Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition

User avatar
Bif1961
Posts: 2014
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:52 pm
Location: Phenix City, Alabama

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Bif1961 »

You are being too modest and too kind. One should never leave their carriers disbanded in a port within enemy HB range without adequate CAP. The Germans did that in France with their capital vessels but provided swarms of CAP and heavy AAA but still had to move them as it was too dangerous. To do it is begging for them to be bombed. I am sure he is kicking himslef for protecting them for so long to have it all go to waste because of simple self-inflicted wound.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Throughout this game you have had superb timing on your surprise air raids. I recall you hit Rangoon at a critical time, just right to stop a Japanese operation in its tracks.
Yes. This has been the key to my success. That raid on Rangoon was the first time I ever attacked the air base or port with bombers. My favorite tactic has long been to play conservative and lull my opponent into a false sense of security. Then when I think there is an opportunity I simply cannot pass on, I aggressively send bombers in or sortie my fleet forward with complete surprise and attain victory. I don't do that often but when I have, it usually works.
ORIGINAL: Bif1961

You are being too modest and too kind. One should never leave their carriers disbanded in a port within enemy HB range without adequate CAP. The Germans did that in France with their capital vessels but provided swarms of CAP and heavy AAA but still had to move them as it was too dangerous. To do it is begging for them to be bombed. I am sure he is kicking himslef for protecting them for so long to have it all go to waste because of simple self-inflicted wound.
And I think you're being too harsh. This wasn't a case like defending France where the Germans knew that bombers would and could be coming overhead. China has been a completely quiet battleground and I have sortied heavy bombers maybe once or twice ever before that, and never against a port. In retrospect it seems like he should have known but the fact is I have been burned by surprise port attacks before as well. On a previous occasion, Kwajalein was serving as a big rearmament base and had a number of transport ships disbanded as well without any CAP. This was because the only base in air range was long cut off. Yet Rev Rico flew in bombers and sunk or crippled a number of very important AE ships along with dozens of lesser ships to my surprise. Obviously this wasn't as bad as getting disbanded carriers sunk in port but I can safely say that nearly every great player has had that happen to them before. John B (or was it Greyjoy?) was burned once at Singapore with carriers in much the same way as Rev Rico. Even Mundy was able to sink BBs in port against the very capable KenchiSulla in Ceylon. If you play this game long enough, you are bound to get burned by a surprise port attack. If you can play a full PBEM game without getting burned on a port attack at least once, you are a god among men.
User avatar
John 3rd
Posts: 17459
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:03 pm
Location: La Salle, Colorado

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by John 3rd »

Just got caught up reading your entire AAR. Am really happy to see one of our Mods proceed this deep into game time. Think it is funny that you and Canoerebel picked the same general area for your counter-offensive.

Do you have any comments regarding the Mod? I am currently working to make the Mods fully comprehensive onto one database and shall be examining all facets of Treaty, Reluctant Admiral, and Between the Storms. Any commentary would be greatly appreciated.

Keep up the good Allied work!
Image

Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Just got caught up reading your entire AAR. Am really happy to see one of our Mods proceed this deep into game time. Think it is funny that you and Canoerebel picked the same general area for your counter-offensive.

Do you have any comments regarding the Mod? I am currently working to make the Mods fully comprehensive onto one database and shall be examining all facets of Treaty, Reluctant Admiral, and Between the Storms. Any commentary would be greatly appreciated.

Keep up the good Allied work!
Yes. I can't say I'm a fan of the fact that the Japanese get a carrier version of the George. With investment in R&D, it can be produced before the start of 1944. It's superior to the F6F-3 in almost every way. I was still able to overcome this advantage but even in spring 1944 the Japanese carrier planes were able to shoot down as many planes as me in a carrier battle. Allies should have a qualitative advantage in carrier fighters at this time IMO. Everything else is working great and I love the mod. Especially those French BCs who sunk the CV Zuikaku in a mad night sortie in late 42 in the Gilberts.
User avatar
Bif1961
Posts: 2014
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:52 pm
Location: Phenix City, Alabama

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Bif1961 »

War is a comedy of errors and he who makes the least usually wins, I will be curious if he decides to ask for surrender terms after that port attack.
User avatar
John 3rd
Posts: 17459
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:03 pm
Location: La Salle, Colorado

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by John 3rd »

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Just got caught up reading your entire AAR. Am really happy to see one of our Mods proceed this deep into game time. Think it is funny that you and Canoerebel picked the same general area for your counter-offensive.

