Hunting the Hibiki: Q-Ball (Allies) v Cuttlefish (Japan)

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, May 31,1943:

Jolo Turkey Shoot: Wow. I found Kido Butai; they appreared right off Palawan, and launched strikes at both my ships off Jolo, and also my CV TF off Tawi Tawi. LBA also attacked from Mindanao. I had a fair amount of CAP up over the ships; all my CVEs were set to 40% LRCAP over Jolo, as well as about 50 fighters at Tawau. The result was a Turkey Shoot for the Allies.

The Japanese lost nearly 250 planes, all IJN. I lost about 50 CV fighters. No hits were scored.

PBYs spotted at least 2 surface TFs though with KB, and within easy attack range of Jolo. All my infantry is ashore, so the APAs are all picking up anchor and fleeing; a handful of LSTs will stay and unload supplies, but most transports are gone. The RN will hang out, a night action wouldn't be a bad thing. CVs will stay in position to nail any damaged ships in the day phase.

Ketapang: With this action, I figure it will be at least a week before KB can replenish those lost planes. I am loading a quick invasion up for Ketapang; 2 Bdes are prepped, it's go time while the IJN is on the other side of Borneo.

This was a good turn for the Allies

[aprezto]

Hmm, I thought turkey shoots were almost impossible now. Did they get through and just didn't hit, or did they not get through?

[JohnDillworth]

CVs will stay in position to nail any damaged ships in the day phase.

KB has got to be low on strike aircraft. If they are still around why not aggressively engage with you carriers? These carriers were built to go 32 knots for a reason.

[FatR]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

Hmm, I thought turkey shoots were almost impossible now. Did they get through and just didn't hit, or did they not get through?

Depends on the circumstances. I had a carrier battle in my PBEM when strikes from both sides were eliminated down to the last attack plane. But in that case poor coordination played a role.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, June 1, 1943:

COMMENTS: I should have sent the CV's forward, but I didn't have a surface combat TF to cover them. If they stumbled into an IJN surface force, and there were plenty, then it would have been ugly. That's the only reason, because I didn't fear an air threat.

On the Turkey Shoot? Not sure why our shooting was so good. We had alot of Hellcats, good pilots, everyone rested, maybe those were factors.

Night Battle of Jolo: This round went to the Empire. A large BB force engaged my 3 RN BBs, in a flat-out square off. First though they raked a cruiser TF, sinking Astoria and Exeter, along with a USN DD. They next bumped into the BBs, sinking Resolution outright, and damaging Royal Sovereign to the point that I'll probably just withdraw it (she was due in a few months anyway). Only 1 R-Class BB emerged unscathed. Oh yeah, they did also sink 6 LSTs unloading, but thankfully I had withdrawn the precious APAs. I can affort LST losses.

During the day phase, we did inflict some pain back, sinking 3 damaged ships; 2 modern DDs, plus CA Maya.

Overall, 1 lost 2 CA, 1 DD, and a BB, in exchange for 1 CA and 2 DD. I lost, but the BB is no big deal (she is due for withdrawl anyway), and those IJN CAs are valuable; I want to take down all I can.

Next Steps: The good news is that Jolo should fall shortly; first attack was 2-1 and dropped the forts. The landing on Tawi Tawi was successful and noone is home, so that falls tommorow. I have support TFs that will start unloading at both bases in a couple days.

I am moving back the CVs, to cover a landing on Ketapang. Cuttlefish needs to re-load KB, and I think I can get to Ketapang before that happens. If that base falls, I will be within Beaufort range of Palembang, if I can get an AIR HQ there.

[Chickenboy]

Q-ball,

WRT the damaged BB, I (vaguely) recall a rule about overall damage having to be less than 50% (and no fires) before a ship can be withdrawn. Will this be an issue? Will you be able to withdraw her?

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Q-ball,

WRT the damaged BB, I (vaguely) recall a rule about overall damage having to be less than 50% (and no fires) before a ship can be withdrawn. Will this be an issue? Will you be able to withdraw her?

Damage is about 25%; she'll be fine. I might repair her, we'll see what the repair estimate is, but I suspect it won't be worth it. I already withdrew HMS Revenge in a damaged state.

London isn't happy with me, but what can you do....sell them to the Russians, they're desperate.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

London isn't happy with me, but what can you do....sell them to the Russians, they're desperate.

Sell London to the Russians?!? [X(] I like your thinking, Q-ball. [;)]

[Q-Ball]

Clarification: I do not advocate, in any way, the selling, leasing, renting, transfer, or assignment of any kind of the City of London or any parts thereof to the Soviet Union. We'll sell a couple broken BBs for gold, though!

Combat Report, June 2-6, 1943

Ketapang: I had mentioned the move on Ketapang. I sent 2 Bdes on APAs, covered by cruisers, and moved CVs forward to both cover, and see what I could nail around Palembang. More on that in a moment, but the landing at Ketapang was unoppossed; it will fall tommorow.

Ketapang will not be easy to supply and get stuff to, but really threatens Palembang.

Air Raids on Palembang: Our CVs launched multiple strikes on multiple TFs; overall, we sank 20 ships, all of them escorts or small Tankers. We did get a couple Ootoris, which are high-value escorts, plus Std-C Tankers, over 10 small tankers, and a couple AKs. We also sank 3 PBs, 2 DMSs, 3 other Es, basically a collection of escorts.

