bombers at Cooktown are slated for another strike - at 20K - on Gili Gili. After Wake I think the carriers are going to have to move to the South Pacific and support the liberation here. I really would like to get the poor beleagured troops on the Owen Stanleys out. The ring of airfields around GG is scary though! I think this will have to be a major major effort to make sure I take the place fast and have plenty of fighter support there to allow me to hold and resupply it for the not inconsiderable time it will take to get the cut off units out.

(in reply to saj42)
Post #: 221
RE: Andaman taken!! - 2/27/2006 3:05:24 PM   
saj42


Posts: 1125
Joined: 4/19/2005
From: Somerset, England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: wobbly

So I just stooge the Nassau around within transfer range - she just went up in my estimation of worth!


As I mentioned before, check the pilot experience.
It might be a bit 'gamey' but I would attach the Nassau to a replenishment TF - and set the F4Fs to 20-30% CAP - you will transfer planes to your CVs when refuelling, and get some 'free' CAP over your precious AOs.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 222
'Wake or asleep? - 2/28/2006 4:27:21 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		hi tallyho - Yeah, definately a bit gamey as there is no way the ship could hold that many and conduct flight operations. I suppose you could say that planes on deck were replaced by planes in the hold as they were ferried to the combat carriers, but I don't know if this kind of functionality was inherent in these supply carriers or not? Either way - I am taking your advice!

The wrong return port set for my freighters at Andaman. Bombing of GG. More enemy ACs knocked down over Andaman.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/13/42

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TF 1127 encounters mine field at Mannargudi (16,23)

Allied Ships
MSW Romney

Sneaky Herbie has mined the base at Mannargudi. Luckily I have a minesweeper in the TF to carry the troops to and From Andaman.
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Day Air attack on Andaman Island , at 23,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-49 Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Runway hits 2

THe first attack from the mainland gets through but causes little in the way of damage. The Warhawks are really getting into their work now!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 54
B-24D Liberator x 45


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 70

Despite the bombing happening from 20K Gili Gili is still quite heavily damaged. These bomb crews are now very experienced.
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Day Air attack on TF at 24,34

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Foam, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Caledon
CLAA Columbo
AK Empire Johnson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Bah - this TF of Freighters came from Akyab after picking up a base force there. When it finished unloading it headed back there and out of the cover afforded by hte Warhawks at Andaman. The AA cruisers I had for defense do their best but these two AKs will have to be lucky to make it to Diamond Harbour.
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Day Air attack on TF at 24,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20
G4M1 Betty x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Columbo
AK Empire Prince
CLAA Caledon

Another attempt on the errant TF from bombing Helens and torp droppign Betties meets with no success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,34

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed

At last the screaming from the ship captains is heard and some P-40Es arrive above the convoy and like earlier attempts above Andaman they claim their pound of flesh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A surface combat TF made around 3 Heavy cruisers departs Noumea for Luganville with the ultimate target of Lunga. I feel I can sneak in and hit the shipping there as long as I base P-38s in Ndini to cover. Recon has shown only the presence of fighters and auxillary ACs at the base.

There is little to add to in the way of new happenings. Next turn is a major reinforcment day with 20 odd ships in San Fran and a smattering of other ones in other locations, plus 4 air units - mainly in India.

(in reply to saj42)
Post #: 223
Quiet - 3/3/2006 3:57:09 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/15/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,35

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 23811 troops, 268 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 59300 troops, 403 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1373 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


As you can see - nothing much is happening. Herb tries to shock attack a bunch of chinese units but htere aren't into being moved at the moment and he gets a bit of a bloody nose.

I imagine the Wake invasion will become visible in the next or following turns - this should spark things up!

My surface combat attack into Lunga is held up by the reduction in speed of the DMS ships in the force. Since it is very likely that we have to contend with mines I think it prudent to wait another day - the shipping in Lunga harbour does not appear to be going anywhere.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 224
Wake TF sighted - 3/5/2006 8:32:57 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		2 days of action as I set the airforces on Herb and he does the smae to me, but at the wrong places. Day two sees the allied Heavy Cruiser force pay a visit to Lunga and tentative scouting of the Wake invasion forces.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 10th Group Army, at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16
Ki-51 Sonia x 69
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 11
Spitfire Vb x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 11 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported

Herb just left these guys bombing Wuchow for too long. Hurricanes and SPitfires turn up and it looks like the Tonys were new pilots - a bad
day to be a jap pilot

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Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 57
B-24D Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56

I take a punt and go after Lae again. Thinking that Herb may have changed his training missions to have a CAP component I put the heavies at 20K feet. Nope, still nothing on defense and the heavies demo more parked planes.
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Day Air attack on 136th IJA Base Force, at 23,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Liberators out of Akyab start harrassment of the forces still parked at Andaman. I can't get rid of these guys with troops at the moment as the invasion forces are still very disrupted.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/17/42

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TF 1007 encounters mine field at Mannargudi (16,23)

Allied Ships
MSW Poole
MSW Cromer
MSW Cochin
MSW Agra
MSW Rail
PG Thyme, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Cyclamen
PG Fritillary

So, to day two and the minefield Herb laid at Mannargudi manags to hit one of the PGs sent there to clear it. The PG was actually guarding the MSWs but hits a mine and disappears in the resulting explosion.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Tomozuru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Kasasagi, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Hiyodori, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Hato, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CL Leander
CL Enterprise
CL Concord
DD Lang
DD Tucker
DD Porter
DD Le Triomphant
DMS Zane
DMS Boggs
DMS Perry

At Lunga and Raymond Spruance gets surprise. 8 inch shells cause huge fires on the unprepared Jap DDs and they don't even manage to fire back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Hato, Shell hits 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 2
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria
CL Leander
CL Enterprise
CL Concord
DD Lang
DD Tucker
DD Porter
DD Le Triomphant
DMS Zane
DMS Boggs
DMS Perry

