LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

I would had traded Musashi for its weight in destroyers or cruisers, but since that is not possible, then I think it makes sense to build it

Also, look at my game to see how many CAs a Yamato class can sink [8|]
then survive 5 torpedo hits [:(]
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BBfanboy
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by BBfanboy »

If Musashi and friends are not bombarding nor chasing your TFs, I would guess they are covering withdrawal of any Japanese troops in the area.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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Bif1961
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by Bif1961 »

You can canceling building it and use the freed up yard space and material to speed up other vessels you mentioned.
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IdahoNYer
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If Musashi and friends are not bombarding nor chasing your TFs, I would guess they are covering withdrawal of any Japanese troops in the area.

Probably spot on BB - but without a lot of airpower? That's what has me scratching my head....like the KB is lurking somewhere just out of range.
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IdahoNYer
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

You can canceling building it and use the freed up yard space and material to speed up other vessels you mentioned.


That's what I figured he'd done until my SBDs attacked the monster...
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IdahoNYer
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RE: 17-18 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I would had traded Musashi for its weight in destroyers or cruisers, but since that is not possible, then I think it makes sense to build it

Also, look at my game to see how many CAs a Yamato class can sink [8|]
then survive 5 torpedo hits [:(]


L_S_T LOVES his battlewagons - and has made extensive use of them in this game - more so than the CVs even. And with good success I might add.

So, I really shouldn't be surprised to see Musashi.
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IdahoNYer
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19-20 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

19-20 Jul 43

Highlights – BB Musashi TF bombards Port Hedland; Spruance CVs successfully move to refuel

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-174, I-178)

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-7)

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 2
YMS: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 14
Allied: 32

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Dobadura (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: BB Musashi TF vanishes and no idea where the KB is….troubling.

West Coast/Admin: Two CVLs arrive in Balboa and will remain in Pacific waters.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, two YMS attempt to clear mines at Kwaj, and coastal batteries make that a bad idea, sinking both. So, still some strength there - will focus air to soften Kwaj up and eat up supplies perhaps. Still need to do some reorganizing before next landings in the Marshalls.

In SOPAC, Buna Amph completes loading at Rossel, and will depart for Buna with BB Washington TF supporting. Air cover to be solely LRCAP, but don’t expect L_S_T to through much against the landings. Will be a tough fight on the ground however, although there are indications that the garrison, or at least parts of it are pulling back towards Lae overland. Dobadura was taken without a fight by troops moving from Oro Bay, one Bde to head to secure Moresby, the other two to link up with the landings at Buna. Once Buna landings accomplished, will look towards Buka and threatening Kavieng. Moving forward in SOPAC on or ahead of schedule.

In SWPAC, Darwin continues to be a busy port as troops and supplies are brought in - which is why I’m happy to see Musashi go after Port Hedland and not Darwin. Will continue to push troops and supplies in, and hopefully Musashi will stay clear. On the ground, the US 32nd Div continues to close with the withdrawing IJA defenders of Darwin to the west, as a US Para Reg attempts to move to block further IJA withdrawal. With some luck, the IJA will be blocked shortly. Further west, troops close on Wyndam and cross the river approaches to Derby overland. The road to Derby is delayed by IJA armor, but Wyndam looks to be lightly defended.

In WAUS, BB Musashi TF (BB, 2CA, 3CL, DDs) brush aside PTs and bombard Port Hedland, shutting down the AF. Only 2 a/c are destroyed on the ground as I had pulled most flyable a/c out prior to the bombardment. Beauforts w/torps and P-47s remain viable strike a/c at Corruna Downs. After the bombardment, the IJN disappeared despite heavy PBY air search - assume they went towards Koepang, but they “should” have been within air search range come daylight. Looks as though L_S_T’s Australian defence’s last stand will be centered on Derby, and he’s willing to commit heavy naval units to drag this out. Will continue to press fwd, but still not bringing in major naval units here.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Magwe’s oil continues to be reduced, and no sign of the formerly heavy swarms of IJA fighters - looks like they have displaced to Rangoon and ports along the Andaman Sea. Air will continue to focus on Magwe, but will divert some strike a/c to begin hitting IJA ground units that are pulling back from the India-Burma border. On that note, Allied units have have cut the rail line north of Shwebo and will move on Shwebo - which recon says is abandoned. IJA ground units remain in the Myitkyina area, but those look to be pulling back towards Lashio. So it does appear the that the Port Blair landings has certainly broken the deadlock in Burma. Will continue to push in center towards Mandalay, but not sure how supply will flow from India, and I don’t have the spare air transports to bring much in via air. Will begin a coastal drive in a week or so with a landing at Ramree Island as there is still a significant IJA force in the jungles near Akyab that could still be trapped.