Do you have any comments regarding the Mod? I am currently working to make the Mods fully comprehensive onto one database and shall be examining all facets of Treaty, Reluctant Admiral, and Between the Storms. Any commentary would be greatly appreciated.

Keep up the good Allied work!
Yes. I can't say I'm a fan of the fact that the Japanese get a carrier version of the George. With investment in R&D, it can be produced before the start of 1944. It's superior to the F6F-3 in almost every way. I was still able to overcome this advantage but even in spring 1944 the Japanese carrier planes were able to shoot down as many planes as me in a carrier battle. Allies should have a qualitative advantage in carrier fighters at this time IMO. Everything else is working great and I love the mod. Especially those French BCs who sunk the CV Zuikaku in a mad night sortie in late 42 in the Gilberts.

I am STUNNED that he deployed it so fast. His R&D investment must have been enormous! I am not close to my George in my game with CR. Very jealous...

Still it must have cost him a bundle.

Those BCs are COOL. The French built a good pair with them.

Image

Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
User avatar
John 3rd
Posts: 17459
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:03 pm
Location: La Salle, Colorado

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by John 3rd »

Looks like you converted almost all of your enhanced possibilities for ships. Have they worked out? Did you do the AA conversion of the Omaha's?
Image

Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

War is a comedy of errors and he who makes the least usually wins, I will be curious if he decides to ask for surrender terms after that port attack.
Oh he offered surrender a few weeks back (but without terms). I declined. I have one more operation I want to get underway. Transports are being sent to pick units up and they should be on their way within two weeks or so.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Looks like you converted almost all of your enhanced possibilities for ships. Have they worked out? Did you do the AA conversion of the Omaha's?
Don't think so. I don't need more AA capability. I need guns for bombardment. They get used a lot more than AA.

EDIT: Which other upgrades are you talking about? Are some of them only for RA? I can't say I know them well enough to know what is historical and what is RA. You'll have to tell me...
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
I am STUNNED that he deployed it so fast. His R&D investment must have been enormous! I am not close to my George in my game with CR. Very jealous...

Still it must have cost him a bundle.

Those BCs are COOL. The French built a good pair with them.
I can't say for certain when he first got them. On January 25th 1944 I encountered 105 N1K2-J George in naval strike against a transport fleet covered with by LRCAP from the KB. Most of the carrier planes were George's so there were probably more than that that just weren't flying LRCAP. I would have to think that they were in production for a few months by then. No idea how much it cost him...dunno what his supply situation is like at all. That's one thing that's missing in this game...SigInt about supply levels in bases. There's absolutely no way for the Allied player to have a clue what supply other than on the front line.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

May 5th, 1944

So I attempted to land in the Andaman islands under cruiser and CVE support. I knew there was a good chance that the KB was in the area but I went for it anyway. It was a bad decision.

First, the Japanese sent in a pair of SCTFs into the fray at night:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 45,60, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
DD Suzunami
DD Fujinami
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 37, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Gambia
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 1
DD Arunta
DD Nizam
DD Paladin, Shell hits 1
DD Crosby
DD McKee, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hart, Shell hits 1
DD Kelvin]

RN just not able to hit those Japanese destroyers at night. To make matters worse, the IJN dodged both my cruiser task forces during the day:
Japanese Ships
CL Niyodo, Shell hits 2
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Shell hits 5, on fire
CVE Ommaney Bay, Shell hits 9, on fire
CVE Savo Island, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CVE Marcus Island, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CVL Unicorn, Shell hits 4
CVE Begum, Shell hits 5, on fire
CVE Shah, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
DD Bennion
DD Bryant, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Mertz, Shell hits 1
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 1
DD Roe, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Balch, Shell hits 2, on fire
DE Donaldson, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Cauvery, Shell hits 1, on fire
DE Kistna, Shell hits 3