The two disengage and then re-engage, this next move surprising Spruance, probably as even surprise would not save the DD (HariKari early int he war). A few shells bounce off the armour of the Heavy cruisers and the Portland looses a 40mm Bofor mount, but the retribution is swift and decisive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 43,48

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Oi Maru
PC Ishigaki
PC Kunashiri
PC Hachijo
PC Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS Gar, hits 1, on fire

The Gar is found above the phillipines and is carrying alot of water - it will be 50 - 50 whether she makes it. Not in the combat replay but the I-16, already reported as hit by aircraft is hit again today, although the ASW TF hunting her does not find the sub.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The other major news for the day is the scouting of the invasion force of Wake Island. Herb has a scouting contact of 2 shps off Wake. I don't know if that was enough to ring the bells but if he has carriers at Kweijalein then he is about 3 days away. That should be enough to get the men on the beach. THe first of the escorting BB TFs goes in to soften defences this turn and the carrier planes also get ready to hit the port facilities. Landing should not happen tomorrow but start early the next day. Hopefully by that time the single base unit defender will be thoroughly disorientated!

Off Andaman Island the new Indian DIvision tasked with clearing the Jap contingent there gets closer. They are being escorted by the Brit BBs which will also give the Japs a few heavy calibre rounds.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 225
Rejoice!! Wake falls at the first attempt - 3/5/2006 11:37:55 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Unbelieveable!! I stuffed up the time I thought I was going ot arrive to offload the troops for the invasion of Wake, but the preparation is so incredibly devastating that the troops that go ashore, in the afternoon, to attack at dusk overwhelm the defenders, despite their size 4 forts.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/18/42

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ASW attack at 73,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC SC-642
DD Rathburne
DD Humphreys
DD Crosby
DD Vendetta

The I-6 is at last found and sunk. Herb has not moved her for the last 4 days and she pays for the negligence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,93

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Hatsushima
DD Samidare
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

The stingray, on the other hand, is able to elude her surface attackers. When the sun comes up though she is heavily harrassed by naval bombers and suffers a bomb hit. I think I can safely say some or all of the KB is now off the NE coast of Lunga.
Stingray will head for Townsville - not the closest port (being Luganville) but probably safer.
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Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
C5M Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23

A credible attack from the Hudsons based at Derby. They recon ships in the harbour at Koepang so I change their orders to hit naval targets.
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Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD Dauntless x 82
TBF Avenger x 39


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 6

A very heavy naval attack on the port at Wake doesn't really manage to do that much damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Edwards
DD Meade
DD Caldwell
DD Bancroft
DD Bailey
CL Phoenix
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
CL Detroit
CA Quincy
CA New Orleans
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
BB Idaho
BB Pennsylvania
BB Nevada

Japanese ground losses:
546 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 47
Airbase supply hits 25
Runway hits 422 (oh my GOD!!!!)
Port supply hits 2

THe naval bombrdment on the other hand is savage in the extreme. The place is an absolute wreck. Nothing stands after each blade of grass is targeted for attention. 500+ casualties when the base unit itself can't number too much more than 3000. This is the key to the next listing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1909 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1819 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!


Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 7 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Despite landing late in the turn and the defenders being behind size 4 forts, they are easily thrown out of the key positions on the island. As the sun goes down the airbase and port are back in Allied hands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a very credible coup de main. I can almost garauntee that Herb thought I was mounting an attack into the Solomons. I am pretty sure that the vals and kates that attacked the Stingray are part of the KB. I should therefore be able to bring engineering units into Wake without too much attention.
Unfortunately I have left one important part of the mix out of my invasion force: a base unit or an AV ship for scouting work. Nothing could fly out of Wake at the moment anyway as it really is a wreck. All 3 strategic assets (port etc) on the island are at 99 damage.
Another huge boon of the rapid capture is the 20 Emilys destroyed - I'd imagine that is 2 full search sqds that he has lost.
This turn the carrier planes will rest while the other bombardment group will lay waste to the remaining Japs. The troops still onboard will unload and shouldn't have to shock attack again.
An AV and 2 DDs leave Pearl for wake and I scour around for a base force. I am unsure whether to really bolster the place or leave it as a scouting and sub base. It will lend itself to rush up surface force attacks by Herb - I'll need to get the port to size 3 (only 2 at the moment).
A minefield will also be laid in the next turn by 3 DMs and an ML while 40K supplies begin their unloading.
At Luganville another 80 aircraft will arrive tomorrow - especially 64 Dakotas. These babies have saved me plenty of times in the past.
Out to the NE of Luganville a Liberator scouts a large clump of subs all in the same hex. I think Herb may be playing the "hunt the hunted" game of attacking ASW assets with the KB. Instead I retire my ASW TFs to Noumea - they have done very well lately - no wish to get them lost over greed. Even the KB will have to be wary of the bite inherent in Luganville, with its 250 ACs.
Elsewhere, the AVG, which had moved back to India to upgrade to P-38s, now move back towards China stopping at Lashio first.
Herb is making major moves in China to get rid of the blocking force I have at the intersection below Homan. He is bringing up another 8 units. I want the AVG to be there to guard the ground troops in their new fighters.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 226
RE: Rejoice!! Wake falls at the first attempt - 3/8/2006 1:31:19 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Reinforcements arrive in Andaman, Herb lines himself up to attack the blocking force below Homan, the carriers around Wake head off to hit Marcus Island

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/42

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Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

The reinforcement escorts hit the trapped units at Andaman. There is a possibility Herb is going to try and rescue his men as I can see a TF of BBs (apparently) in the base at the top of Sumatra. This TF will stay in place for defense while the carrier TF launches from Trimcommalee to try and take these ships from the flank. The new Indian Division has now been delivered while the battered UK brigade that took the island begins to load bound for Columbo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 54
B-24D Liberator x 35


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 5

The idea was to retard the enhancement of enemy bases in Southern NG. This is a poorly executed raid with little in the way of damage done. Interestingly there is no damage done to troops so Herb may not even have it garrisoned...?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 184975 troops, 2241 guns, 62 vehicles

