Operation Northern Thunder. Was:2 years and counting

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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House Stark
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by House Stark »

ORIGINAL: buckaroo13
Is this true even in '45? I'm rocking the late model HellDiver, TBFs, Corsairs and F5f-3 Hellcats. All of them have a normal operating range that is 8 or under?

I'm pretty sure it's a hard-coded limit. Meaning that no matter if the aircraft normally has a greater range, when operating from a carrier, Japanese planes are limited to 8 hexes, and Allied aircraft to 7. For better or worse, it's a part of the game and as the Allied player, you have to keep your carriers moving to minimize the odds of such an occurrence.
jmalter
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by jmalter »

IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight.
buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I find it very hard to get good results bombing tanks, even from low level. However, strafing/bombing attacks by fighters seem to be much better at actually hitting vehicles.

I'm not sure what your talking about BB, is this comment meant for another thread?
buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

ORIGINAL: House Stark
I'm pretty sure it's a hard-coded limit. Meaning that no matter if the aircraft normally has a greater range, when operating from a carrier, Japanese planes are limited to 8 hexes, and Allied aircraft to 7. For better or worse, it's a part of the game and as the Allied player, you have to keep your carriers moving to minimize the odds of such an occurrence.

If that's true it would explain some of my woes!

Is that in a rulebook or something were I can look it up?
Seems like a pretty big limitation and something that should be made pretty obvious is game.

buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

ORIGINAL: jmalter

IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight.

Thanks jmalter.

I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000
Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25

House Stark
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by House Stark »

I'm not sure if the 8 hex strike is mentioned in the rulebook. I've learned about it through reading AARs where it happened and the resulting discussions. I think there was one AAR (PzB vs Andy Mac, perhaps?) where the Japanese successfully pulled off the 8 hex strike multiple times to devastating effect.
jmalter
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by jmalter »

ORIGINAL: buckaroo13
ORIGINAL: jmalter
IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight.
Thanks jmalter.
I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000
Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25
The 2 different altitude settings will divide your strike, & divide your escorts. It'd be better to bring the entire strike package in at your preferred DB-attack altitude. TBs will automatically break out to make their NavT attacks at ~200'. Escorting Fs should also be set to the same 10-15k' altitude as the DBs, for best coordination - set all Escort Fs & TBs to match the DB altitude. I don't think it helps to assign Escorts to a variety of altitudes, they'll coordinate better when set to the same altitude as the strike planes. These Escorting Fs 'fly' at 2k' above their assigned altitude, providing at least some protection from high-alt enemy CAP.

As best I know, there's no advantage in trying to provide 'stacked Escort' to a strike (combined NavB/NavT) mission. Altitude-stacking is a defensive CAP/LRCAP tactic, but won't help an offensive strike.
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BBfanboy
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: jmalter
ORIGINAL: buckaroo13
ORIGINAL: jmalter
IMO, a CV-based strike should set all DBs, TBs & Fs to the same altitude - 10-15k', to maximize your Fs ability to protect against enemy CAP. I drive all my CV Escort & CAP fighters w/ droptanks, in a (perhaps mistaken) belief that it improves their endurance in a fight.
Thanks jmalter.
I've been setting my torpedo planes to 5 - 6,000 feet and my Dive bombers at 12,000
Escorts I try to stack at 10,15,20,25
The 2 different altitude settings will divide your strike, & divide your escorts. It'd be better to bring the entire strike package in at your preferred DB-attack altitude. TBs will automatically break out to make their NavT attacks at ~200'. Escorting Fs should also be set to the same 10-15k' altitude as the DBs, for best coordination - set all Escort Fs & TBs to match the DB altitude. I don't think it helps to assign Escorts to a variety of altitudes, they'll coordinate better when set to the same altitude as the strike planes. These Escorting Fs 'fly' at 2k' above their assigned altitude, providing at least some protection from high-alt enemy CAP.

As best I know, there's no advantage in trying to provide 'stacked Escort' to a strike (combined NavB/NavT) mission. Altitude-stacking is a defensive CAP/LRCAP tactic, but won't help an offensive strike.

Sounds reasonable, and that would support the idea that some squadrons should be set to CAP only while others are designated to escort the strike. I would do that within the same TF, since trying to link up between two TFs increases the chance of link failure.

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

Thanks for the help. I will try these next time. Of course it may all be for naught if my planes don't take off in the first place.