In the IO, Spruance’s CVs clear the sub infested waters near Car Nicobar and move to refuel with the replenishment TF in the IO. Fuel is taken on, and 4 DDs are released to rearm depth charges in Ceylon. CVs will need another turn to completely refuel. At Port Blair, the last two Bdes of the 3rd Marine Div are loaded and will sail to Ceylon next turn accompanied by the CA TF. I’m leaving some transports to shuttle troops out of Little Andaman as I’ve still got a bit of reorganization to do. So far, other than numerous sub contacts - 4 more reportedly hit by a/c, it’s been very quiet. I’ll keep Spruance at sea, but at a distance to see if anything develops as well as waiting to link up with the Essex TF which just refueled off Bombay.
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RE: 19-20 Jul 43

Post by jwolf »

not sure how supply will flow from India [into Burma]

It does flow, but not at a rate to sustain intense operations for very long. IMHO you'll need to be slow and patient unless or until you open up a port directly onto the Burma road network.
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IdahoNYer
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RE: 19-20 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

ORIGINAL: jwolf
not sure how supply will flow from India [into Burma]

It does flow, but not at a rate to sustain intense operations for very long. IMHO you'll need to be slow and patient unless or until you open up a port directly onto the Burma road network.

Thanks jwolf, good to know! Although opening up a port isn't going to be for a bit...
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IdahoNYer
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21-22 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

21-22 Jul 43

Highlights – Troops land at Buna

Jpn ships sunk:
DMS: 1
PB: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-166)
LSD: 1 (Shinshu Maru)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 19
Allied: 26

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 2 ships hit (2xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Buna (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Buna Amph unloads the 3rd NZ Div(-), (consisting of the Fiji Bde and the 14th NZ Bde - remaining Bde will be brought in a couple of days) and the US 129th In Reg. Troops get ashore and find the IJA’s 38th Div - so this is going to be a prolonged fight - at least until the US 37th ID can be brought to bear, marching in from Oro Bay. Shipping begins to depart as ships are offloaded. At Tulagi, troops and shipping begin gathering for Buka as well as mop work at Munda. As for L_S_T’s defenses…lots of shipping around the Admiralty Islands and in the western Bismarck Sea give me the impression that the Admiralties will be the tough nut to crack. Troops are planning for operations deep - Manus, Hollandia, and Umboi Island amongst others. Things will stay busy in SOPAC!

In SWPAC, troops close on the IJA elements west of Darwin and will begin grinding down the pocket as troops and supplies continue to pour into Darwin. Fingers crossed that the IJN doesn’t make a committed spoiling attack which would really through a monkey wrench into operations.

In WAUS, quiet returns - no sign of the IJN. It does appear that troops have been pulled out of Broome - but I’m not sure if it was overland or by ship. Allied ability to project power - both air and sea - against Broome and Derby remain limited. Coastal shipping returns to resupply Port Hedland and although the AF is back in limited operation, I haven’t pushed the airpower back just yet - they are being held back at Exmouth just in case the IJN ‘goes deep” for a raid at the primary Allied logistical hub in Theater. Aussie torpedo bombers remain at Corrunna Downs should the IJN re-visit Port Hedland.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Magwe’s oil down to 11 after two days of productive bombing strikes - but AA fire remains fierce with 3 B-24s clawed down from 12k. Will rest one B-24 group while maintain attacks with the remaining B-24s and mediums. On land, Allied attacks along the frontier begin making limited headway with the British 2nd Div beginning attacks against elements of the IJA’s 4th ID. Near Akyab, I’m surprised by a big IJA attack - over 43k troops attack the 36k Allied forces inland from Akyab and are held with 2700 IJA losses to 600 Allied. Surprised that an attack would be tried here - figured L_S_T would be pulling these troops out. Good to see they are sticking around as Allied troops have begun loading to land at Ramree Island. Lastly, three P-40 squadrons arrive via convoy at Bombay which will bolster air strength by 75 planes once fully fitted out and deployed. These are the new P-40N models, so not the greatest, but planes are planes.