Defending force 85384 troops, 540 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
361 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Herb heavily outnumbers me at the intersection now and there are 4 more units on the way. I am trying to get more units of my own there but I don't think I can win the race without forcing an issue elsewhere. If I can put pressure on in the South he may have to move away. The problem with the Chinese is that you can't take base locations - they just don't have the engineers to pull those jobs off. Ideally you want to move into a location that forces the Jap to attack you. I have done that with the intersection location but have had to spend units all over the place to stop the numbers getting too high, now I can't disengage these units to bolster the intersection defenders. Interesting times. Just to add a bit of spice to the cauldron I have moved the newly upgraded AVG to Homan, they will LRCAP the intersection in their new P-38s. I have to be careful here though as the Homan base could be bombed behind them and that would be tears before bed time!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
herb has scouted the surface group moving on Marcus Island and has promised clouds of Betties and other such vermin. I am not too worried about this though as Marcus itself is a 1,1 base and he has emptied it anyway. The distance from other locations will mean those betties will be attacking without escort. There is danger for me that's for sure but I have the possibility of handing the betty forces a pretty bloody nose if they attack unescorted.
No, the carriers are more the worry. I am almost certain they are between the Solomon Is, Nauru and Truk. I should therefore have a few days for mischief before
he can ruin the party. He may have some smaller CVLs or CVEs on hand but is unlikely to want to use them against what is obviously a pretty strong Carrier force.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 227
3 days - 3/12/2006 10:08:34 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		3 combat reports and the war is really firing up!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Marcus Island, at 75,56

Allied Ships
DD Welles
DD Woodworth
DD McCalla
DD Lardner
DD Nicholas
DD DeHaven
DD Chevalier
CL Honolulu
CL Nashville
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
BB Washington
BB North Carolina

Japanese ground losses:
453 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Runway hits 16
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 4

First day and the bombardment of Marcus Island goes ahead. It isn't one of the Nuclear attacks but it will have messed the place up a bit. Interestingly there are a few more unit on Marcus than there were on Wake.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 39
Beaufort I x 42
P-38G Lightning x 56


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Beaufort I: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 99

Another heavy attack on Rangoon. He has alot of engineers there to repair the damage but slowly it feels like I am restling air superiority off Herb in and around Burma.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
C5M Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

I also start attacking the airfield in Koepang. The Hudsons aren't all that good a plane but they will be making life on Timor difficult

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 63
B-24D Liberator x 47

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 52

The heavies are back of Port Moresby and suddenly there are no fighters defending the place. A reasonable amount of damage and the destruction of some supplies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 83

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 58

It's all about air power today as the Luganville based Liberators reach out to Lunga. Again Herb does not have any fighters up here and the bombers are able to do their business unmolested.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Marcus Island , at 75,56


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 84
TBF Avenger x 42


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 6 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Getting a little more experience for the naval forces as Marcus gets more attention. Not a particularly effective strike but still worthwhile.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,39

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29750 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14648 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
811 casualties reported
Guns lost 27

I have enemy troops over the supply lines below Kweiyang. I move some troops forward to try and oust them but first attempts fail. More troops are being sent and bombers start working the troops on the ground over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8360 troops, 75 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 1602 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 141 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2984 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

The Indian Division (somewhat understrength) kills off the remaining Jap presence on Andman Island.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Maikaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS Truant, hits 3, on fire

Truant was trying to hit these ships in Sabang harbour up at the top of Sumatra. Unfortunately the jap defenders are on their toes. She will make for Andaman, which has a port of size 2, and that may be enough to get rid of what is mainly flooding damage. These Destroyers don't know that the Royal Navy BBs are over the horizon and making a bee line to Sabang for some retribution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 195948 troops, 2261 guns, 47 vehicles

Defending force 86031 troops, 495 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
357 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Herb's very large force below Homan packs a heavy bombardment whallop.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
DD Kagero, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Revenge
BB Ramilles
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 4
CA Frobisher
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
DD Van Galen
DD Foxhound
DD Napier

I do so like my Royal Navy! Admiral Paliser gets surprise and 15 inch destruction rains down on these poor Jap DDs. It is an awful night for them and I doubt the 2 heavily damaged DDs will make it to a port to be repaired.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese Ships
AP Kozui Maru
AP Africa Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
AP Bokuyo Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
AP Chicago Maru
AP Daigen Maru
AP Denmark Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AP Genkai Maru
AP Ginyo Maru
AP Haaburu Maru
AP Hakka Maru
AP Hakuyo Maru
AP Hanakawa Maru
AP Josho Maru
AP Juko Maru
AP Kamikaze Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP Kamo Maru
AP Karachi Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Meiu Maru
AP Seattle Maru
AP Teiyo Maru

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Revenge
BB Ramilles
CA Hawkins
CA Frobisher
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
DD Van Galen
DD Foxhound
DD Napier

Paliser continues on into the Harbour and comes up against more APs, getting surprise again he puts 4 of them straight under the waves, but ammo was low after bombarding the base unit on Andaman so the ships do not continue the destruction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese Ships
AK Aobasan Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Revenge
BB Ramilles
CA Hawkins
CA Frobisher
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow
DD Van Galen
DD Foxhound
DD Napier

ONe final AK is found and sunk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Sabang, at 19,41

Allied Ships
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Orginally the ships were ordered to bombard - obviously the ships are so low on ammo that this is a pitiful attempt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 30


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

THe Hudsons are still pounding away at Koepang
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 19,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 22

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 12
Avenger I x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kozui Maru
AP Hanakawa Maru
AP Juko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The RN carriers covering the surface ships join the action and have probably sunk another AP. Unfortunately I think this big TF had unloaded whatever it was carrying. Both carriers and BBs retire towards Trimcommalee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not at a bit of a crossroads. I cannot really attack anywhere without really laying on the carrier support. Obvious locations are the Gilberts, Gili Gili, Lunga, Timor. My carriers are retiring from the Wake adventure so are well placed to go after one of the Gilberts. This may be the next area. I will start to look more closely at the possibilities of attacking here. I like Gili Gili too as it should allow me to retire the poor troops caught in the Owen Stanley mountains.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 228
RE: 3 days - 3/13/2006 10:14:42 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Oh dear - no updates - herb's PC has fired itself AGAIN!!!

