8-9 Jan 43
Highlights – KB shows itself off Port Hedland!??!! Heavy air combat in the skies over Burma.
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 81
Allied: 52
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
-two more subs hit and dam by a/c, forced to head to PH for repairs
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB is sighted and launches strikes off Port Hedland – always good to know where the KB is – but it comes with a price…just hope it isn’t too heavy of a price this time.
West Coast/Admin, slow convoy departs for Auckland from LA.
In NOPAC, Buldir Island AF becomes active – level 3; SBDs and fighters are flown in.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, its pretty quiet. xAKLs unload at Kira without issue. US bombers drop aerial mines on Munda port (first use of aerial mining). With the KB off of Port Hedland, time to ramp up in SOPAC. First, will increase flow of supplies and additional engineers to Kirakira. CVs will provide distant cover from the eastern portion of the Coral Sea – ready to strike north if the IJN comes out. CA TF will cover increased transport flow of engineers. Also, will begin mustering APs in SOPAC to possibly advance the landing on Lunga/Tulagi if the KB stays away – and of course Kirakira is sufficiently advanced to provide support – to me, that’s a level 4 AF and forts with plenty of supply and avn support. In any case, will try and take advantage of the KB off the NW coast of OZ.
In SWPAC, L_S_T’s response to the Groote landings are the usual strikes by Ms. Betty – 33Z and 18B strike the TF, missing with bombs. P-38 LRCAP down 7Z and 5B without loss. All the Bettys miss (with bombs?) and the SeeBees land without issue. One AK and DD will remain offloading supplies, and a larger convoy with an AA Bn and Aussie Base Force will arrive next turn – and be protected by an increased LRCAP. I also expect a more vigorous response out of Darwin. LB-30s drop mines on Rabaul port. A small footnote, but which will have greater impact as the months progress, the first Allied airstrike, albeit a small strike of 4 B-26 bombers hits shipping off Hollandia – nothing is hit, but getting that first strike on the north coast of New Guinea is nice.
In WAUS, it gets interesting. First, the Sallys escorted by Oscar IIb again hit the lead Allied ground troops 80m west of Port Hedland – but this time are met by LRCAP of about a half dozen total P-39s, F4Fs and Kittyhawks – but the fighters get through to the bombers, downing 14 Sallys. The raids get through the CAP and drop their eggs, but damage is slight. More than enough damage is done by the KB which turns off its cloaking device to launch a large raid of 130Z, 153K, 89V - and, for the first time, 42 Judys. Needless to say, the small LRCAP is brushed aside, and the 2nd Aus Bde takes some pounding. L_S_T has sure surprised me not only with the with the KB being off Port Hedland, but with the KB launching such a large strike on ground troops in the desert. Frankly, I’m good with this – I know where the KB is now, and I’m in not yet in the close fight for Port Hedland. The raid hit the advance guard, the main body is still close to Exmouth, and protected by two AA Bns. Will see where the KB goes – I figure its going to hit Exmouth, so shipping is cleared, and fighter strength increased to about 70+ planes. The PBYs will switch to night search, and strike a/c will go to night hunting. Allied strength here isn’t much – and I’m not pulling fighters or strike a/c from SWPAC. Carnavon is also cleared of most shipping. Maybe my subs will get lucky.
In China, IJA air resumes bombing Chungking, Sonias escorted by what looks like a single element of Oscar IIb. Time to bring back the P-40s and see if I can disrupt the bombing.
In India/Burma, another busy day in the air along the Burma-India frontier. Heavy IJA LRCAP again, 38 Oscar IIb, 30 Tojo and 22 Tony again on the first day, but weather apparently grounds the LRCAP on day #2. Likewise, weather disrupts sweeps and Allied LRCAP on the first day. All in all, it wasn’t terrible – 20+ Oscar IIb (some Oscars were lost over OZ, so I’m not sure the exact number here), 6 Tojo, and 5 Tony lost in exchange for 9 P-40K, 2 P-39, 4 Kittyhawk, 3 Hurri and 2 Spits. And of course, the B-25s took it on the chin again – 7 are lost, and 2 B-24s to ops. Will need to rest the bombers and some fighters due to fatigue – but will keep the pressure on in the air with sweeps next turn.
LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: 8-9 Jan 43
I'm wondering why Port Hedland is so strategically valuable that the Japanese would risk or commit the KB to help guard it?
RE: 8-9 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: jwolf
I'm wondering why Port Hedland is so strategically valuable that the Japanese would risk or commit the KB to help guard it?
I'm asking myself the same thing...
Its a good base for an expanded AF which is why I want it - but didn't expect the KB to come out to defend it against an overland ground assault!
10-11 Jan 43
10-11 Jan 43
Highlights – KB continues to bludgeon Allied ground troops west of Port Hedland; Good day in the air!
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-154 – old, I-164 – new)
xAP: 1
xAK: 1 (old)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 122
Allied: 50
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CA Frobisher dam, offending sub reported sunk)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk, CV Junyo missed, US sub crippled)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv/Airborne Aslt:
Stewart Is: SOPAC
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Stewart Is: SOPAC
SIGINT/Intel: KB – looks like all the avail CVs, remains in Port Hedland waters.
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, I start pulling available APs from the Baker Is operation out of Theater back to SOPAC.
In SOPAC, it’s staying quiet. Kirakira getting supplies and troops offloaded without interference. US CV TF replenishes west of New Caledonia. Once Kira gets enough supply to allow drop tanks for P-38s, will look at a daylight raid on Munda. Continue to drop aerial mines on Munda, will also hit Tulagi and Lunga. Munda AF hit at night, 4 a/c destroyed on the ground. USMC Paras take Stewart Island without a fight – will be used as a PBY base. Attempting to consolidate amphibious shipping scattered throughout CENPAC, SOPAC and SWPAC to take advantage of known KB location off Port Hedland – will take a while….