It might be sooner rather than later as it looks like the KB is snooping around looking for survivors.
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BBfanboy
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: buckaroo13

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I find it very hard to get good results bombing tanks, even from low level. However, strafing/bombing attacks by fighters seem to be much better at actually hitting vehicles.

I'm not sure what your talking about BB, is this comment meant for another thread?
WTH? How did that comment end up here? I made it using the Reply Button in another thread, and I only keep one thread at a time open.
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buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

Big Developments but I wanted to get caught up here on what's been happening.
When I left off I suffered another carrier defeat in July of '44.

It is now June 30th 1945 and I've begun my biggest operation of the war.
Before I get to that though, just a tactical update.

The last year has been a slow and rough slog, I've managed to secure Java and am knocking on the door at Palembang.
I've got a toe hold in the Philippines.

I've done some bombing of the home islands from China but fighter cover and effective counter attacks on my airfield have slowed down the process

I've had another disastrous carrier battle, didn't lose any but had many Essex class put into yards for months.
Still having a coordination and lack of attack aircraft launching in any significant numbers.
The KB is still a very real threat.

In India/Burma I've bypassed Rangoon and am mired in ground combat. It will be several months before I can start moving towards Singapore.

With Recon from China (Love those recon B-29s) I've been searching for the weak ink in the Japanese defense.
The Philippines is packed with troops. Formosa and Okinawa look like floating fortresses. The Marianas also look like they will be wall to wall Japanese.

The only weak link I could find would be the northern Islands and Hokkaido. They seemed sparsely defended.

It took about 6 months of game planning to get to a point where I was ready to launch the invasion. Today is that Day.

Image

I've been building a diversion force to threaten Manilla. It seemed to have worked.
Battle Report next entry!
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paullus99
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by paullus99 »

Very nice - if he's defending the perimeter with everything he's got, the Home Islands would be looking a bit threadbare.....
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buckaroo13
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RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

June 30th 1945

It's late in the war and I'm still about 5000 points behind my Japanese opponent.

The Build up. I started collecting forces at the beginning of '45. It took about 6 months to get everyone marshalled to Pearl Harbor and I'm planning multiple division landing at several cities in Hokkaido and along the Kurile Islands. In Total I've earmarked 12 Infantry Divisions, many regiments and as many Combat Engineer formations as I could.I pulled my fleet carriers out of the Northern OZ after a disastrous carrier exchange but with new construction coming in my Carrier fleet is still pretty strong. Only 1 Essex class carrier will sit out the invasion.

Rough numbers of the invasion force are
12 CVs
6 CVLs
18 CVEs (I've lost a ton of these guys)
7 Battleships
20 Cruisers
100 Destroyers
100 Destroyer Escorts
200 AKs
100 APAs/AP
50 auxiliaries like AE, AO and Tankers.


The Diversion

I'd recently captured Puerto Princesa on Palawen, just a stone's throw from Manila. As my Invasion fleet crept slowly from Midway to the Northern Island I build up my presence here. Usually Gebede will respond with Carriers and a Surface fleet sweeping in, looking for Merchants. I scrapped together mostly British Carrier support, a large surface task force and a large group of AKs and a handful of transports. Hopefully his recon would see this and he will pull units out of position for my real attack.

My recon detected carriers East of the Philippines right on schedule.
I wanted to launch a Bombardment of Manila and then faint an invasion.

Right on queue my Bombardment task force ran into a Japanese task force heading to Puerto Princesa.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Taytay at 76,82, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 3 destroyed
E8N2 Dave: 3 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
CA Tone, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
CA Haguro, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
CA Nachi, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

DD Natsuzuki, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Okinami, Shell hits 2
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 2
DD Keyaki, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Odake, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
DD Hatsuzakura, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Kaba, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 1
BB Iowa, Shell hits 3
BB New Jersey, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
BB Howe, Shell hits 2
BB King George V, Shell hits 1
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 4
BC Renown, Shell hits 3
CL Bermuda, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Columbia, Shell hits 3
CL Miami, Shell hits 4, on fire
CLAA Royalist, Shell hits 1
DD Taussig, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Heermann, Shell hits 2
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ross
DD Sigsbee, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Wedderburn, Shell hits 3
DD Yarnall, Shell hits 1
DD Whelp, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Wrangler



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB Queen Elizabeth at 30,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB King George V at 30,000 yards


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The Japanese were hopelessly outgunned and the Hiei and her attending cruisers are all sunk.
the New Jersey took some heavy hits but even then the DD Whelp would be the only Allied ship to sink from this battle.