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 229
RE: 3 days - 3/31/2006 7:44:06 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		It is a very long time since I have updated this AAR. All one of you out there that have been following Herb and I will know that he has had a hard time with his computer rebooting. This has not changed but we have managed to get a turn out here and there. Nothing of any real note has taken place as I redistribute resources for the Gilbert Island invasions.

Here though is the 2nd to last day of 1942, may it rest in pieces!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Crane

Another run by the DD Crane into PM harbour. Man this ships Captain is a chicken. He fires a few shots, and this time his torpedo compliment, then buggers off home. I could change the captain but the ships is only an ancient 4 stacker and doesn't really warrant that kind of hands on approach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #4, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Crane

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #5

Allied Ships
DD Crane

Bwork Bwork - run away, run away!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16

Flying in at high altitude the Liberators continue to make Lunga's existence a difficult one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 20th Mixed Brigade, at 42,35


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 20


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The Chinese are still battering away at troops in the hinterland. In the previous turn I managed to chase a Division north away from a route of escape. It is very close to some heavy Chinese units and I may yet be able to surround and destroy it. This should be an easier job than the large forces I have caught by Homan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 31


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 28th NLF , at 32,29


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 29


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

The forces stationed across the river from Mandalay are starting to take a pounding for SEAC air. It looks like Herb is trying to surround Mandalay with some smaller units. It will not do him much good unless he does the surrounding with a large unit. I still have a brigade of Brit tanks in Mandalay and they can handle any of the smaller units if they cross the rail line to the North.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The attack on the Gilberts waits for a few things now. I need more lift capacity at Pearl; The Essex is 11 days from release; some land units need to plan more for the assault; Baker really needs to be level 4 - it is 67% there now; Baker also needs more fuel and supplies - it is at about 20K of each.
Subs that were cordoned around Wake to act as a tripwire for units opposing the invasion are now heading south to the Gilberts to do the same job.

At present the plan is to take Apamama, which has not been built up, with engineers and an RCT. Quickly getting to a size 1 field for some P-38s to defend the invasion forces of Tarawa which has 2 combat engineer and 2 Divisions targeted for invasion.

From here i am likely to move the access of attack to New Guinea and assault GG with 2 Divisions and all the other hangers on. I really want to get the poor devils i nteh owen stanleys out. Whether this goes ahead will depend alot on how much damage I suffer going after the Gilberts.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 230
More Herb PC problems - 4/4/2006 2:30:21 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Another couple of turns with very little happening.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 8 encounters mine field at Iwo Jima (63,53)

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
DD Hatsuharu, Mine hits 1, on fire

Herb finds a sub laid minefield at Iwo. At this proximity to Japan he shouldn't have problems getting to a repair yard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 18


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

More disruption for Timor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

More disruption for The Kuriles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 42

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed, 25 damaged
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 12 destroyed, 57 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 36

OUCH! Herb suddenly moves in some Tonys and at the range from Luganville many of the damaged Liberators fall out of the sky on the way home. I loose 17 he looses 15 (so I suppose I shouldn't grumble too much).

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 20th Chinese Corps, at 50,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 35

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

So, to the next day and the Japs hit the troops at the intersection below Homan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 250719 troops, 2857 guns, 205 vehicles

Defending force 89300 troops, 555 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
6376 casualties reported
Guns lost 175
Vehicles lost 15

Allied ground losses:
3045 casualties reported
Guns lost 71

then a deliberate attack goes in. 1 to 1 odds. Those are some pretty fearsome losses to the Jap attacker. These Chinese defenders are now high calibre and they are behind size 3 local forts. He has a wee way to go yet! I do move the P-38s back to Homan to LRCAP the defenders though - they need all the help they can get.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The preparations for the invasions of the Gilberts start to be put into place. I note a serious faux pas on my part. I haven't set up any combat unit with preparation orders for Apamama. I think there is only a base unit there and so this shouldn't be too hard to oust. I have given the job to the C regiment of the 24th Division currently at Canton Island. Taking Apamama is intergral to being able to release the Carriers from escort duty in the Gilberts to come down to The South Pacific to help the invasion of Gili Gili which is slated to strike very quickly, or almost simultaneously, with the Gilberts invasion. I want to try and time it so the landings in the Gilberts attract attention and then the GG invasion finds those assets out of position to resist the new, and more dangerous, operation.

herb has again got computer problems so we will all have to wait for japanese command structure to be repaired.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 231
Herb reckons he is back now - 4/13/2006 3:54:29 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		herb is back at last - he has had one awful time of it. But like a ray of sun from behind the clouds, he not only gets his machine running again but he also manages to open the door to his trapped units in China.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 39


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11

Part of the attack around the whole rim of the Pacific approach. No plans to tackle Timor at present but these attacks have to have Herb guessing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

Another for the Kuriles where Herb has posted some Tojos. They don't manage much against the high flying Heavies. Maybe another avenue of attack herb?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 43
B-24D Liberator x 44


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 73

GG takes another pounding. Now this is a target. I need to make building forts difficult.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 48

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 30
Beaufort I x 6

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 18

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 29

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 14
Beaufort I x 9

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 9
Beaufort I x 3

This is the combined effort of the SEAC airforces to harrass the troops stationed across the river from Mandalay. This effort will be kept up for a few weeks to really dispirit the men there. Then we will try and cross the river!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 66th Chinese Division, at 50,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Herb orders preliminary bombing of the Chinese troops at the crossroads hex. The AVG, in their new shiney P-38s, is there to meet them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 66th Chinese Division, at 50,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

More toil for the AVG but they don't have their own way this time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 241963 troops, 2620 guns, 183 vehicles

Defending force 85870 troops, 449 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
7661 casualties reported
Guns lost 172
Vehicles lost 24