In SWPAC, surprisingly, no air raids on ships off Groote. Bad weather perhaps? In any case, offloading continues as engineers struggle to level out an airstrip. Small IJN TF (CL) sighted in the Arafura Sea heading SE – either a resupply to Wessel/Gove, or a strike at the Groote landings. CL TF (CL, 6DD) and PTs protecting shipping off Groote. Expect both air and naval engagement next turn.
In WAUS, looks to be the full IJN CV complement operating in two TFs, that’s pounding advance troop deployments west of Port Hedland. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CA, 2CL, DDs) also bombards, but not very effective. Of course, all coastal resupply shipping has been shut down and the troops are taking losses. Of the four stacks of Allied troops between Port Hedland and Exmouth, two advance stacks have been pounded by air – and of course those two don’t have dedicated AA units. So, I’m actually hoping L_S_T sights the two western stacks (main body of the 41st Div and support) and attacks them – perhaps the AA will claw down some carrier planes. Other than subs getting lucky (Junyo missed by S-38 w/4 torps), or lucky night air attack, I’m not willing (or able) to divert enough airpower to contest the KB air armada. Ground troops will have to continue to soak up the attacks. But at least I know the carriers are!! To add to IJN fortunes, off Exmouth, CA Frobisher takes a single torp (22sys/30(29)float/15(10)eng). She’ll head back to Cape Town for repairs.
In China, IJA bombing of Chungking intercepted by P-40E CAP, along with two Chinese squadrons (Lancer and Vanguard) flying LRCAP out of Kweilang. A good day in the air!! 36 Sonias and about 20 Oscar IIb fall to the Allied fighters which lose a total of 3 Vanguards. Nice! Will get the undamaged P-40s out of Chungking and await another opportunity. On the negative side, IJA troops push one hex closer to isolating Chungking – only one gateway hex remains to the SW.
In India/Burma, another busy day in the air. Allied bombers sit, but fighters do well conducting sweeps with LRCAP assistance. Losses aren’t light though. End of two days, out of 8 Sentais engaged in LRCAP, 27 Oscar IIb, 7 Tojo, 5 Tony lost in exchange for 15 Hurri, 11 P-40K, 8 F4F, and 3 P-38E. Will send the bombers in next turn, along with another full court press of fighters as the ground troops make their initial assault. Will be bloody. Running out of P-38Es – single squadron in Theater down to about a dozen, and all the other P-38E in inventory are restricted – avail only in the Aleutians for combat. So…I’m going to pull a currently equipped P-39 squadron, upgradable to P-38G, out of WAUS to send to India.
Highlights – KB continues to bludgeon Allied ground troops west of Port Hedland; Good day in the air!
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-154 – old, I-164 – new)
xAP: 1
xAK: 1 (old)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 122
Allied: 50
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CA Frobisher dam, offending sub reported sunk)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk, CV Junyo missed, US sub crippled)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv/Airborne Aslt:
Stewart Is: SOPAC
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Stewart Is: SOPAC
SIGINT/Intel: KB – looks like all the avail CVs, remains in Port Hedland waters.
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, I start pulling available APs from the Baker Is operation out of Theater back to SOPAC.
In SOPAC, it’s staying quiet. Kirakira getting supplies and troops offloaded without interference. US CV TF replenishes west of New Caledonia. Once Kira gets enough supply to allow drop tanks for P-38s, will look at a daylight raid on Munda. Continue to drop aerial mines on Munda, will also hit Tulagi and Lunga. Munda AF hit at night, 4 a/c destroyed on the ground. USMC Paras take Stewart Island without a fight – will be used as a PBY base. Attempting to consolidate amphibious shipping scattered throughout CENPAC, SOPAC and SWPAC to take advantage of known KB location off Port Hedland – will take a while….
In SWPAC, surprisingly, no air raids on ships off Groote. Bad weather perhaps? In any case, offloading continues as engineers struggle to level out an airstrip. Small IJN TF (CL) sighted in the Arafura Sea heading SE – either a resupply to Wessel/Gove, or a strike at the Groote landings. CL TF (CL, 6DD) and PTs protecting shipping off Groote. Expect both air and naval engagement next turn.
In WAUS, looks to be the full IJN CV complement operating in two TFs, that’s pounding advance troop deployments west of Port Hedland. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CA, 2CL, DDs) also bombards, but not very effective. Of course, all coastal resupply shipping has been shut down and the troops are taking losses. Of the four stacks of Allied troops between Port Hedland and Exmouth, two advance stacks have been pounded by air – and of course those two don’t have dedicated AA units. So, I’m actually hoping L_S_T sights the two western stacks (main body of the 41st Div and support) and attacks them – perhaps the AA will claw down some carrier planes. Other than subs getting lucky (Junyo missed by S-38 w/4 torps), or lucky night air attack, I’m not willing (or able) to divert enough airpower to contest the KB air armada. Ground troops will have to continue to soak up the attacks. But at least I know the carriers are!! To add to IJN fortunes, off Exmouth, CA Frobisher takes a single torp (22sys/30(29)float/15(10)eng). She’ll head back to Cape Town for repairs.
In China, IJA bombing of Chungking intercepted by P-40E CAP, along with two Chinese squadrons (Lancer and Vanguard) flying LRCAP out of Kweilang. A good day in the air!! 36 Sonias and about 20 Oscar IIb fall to the Allied fighters which lose a total of 3 Vanguards. Nice! Will get the undamaged P-40s out of Chungking and await another opportunity. On the negative side, IJA troops push one hex closer to isolating Chungking – only one gateway hex remains to the SW.
In India/Burma, another busy day in the air. Allied bombers sit, but fighters do well conducting sweeps with LRCAP assistance. Losses aren’t light though. End of two days, out of 8 Sentais engaged in LRCAP, 27 Oscar IIb, 7 Tojo, 5 Tony lost in exchange for 15 Hurri, 11 P-40K, 8 F4F, and 3 P-38E. Will send the bombers in next turn, along with another full court press of fighters as the ground troops make their initial assault. Will be bloody. Running out of P-38Es – single squadron in Theater down to about a dozen, and all the other P-38E in inventory are restricted – avail only in the Aleutians for combat. So…I’m going to pull a currently equipped P-39 squadron, upgradable to P-38G, out of WAUS to send to India.