It was interesting that I found no large capacity tankers; is Cuttlefish shuttling fuel to Singapore, and then lifting it from there? Not sure.

Jolo: I finished unloading base troops at Jolo, and have a TF there unloading supplies. From the direction of Manila, there are 2 IJN Surface TFs apparently bearing down on Jolo. Here is the plan:

1. All transports pick up and leave
2. Jolo is stacked with Dive Bombers
3. PTs are stationed at Jolo

I am hoping that the PTs use up enough OPS points on those ships that they linger within 7 hexes of Jolo, and get nailed with 1000lb bombs.

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, June 7-12, 1943: I havent' updated this AAR in awhile, mostly because my other game has been quite interesting. In this one, mostly I'm moving convoys; but heavy lifting is getting things done!

Ketapang: I am now unloading 4 engineer units at Ketapang, plus supplies. Once I am done, I will leave them alone to build a large base. This move is very key, I would also like to grab Pontianak (empty), and Billiton (also empty). I have units prepping for both spots. We are now getting very close to Singapore, which is uncomfortable for both of us: Contact is sure to happen.

I managed this move while KB was "reloading", but I am surprised I haven't seen surface ships. I have so many under repair right now from torps hits that I am short; something like 8 BBs, though I am starting to get a few back. Ketapang is within 8 hexes, i.e. Torp-carrying Beaufort Range (and I have about 60 of them) of Palembang and the approaches to Palembang. It's within 10 hexes of Singapore, easy reach for 4Es to close the airstrip and harbor.

Sandakan: I am also building at Sandakan. I want to open the Palawan Passage shortly around Kudat/Jessleton, because then I can "Release the Hounds", i.e. allow my Carriers to roam free in the South China Sea. A large USN CV group there would effectively close all Oil Shipments, and probably catch some convoys.

Troops are almost ready for Kudat, and I have a Marine Div 100% prepped for Zamboanga, ready to land in a couple days.

Battle of the Shipyards: INDIANA has completed repairs. COLORADO is 2 months away; another 6 BBs are headed to port. I have had a real problem with this. I do have alot of cruisers still, which helps. But I am avoiding surface combat with the IJN.

Anyone know exactly what those ARDs do? I have one headed to the DEI.

[Smeulders]

They can repair all flood damage (major and minor), for ships up to a certain size, depending on the size of the ARD.

[CaptBeefheart]

ARDs do only flotation damage. I don't think there's a size limitation--I used one for the North Carolina.

[Canoerebel]

I have three ARD at Darwin.  I haven't gotten a handle on them yet, but they don't seem to handle bigger ships - I haven't been able to get CA Astoria (76 FLT damage) repaired using them.  So my early suspicion is that they can't handle bigger ships.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I have three ARD at Darwin.  I haven't gotten a handle on them yet, but they don't seem to handle bigger ships - I haven't been able to get CA Astoria (76 FLT damage) repaired using them.  So my early suspicion is that they can't handle bigger ships.

Any benefit to using them at a base with a repair yard? IIRC, there is an additive function by which the ARDs distribute their abilities to ships disbanded in a repair yard, regardless of how small.

[Canoerebel]

That's a thought.  I have another ARD that's on the way to Oz from West Coast.  I'll send it to Brisbane or Sydney to see if it helps.
 
But those ARD ships move slow - 5 knots!
 
P.S.  Q-Ball, I hope this exchange of ARD info isn't hijacking your thread.  I figured you might benefit from the information.

[Smeulders]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I have three ARD at Darwin.  I haven't gotten a handle on them yet, but they don't seem to handle bigger ships - I haven't been able to get CA Astoria (76 FLT damage) repaired using them.  So my early suspicion is that they can't handle bigger ships.

They should be able to, they have a capacity of 55, meaning they should be able to handle ships up to 55000 Tonnage. I do think you need to have an AR in the same port for them to work, but don't quote me on that.

[witpqs]

How about ship upgrades that require a shipyard can ARD's handle them?

[Q-Ball]

COmbat Report, June 13-17, 1943:

Still quiet all around; maybe KB is still loading planes, no idea, but we are just about done at Ketapang. Even if he comes out and destroys my CVs, I'll still be the catbird seat there. Singapore is going to become untenable if I can get one or two more bases up there.

Zamboanga: I landed the 2nd Marines on Zamboanga. Noone home, so we should have an airbase running shortly. With Zamboanga fallen, I have a small unit headed to Kudat/Jesselton. That corner of Borneo appears unoccupied, so I will occupy it...which should clear one part of the Palawan passage.

I am also starting to prep units for the Phillipine Archipelago. There are far too many bases there to defend on the ground, so establishing a presence shouldn't be too tough. We are starting to buzz around and see what's available.

Operation Freak Out: I have moved a single Liberator Recon plane to Changsha, where tommorow it will buzz Hiroshima. That should freak out the Fish! From Changsha it actually has the range to get to Osaka (Tokyo is just out of reach unfortunately). I love those planes!

[Venividivici10044]

Q-ball; if you have enough planes to hurt KB (should it arrive); I'd land at Billiton in a moment.

As I've said before, phenominal AAR!!!  I wish you could both win this one!

[bjfagan]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Operation Freak Out: I have moved a single Liberator Recon plane to Changsha, where tommorow it will buzz Hiroshima. That should freak out the Fish! From Changsha it actually has the range to get to Osaka (Tokyo is just out of reach unfortunately). I love those planes!

Oh, you gotta love PSYOPS!! Very devilish of you.