Allied ground losses:
1713 casualties reported
Guns lost 38


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

And then Herb pulls out the big one. I concerted shock attack at the crossroads below Homan. I am outnumbered 3 to 1 and these are the odds I get. The bulk of the troops located there were behind size 3 (non-base) forts and this is enough to brush the defence aside. Thankfully they all retreat towards Homan bar one unit that had level 6 forts for some reason?? They stay there and despite orders to retreat as well are likely to get a real spanking this turn. The effort to force his way through has meant some pain for Herb but now he has managed it I may as well retire. The troops I had cut off were of such number that I couldn't really force them to surrender without bringing a hell of alot more troops along. The problem with that was the cut off troops were in a very bad access location. It just takes me too long to move the Chinese Army about.
I therefore order my troops doing the cutting off of the Japs to retire as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another bombardment force is put together by the Brits - target Moulmein. I can now supplement carrier based fighter cover with planes off Andaman Island. Herb has been basing Tonys at Moulmein and LRCAPing Rangoon - can't have that!
As stated earlier the bombing of the enemy troops south of Mandalay will continue for a few weeks and then the troops in Mandalay will cross the river. I may have to look to coincide this with a naval landing to the south somewhere. No greatly attractive locations stand out though.

Invasion plans for the Gilberts continue. I am still unsure how the attack on Apamama will go without preparation points. The first thought is that I could fail in this one without adequate bombardments and the like. Engineering units and base units are starting to gather. Air assets are massing at Canton Island and Baker Island is nearly at level 4.

Gili Gili invasion, slated to start about 4 days after the Gilberts adventure starts (in hopes of pulling the Jap carriers off station). Is underpowered in air assets. It does have the heavy bombers out of Cooktown for suppression purposes but it is very dependant on how well these small numbers of carrier based fighters can fend off Jap LBA. Troop loadouts and AAA are going to have to be superbly organised. I will also have to get the subs lined up against the likely routes of attack. All in all the next 3 weeks or so of game time will be hectic and exciting!

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 232
Attu Island spanked - 4/18/2006 8:04:53 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Almost all the combined fleet shows up off Attu Island and proceeds to destroy the Northern Area air force. What is the Herbster up to?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/12/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 36
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-24D Liberator x 39


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 84

Rangoon is getting regular attention. In Easter incompetence I deleted two combat replays that showed a move and counter move in Burma. First Herb hit Mandalay with a very large Tony sweep knocking 25 or so P-40Es out of the sky. I returned the favour by bombing Tavoy - where he'd based the Tonys - with Liberators escorted by 72 P-38s. This was the first big outing of this Darwin trained P-38 group and they smashed the Tonys. 16 P-38s lost for the destruction of 41 Tonys.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 113
A6M3 Zero x 18
A6M3a Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 5
B-26B Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 6 destroyed

So I note a swag of red blips on the Western Horizon and it can't be good, so the air forces at Attu Island are put on full alert with planes set to all altitudes. This is the first attempt on what must be the KB. From there it just gets truly nasty!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 111
A6M3 Zero x 17
A6M3a Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 24
Wellington III x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 38
P-40E Warhawk x 13
B-26B Marauder x 5
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed, 9 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 23 destroyed
Wellington III: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 13 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 12 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1

Ouch!! For one bomb hit and a few zeros destroyed. The P-39s were at wavetop and liberators at 15K feet yet the zeros manage to be everywhere. A single 500 lb hit bounces off Mutsu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 102
A6M3 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 6 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed

Just zero bait.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Onnekotan Jima at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Bisaku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Then the forts decide "to hell with going after those carriers, lets travel to the Kuriles and go after something a little easier".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 106
A6M3 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 4
Wellington III x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 28
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-26B Marauder x 2
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed
Wellington III: 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 6 destroyed

No lack of balls here - they still fly into the defence wall of death.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 87,34

Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Murasame

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish

The Sunfish is under this massive armada of ships. She is later pounded by aerial bombs and may not make it to Attu Island.

Obviously, with all the Warship TFs on their way to Attu Island, I was in for a bombardment nightmare. All (surviving) planes were flown out to Dutch Harbour and a fleet of PT boats created to welcome the incoming onslaught.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/13/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 92,34

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima
CA Takao
CA Maya
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Nagara
DD Kuroshio
DD Nowaki
DD Uzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-182
PT PT-183, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT PT-184, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-185
PT PT-186

Allied Ships
PT PT-180, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-178, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT PT-179
PT PT-180
PT PT-181

Allied Ships
PT PT-82, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-83, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PT PT-84
PT PT-128

Allied Ships
PT PT-182
PT PT-185, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-186

Allied Ships
PT PT-179
PT PT-180
PT PT-181, Shell hits 59, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-84, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-128

Allied Ships
PT PT-182
PT PT-186, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-179, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-180

Allied Ships
PT PT-128, Shell hits 52, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-182, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Oh Boy - that didn't work - just so much match work as multiple bombardment TFs find my PTs and sink every one. Many were from Japanese surprise attacks as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Attu Island, at 92,34 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze
DD Yayoi
DD Arashi
DD Amatsukaze
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai
CA Chikuma
BB Musashi
BB Yamato


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4


Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 3

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

Then the bombardments strike. I have not definitive reason why but Attu Island does have size 9 forts and I don't appear to have suffered an 'Nuclear' attacks. There is some residual damage the following day and a few planes destroyed (cut out of these reports).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-33

This AP has sat at PM for ages. I had sent the DD Bulmer into PM harbour about 3 times and other than hit her a couple of times with her 4 inch guns was unable to do any lasting harm. This time the two torps from S-33 should put her under the waves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 87,34

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
DD Yuzuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Uzuki
DD Nowaki
DD Kuroshio, on fire
BB Kirishima

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Here is Sunfish being caught by the masses of ships up by Attu. It will be touch and go as to whether she survives and if she does she will be out of the fight for a good long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Homan , at 49,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 35
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 33

