Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

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Timotheus
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:13 am

Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

Yes, I am still learning. Yes, it's versus AI. But dang it, this was exciting to me (your mileage may vary).
Scenario is Coral Sea updated, playing the unofficial 7 patch and have a boatload of modded small scenarios which is awesome to a newbie like me.

All thoughts and strategy, especially the incorrect ones, are all mine :)



Figured out the following - the small crap Japan has near Guadalcanal is a trap.
Ignore it, do not even set American planes on CV's to any mission - just rest them, they will do plenty very soon. It's not worth it to even tire my pilots, even if they sink the lot (which they won't).

The situation is, the big bad Japanese are coming towards Port Moresby.
First things first, move all A-20 Havocs (2 squadrons), P40's which I can muster (which is.... 1 squadron) to Port Moresby (in case of P40, move them to NE Oz, then onto Port Moresby).
A20's set to naval attack to max P40 escort range, P40's set to cap and escort. Both set to rest 10-20%.

Meet up both CV TF's South of Milne Bay and mission speed to SW of Milne Bay. Do not dare move close to Port Moresby because there.... be.....Betties (shudder) escorted by infinite Zero's (involuntary tick) flown by Japanese supermen pilots (both eyes tick now, need Visine).


I set a trap, since I know that my pilots are crap, my airplanes are crap, my torpedoes do not work, and the range of my carrier borne airplanes is much, much less than the superb, highly advanced, way ahead in war technology Imperial Japan (color me shocked as an American).

Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 103,133

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-44

xAK Tatumiya Maru is sighted by SS S-44
SS S-44 launches 2 torpedoes

Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 2 damaged

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Asanagi
DD Oite
DD Yayoi
DD Mutsuki

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

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1

Crap they moved so fast.
I did not move my Proud Ozzie fleet (all of 3 ships - DD, CL and CA) close enough to intercept, because... there... be... Betties. I know from playing Thousand Mile War (Great newbie learning scenario!) that naval ships TF move much faster than heavily loaded amphibious convoys, and also know that Japanese sailors are much better at naval combat, especially at night.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 5 destroyed

Mental Note to General Timo: Perhaps move the fighters and setup CAP first, THEN move the bombers onto the base. Perfect bombing raid by Japanese supermen.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 2 destroyed

Ye gods!

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR May 06, 42

SS Greenling reports having been sighted by the enemy at 111 , 111
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Siador
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lombrum
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 113,134 near Rekata Bay , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 98,130 near Port Moresby , Speed 33 , Moving Northeast
TF 16 snooped by G3M2 Nell at 99,142 near Townsville
TF 16 sights Japanese Aircraft at 99,142 near Townsville
TF 17 observes Japanese Float Plane at 115,160 near Noumea
Catalina I reports oil slick at 101, 128 near Finschhafen
PBY-5 Catalina from VP-11 crashes on landing
xAK Tatumiya Maru is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on May 06, 1942

Well, our sub did hit (amazing!) and our torpedo thingamajig over-complicated pistol mechanism DID work (a major miracle!).

I moved my Cati's from Noumea to Milne Bay, and Milne now has 2 squadrons of Catis doing a very pretty rainbow from the base east and south-east. 20% rest on both, not using their max range at all.


I know from experience that after bombardment mission the big boy ships lose all their big boy ammo and they hightail it back to base.

Set reaction range of Proud Ozzies (tm) to max (6 I think) and come within 4 hexes of Port Moresby with them.

Results are spectacular (daytime action, thank goodness):

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 07, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,132, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CM Tsugaru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
DMS W-20, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AMc Fumi Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Hagoromo Maru, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Kagu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Sinsei Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Chicago Maru
xAK Ikushima Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Kasuga Maru #2, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Aso Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Hobart
DD Whipple, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
2196 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 135 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)
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Timotheus
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:13 am

RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

Miracles never cease in this one for me - torps NEVER work for me.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 07, 42
Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 99,133

Japanese Ships
xAK Aso Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-44


Since the dumb Allied high command lost the attack bombers (A-20's), in their infinite wisdom the Allied high command set one squadron of Catis to cover South and South-East in a search pattern and the second squadron on naval attack.

Shockingly, it worked (am learning float planes make VERY good bombers, if necessary):

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,132

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kansai Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 16000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kansai Maru

It wouldn't be complete without a Japanese raid on Port Moresby, but this time the P-40E CAP is there.

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A1 Val x 16

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

They drop VERY low, and the Ozzies seem better pilots than the Yanks in this game (to me).