RE: 12-13 Jan 43
12-13 Jan 43
Highlights – KB stays off of Port Hedland hitting troops; Jpn air stands down in Burma
Jpn ships sunk: None
Jpn ships unsunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna – Blast!!!)
CL: 1 (Yubari)
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (S-41 hit twice by ASW a/c in the Solomons)
Air loss:
Jpn: 48
Allied: 29
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK hit)
SS Sawfish damaged by mine off Merak; S-41 sunk by ASW a/c
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost:
Sining (China)
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, more engineers delivered to Baker Is.
In SOPAC, continued quiet, other than subs. That will change next turn! Kirakira supplies now supports drop tanks, so P-38Gs are flown in. Along with F4Fs, will raid Munda next turn in support of the CVs heading into the Coral Sea to raid the port. Heavies out of Ndeni (B-17s) and Vanikoro (B-24s) will also participate. Recon reports 36 ships in Munda port….which seems a bit much, but will see what’s really there shortly.
In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, DDs) continues to head SE through the Arafuru Sea, apparently set on hitting shipping at Groote next turn. Its transit did not go unnoticed, and LBA out of Merauke was launched and did poorly – USMC SBD squadron scored zero hits, as did the B-26 squadron. Only the Dutch Mitchell II squadron (RAAF) scored with a single bomb hit on CL Abukuma, leaving her burning. At the end of the two day turn, the CL TF was near Gove, about to head south for the final night time run into Groote. Allied shipping and escorts will be cleared by then, two PT squadrons (4 PT ea) will remain to engage. Will see if Allied LBA does any better during the return trip out of the Arafura Sea. Once cleared, Allied shipping will return with additional engineers, currently staged on shipping off Normanton. This will be the last push of engineers to Groote, priorities will shift to Gove and Wessel Is.
In WAUS, KB air continues to pound troops – this time the full blow falls on the Aussie 2/7 Arm Reg, which loses some tanks and support troops. Kinda surprised that the KB hasn’t moved to hit Exmouth – the major supply source and base that is sustaining these ground troops. Major shipping is still staying clear of Exmouth, although I have resumed coastal resupply to the troops with a single xAKL and AM as escort.
In China, Sining, north of Lanchow falls to ground assault which isn’t too surprising. What was surprising, was that my three plane Vanguard LRCAP out of Lanchow managed to knock down 8 Lillys and producing the first Chinese pilot ace (7 kills total).
In India/Burma, the Jpn LRCAP appears to have stood down. Allied raids in support of the attack on the IJA’s 4th Div went unopposed, but the ground assault failed, although casualties were minimal for both sides. Will attack again next turn, again fully supported by air forces.
Highlights – KB stays off of Port Hedland hitting troops; Jpn air stands down in Burma
Jpn ships sunk: None
Jpn ships unsunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna – Blast!!!)
CL: 1 (Yubari)
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (S-41 hit twice by ASW a/c in the Solomons)
Air loss:
Jpn: 48
Allied: 29
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK hit)
SS Sawfish damaged by mine off Merak; S-41 sunk by ASW a/c
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost:
Sining (China)
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, more engineers delivered to Baker Is.
In SOPAC, continued quiet, other than subs. That will change next turn! Kirakira supplies now supports drop tanks, so P-38Gs are flown in. Along with F4Fs, will raid Munda next turn in support of the CVs heading into the Coral Sea to raid the port. Heavies out of Ndeni (B-17s) and Vanikoro (B-24s) will also participate. Recon reports 36 ships in Munda port….which seems a bit much, but will see what’s really there shortly.
In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, DDs) continues to head SE through the Arafuru Sea, apparently set on hitting shipping at Groote next turn. Its transit did not go unnoticed, and LBA out of Merauke was launched and did poorly – USMC SBD squadron scored zero hits, as did the B-26 squadron. Only the Dutch Mitchell II squadron (RAAF) scored with a single bomb hit on CL Abukuma, leaving her burning. At the end of the two day turn, the CL TF was near Gove, about to head south for the final night time run into Groote. Allied shipping and escorts will be cleared by then, two PT squadrons (4 PT ea) will remain to engage. Will see if Allied LBA does any better during the return trip out of the Arafura Sea. Once cleared, Allied shipping will return with additional engineers, currently staged on shipping off Normanton. This will be the last push of engineers to Groote, priorities will shift to Gove and Wessel Is.
In WAUS, KB air continues to pound troops – this time the full blow falls on the Aussie 2/7 Arm Reg, which loses some tanks and support troops. Kinda surprised that the KB hasn’t moved to hit Exmouth – the major supply source and base that is sustaining these ground troops. Major shipping is still staying clear of Exmouth, although I have resumed coastal resupply to the troops with a single xAKL and AM as escort.
In China, Sining, north of Lanchow falls to ground assault which isn’t too surprising. What was surprising, was that my three plane Vanguard LRCAP out of Lanchow managed to knock down 8 Lillys and producing the first Chinese pilot ace (7 kills total).
In India/Burma, the Jpn LRCAP appears to have stood down. Allied raids in support of the attack on the IJA’s 4th Div went unopposed, but the ground assault failed, although casualties were minimal for both sides. Will attack again next turn, again fully supported by air forces.
14-15 Jan 43
14-15 Jan 43
Highlights – US CVs hit Munda; heavy air battles in Burma and SOPAC
Jpn ships sunk:
AV: 1
AG: 1
SSX: 1
Allied ships sunk:
PT: 3
Air loss:
Jpn: 164
Allied: 121
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 2 ship hit (AG sunk, xAK hit)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, CVE TF (3CVE, CL, 4DD) arrives on map from Balboa enroute to Pearl. Will be used to provide fighter cover for future amph operations.