In the IO, Spruance’s CVs complete refueling, but will remain in place for another turn or so while the CV Essex TF links up with the BB South Dakota TF out of Bombay. Convoy with the USMC elements and CA TF successfully departed Port Blair, and should arrive at Ceylon next turn. Ships begin loading tanks and engineers at Little Andaman that will link up with the Ramree Amphib TF that has also begun loading at Colombo. Ramree will be the next big move, supported by the fleet. Goal here is twofold - first to put troops behind the IJA in Burma, and also to draw L_S_T’s attention away from the DEI back to Burma - I figure he’s been wondering what happened to the US Army divisions that have been “missing” in Burma for a while. Well, this will show a few of them - others being held for later operations in the IO. Lastly, two CVEs and CA Baltimore arrive at Aden and will head to rendezvous with the fleet.

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IdahoNYer
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23-24 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

23-24 Jul 43

Highlights – Noose tightens on IJA positions in Oz.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-154, RO-100)
PB: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-164)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 24
Allied: 13

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph/Airborne Assault:
Nookanbah (WAUS)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Nookanbah (WAUS)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, All but one transport, w/one escort, will retire from Buna. Last xAP still offloading New Zealanders. BB Wash TF will bombard as they withdraw to Tulagi. Last NZ Bde continues loading in the Solomons and will head to Buna when complete. 8th USMC Reg begins loading at Tulagi for Buka, the next objective in Theater. Still no sign of any major enemy activity.

In SWPAC, fighting begins to reduce the IJA pocket west of Darwin - will be a long, slow fight for the 37th ID to reduce the pocket in the swamps. Aussie troops close on Wyndam and will probe defenses next turn. Focus remains building up Darwin area and troops - engineers, baseforces and HQs especially, continue to pour in to prepare for the next jump out to the Banda Sea islands. Really would like to get a fix on where the KB is before I make this jump.

In WAUS, Aussie Cdo Bn makes an airborne drop to take undefended Nookanbah, SE of Derby, outflanking the delaying tank unit in the area - which is now pulling back to Derby. Commandos will link up with the Aussie Bde coming up along the trail and head towards Derby from the SE. Little activity over Broome and Port Hedland as airforces rest. No sign of the IJN.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Intel now says Magwe’s oil is up to 13 remaining, even after a very productive day of strikes. Will continue to hit the target for another turn or two, but I think its been reduced as much as we can hope for. Bombers need to rest anyway as other objectives are pending. On land, ground troops reach Shwebo, which appears undefended as the IJA does look to be in full withdrawal in the Burma central plain. The majority of Allied troops meanwhile are still slowly moving through the jungles - with only the lead Bdes coming out into the open plain. Still a very large IJA force outside of Akyab in the jungles which may still be outflanked if the Ramree landings go as planned. The real surprise is the lack of any IJA air contesting the skies. Burma has been the most bitter air campaign in the war - and now its dead quiet.

In the IO, Spruance’s CVs will continue to loiter waiting for the Essex TF to link up (currently approaching the Maldive Islands), still thought to be undetected by air and no subs appear to be near. The Replenishment TF does get spotted by subs off Ceylon, but subs fail to penetrate the screen. Main concentration of subs appear to be laying halfway between Ceylon and Port Blair (just out of most ASW air range). Ramree Amph TF completes loading at Columbo, and will depart next turn with the R Class BB TF in company as well as ASW and Minesweeping TFs. Spruance will move to support likely next turn, depending on Essex’s progress. Also joining will be another Amph TF with Armor and Engineers coming out of Little Andanman. I expect heavy air attacks, but not any major naval counter to the Ramree landings. May look at hitting Rangoon with both CV and LBA based air as a prelude.
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IdahoNYer
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25-26 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

25-26 Jul 43

Highlights – Undefended Schwebo taken in Burma

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-172)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 8
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit (sub I-8 reported sunk in attack against Ramree Is BB TF)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Shwebo (Burma)

SIGINT/Intel: Recon reports CVs at Koepang.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Buka Is Amph TF as well as BB Washington TF ready to depart Tulagi to stage at Buin, and link up with Engineers, artillery and armor loading at Bouginville. NZ Bde having difficulty loading at Rekata Bay off the beach - just taking longer than expected, and tying up APAs longer than necessary. This will delay attacks on Buna of course. Milne Bay Amph begins loading at Woodlark Is - just housecleaning here.