I should note that this particular Japanese task force has been the bane of my existence for at least a year and in hunting it down cost be many CVEs and at least two Carrier engagements lost.

Later that day the British flat tops launch on the stragglers and provide the most successful carrier based attack of the war for me.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 76,82

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes


Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 21
Barracuda II x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 3 damaged
Barracuda II: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Oyashio, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Nowaki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Odake, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Natsuzuki, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Kaba, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Kiyonami, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Keyaki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yukikaze, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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Maybe it's fog of war but we report over 10 torp hits on 9 different destroyers, sinking all of them. In one day the entire Japanese Task force is gone. Where have these Torpedo Pilots been my whole life?!

Other than B-29 raids on most large airfields on the main Philippines islands nothing else happens. The Carriers that I spotted yesterday do not show up. I suspect they have turned around and are racing towards my landing sites in Hokkaido

The Landings

I screwed up my beautiful formations by having task forces follow other task forces and get bogged down waiting for stragglers. So instead on one big blob they are more spread out than I'd like.

Image

Ships coming in find a couple of Japanese merchants.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Kushiro at 124,54, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TK Hishi Maru #2, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
TK Juko Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
TK Kaijo Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
TK Nissho Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Atlantic Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Borneo Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Bengal Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Ceylon Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk


Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Nevada
BB Arkansas
BB New York
BB Texas
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
DD Anthony
DD Aulick
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Dyson
DD Gregory
DD Haggard
DD Hailey
DD Halford


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They go down without a fight but I've spent precious ammo on them. Not what I wanted.

Air attacks are so light as to be non-existent.
CVE cover of the Kushiro landing group handles then easily

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 10



Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 39
Seafire L.III x 16
Wildcat V x 12
FM-2 Wildcat x 66
F4U-1D Corsair x 33
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27
F6F-5 Hellcat x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 10



Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 39
Seafire L.III x 16
Wildcat V x 12
FM-2 Wildcat x 66
F4U-1D Corsair x 33
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27
F6F-5 Hellcat x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

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I find a small Japanese Surface fleet that appears to be trolling for my transports, My Fleet carriers launch a piddly attack.
The same problem that I've had all game with these guys seems to be happening again. 4 Carrier task forces, 1200 planes and I get 26 bombers to launch.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 124,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 64
SB2C-5 Helldiver x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-5 Helldiver: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yaezakura
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 3



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C-5 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
11 x SB2C-5 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb


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They hit the Kumano a couple of times but not fatally.


In the matter of full disclouser the Japanese do have a successful air raid. Vals hitting one of my Supply fleets. I don't see any carriers and I suspect these are land based.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 122,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
D3A1 Val x 24



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Joseph Lee, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Louis A. Sengteller, Bomb hits 1
xAK John Adams, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Katharine Sherwood, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Lawrence Gianella, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Leslie M. Shaw
xAK John Burke
xAK John C. Calhoun, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

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Not sure what the "Carrier support unable to supply air cover" message means, can anyone shed light on that?

Finally my Kushiro Task forces start to unload.
I land the better part of 2 divisions and the Japanese bombardment attack reveals what I am facing at Kushiro.
I breath a sigh of Relief.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kushiro (123,53)

TF 162 troops unloading over beach at Kushiro, 123,53


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 98th Infantry Div /3
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 98th Infantry Div /4


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Ground combat at Kushiro (123,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1062 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 14363 troops, 418 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 767

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
73rd Field AA Battalion
63rd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
81st Infantry Div /8
98th Infantry Div /8
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I fully expect to get hammered over the next day or two. So this may be the Allies High Water mark!
I end up only losing 1 destroyer and give the Japanese thier biggest single day loss of the war.

I expect massive Kamakazi attacks and for KB to show up in the next day or two. I'm just hoping I can land enough stuff in time.
It's going to get ugly before it gets better!
buckaroo13
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:27 pm

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

July 1st 1945

Here we go. Day two continues much like day one. My landings at Kushiro, Bihoro and Etorofu are virtually unopposed.

I seemed to have kicked a hornets nest in China with my B-29s, so a lot of fighter sweeps over Changsha for today.

My Diversion in the Philippines is trying to lay low. Pulling the cripples from the front line but keeping my British Carrier Groups close enough to respond if he attempts a massive pull out of the area.

Northern Japan

Loading is uneventful. After yesterdays cakewalk I decided to hold of naval bombardments of Kushiro, figuring I might want to conserve my ammo for naval engagements. I've got AEs on the way but still a couple of days out and even then I don't think they can replenish BB ammo.