In SOPAC, the coordinated strike on Munda goes off with less than stellar results. Kirakira sweeps only launch in the first day’s PM turn, Heavies did minimal damage to the AF, and the Oscar CAP did well against USN CV strikes. Still, a large AV is sunk, and AGP crippled and about half a dozen barges sunk. Air losses weren’t light in the raid, but a counter strike by Oscars and Kates was massacred by CV’s CAP. With all the furballs over Munda and Burma, total air loss tallies in the screen shot below. Will pull the CVs back out of LBA fighter range to rest the pilots, and send in a CA TF to bombard Munda.
In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, 4DD) sinks a PT off Groote Eylandt, but finds no other shipping, does not bombard, and then retires – avoiding air and subs enroute back to Darwin. Will resume landing engineers next turn, and then look towards landing at Gove.
In WAUS, more heavy KB raids on the lead Allied elements west of Port Hedland. Two Allied subs fail to score against the IJN CV TF. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CL, DDs) bombard the Allied troops after brushing aside the PTs, sinking two. Casualites aren’t light, and the troops are slowly trying to move away from the coast. Still, really want the KB to remain here a few more turns…
In China, NSTR.
In India/Burma, another two days of busy air combat near the Burma-India frontier. Heavy losses for both sides, and the Allied ground assault is held, with light casualties for both sides – but the Allied troops need rest. Will stand down the air forces – the Brits can’t sustain the losses in either Hurris or pilots. The US fighters will rest for a turn or two, then will see about resuming sweeps. With these loses, I’ve decided to convert an Aussie based US P-39 squadron to P-38Gs, and ship them to India via Cape Town.
Highlights – US CVs hit Munda; heavy air battles in Burma and SOPAC
Jpn ships sunk:
AV: 1
AG: 1
SSX: 1
Allied ships sunk:
PT: 3
Air loss:
Jpn: 164
Allied: 121
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 2 ship hit (AG sunk, xAK hit)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, CVE TF (3CVE, CL, 4DD) arrives on map from Balboa enroute to Pearl. Will be used to provide fighter cover for future amph operations.
In SOPAC, the coordinated strike on Munda goes off with less than stellar results. Kirakira sweeps only launch in the first day’s PM turn, Heavies did minimal damage to the AF, and the Oscar CAP did well against USN CV strikes. Still, a large AV is sunk, and AGP crippled and about half a dozen barges sunk. Air losses weren’t light in the raid, but a counter strike by Oscars and Kates was massacred by CV’s CAP. With all the furballs over Munda and Burma, total air loss tallies in the screen shot below. Will pull the CVs back out of LBA fighter range to rest the pilots, and send in a CA TF to bombard Munda.
In SWPAC, IJN CL TF (CL, 4DD) sinks a PT off Groote Eylandt, but finds no other shipping, does not bombard, and then retires – avoiding air and subs enroute back to Darwin. Will resume landing engineers next turn, and then look towards landing at Gove.
In WAUS, more heavy KB raids on the lead Allied elements west of Port Hedland. Two Allied subs fail to score against the IJN CV TF. IJN BB TF (2BB, 2CL, DDs) bombard the Allied troops after brushing aside the PTs, sinking two. Casualites aren’t light, and the troops are slowly trying to move away from the coast. Still, really want the KB to remain here a few more turns…
In China, NSTR.
In India/Burma, another two days of busy air combat near the Burma-India frontier. Heavy losses for both sides, and the Allied ground assault is held, with light casualties for both sides – but the Allied troops need rest. Will stand down the air forces – the Brits can’t sustain the losses in either Hurris or pilots. The US fighters will rest for a turn or two, then will see about resuming sweeps. With these loses, I’ve decided to convert an Aussie based US P-39 squadron to P-38Gs, and ship them to India via Cape Town.
- Attachments
-
- 430115.jpg (194.99 KiB) Viewed 53 times
-
Jorge_Stanbury
- Posts: 4345
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
- Location: Montreal
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
A hell of a dogfight!
I am surprised to see that many Oscars in 43... are you playing PDU-OFF?
If not notice you can potentially use the Canadian squadrons if you are running out of Hurricanes. There are 2, they start attached to British carriers, but by now you should had withdrawn them.
So the trick is to change the Martlets for Canadian Hurricanes or P-40s.. and then you can make use of that significant pool.
I am surprised to see that many Oscars in 43... are you playing PDU-OFF?
If not notice you can potentially use the Canadian squadrons if you are running out of Hurricanes. There are 2, they start attached to British carriers, but by now you should had withdrawn them.
So the trick is to change the Martlets for Canadian Hurricanes or P-40s.. and then you can make use of that significant pool.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
A hell of a dogfight!
I am surprised to see that many Oscars in 43... are you playing PDU-OFF?
If not notice you can potentially use the Canadian squadrons if you are running out of Hurricanes. There are 2, they start attached to British carriers, but by now you should had withdrawn them.
So the trick is to change the Martlets for Canadian Hurricanes or P-40s.. and then you can make use of that significant pool.
Yeah, PDU-OFF. Oscars are still the primary IJA fighter.
With PDU-OFF, Canadians aren't much help. I've bought out two Canadian Kittyhawk squadrons to India, but planes are in short supply. Good for night fighters though. Plenty of Canadian Hurris restricted to Canada of course.
And some Martlets too, but there also in pretty short supply. With PDU-OFF, I've figured out that its the US that needs to provide fighters in India/Burma - including some USMC squadrons!
-
Jorge_Stanbury
- Posts: 4345
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
- Location: Montreal
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
With or without PDU US needs to provide significant support; either USAAF or USMC. Unless there is a deep thrust to Australia or the west coast, it is also the best strategy as there are simply too many US squadrons for the few island airfields in range of Japanese bases
I prefer to use the USAAF there but nothing wrong about sending the Marines
I prefer to use the USAAF there but nothing wrong about sending the Marines
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
With or without PDU US needs to provide significant support; either USAAF or USMC. Unless there is a deep thrust to Australia or the west coast, it is also the best strategy as there are simply too many US squadrons for the few island airfields in range of Japanese bases
I prefer to use the USAAF there but nothing wrong about sending the Marines
This is why I've MISSED your AAR Jorge! Your Magwe bomber offensive got me moving the Heavies to India - and I've also sent in additional fighters. The problem of course in Jan '43 is I'm just short airframes. For instance, my two USMC F4F squadrons(36 planes ea)in Theater have barely 20 planes between the two.