And after that they couldn't finish off the sole Japanese cruiser in the battle:
Day Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 45,60, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Niyodo, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 26, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Gambia, Shell hits 1
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle
DD Arunta, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Nizam
DD Paladin
DD Crosby, Shell hits 1
DD McKee, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hart, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kelvin

Things went from bad to worse after that:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 22
Ki-61-Id Tony x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 2 damaged
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macneil
CL Ceylon
xAP Dunnatar Castle
xAP Rohna
xAK Carolinian, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Takliwa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 44
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-100-I Tony x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 25 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
DD Pathfinder
CA London
CA Cumberland, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Emerald, Torpedo hits 1
CL Newfoundland
DD Petard


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 28
B6N2 Jill x 51
D4Y3 Judy x 50
N1K2-J George x 101

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 35
Hellcat I x 15
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
N1K2-J George: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 1 destroyed
Hellcat I: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Ommaney Bay, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires
CVL Unicorn, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Begum, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Newcastle
DD Bryant, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Balch, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Cauvery, on fire



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 12
B6N1 Jill x 32
B6N2 Jill x 29
D4Y3 Judy x 29
N1K2-J George x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD McKee, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Arunta
CL Gambia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 1
CL Newcastle, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hart, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Paladin, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Well that was a huge blow. The RN is destroyed. Both CVLs sunk and half the remaining cruisers sunk as well. After Rev Rico offered surrender, I wasn't really sure how hard he would play on. I guess this answered my question. Beautifully done. Does a lot to offset my cheap victory sinking a few carriers in Hong Kong.


Plans to take Andamans will need to be discarded. No amphibious outflanking manuevers will be possible in the Indian ocean for the rest of 1944 and perhaps longer. Instead, those units will be landed Ramree and march to Rangoon to help win the battle there. That's a very long march but without the British navy, there's no alternative.

The US Navy continues with its plans relatively unchanged. Despite these latest losses, King and Nimitz remained resolved to defeat Japan by early 1945 even without the help of their British allies.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

May 15th, 1944

With the entirety of IJN assets being deployed in the Indian Ocean, landing at Marcus Island was not an issue. The navy suffered no losses. Firepower in the initial landing was pretty good:
Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

115 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
CL Jeanne d'Arc, Shell hits 2
DD Vampire
DD Bancroft
DD Miller
SC PC-787
LCI(G)-455
LCI(G)-454
LCI(G)-453
LCI(G)-452
LCI(G)-451
LCI(G)-450
LCI(G)-449
LCI(G)-442
LCI(G)-441
LCI(G)-440
LCI(G)-439
LCI(G)-438
LCI(G)-437
LCI(G)-82
LCI(G)-81
LCI-447
DD L'Agile
LCI-448

Japanese ground losses:
577 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

The initial landing went well enough. Those LCI(G)s do a lot of damage in landings. Very useful for atolls.

After that, the Death star launched a giant air attack on the base:
Morning Air attack on Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit, at 123,85 (Marcus Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 333
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 96
SBD-5 Dauntless x 187
TBF-1 Avenger x 99
TBM-1C Avenger x 120

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 13 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Given that the defenders were in a level 6 fort, those are pretty good results. You'd think the defenders might be somewhat suppressed to ease the landings. Not true:
Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9508 troops, 145 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 379

Defending force 4596 troops, 87 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Allied adjusted assault: 38

Japanese adjusted defense: 83

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
388 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4172 casualties reported
Squads: 143 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 53 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 42 disabled
Guns lost 46 (38 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 77 (31 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Assaulting units:
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USA Def Bn /2

Defending units:
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit
35th JNAF AF Unit

Oh boy that's an awful result. The Japanese are on a bit of a roll of late. First destroying the RN and now smashing my invasion forces on the beaches. Luckily, I have reinforcements coming with tanks and a marine defense battalion. Carriers will continue to pound the base. My BBs will help soon.