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 10
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 15 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 4 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Herb attacks Homan with his Chinese based air power. He has moved the forces that recently bust the blockage I created below homan up to Homan itself. This turn he tried to smash through the AVG and a Brit Spitfire unit defending the place. My defenders do very well at repulsing this attempt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Homan , at 49,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 33
Ki-21 Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 31000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 31000 feet

Here come the actual bombers at very high altitude. They don't accomplish much and their escort gets savaged. I am utilising the AVG in a 3 sqd rotation in Homan. I resupply fallen planes to the most damaged squad in CHungking before flying them back to Homan to replace one of the damaged sqds there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 30
P-38G Lightning x 46
B-24D Liberator x 36


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 85

Keep on hitting the Rangoon defenders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3
Liberator VI x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

The first Brit Liberators go into action in Burma. I would hate to be in the blocking force he has over the river at Mandalay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 92,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1

Herb leaves one Tf at Attu and I leave the snippet of Liberators that survived the hits on the combined fleet on Naval attack (at Dutch Harbour). They reach out and actually manage to get a hit!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Homan

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 234286 troops, 2586 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 93162 troops, 599 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported

Herb starts bombarding the the tired troops that have trudged their way back to Homan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Homan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 81378 troops, 570 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 238898 troops, 2586 guns, 52 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2

Those same Homan boys give some back and do so in spades!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK, so what is Herb up to? There don't appear to be any APs with the ships that hit Attu so was this just an attempt to stop the bombing I was doing to the Kuriles? A concerted attempt on Attu will succeed, it has 5 engineering units and to RCTs as defenders behind level 9 forts. If he really wants it he could definately unhinge this with a couple of divisions and some engineers.

Truth be told I am rather happy with this move by Herb. My invasion fleets had all left from Pearl, Canton Island, Noumea and Brisbane when this attack started to form up. This means that the KB is MILES out of position to get in the way of my new endevours. It of course does not mean he is defenceless - there is the matter of a gazillion LBA units to contend with, and this is with a marked lack of my own naval air to help stave them off! Anyway nothing ventured nothing gained.

Despite Herb giving this window of opportunity the Essex and 2 Altamaha class CVEs have arrived at San Fran and would have been nice to include in the attacks. Never mind, Saratoga has also made it to San Fran with 42 Sys damage. Yorktown is now down to 20.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 233
Target Tarawa - 4/21/2006 6:01:56 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		No combat result - but nothing much happened in combat anyway.

The big news is that Herb has guessed that Tarawa is on. In the replay I don't see how he scouted my invasion force but he did have to re-run the replay with 1.8 installed and that may have meant scouting wasn't completed successfully.
B-17s hit the airfield on Tarawa (from the newly completed size 4 field at Baker Island) and do a small amount of damage.
Next turn the Tarawa invasion and the 3 carriers involved will begin preparatory air attacks on Tarawa and Apamama. The B-17s are heading to the island to the north (dman can't remember the name). Turn following that should be invasion and surface ship bombardment.
I am mainly worried about LBA as all his carriers are up by the Kuriles and any that are not should be outnumbered by the 3 I have. I have engineers waiting for the capture of Apamama especially as I think I have undercooked the troops required to take Tarawa at only 1 division. He has 6 units there and 2 are guards units.
This invasion could turn sour if he has some serious transport capacity. By the same token though, if I take Apamama I can evacuate to there and ready myself to attack in the future; the one invasion I really want to do right is Gili Gili and if I draw transport planes to the Gilberts then that will be all good.

Essex is half way to Pearl and will likely move on to take part in the Tarawa invasion or may even replace one of the Carriers there so it can move on to the Gili Gili invasion. That will depend on how we go getting Apamama.

Some interesting turns ahead me thinks!

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 234
Progress - 5/10/2006 7:13:13 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		You thought this AAR was dead didn't you. Well fair enough, I have not been back to add my tripe to the story for some time. The main reason behind this, as usual, is life. It just got in the way.

Anyway, get yourself a cup of coffee and your favourite dunking bikkies and have a gander at what has been happening in the Pacific War since I've been away from my writing desk.

When we left you Herb had just had a wee jaunt over to Attu Island with what seemed to be the whole combined fleet! His timing couldn't have been better for me. Now I knew where the KB was and I just happened to have launched all the ships involved in the capture of Tarawa two turns before the combined fleet showed themselves. So they were very out of position to defend Tarawa and were even further out of position to defend Gili Gili - the other new target of aspiration.

The initial plan was to take Apamama and use it to cover the invasion of Tarawa. This plan had to change very rapidly as the defenders on Apamama turned out to be a whole Naval Garrison unit. This along with forts was too much for the single RCT I landed. I had 3 Carriers in attendance - too little without the KB being out of position - and two large BB based bombardment fleets. They prepared the landings well but I couldn't dislodge the defenders.

Tarawa had also suddenly become a fortress. Either I had not scouted it properly or Herb very quickly bolstered the place with airborne dropped troops. A snap decision was made that the invasion of Tarawa would be postponed and the 40th Division would be landed on Apamama to complete its capture. I don't like doing this very much as the 40th had a target of Tarawa and the lack of prep reduces their effectiveness markedly. There was nothing for it though and the division commenced unloading.

Things went well as the naval bombers and shore bombardments had neutered most of the shore defences. The first shock attack by the 40th combined with the badly battered RCT was enough to take the base. The 40th finished unloading unmolested and proceeded to destroy the Naval Garrison unit with help from B-17s flying from Baker Island. CV Wasp and 4 escorts disconnected from the other 2 Carriers and put the pedal to the metal getting over to the GG invasion which was about to start (under the cover of one CV and 3 CVLs - not nearly enough I thought). Back at Apamama 3 seabee units and 2 base units were landed guarded by a cruiser force, an ASW force and a bombardment force of older BBs that continued to harry the garrison unit (while it existed) and bombard Tarawa occasionally. The CA Louisville received a torpedo from an RO type Jap sub which was damaged and subsequently sunk. Louisville made it to Canton Island and then retired towards Pearl (as of this writing it hasn't made it yet) with Sys damage of 24. She was the only naval casualty from this operation.