And I've learned the hard way that the British pilot pools and production are totally insufficient for sustained combat. Maybe I'll send some additional Aussie squadrons over?
But, yeah, fully agree India Burma is worth the extra squadrons. Just need more planes out of production...it will get there, couple of more months...
-
Jorge_Stanbury
- Posts: 4345
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
- Location: Montreal
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
With PDU-ON, I had the advantage, the significant advantage, that pretty much every B-17 and P-38 in the west coast was harvested for combat operations
Also, in my game, the main offensive was India (Ceylon included), I didn't have to reinforce Australia heavily. What I found useful, but again PDU ON, was to keep USAAF quality on India, quantity elsewhere. In other words, I think I never had more than four, 25 plane USAAF squadrons in India, but they were always using the best of the best; P-38s and one squadron with P-40K; this augmented with the British and Commonwealth squadrons to fill the number gap.
In the Pacific/ Autralia, I had lots of P-39s, P-40Es and all the Marines, and up until recently, they were doing nothing other than training. As I mentioned before, no Japanese base was in range.
Also, in my game, the main offensive was India (Ceylon included), I didn't have to reinforce Australia heavily. What I found useful, but again PDU ON, was to keep USAAF quality on India, quantity elsewhere. In other words, I think I never had more than four, 25 plane USAAF squadrons in India, but they were always using the best of the best; P-38s and one squadron with P-40K; this augmented with the British and Commonwealth squadrons to fill the number gap.
In the Pacific/ Autralia, I had lots of P-39s, P-40Es and all the Marines, and up until recently, they were doing nothing other than training. As I mentioned before, no Japanese base was in range.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
Those air losses are staggering, even accounting for being spread over two days. It's great to have the KB pinned down like that, albeit at high cost to the ground troops there. But it should give your carriers a free hand. I still can't understand the Japanese thinking on this.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
Lurker : [:D]
Thank you for this continued AAR ; very well done.
Are your Canadian squadrons sitting in Vancouver Victoria or "Eastern Canada" training and pretty much doing nothing useful ?
The Kittyhawks in particular although the Canucks get some Hurries as well. Mixed in they can 'compete' if not win.
While it is a-historic they sent Canadians to Hong Kong and so sending a couple of squadrons off map by way of "Canada / Capetown / Columbia may be enough to "keep up the British end of the bargain".
I think the Canadian Fighter pilot pool is a little more robust than the British as well... and that leaves the Australian cousin's of those Canucks flyboys at home to appease all the Bruce's and Sheila's complaining about bloody Churchill..
Thank you for this continued AAR ; very well done.
Are your Canadian squadrons sitting in Vancouver Victoria or "Eastern Canada" training and pretty much doing nothing useful ?
The Kittyhawks in particular although the Canucks get some Hurries as well. Mixed in they can 'compete' if not win.
While it is a-historic they sent Canadians to Hong Kong and so sending a couple of squadrons off map by way of "Canada / Capetown / Columbia may be enough to "keep up the British end of the bargain".
I think the Canadian Fighter pilot pool is a little more robust than the British as well... and that leaves the Australian cousin's of those Canucks flyboys at home to appease all the Bruce's and Sheila's complaining about bloody Churchill..
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
With PDU-ON, I had the advantage, the significant advantage, that pretty much every B-17 and P-38 in the west coast was harvested for combat operations
Also, in my game, the main offensive was India (Ceylon included), I didn't have to reinforce Australia heavily. What I found useful, but again PDU ON, was to keep USAAF quality on India, quantity elsewhere. In other words, I think I never had more than four, 25 plane USAAF squadrons in India, but they were always using the best of the best; P-38s and one squadron with P-40K; this augmented with the British and Commonwealth squadrons to fill the number gap.
In the Pacific/ Autralia, I had lots of P-39s, P-40Es and all the Marines, and up until recently, they were doing nothing other than training. As I mentioned before, no Japanese base was in range.
Its taken going through a year of game time for me to realize that PDU-OFF is pretty balanced. I'm very happy not to face every IJA Sentai equipped with Tojos in mid '42, but I also miss having all those P-38Es and B-17s restricted in the USA. Still happy we went PDU-OFF, but truthfully thought is was more helpful to the Allies when we started - now, not too sure.
That said, I still think India/Burma is a great place for an Allied air offensive - just need to be careful (as I'm finding out the hard way) of losses, especially Brit losses. And as you say Jorge, much of the Pacific is out of reach from Allied short legged fighters.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: jwolf
Those air losses are staggering, even accounting for being spread over two days. It's great to have the KB pinned down like that, albeit at high cost to the ground troops there. But it should give your carriers a free hand. I still can't understand the Japanese thinking on this.
You're not the only one jwolf! L_S_T caught me completely by surprise with this KB sortie. While its great to know where the KB is (even if its blasting some units), I'm not fully prepared to take advantage of knowing where it is! Just hope it stays put for a while so I can.
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
ORIGINAL: Macclan5
Lurker : [:D]
Thank you for this continued AAR ; very well done.
Are your Canadian squadrons sitting in Vancouver Victoria or "Eastern Canada" training and pretty much doing nothing useful ?
The Kittyhawks in particular although the Canucks get some Hurries as well. Mixed in they can 'compete' if not win.
While it is a-historic they sent Canadians to Hong Kong and so sending a couple of squadrons off map by way of "Canada / Capetown / Columbia may be enough to "keep up the British end of the bargain".
I think the Canadian Fighter pilot pool is a little more robust than the British as well... and that leaves the Australian cousin's of those Canucks flyboys at home to appease all the Bruce's and Sheila's complaining about bloody Churchill..
Thanks Macclain5! Appreciate the positive feedback.
I've bought two Canadian fighter squadrons out of restricted status and shipped to SE Asia. Both Kittyhawks. Problem isn't pilots, but airframes. With PDU-OFF, just not many Kittyhawk IIIs and Is avail. That said, they do help - if nothing else, they can provide night cap on bases.