Meanwhile, the damaged ships from the earlier carrier battle SW of Davao finally got to Pearl Harbor today. Long journey but they all made it in one piece (sub attacks almost nonexistent these days). A good 1/3rd of CV and fast BBs are currently being repaired in Pearl Harbor. Once they get back, I plan on using the Death Star to start pulverising Japanese cities with massive raids targeting aircraft factories, especially advanced fighters, to break Japan's ability to replace what will surely be massive losses.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

May 31st 1944

Well after many weeks of almost nothing since the failed invasion of the Andamans, my summer 1944 offensive has finally begun! The plan: the invasion of Hokkaido and the Kuriles. The scale of the operation is massive beyond comprehension. Nearly the entire USN is involved here. No less than 12 divisions, ~12 regiments/brigades, 2 theatre HQs, 2 army HQs, and 3 corp HQs are involved. For weeks they had been assembling in the open north Pacific following the seizure of Marcus Island. A good 60% of the combat strength deployed in the center and south Pacific are part of this initial invasion force. To my knowledge this was done without the Japanese having a clue of my intentions. I even refrained from launch recon planes in an effort to conceal my true intentions as much as possible. This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here). In this case, this meant months of campaigning towards the traditional targets of the Marianas and the DEI. I believed that continued attacks along the southern flank of the empire would create the illusion that I intended to win the war in those areas. SigInt has confirmed my thinking: significant Japanese units have been deployed in the DEI and CentPac to counter those attacks. Some bases in those regions are defended by 40k or more troops. Against that, it seems the Japanese have no more than 80k troops in all of Hokkaido and 20k in the Kuriles. My strategy seems to have caught the Japanese completely of guard. Not only have they refrained from any naval or air attacks: I don't even see IJA or IJAAF assets in the area! I had counted on massive numbers of Japanese squadrons launching wave after wave from their level 9 air bases in range of my landings but so far that threat is not materializing. Units have already landed at Paramushiro-jima in the north and seem to be in great shape of clearing the island within a week. And more landings will be coming:

Image

The long term plan here is very simple: a strategic bombing campaign against Japanese aircraft manufacturing. I intend to bring the empire to its knees by crippling its ability to producing advanced fighters that have any hope of challenging my fighters. Part of my plan will involve taking important bases in open terrain in the mainland but I do NOT intend to get involved in heavy street fighting until much later. The idea is to destroy the weak points of the Japanese war machine before trying to smash the IJA in their strongholds.
User avatar
BBfanboy
Posts: 19692
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:36 pm
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Contact:

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by BBfanboy »

Sangeli: This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here).

Or for readers of this forum, the strategy that Nemo advised to Greyjoy in his initial PBEM. Here's hoping your air battles work the way they are supposed to. Greyjoy's great gambit was ruined by the air combat model not allowing enough CAP interceptions for the massive numbers of aircraft involved on both sides, so protection of and by carriers was unsustainable. Michael M significantly increased the number of interceptions the air combat phase can handle but AFAIK this could be the first time such aircraft numbers test it.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Sangeli: This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here).

Or for readers of this forum, the strategy that Nemo advised to Greyjoy in his initial PBEM. Here's hoping your air battles work the way they are supposed to. Greyjoy's great gambit was ruined by the air combat model not allowing enough CAP interceptions for the massive numbers of aircraft involved on both sides, so protection of and by carriers was unsustainable. Michael M significantly increased the number of interceptions the air combat phase can handle but AFAIK this could be the first time such aircraft numbers test it.
Well, that must have been a while ago with an earlier patch. The latest official patch is VERY friendly towards CAP and really nerfs LBA. As of yet, the Japanese have launched NO air attacks against me! Hell, I don't even see fighters scrambling to defend Japanese air space! The only opposition at all so far have been CD guns and mines. Granted I haven't yet landed in Hokkaido to trigger Kamikazees but still it's been very anticlimatic. Assuming my Hokkaido landings go well I will probably stop paying attention to pilots and other micro-manangement issues and just worry about beating down Japan. A big part of this is certainly that I've given the IJN such a beat down they have very little left in the tank to counter me. The IJN can field about ~250 carrier planes, 2 BBs, 2-5 CAs, and maybe 4-7 CLs. Though I definitely could see Rev Rico trying to lure me into a false sense of security and launching an all out kamikaze attack once it gets triggered.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