While Tarawa has not been taken it will be difficult for Herb to resupply, reinforce or relinquish. Apamama is now a size 1 port 3 airfield and nearly at size 4 - medium bombers will then set about Tarawa and Makin.

About 3 days after the initial invasion of Apamama the weather turned bad in the South Pacific. The KB was still well north of the Carolines (at best guess) so the green light was given to the GG operation.

Herb had left GG without aircraft as I had been regularly visiting it with heavy bombers out of Cooktown. The only aircraft were at Kiriwina Island and apparently Herb had mistakenly set their search radius to 4. This meant the invasion was not seen until it started landing!!!!! It also meant that Herb had no inkling his small TF of DDs and a light cruiser, at that time stationed at Kiriwina, were in the vacinity of Carrier ACs.

So the first day saw landings of the Americal and 32nd Divisions along with a combat engineering unit. Damage done by mines and what was left of a CD unit after the prelimenary bombardment and heavy bomber attacks was light. A dozen APs and AKs suffered damage with 1 AP sinking. An APD, 2 MSWs and 2 DDs also suffered damage.

The Carrier bombers found the TF at Kiriwina and conducted a poor attack on it sinking the Cl and damaging one DD. Herb did not have any bombers ready to strike and so there was no response from the air to the GG invasions.

Day two started early as the DDs at Kiwirina were sent into GG. The allied ships, having recently upgraded to version 1.8 radar response, managed to find and act on the approaching DDs sinking all of them suffering a DD hit by shell fire and incuring 34 Sys damage (in email Herb hinted that he wanted to lower ammo on the defensive ships and in this he succeeded). The allied bombardment turned surface combat group, low on ammo, decided to head back to base - in this case Noumea. The second surface combat TF of 3 CLs and 5 DDs followed.

So now the invasion fleet which had continued to unload (and incur damage from mines and shore based batteries) was only being defended by MSWs and escort units attached to the invasion TFs. The surface combat units by comparison were now not under the air umbrella provided by the carriers.

I managed to get out of this reasonably lightly. Munda in the Solomons appeared to be heavy with aircraft and it along with Rabaul and Shortlands did nothing to these naked surface ships. Unfortunately the naval bombers based at Kiriwina took their opportunity and put 2 torps home in the BB Colorado, 1 into RNZN Leander and 1 into CL Enterprise. The Colorado, and Leander were ordered back to GG (in the hope we would take the port and get all the water pumped out before they seccumbed) while Enterprise had a DD attached and headed straight for Townsville. GG itself had again not been struck by aerial attack.

Day 3 - the ground units are mainly unloaded and have plentiful supplies; they are ordered to shock attack. The returning surface forces made it back under the cover of the carrier fighters but not before the light Cruiser Tromp is found by a Jap submarine and sunk by two torpedoes. Avengers from the CVLs and the heavies from Townsville hit the enemy troops on GG before the big attack and in the end it is overwhelming: 9-1 odds. Herbs planes tried a belated attack on the shipping at GG with an unescorted Sally raid. The wildcats destroy 6 Sallies and the other 11 bug out.

The allies take GG base and the Japs retreat towards PM (I made a mistake here, I tried to cut this retreat off but left it too late).

Day 4 - very early morning. Admiral Scott has been able to reload his surface combat TF from supplies at newly captured port GG (the logistics weenies think of everything and packed some 16 inch shells for just this eventuality). Having proved the benefit of Radar night fighting Scott trusts that the unidentified ships entering Milne Bay are unfriendly and opens fire. The target is a Destroyer Sentai commandered by RADM Raizo Tanaka stationed on the CL Naka with 7 DDs attending. The initial engagement is fleeting, neither side suffering damage. Tanaka has lost surprise and retires but not before the DD Kiji is hit by a torpedo fired from the Hobart at the very end of its run.

Tanaka turns back towards the allied TF firing off long range torpedoes that don't manage to strike. A flurry of long range gunwork occurs damaging two more of Tanaka's Destroyers and Farragut on the allied side. Tanaka again withdraws and this time by some distance. He tries approaching from a different angle to get passed the gatekeepers and into the transports.

Radar operators on the allied flagship BB Maryland note the new unidentified contact and quickly recognise it as Tanaka back again - one of the enemy DDs is still on fire. Maryland then begins one of the most blistering gun displays of the war so far. She hits Naka, Tanaka aboard, with 5 - 16 inch rounds detonating the forward main magazine and turning Naka into a blazing fireball. RADM Raizo Tanaka is killed instantly. Maryland then turns to the escorting DDs and hits two more with 16 inch rounds. The other allied ships join in and of the 8 Jap warships that start this round of battle only two emerge. Returning Jap fire concentrates on the Heavy cruisers Portland, Chester and Astoria. They are unable to penetrate the armour of the heavier ships.

The surviving Jap Destroyers: Wakatake and Mochizuki put on full speed and escape towards the East. Here also their luck runs out when they intercept the late returning destroyer squadron of CL Concord and 4 DDs (minus Tromp and Enterprise hit the day before). They fight valiantly, including putting a torpedo into the stern of the French DD - Le Triomphant but are both destroyed by gunfire.

On about day 6 the Japs at last get an air raid on the port at GG. 70 A6M3 and A6M3a fighters escorting 20 Betties. GG has been bolstered by engineering units and aviation units. Land based fighters in the form of P-40B Tomahawks, and Kittyhawks are in attendence. Both sides take strips out of each other and the bombers manage to plant an 800kg bomb into Leander and Colorado (which made it back to port) - Leander is scuttled.

Since then the plan has been to build up GGs airbase to size 5. P-38s had been moved in along with some Aussie divebombers. Herb tried to move shipping to Buna and the divebombers get their first strikes of the war sinking two APs.