Air attacks arrive, mostly piecemeal and not in the numbers I expected.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Bihoro at 123,51

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
D3A1 Val x 24



Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 62
F6F-3 Hellcat x 112
F6F-5 Hellcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 13 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 28



Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 39
Seafire L.III x 16
Wildcat V x 12
FM-2 Wildcat x 66
F4U-1D Corsair x 33
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27
F6F-5 Hellcat x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 3



Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 36
Seafire L.III x 16
Wildcat V x 11
FM-2 Wildcat x 63
F4U-1D Corsair x 30
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25
F6F-5 Hellcat x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Nates, Vals and Zeros only. I'm not seeing any high end fighters here. The Last deployment of Franks was in the Philippines. Where is his airforce?

A couple of small groups of planes gets past CAP scoring some minor hits.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ominato at 123,60

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK S. Hall Young, Bomb hits 1
xAK Ralph Barnes
xAK Peter White, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK R. C. Brennan
xAK Patrick S. Mahony



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Peter White

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my airforce has been busy as well, gaining after the Cruiser Kumano. It's the largest Japanese ship I've seen so far.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 122,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 13


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yaezakura
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo


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

My Shock attack at Kushiro goes in an captures the city with little trouble.
Japanese bombardment of my landing at Bihoro reveals and equally pitiful defense.
I fully expect Bihoro to fall tomorrow as well.

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Ground combat at Bihoro (123,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1057 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 16735 troops, 404 guns, 395 vehicles, Assault Value = 731

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Assaulting units:
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
27th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
7th Infantry Div /6
119th USAAF Base Force /1
178th USAAF Base Force /2
Twentieth USAAF /2
194th USAAF Base Force /1


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Ground combat at Kushiro (123,53)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1057 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 23130 troops, 434 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 1026

Japanese ground losses:
677 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
73rd Field AA Battalion
63rd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
81st Infantry Division
98th Infantry Division
XIV Corps Combat Engr Rgt /6


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Ground combat at Kushiro (123,53)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 16936 troops, 422 guns, 234 vehicles, Assault Value = 1026

Defending force 1250 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 677

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 61 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kushiro !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 12 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
643 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (28 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
98th Infantry Division
81st Infantry Division
XIV Corps Combat Engr Rgt /6

Defending units:
73rd Field AA Battalion
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
63rd JAAF AF Bn

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All told the Japanese lose about 200 aircraft today, Allied losses are at 30.
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I know that the KB is on it's way and the lack of serious air opposition means he might be building up for a hammer blow or have I caught him completely off guard?

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buckaroo13
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:27 pm

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

July 2 1945

D+2

Yesterday was good.

Today would see the biggest opposition to my landings at Wakkanai. I didnt provide a lot of cover, only a couple of DEs and the Transports pay the price.

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Invasion Support action off Wakkanai (122,48)

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
APA Chilton, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
APA Fremont
APA Henrico
APA Menard


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell at 19,000 yards
10cm T98 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell at 19,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA Chilton at 19,000 yards
10cm T98 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell at 19,000 yards
10cm T98 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell at 19,000 yards
APA Chilton fired at enemy guns
APA Fremont fired at enemy guns
APA Henrico fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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

landings at Kushiro and Bihoro continue


I launch a bombardment at Hakodate in order to supress the airfield there. My Surface Taskforce runs into multiple AK Fleets. All told sinking about a dozen AK and tankers. By the time I actually bombard my ammo is already depleted.

Air Attacks from the Japanese are reduced to a trickle but I do take losses.



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ominato at 123,60

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N1 Kate x 17



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Ovid Butler, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Opie Read
xAK R. C. Brennan, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Oliver Kelley, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Samar, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK R. C. Brennan
Massive explosion on xAK Oliver Kelley

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Bihoro at 123,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 3



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APA Natrona, Kamikaze hits 1
APA Tazewell, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-27b Nate flying as kamikaze
---------------------------------------------

My Aircarft go after more Japanese Transports

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hakodate at 119,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 22
TBM-1C Avenger x 26
TBM-3 Avenger x 13


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Syunko Maru
xAK Daigen Maru
PB Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nitiho Maru
xAK Utide Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Munakata Maru
xAK Ryoka Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Ryuzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Sekiho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hakodate at 119,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 18
F4U-1D Corsair x 90
F4U-4 Corsair x 1
F6F-5 Hellcat x 5
SB2C-5 Helldiver x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 10
TBM-3 Avenger x 16