June 2nd, 1944

Well, it's been another two days and there have been no attacks on Allied ships! The landings are going very well. I've lost a few ships to CD guns and mines but nothing bad at all. However, today the Japanese decided to bring fighters in and surprise me with a CAP trap:
Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 39
N1K2-J George x 57
Ki-84a Frank x 154

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged

Runway hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sapporo at 120,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 34
N1K2-J George x 101
Ki-84a Frank x 144

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 176
SBD-5 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 16
TBM-1C Avenger x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 18 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
PB Minowa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL P-83
AMc Genchi Maru
AMc Toseki Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Mogami maru #9
AMc Mogami Maru
AMc Banshu Maru #51, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Fumi Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Hino Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Those two air battles plus a bunch of SBDs shot down during the search phase cost me over 100 planes. Not much I can do to counter that. Sending in some CVE based Corsairs to sweep some Japanese bases in an attempt to clear the air a bit. But CAP traps could happen at any base so it may not work. But hey, as long as my ships aren't being attacked I am very happy. An a side note, these are also the first A2A losses for B-29s. So far I have kept them under wraps. Going forward, I will use B-29s to strike the bases in southern Japan while my B-24s attack closer to home. Can't wait to turn Hokkaido into one massive air base to crush Japan :)

Here is the current map:

Image

As you can see, I have landed (and launched attacks) in three different bases along the Kuriles. The only ones with air bases I might add. Should be able to get Etoforu tomorrow and the other bases soon after. Won't be long until P-47s are clearing the air over northern Japan :)
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

Well, so much for not losing ships today! I'm not going to divulge everything yet, but just so you get a taste for what happened, here is the first battle over the Death Star:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 28
A6M8 Zero x 58
B6N2 Jill x 15
N1K1-J George x 20
N1K2-J George x 47
Ki-84a Frank x 21

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 127
F6F-3 Hellcat x 341

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Mind you, that was the first strike. There would be many more to come. And some of them would hit their mark.
User avatar
Sangeli
Posts: 1132
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm
Location: San Francisco

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by Sangeli »

June 3rd, 1944

Just days before the Allies would land in Normandy, the USN fought the largest engagement in the war against Japan in covering their own invasions of Hokkaido. The Japanese launched an all out attack on my carrier forces. LBA, KB, you name it. Even Ki-27 Nates got involved! Unfortunately, the USN was not able to launch any strikes against the KB. Probably because of the lack of detection needed to react to it an 8 hex strike. Here are some screenshots of the strikes in action:

Image

Image

There are just too many strikes to post! But I attached the replay anyway. Here are the strikes that actually hit ships:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 36
D4Y1 Judy x 30
D4Y3 Judy x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-84a Frank x 32

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 117
F6F-3 Hellcat x 315

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 17 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 1
BC Renown
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Bunker Hill


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 129
G3M2 Nell x 35
G4M1 Betty x 35
P1Y1 Frances x 9
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 18
Ki-84a Frank x 17

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 116
F6F-3 Hellcat x 279

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
P1Y1 Frances: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Torpedo hits 2
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Shipley Bay
CVE Ranee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay, Torpedo hits 1
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Renown
DD Irwin



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
A6M8 Zero x 35
D3A1 Val x 27
N1K1-J George x 10
N1K2-J George x 48
Ki-27b Nate x 114
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 100
F6F-3 Hellcat x 216

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 19 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-27b Nate: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 43