So all in all things have gone very well indeed for the allied war effort. In Burma Herb pulled a fast one retiring from Mandalay. I sent all the troops across the river taking Pagan airbase and moving further south. Herb then turned his troops around and attacked me in the open. His troops are still superior to mine and I am forced to retreat to Pagan. I thought there was a large chance I could be cut off at Pagan so I retired back to Mandalay. Herb recaptures Pagan and we are back to where we started. There was one point of note: I attacked Raheing airbase after he supported his counterattack on my Mandalay based forces from here. The P-38s that escorted the raid smash rising Tojos and Tonys in a ridiculously one sided fight. One P-38 is lost for the destruction of about 35 fighters in the air and then a further 25 on the ground. P-38s are good machines and the pilots in this case average over 75 experience but this result seems a little ridiculous.

In China Herb has had trouble getting troops out of the trap NE of Homan. He broke through and re-established contact but could not get the troops to move any further than 59 miles out of a hex. We have therefore called a truce so he can get his troops back. We can't let the game's foibles ruin our experience.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 235
RE: Progress - 5/11/2006 9:02:52 PM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline 		Wobbly - glad you're back at it. Looks like you're kicking some A too!

I like this format better than the combat reports.

Good hunting Bro'.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 236
RE: Progress - 5/29/2006 4:36:36 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Hey Witpqs - thanks for your interest. I must admit that I have continued writing this purely for herb to catch up on when we finish. I hadn't thought anyone else looked at it. Nice to see i was wrong.

Another of my "long time between drinks" updates. This time for good reason as things have gone slowly while consolidated the gains in Apamama and Gili Gili.

Apamama is now a size 5 airstrip and regular bombing of Tarawa has gone ahead from this airstrip and from Baker Island. The relatively small number of casualties this has caused lends me to believe there are many combat troops there away from the port or airstrip. I still really want to take Tarawa - it is the best location for a southerly harbour for a push into the Gilberts. So 3 Divisions are building their prep points to assault the place - hopefully this will be enough. I note that Herb appears to be trying to offload some of the troops in subs. This is fine - less there is less to oust - although I will station an ASW group there to make this job more difficult.

The new initiatives in the Gilberts are as follows: taking Majuro - which doesn't appear to even be occupied having never increased it's facilities and capacity. This will put most of the other islands in the group under direct range of heavy and medium bombers. The real nail in the coffin though is the planned assault on Eniwetok. If I can take this Island the Gilberts are isolated, Truk threatened and the Marshalls within strike range. Herb has heavily reinforced the Marshals - to the point of them being impregnable really - I have unit counts of 20, 21 and 15 on the islands in this chain respectively. He does not want me going that way. Herb must be weak elsewhere if he has so heavily defended the Marshals. I am actually leaning on this location being the Gilberts - he doesn't really appear to have built them up like I would expect. This may mean I have an easy run of the Gilberts and a hellish next move.

Down south Gili Gili is now a size 5 airstrip/ 4 port. Most of the damaged ships that incurred damage have made the move to Oz, Noumea or New Zealand - this includes the New Mexico which has almost made it to Auckland. It has a sys damage rating of 87 so will not be in this war for a very long time. The 32nd Division moved onto the units that escaped from GG and with help from the bombers in Cooktown and GiliGili will hopefully force them to surrender. It depends on whether Herb has had them moving or standing still making forts. Either way they have no way of retreating so banzai charges will be the order of the day.
Other than some early raids Herb has not bought his airforces out to play against GG. My P-40s and P-38s took a beating while handing one out in return and a sweep and heavy bomber strike of Lae was very profitable. After this Herb seems to have retired his planes to safer locations. This is his usual trick - keep them out of harms way until I try a push then move them all forward to cause problems. I try to counter this by hitting all his airfields that he's likely to move planes to. Obviously the first invasion into an island group it is difficult to do this so this is why GG was a coup.
Herb has forced my lost PM defenders off the trail between PM and Buna. I think he is retreating from PM and evacuating them from Buna. I will be attacking any shipping trying to complete this with all the passion I can muster!

The real plan for this area though is to repeat the attack up the Solomons. This has been the bane of my existence in our UV game - but the UV game was scenario 19 where he gets almost the whole combined fleet! He wont be able to do that in this game. So invasions on Lunga and Tassafaronga with a follow up of Tulagi. I think Herb is retreating from here as well. In almost complete about face from the UV game he is trying to retire before I cut troops off. I don't think he quite realised how much of a pain all these behind the lines troops can be. Anyway, Lunga and Tassafaronga are slated to start in about a week. They have 5 fleet carriers, 5 Battleships, 3 CVLs and 4 CVEs in attendance. The attack on Lunga is especially powerful incorporating the 1st and 2nd Marines and another Division (which I can't recall the number of). They are all prepped to 100%. Tassafaronga has 1 unit in attendence and has a Marine raider Battalion and a marine tank unit tasked with its capture.

China has remained static. We are still both trying to retrieve our units from around Homan and it looks like this will be sorted out. Herb is having alot more trouble training his pilots here now as the AVG and their P-38s have made mincemeat of green pilots. I have even tried a few offensive missions against airbases with the Chinese bombers escorted by the AVG.

In Burma the Brits that retired back across the river to Mandalay have been recovering as well as a malaria infested location will allow. The japs sit across the river and have to contend with daily bombing out of Mandalay and Akyab along with the mosquitos. The Brits are actually going to try a diversion attack on Palembang. I have 3 Brit carriers now and plan to hit the undefended oil facilities with the Avengers and then trail my coat down the coast of Java. There is a very large contingent of ships in Batavia harbour that might like some attention too. I will take Battleships but I remember my game against PzB - trying to bombard Batavia and then persuade the ships to retire back through the straits between Sumatra and Java doesn't seem to be in the repertoire of the game. You DO NOT want your surface ships caught in the Java sea! The reason for this is to scare him about his resource locations, force him to move fighter units into the DEI and to get him thinking that I am going to start invading over in the DEI as well. I have to combat this tactic of retiring to shorten his lines of defense and he really can't afford to leave the DEI defenceless.

(in reply to witpqs)
Post #: 237
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