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Tosei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Daigen Maru, Torpedo hits 1
TK Amato Maru
xAK Ryoka Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamabuki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
TK Takekun Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Munakata Maru
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Oridono Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Koki Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kotohira Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E Aguni



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Ground combat at Wakkanai (122,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1408 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Defending force 19040 troops, 421 guns, 333 vehicles, Assault Value = 749

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled



Assaulting units:
Soya Fortress

Defending units:
93rd Infantry Division
32nd Infantry Div /6


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Ground combat at Bihoro (123,51)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 18203 troops, 403 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 1105

Defending force 833 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 426

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 426 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bihoro !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 11 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 8 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 8 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1187 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
34th Infantry Rgt /1
145th Infantry Rgt /1
9th Australian Division
2nd Marine Rgt /1
182nd Infantry Rgt /1
23rd Marine Rgt /1
119th USAAF Base Force
Twentieth USAAF /2
178th USAAF Base Force
194th USAAF Base Force /1

Defending units:
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
27th JNAF AF Unit


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Bihoro and Kushiro are both under allied Control and I've already have divisions marching inland. If landings continue to be unopposed for the next couple of days I will have over 12 divisions landed and in that case I anticipate securing the entire Northern Island by the end of July.
buckaroo13
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:27 pm

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by buckaroo13 »

I'll update this thread with AARs shortly but wanted to add the latest developments.

After a flurry of turns over the weekend I am now 2 weeks into the Invasion of Hokkaido.

Kushiro fell on D+1
Bihoro fell on D+2
Wakkanai fell on D+4
Muroran fell on D+7
Hakodate fell on D+11

From what I can tell none of these bases were very well developed and none had any Combat Strength (AV) higher than 50.

Troops racing inland found a rather large concentration of Japanese at Asahika. including 2 infantry divisions. Recon is reporting another large blob of Japanese at Sapporo. I don't have good intel on the Sapporo contingent yet but am starting recons this turn.

The Kurile Islands are all abandoned. and the 4 divisions I had earmarked for capturing them have re-embarked and are heading to or already unloading at Bohoro.

Over the last week base forces have landed at Bihoro and Kushiro and have started expanding the small ports and airfields. Kushiro's airfield is critical as in can be built up to size 9 for B-29s. Both Cities have local CAP, with 150 P-47s, 100 P-51s and 150 Marine Corsairs

Japanese Land based Air Response

I can't tell if the Infantry I've encountered at Asahika. was shipped in via Sapporo or always there.
I'm suspecting it was always there but not 100%

Japanese Land based air has been light. The biggest attacks have been 60 planes, from Zeros and Kates to Franks and Betties. They have hit a few convoys that were left exposed but I haven't lost much, and the ships I did lose were empty and leaving for home.

I'm beginning to seriously think that Gebede's entire northern front is not developed. He just doesn't have any large airfields close enough. I'm already stock piling B-24s on Hokkaido and reconing likely rally points. when I see them fill up I'll let fly with the bombers.

Soon I will be able to start regular sweeps over Japan in prep of the B-29s arriving.

Japanese Naval Response

the KB made a probing attack into my lines of supply of D+8 and D+9
they sank over 30 AKs but were hitting empty Cargo ships. I've already landed almost 500,000 supply points on Hokkaido.
I rallied my CVs to go after them but they withdrew, probably low on ammo.

Short Term Goals

I need to destroy the large infantry formations still on Hokkaido. I've got 8 US Infantry Divisions converging and they should be able to attack within the next week.

Air Fields need to be built up as well as Ports. Most empty transports are on the way back to Pearl to pick up additional base and aviation forces. I've got 700 Air Support points on Hokkaido but I'm sure I'll need more.

Long Term Goals

Get large airfields to run Bomber campaigns against the home islands (Any target suggestions would be appreciated). (Airfields, ports or manufacturing first?)

Get a large enough port to support my ships directly from Hokkaido. The more he moves north will help me in the Philippines.

Now, do I consider launching an invasion of the main island as soon as I clear Hokkaido? Maybe?

My other concern is the lack of response from Gebede. Either he is...
- totally demoralized and given up on it
- He's hording his units for a massive counter attack at Hokkaido
- He's hording his units for an attack elsewhere
- He's digging in on the main island

regards!









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paullus99
Posts: 1671
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2002 10:00 am

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

Post by paullus99 »

Secure the island & then burn the rest of Japan to the ground.....
Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...
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