Wish I could tap into the Canadian Hurri pool - they are all permanently restricted!
RE: 14-15 Jan 43
Thx [:D]
Interesting I did not note the Hurri's were perm/restrict !
Did the Victoria <or Vancouver> based AirHQ go with the Canucks ? I thought (mid 43) that Kitty pools in Canada were plenty deep in airframes...
Now I am going by memory and it could be very inexact ... is it possible that RAFHQ doesn't provide the same lift ?
--
I initially choose PDU off as I tend to be more interested in the historical with variation as opposed to the "what if" spectrum potential of this game...
But I do appreciate your continued observations on balance.
It seems to me that initial reactions to PDU off inferred a strong strong imbalance to the Allies ; especially at end game...but I am not so certain that is so clear cut..
If you recklessly engage Japan with mere parity or slightly below parity in the early stages of there are longer term consequences at end game as noted in other AARs ..even where they have PDU on...
You have to have squadrons to upgrade for example... [8D] So don't risk what you cannot replace.
This game has a intrinsic balance with consequences. I imaging that PDU Off makes those choices even more consequential !
Interesting I did not note the Hurri's were perm/restrict !
Did the Victoria <or Vancouver> based AirHQ go with the Canucks ? I thought (mid 43) that Kitty pools in Canada were plenty deep in airframes...
Now I am going by memory and it could be very inexact ... is it possible that RAFHQ doesn't provide the same lift ?
--
I initially choose PDU off as I tend to be more interested in the historical with variation as opposed to the "what if" spectrum potential of this game...
But I do appreciate your continued observations on balance.
It seems to me that initial reactions to PDU off inferred a strong strong imbalance to the Allies ; especially at end game...but I am not so certain that is so clear cut..
If you recklessly engage Japan with mere parity or slightly below parity in the early stages of there are longer term consequences at end game as noted in other AARs ..even where they have PDU on...
You have to have squadrons to upgrade for example... [8D] So don't risk what you cannot replace.
This game has a intrinsic balance with consequences. I imaging that PDU Off makes those choices even more consequential !
A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.
16-17 Jan 43
16-17 Jan 43
Highlights – US CA TF bombards Munda; good day in the air over Groote.
Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Niizuki)
MGB: 1
SSX: 1
Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 2 (I-164, RO-68)
Allied ships sunk:
AVD: 1 (Ballard)
Air loss:
Jpn: 80
Allied: 15
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AVD Ballard sunk)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD Niizuki sunk)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, slow convoy departs LA for Auck.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, CVE TF (3CVE, CL, 4DD) is turned around to head to Bremerton to link up with BB Pennsylvania, then to PH.
In SOPAC, US CA TF (3CA, 2CL, 6DD) bombards Munda with good effect, base reported as AF 54 dam and Port 28 dam now. Only 3 Oscar, an Irving and an Emily destroyed though. B-17s hit Tulagi with good effect. Will hit Munda next turn with both B-17s and CV a/c – goal is to keep the AF under threat, if not closed prior to Lunga landings. On that note, Amph TF begins loading 1st USMC Div and support at Auckland. Should sail next turn. Trying to take advantage of KB being off Port Hedland, but supplies not stockpiled on Kira (fighter spt) or Vanikoro (bomber spt) yet – will attempt to increase supply runs – and keep fingers crossed that subs won’t interfere as escorts are a premium right now. On that note, AVD Ballard lost to sub while escorting supply convoy to Kira.
In SWPAC, Groote Eylandt is the focus of three fairly large daylight air raids (41Z,35B/22Z,15B/33Z, 28B), each intercepted by a decreasing number of combat ready P-400s from the single squadron located there – but they do a great job! At the end of two days, 30Z and 11B are lost to a pair of P-400s! Damage to field was minimal, all repaired by end of turn, but it did slow AF expansion. I swapped out the P-400 squadron with a fresh one as only 7 fighters were combat ready, the rest damaged. And coming into stage at Groote is the Gove Amphib TF and CL TF escort, so will need additional fighter cover. Now, just hope the KB stays put. On the negative side, I managed to offload an engineer battalion at Morningstar Island off Normanton by mistake (set to offload as I staged the convoy there), so they will reboard transports to Groote.
In WAUS, KB airstrikes continue to crush lead Allied ground troops west of Port Hedland. Ably assisted by BB TF (2BB, 2CA, 2CL, DDs) bombardment, the 2nd Aus IN Bde is getting pounded to a shell. Still not ready to pull off P-38s to cover them – the two squadrons in Australia are needed to cover the landings at Groote and upcoming at Gove – which remains the focus. SS Argonaut did manage to lay a minefield in the coastal hex the KB is operating out of between Broome and Port Hedland, perhaps a mine will find a CV? Subs haven’t had much luck, SS KXVI failed to penetrate the screen, but did manage to put a fish into DD Niizuki, claiming her sunk. Will continue to push subs and hope for the best. Really do want the KB to remain here for another week!
In China, Chungking continues to be hit by air – Sonias and Lilys with occasional Tojo escort. Time to push the P-40Es back and try another intercept.
In India/Burma, a couple of days of rest for the air forces. Will attempt another ground attack next turn, supported by B-24s and the usual fighter sweeps – this time primarily US fighters and the Brits still need some rest.
Highlights – US CA TF bombards Munda; good day in the air over Groote.
Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Niizuki)
MGB: 1
SSX: 1
Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 2 (I-164, RO-68)
Allied ships sunk:
AVD: 1 (Ballard)
Air loss:
Jpn: 80
Allied: 15
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AVD Ballard sunk)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD Niizuki sunk)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB still off Port Hedland
West Coast/Admin, slow convoy departs LA for Auck.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, CVE TF (3CVE, CL, 4DD) is turned around to head to Bremerton to link up with BB Pennsylvania, then to PH.