And guess what - some Havocs survived! And set on 1000 feet, they also use their machine guns to pew pew targets, which explains Japanese casualties with zero bomb hits:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ikushima Maru

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

2nd raid by A-20's is even better:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kansai Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

The day of May 7, 1942 ends with me sweating heavily as my ships got caught in a Japanese air raid. These are the Proud Oz fleet, and they concentrate on CL Hobart... no hits, even though 13 Kates engaged (but I kept the range or their command was dumb - they tried dropping 250kg bombs and did not carry torps!)

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Timotheus
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:13 am

RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

May 8 and miracles (torps working) continue!

Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,133

Japanese Ships
xAK Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-44


Catalinas are amazing bombers!
Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Aso Maru, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 16000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

I withdrew my CV Strike Force (Lex and Yorkie and escorts) to the NE Oz land. I was shocked to be discovered by the Empire and not only that, attacked. Fortunately, I set a P40 (I think Allies get 2 P40 at start and I missed it or there was reinforcement P40 squadron) to Cairns or Cooktown, ready to fly to Port Moresby, but meanwhile I set long range CAP onto my CV fleet.. just in case.

Case happened.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 17

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Astoria
CV Yorktown

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
49th FG/9th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-5 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers

.....The Japanese were at max range, I think 8 hexes or so. And one of my carriers is en fuego..... And I set the CAP at 80 I think for both squadrons... mommy!

2nd wave, this time without escort - it is very TUNDERSTORM-y you see, very hard to operate airplanes (Pacific - my azz. What moron named this deadly ocean "peaceful/calm"!!!??).

8 Kates ripped apart.

Am quietly sobbing in my chair, as I had the perfect defensive setup (kinda by planning, kinda by luck) and 1 CV still got a torp!

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Timotheus
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:13 am

RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

Anno Domini May 9, 1942....

-Commander! Commander! Quit crying! We didn't lose the carrier!
-We.... we didn't....
-Give the Commander some heavy medication! Oh, and something to keep his eyes from doing that involuntary tick! Wait, we got a radio call that another Japanese raid is incoming towards our carrier fleet!
-Mommy!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 9
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Minneapolis
CV Yorktown

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Seriously, I do not see how you guys can play this game versus a human and play the grand campaign. This is nerve wracking when I know this scenario has only a few days to play!


Our admiral got his **** together, and decided to launch a riposte. We can't just stand here and take the pounding from beyond the range of OUR planes (did I mention our carrier planes are MUCH worse than our enemies?)

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 23
SBD-3 Dauntless x 53
TBD-1 Devastator x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Ariake, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Yugure
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ushio
DD Shigure
DD Akebono

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Heavy losses! But Japanese Zeke's seem to have mechanical trouble galore! Perhaps they are not THAT superior! And our planes can take some punishment! Takes a licking and.... ok, spins and goes down in flames...

But we got some hits in! This was a BIG raid, well coordinated by our 2 carriers.

and....

Fuel storage explosion on CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Aria

Halleluyah!!!!


Of course, day wouldn't be complete without "Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby", same old, same old, A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground, B-25B Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground, meh.

But Japanese supermen also fly bombers, check out their bombing results:
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28

....... Wow, all this from 17 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 7000 feet....... incredible!


I thought I was doing so well, when I hear the sirens once again and.....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 4
D3A1 Val x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Yorktown

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



Lex is on fire! Hit by bombs, which seem puny compared to ours, but they do SMART.


Our riposte is very punishing though (at this point we were 2 hexes away from the enemy carrier fleet, I got in REALLY danger close, which I think favors the Amis).

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 46
TBD-1 Devastator x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shigure
DD Akebono
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugure

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Miracles! Oh holy day of all holies! Our torps work (....sometimes).... we even got some bomb hits. For some reason our flyboys wanted to nail that heavy cruiser instead of going all out for the carriers... but I cannot complain!

Our pilots report heavy smoke all over the ocean:
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Haguro


And to top it off..... yes..... tis the season of miracles:

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,136

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, on fire
DD Ushio
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS S-42

SS S-42 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku


Did I mention that torpedoes NEVER worked for me in this scenario? Lots of "hit... but no explosion" results previously, to the point that I started to arm my torpedo bombers with bombs!



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Timotheus
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:13 am

RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 10, 42

This though.... this was not just a SNAFU... this was beyond that. Somehow our escorts did not make it to link up with our torp boys. The predictable happened:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 10, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 101,137

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

No Japanese losses


Cati's got into the action. Did I mention that these planes are amazing?

Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 101,137

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

PBY bomb hit on Zuikaku..... times TWO (2)...... Wow.

Somehow in this game the big, lumbering, slow, ungainly plane is super deadly and hard to shoot down by flak. Maybe the Japanese were surprised, because it was not RADAR detected and spotted too late.
Superb work by our PBY pilot, one cool customer.

Incidentally, the ground crew had to use buckets to clean up the pilot cabin, the details are still classified in 2017, but the pilot did get a bucket of medals for this mission.
Edit: Different bucket than the one used by ground crew was used to transport the medals (of course!)


New Yankee raid:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 101,137

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9
TBD-1 Devastator x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akebono
DD Shigure
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 3000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku

There seems to be no CAP? And where is Shock-awww-ouuuuuu (these are the sounds I made when I go versus this Japanese CV)? Did she slip away to Truk or Rabaul?


Our pilot ranks are thinning... and so are our planes we can put up.
Don't care! Today we fly, boys!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 101,137

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Haguro

Unfortunately, I forgot the rule number 2 of this scenario for the Yanks, namely the "Up north there be the Betties!" rule....

I moved my CV a bit north to let the P40's from Port Moresby do a long range CAP on it since I had literally, ruoghly, about, ohhh, 5 F4F's left on the carrier.

By this point, I had to move the other carrier away, as it was damaged, heavily, and its planes flew away to Port Moresby. I got it an escort of 2 destroyers and sent it cruise-speed to Brisbane, then thought better of it and to Noumea. My squadrons were flying 5 or 6 planes each.... I won't even tell you about the FATIGUE of my pilots.... it was criminal to keep them flying!

So at this point it was just the one carrier trying to finish Zuikaku!

And it wasn't Betties..... it was Nells which drew blood:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M2 Nell x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo




I sent Lexington and 3 destroyers to Brisbane...... it is not combat worthy.

This.... well, it's horrible, but it is afloat, and it WILL make it to port. All its surviving pilots relocated to Port Moresby, creating an unholy mess up there.

We have only the Yorkie left to duke it out!
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Timotheus
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RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 11, 42....

The Japanese finally get a measure of our overperforming heroic Cati's....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 destroyed


We get another desperate air raid onto their carrier task force:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22
TBD-1 Devastator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ushio
DD Akebono
DD Shigure, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Yugure

Hang on.... where IS Zuikaku! Checking intel screen, both Japanese carriers are afloat! I made a mistake! They slipped away to Truk (probably) or Rabaul (maybe?) and they left a bunch of small fries to keep my attention or go night surface pew pew with me! Arrrgh!

All subs that can - goto Truk and camp there (double checking that all subs have max react at 1, yup, they do).

Sub skipper reports in:

Sub attack near Deboyne Islands at 103,137

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS S-40

Again, no carriers. That's it, they have flown! All these allied pilots dead for NOTHING!!!


And again, confirmation:

ASW attack near Deboyne Islands at 103,137

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Ushio
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS S-40

...... face.... desk..... Such a glorious chance to finish them and I have failed (like in my youtube guadalcanal campaign where I failed to pursue and finish the Japanese carrier TF..... deja vu.....).



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Timotheus
Posts: 485
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RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

May 13, 1942, the mood in HQ is somber..... we have wasted such a glorious chance......

In revenge, the Japanese decide to pulverize Port Moresby from the air. I think they have a whole squadron of Zeke's in Rabaul and perhaps one in Lae... not sure....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 14, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M2 Nell x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4


Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M2 Nell x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4


But the scenario ends (awwwww!) and both our carriers are in Noumea (although we cannot repair major damage in Noumea - what the!?!? Also, played this before, and I know that the Amis cannot repair major damage on the big boys in any Oz port - as far as I know???).

I check the intel report at GAME OVER and..... can it be..... yes.....

Zuikaku and Shokaku confirmed sunk, it looks like the baby carrier did not do much as it is untouched....


Game ends with the Port Moresby force savaged by Proud Ozzies (3 odd ships), land based air including PBY's (which were amazing this game!) and even sub launched torps... mostly... worked!