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 50
F6F-3 Hellcat x 96

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 18 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CLAA Raleigh
CVL San Jacinto
BC Renown, Torpedo hits 1



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 26
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1A Corsair x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 1
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, on fire
CVE Shamrock Bay



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 59

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 8 destroyed, 24 damaged
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 7 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay
CV Essex, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL San Jacinto
CVE Shipley Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Shamrock Bay



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
Ki-46-III Dinah x 50

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 32,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 45

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 18 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3
CVL San Jacinto, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Daly, Kamikaze hits 1
DD Caldwell
DD Young


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-46-III Dinah x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 12 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL San Jacinto, on fire, heavy damage
DD Caldwell, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy damage
DD Duncan
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
DD Daly
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
DD Alden, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Gwin, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Young, Kamikaze hits 1


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 57

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 24 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
DD Morrison
DD Caldwell, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk
DD Daly, Kamikaze hits 3, and is sunk
CVL San Jacinto, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Duncan, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Young
DD Gwin, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 1


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 32

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 16 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, heavy fires
CVE Rudyerd Bay, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Young
CVE Ranee, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Shipley Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, heavy fires, heavy damage


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 3
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 24

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BC Renown, heavy fires
DD Brooks, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Raleigh, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
DD Ellet, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Essex, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 1, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 30

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 12 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 22 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires
CVE Shamrock Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk
CVL San Jacinto, Kamikaze hits 3, and is sunk
DD Ellet, on fire
DD Brooks, on fire
CVE Shipley Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, on fire


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk


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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay
CVE Shamrock Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

The afternoon phase was less memorable:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 20
B6N1 Jill x 46
B6N2 Jill x 43
D4Y1 Judy x 27
D4Y3 Judy x 50
N1K2-J George x 118
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 45
F6F-3 Hellcat x 146

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 5 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 14 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Bataan, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Langley
CV Intrepid
BB Massachusetts
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1
CV Wasp II
BB Alabama
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise

Wow. That was serious carnage. Interestingly, I did just fine against the KB strikes. But after dozens and dozens of raids my CAP disappated and opened the door for kamikamzes. And many of them found their mark. Heaviest losses for the USN to date by far. Until now I had lost only a single USN CV; today I lost two. I had four roughly equal CV fleets and one of them was completely destroyed. And many of my CVEs were crippled. But was it worth it? Definitely! Despite my heavy losses, I came out about equal on VPs:

Image

Image

1800 Japanse planes shot down in a single day! Absolutely insane. Most of my losses were useless bombers sunk aboard CVs.

But with the Allies having landed two full armies Hokkaido without any troop losses upon ship, I cannot help but to declare victory. Sure I lost a bunch of ships, but what are those ships for if not to cover an invasion of Japan? This was unquestionably the most dangerous day of the war and I survived with most of my forces still intact. It will take time for Japanese air units to reinforce with new planes and by that time all my ships will have unloaded. And all of this done before the Allies land in France despite the "Germany first" strategy :)

The only real regret I have is that I was unable to launch strikes to finally finish off the remaining KB. But even here they were not much of a factor; their greatest contribution was clearing the sky for kamikazes.

And for those curious, here is the latest VP screen:

Image
Attachments
combatreport_440603.txt
(366.06 KiB) Downloaded 1 time
jwolf
Posts: 2493
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:02 pm

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by jwolf »

[X(][X(] What a bloody day!! Asking in ignorance here -- can the Japanese still mount any sort of air attack? More Kamikazes?
User avatar
BBfanboy
Posts: 19692
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:36 pm
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Contact:

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

Post by BBfanboy »

Those attacking Japanese aircraft suffered losses but were by no means completely destroyed. He may not have as many kamikazes left but there are lots of aircraft left to threaten the Allied fleet.

It looks like a close run thing to me - stay and both sides suffer attrition to a huge degree, pull out and leave a lodgement to fend for itself until the Allied carriers can replenish and LBA can establish itself on Hokkaido. The new bases in the Kuriles will help with island-hopping aircraft in.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Post Reply

Return to “After Action Reports”