In SOPAC, US CA TF (3CA, 2CL, 6DD) bombards Munda with good effect, base reported as AF 54 dam and Port 28 dam now. Only 3 Oscar, an Irving and an Emily destroyed though. B-17s hit Tulagi with good effect. Will hit Munda next turn with both B-17s and CV a/c – goal is to keep the AF under threat, if not closed prior to Lunga landings. On that note, Amph TF begins loading 1st USMC Div and support at Auckland. Should sail next turn. Trying to take advantage of KB being off Port Hedland, but supplies not stockpiled on Kira (fighter spt) or Vanikoro (bomber spt) yet – will attempt to increase supply runs – and keep fingers crossed that subs won’t interfere as escorts are a premium right now. On that note, AVD Ballard lost to sub while escorting supply convoy to Kira.
In SWPAC, Groote Eylandt is the focus of three fairly large daylight air raids (41Z,35B/22Z,15B/33Z, 28B), each intercepted by a decreasing number of combat ready P-400s from the single squadron located there – but they do a great job! At the end of two days, 30Z and 11B are lost to a pair of P-400s! Damage to field was minimal, all repaired by end of turn, but it did slow AF expansion. I swapped out the P-400 squadron with a fresh one as only 7 fighters were combat ready, the rest damaged. And coming into stage at Groote is the Gove Amphib TF and CL TF escort, so will need additional fighter cover. Now, just hope the KB stays put. On the negative side, I managed to offload an engineer battalion at Morningstar Island off Normanton by mistake (set to offload as I staged the convoy there), so they will reboard transports to Groote.
In WAUS, KB airstrikes continue to crush lead Allied ground troops west of Port Hedland. Ably assisted by BB TF (2BB, 2CA, 2CL, DDs) bombardment, the 2nd Aus IN Bde is getting pounded to a shell. Still not ready to pull off P-38s to cover them – the two squadrons in Australia are needed to cover the landings at Groote and upcoming at Gove – which remains the focus. SS Argonaut did manage to lay a minefield in the coastal hex the KB is operating out of between Broome and Port Hedland, perhaps a mine will find a CV? Subs haven’t had much luck, SS KXVI failed to penetrate the screen, but did manage to put a fish into DD Niizuki, claiming her sunk. Will continue to push subs and hope for the best. Really do want the KB to remain here for another week!
In China, Chungking continues to be hit by air – Sonias and Lilys with occasional Tojo escort. Time to push the P-40Es back and try another intercept.
In India/Burma, a couple of days of rest for the air forces. Will attempt another ground attack next turn, supported by B-24s and the usual fighter sweeps – this time primarily US fighters and the Brits still need some rest.
18-19 Jan 43
18-19 Jan 43
Highlights – Good day in the air over Chungking; KB withdraws off Port Hedland
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk:
AM: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 85
Allied: 12
Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AM sunk)
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB location unknown.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, US CV air and B-17s both hit Munda with moderate effect, but find no CAP and no aircraft are destroyed on the ground. CV TFs will begin moving back to Noumea to refuel and replace a/c losses next turn. Lunga Amph TF completes loading at Auckland and will depart to stage in the eastern Coral Sea next turn – will hopefully avoid subs by staying off the usual shipping lanes and will avoid Noumea. Supply situation continues to improve at Kirakira.
In SWPAC, its quiet. Gove Amph TF and escort/support converge on Groote to stage, but are only attacked by a small Betty raid at night – no hits scored. First time I’ve had a night time naval attack! Guess that’s kinda a good sign..? Anyway, with the KB vanishing, I’m being conservative and pulling the Gove fleet back to Portland Roads – and keep the troops loaded for a bit. I figure there’s a good chance L_S_T will bring the KB into the Arafura Sea to strike Groote or Merauke, and don’t want them to find a major shipping concentration exposed. Will cost me a week or so, but that’s acceptable. Groote resupply shipping will remain, along with a small convoy offloading a SeeBee Bn. I still can’t challenge the KB if if comes in force – it still can overwhelm pretty much any base CAP I can muster. Of course, the KB could stay hidden and that creates its own problems.
In WAUS, the KB pulls off its ground support mission near Port Hedland, and disappears (my bet is Koepang) leaving Broome based Sallys to hit the Aussie ground units – destroying an Australian Arty Bn. I’ll push out LRCAP from Exmouth next turn to cover the ground units to challenge the Sallys and Oscar escorts – of course, the KB could come back….
In China, Allied CAP over Chungking does remarkably well! The usual US P-40E squadron puts a max 21 planes in the air, and two Chinese squadrons out of Kweiyang add another half dozen planes to meet the 54 Sonias escorted by 22 Tojo b in the first strike. After two days of strikes, the tally was amazing..43 Sonias and 21 Tojos lost in exchange for ZERO Allied planes lost! Not sure what the trick is, but really didn’t expect the P-40s to do so well against Tojos, even in an escort role. Will pull the P-40Es back to Kweiyang to rest, and see what develops. If nothing else, these China CAP traps have given the Allies a bunch of seasoned 75+ experienced pilots that I’ve rotated back into the reserve pool.
In India/Burma, another try against the IJA’s 4th ID fails with light losses. No Jpn CAP went up to intercept the B-24s in support though. Will rest the India/Burma air forces, and the ground forces will need to recover some losses as well. IJA is busy attacking Warazup, but the Indian LRP Bde and other supporting cast has held off the 2 RTA Div attack – but the supporting tanks are slowly grounding down the light defenders. Will see about getting some AT support!
Highlights – Good day in the air over Chungking; KB withdraws off Port Hedland
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk:
AM: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 85
Allied: 12
Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AM sunk)
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB location unknown.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, US CV air and B-17s both hit Munda with moderate effect, but find no CAP and no aircraft are destroyed on the ground. CV TFs will begin moving back to Noumea to refuel and replace a/c losses next turn. Lunga Amph TF completes loading at Auckland and will depart to stage in the eastern Coral Sea next turn – will hopefully avoid subs by staying off the usual shipping lanes and will avoid Noumea. Supply situation continues to improve at Kirakira.