Lessons learned from playing this 3 times:

1) Japanese Zeroes are deadly and they are flown by supermen
2) Japanese dive bombers, torpedo bombers and land based bombers carrying torpedoes or bombs are deadly and flown by supermen
3) Japanese carrier and land based fighter airplanes have MUCH better range than American ones. We need to get in CLOSE to do anything!
4) When I tried to get close before, Japanese carrier air with their better range OBLITERATED my carriers, which then launched desperate, uncoordinated attacks back (so catch-22; need to get close because of Japanese carrier air range to be effective, but can't get in close because of.... yeah....).
5) Land based air on naval attack, even with crap commanders (A-20 commander had like 20 aggressivness), is very useful. Of course, Japanese land bombers SPECIALIZE in naval and they are much better at it!
6) The only way I could win decisively was to run to Oz land with my carriers and get some P40's on long range cap from Oz land to help out and soak in Japanese air attacks.... and I still believe I got lucky as my carrier was hit by a torp even with this best scenario defense I could muster! One more torp, a few bomb hits and this scenario would be VERY different!


In short, as the Allies in 1941-42, RUN. Do not, repeat, DO NOT seek a carrier engagement with the Japanese in 41-42. Cover ships with land based air cover.
As the Japanese, in 41-42, start laughing maniacally and go to town, just enjoy yourself.


That's it, hope you enjoyed.

I was sweating, no joke.

Gonna get some hot tea with milk now, and goto sleep.
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moore4807
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RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by moore4807 »

Nice read here, Timotheus I'd like to offer a couple of hint's/tip's for playing the scenario - but I'm certainly no expert!

1) IIRC The S-boats do not carry the dud plagued USN torpedo, so regular hits are not uncommon. I really try to use the S-boats as scouts and screens against the Jap CVTF. You get 2-3 more S-Boats around the fifth day (variable). I push them northward to the southern tip of New Guinea to catch stragglers from the invasion force.
2) The Ozzie's TF (as you refer to them) are quite capable of handling the invasion force alone, I have found the Japanese A.I. to be virtually blind to this TF, even when the bombardment TF runs right into them! Both TF's avoided combat and go their merry way. NOTE: If you place your TF threat level to high then the "Ozzies" will engage the Japs and take a beating, especially at night as you noted.
3) Good move on getting land based air to help cover your CVTF. The P-40's are cannon fodder for the Zeroes, but they sure do soak up attack and battle damage!
4)The "Super" PBY's - you have only scratched the surface of the wonders of the PBY!!! They are cheap, plentiful, and capable of carrying torpedoes too! You MUST check the operating altitude before flying... PBY's generally do their best work around 5K altitude. Hitting anything with a bomb at 16K ft. is nothing short of a miracle for a scouting trained pilot!
Timotheus
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RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Timotheus »

Thanks for the tips!
I cannot fathom a reason why a certain type of American sub would have good torps while another would have the non-working ones, but good to know for the future.
I think I changed the PBY bombing height to 1000 feet later on...
Good call on threat levels - I already use routing, gotta work with threat settings...

In this scenario, the Port Moresby invasion is slated to be dealt with by land based air and the Proud Ozzie fleet, while the CV concentrate exclusively on Japanese carriers. I figure sinking an extra patrol boat, minelayer or AK won't win the war, but even damaging a Japanese carrier, never mind sinking it, might.

I do have a question - I am trying to figure out how to make a naval TF engage enemy during either day or night, my choice. Anything I can do as a player, for example, when playing Japan, to try to engage at night only?
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https://tinyurl.com/l5kr6rl
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Sardaukar
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RE: Newbie USA vs scary Japan AI Admiral @ Coral Sea updated

Post by Sardaukar »

ORIGINAL: Timotheus

Thanks for the tips!
I cannot fathom a reason why a certain type of American sub would have good torps while another would have the non-working ones, but good to know for the future.
I think I changed the PBY bombing height to 1000 feet later on...
Good call on threat levels - I already use routing, gotta work with threat settings...

In this scenario, the Port Moresby invasion is slated to be dealt with by land based air and the Proud Ozzie fleet, while the CV concentrate exclusively on Japanese carriers. I figure sinking an extra patrol boat, minelayer or AK won't win the war, but even damaging a Japanese carrier, never mind sinking it, might.

I do have a question - I am trying to figure out how to make a naval TF engage enemy during either day or night, my choice. Anything I can do as a player, for example, when playing Japan, to try to engage at night only?

S-boats used older Mk10 torpedoes, which were reliable and tested older construction. Newer fleet boats used plagued new Mk14 torpedo, which has 80% dud rate. Historically defects were not fully corrected with Mk14 until autumn 1943.

In game, Mk10 has dud rate of 10% while Mk14 has dud rate of 80% until Jan 1943 and after that 60% dud rate until Sept 1943, when dud rate drops to 10%.
"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von Bülov, 1870-

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