In SWPAC, its quiet. Gove Amph TF and escort/support converge on Groote to stage, but are only attacked by a small Betty raid at night – no hits scored. First time I’ve had a night time naval attack! Guess that’s kinda a good sign..? Anyway, with the KB vanishing, I’m being conservative and pulling the Gove fleet back to Portland Roads – and keep the troops loaded for a bit. I figure there’s a good chance L_S_T will bring the KB into the Arafura Sea to strike Groote or Merauke, and don’t want them to find a major shipping concentration exposed. Will cost me a week or so, but that’s acceptable. Groote resupply shipping will remain, along with a small convoy offloading a SeeBee Bn. I still can’t challenge the KB if if comes in force – it still can overwhelm pretty much any base CAP I can muster. Of course, the KB could stay hidden and that creates its own problems.
In WAUS, the KB pulls off its ground support mission near Port Hedland, and disappears (my bet is Koepang) leaving Broome based Sallys to hit the Aussie ground units – destroying an Australian Arty Bn. I’ll push out LRCAP from Exmouth next turn to cover the ground units to challenge the Sallys and Oscar escorts – of course, the KB could come back….
In China, Allied CAP over Chungking does remarkably well! The usual US P-40E squadron puts a max 21 planes in the air, and two Chinese squadrons out of Kweiyang add another half dozen planes to meet the 54 Sonias escorted by 22 Tojo b in the first strike. After two days of strikes, the tally was amazing..43 Sonias and 21 Tojos lost in exchange for ZERO Allied planes lost! Not sure what the trick is, but really didn’t expect the P-40s to do so well against Tojos, even in an escort role. Will pull the P-40Es back to Kweiyang to rest, and see what develops. If nothing else, these China CAP traps have given the Allies a bunch of seasoned 75+ experienced pilots that I’ve rotated back into the reserve pool.
In India/Burma, another try against the IJA’s 4th ID fails with light losses. No Jpn CAP went up to intercept the B-24s in support though. Will rest the India/Burma air forces, and the ground forces will need to recover some losses as well. IJA is busy attacking Warazup, but the Indian LRP Bde and other supporting cast has held off the 2 RTA Div attack – but the supporting tanks are slowly grounding down the light defenders. Will see about getting some AT support!
20-21 Jan 43
20-21 Jan 43
Highlights – Fairly quiet; KB remains hidden
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 21
Allied: 24
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB location unknown.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, US CV TFs arrive at Noumea to take on fuel and replacement a/c without bumping into IJN subs; will depart next turn to rendezvous with both Amph TF and CV Yorktown out of Sydney. Lunga Amph TF departs Auckland and begins trekking NNW towards the target. Shortland and Munda swept by P-38s and F4Fs respectively, but find no CAP. B-17s hit Munda with poor results. Will hit Shortlands next turn. Goal here is to deny both these bases to Jpn air and naval assets, isolating Lunga/Tulagi. So far so good. B-26s hit Lunga port with moderate effect. Will shift to hitting ground targets on Lunga either next turn or the one after. Lastly, the first F4U squadron becomes operational at Noumea – will fly to Kirakira shortly.
In SWPAC, its quiet. Gove Amph TF and escort/support arrive at Portland Roads without issue. Will remain another turn to see if the KB shows itself (think its at Koepang, but that’s a guess). Three ships continue to offload at Groote, and are attacked by Ms. Betty at night again without effect – will bring in some Beaufighters for night CAP. Groote AF now Level 2, so it can provide some air cover to landings at Gove when the time comes. Really would like to confirm the KBs whereabouts before I launch at Gove…
In WAUS, IJN TF moves to bombard the Aussies on the coast west of Port Hedland, but the bombardment didn’t take place – apparently the ground troops were able to move inland just prior to the ships opening up. Sallys and Nicks, escorted by Oscars hit the ground troops with minimal effect, but the LRCAP out of Exmouth also had minimal effect – in fact losing 4 P-39, 4 P-40E, and 4 F4F in exchange for 5 Nicks and an Oscar. Not good.
In China, NSTR.
In India/Burma, it was pretty quiet except for another IJA attack on Warazup – which was repulsed with heavy IJA losses – especially in tanks as parts of a Brit AT Reg was flown in to bolster the defense. Allied air rested, and will continue to do so for a bit.
Highlights – Fairly quiet; KB remains hidden
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 21
Allied: 24
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ship hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB location unknown.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, US CV TFs arrive at Noumea to take on fuel and replacement a/c without bumping into IJN subs; will depart next turn to rendezvous with both Amph TF and CV Yorktown out of Sydney. Lunga Amph TF departs Auckland and begins trekking NNW towards the target. Shortland and Munda swept by P-38s and F4Fs respectively, but find no CAP. B-17s hit Munda with poor results. Will hit Shortlands next turn. Goal here is to deny both these bases to Jpn air and naval assets, isolating Lunga/Tulagi. So far so good. B-26s hit Lunga port with moderate effect. Will shift to hitting ground targets on Lunga either next turn or the one after. Lastly, the first F4U squadron becomes operational at Noumea – will fly to Kirakira shortly.
In SWPAC, its quiet. Gove Amph TF and escort/support arrive at Portland Roads without issue. Will remain another turn to see if the KB shows itself (think its at Koepang, but that’s a guess). Three ships continue to offload at Groote, and are attacked by Ms. Betty at night again without effect – will bring in some Beaufighters for night CAP. Groote AF now Level 2, so it can provide some air cover to landings at Gove when the time comes. Really would like to confirm the KBs whereabouts before I launch at Gove…
In WAUS, IJN TF moves to bombard the Aussies on the coast west of Port Hedland, but the bombardment didn’t take place – apparently the ground troops were able to move inland just prior to the ships opening up. Sallys and Nicks, escorted by Oscars hit the ground troops with minimal effect, but the LRCAP out of Exmouth also had minimal effect – in fact losing 4 P-39, 4 P-40E, and 4 F4F in exchange for 5 Nicks and an Oscar. Not good.
In China, NSTR.
In India/Burma, it was pretty quiet except for another IJA attack on Warazup – which was repulsed with heavy IJA losses – especially in tanks as parts of a Brit AT Reg was flown in to bolster the defense. Allied air rested, and will continue to do so for a bit.