In SWPAC, SBDs and TBFs out of Darwin find two DDs in the Timor Sea - apparently (according to L_S_Ts post on the Forum) were reacting to a sub contact from Koepang. DD Hibiki hit by three bombs and should be at least crippled - hasn’t come up on Tracker as sunk yet. More on Koepang is on the intel side - recon reports CVs in Koepang port. Figured Musahi was there, but CVs? Did the KB really come back east? Will send some B-24s to hit the port at night to see if they can recon by fire a bit. Darwin is now overcrowded with incoming shipping - some being diverted to Bathurst Island, but the congestion will continue for a bit.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Shwebo falls undefended to advancing troops, as additional Allied troops begin to come out of the jungle into the Central Plain. Will continue to push sough toward Rangoon as supply and troops permit. Not clear where the IJA’s main defensive line is right now - much troops still up near Akyab, and east near Myitkyina area - but the center looks stripped of divisions.

In the IO, Ramree Is BB TF is sighted and attacked by a sub off Ceylon - sub is crippled or sunk, but I have to figure that L_S_T knows something is up with R Class BBs being sighted. Will divert the Ramree TFs a bit more to the Indian coast to “hide” a bit, and give Spruance time to approach Rangoon. Spruance is slowly moving towards Rangoon - soon to enter sub infested waters again, but if all goes well, Spruance will be in position to hit Rangoon in two turns - hopefully coordinated with LBA out of Akyab. Port Blair and Andanman’s biggest threat remains subs - escorts in light supply at the moment.



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IdahoNYer
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27-28 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

27-28 Jul 43

Highlights – B-24s hit Koepang port at night

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 19
Allied: 12

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Ebadon (CENPAC - flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: Recon by bombing finds BB Musashi and cruisers at Koepang, but didn’t confirm CVs.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Wotje Amph begins loading troops at Christmas Is.

In SOPAC, Buka Amph TF and supporting ships finish loading and will depart Buin, Torokina and Vella La Vella next turn and commence landings. Air begins softening up target. Milne Bay Amph continues to load and should complete and move to target next turn.

In SWPAC, two squadrons of Darwin based B-24s hit Koepang port at night, hitting BB Musashi repeatedly with little effect, but also score against CA Kinugasa and two hits on CL Nagara leave her burning. Bombers will return next turn at night as well. 37th ID makes progress on reducing the isolated IJA west of Darwin, inflicting over 2700 casualties. Will still take a while to complete the destruction of these troops. Landing craft approach Wyndham with an FA Bn as a test to see the validity of moving troops from Darwin to Wyndham via landing craft. The big problem right now is the shipping congestion at Darwin, which will slowly improve over time, assuming the IJN stays away.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, additional troops begin to emerge from the jungles into the Central Plain, and will start moving to cut off the IJA troops still up by Akyab. The Brit 2nd Div attacks and pushes back the C/4th ID, also in the jungles. Still no IJA air opposition…

In the IO, Spruance links up with Essex TF in sub infested waters off Ceylon, and will move toward Rangoon - with much of the a/c devoted to ASW work for the time being. That gives Spruance 8 CVs and CVL which will look to strike Rangoon with (LBA as well) the turn after next. This should provide cover to the Ramree Amph which is still chugging through the Bay of Bengal.

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RE: 27-28 Jul 43

Post by jwolf »

assuming the IJN stays away.

They haven't exactly been cooperative on that score ...

If you had lots of bomb hits on the Musashi, it might have run up the system damage a bit, and that can take some time to repair. I don't imagine the facilities at Koepang are all that good.
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IdahoNYer
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29-30 Jul 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

29-30 Jul 43

Highlights – 6th Marines land at Buka

Jpn ships sunk:
CVE: 1 (Hosho comes up on the sunk list)
SS: 1 (RO-35)
TK: 1
xAKL: 1

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 13
Allied: 16

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAKL sunk, xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Buka (SOPAC)
Wyndham (SWPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN looks to have departed Koepang for points unknown.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Wotje Amph TF departs Christmas Is to stage at Mili.

In SOPAC, Buka Amph TF goes in with no issues, all troops ashore with minimal loss; will depart back to Tulagi next turn. BB Washington TF bombards Buka and will bombard again before departing to replenish. New Zealand Bde finally departs Choiseul and heads to Buna. Milne Bay Amph completes loading at Woodlark, and will head to target next turn. So far, so good.

In SWPAC, B-24s hit Koepang port at night, again, but just hit the port, no shipping found. No clue where the IJN went, but if its out of Koepang it will be more challenging to interdict Allied coastal traffic along the Australian coast. To test that, I land an FA Bn at Wyndham to reinforce the troops there, and they landed without interference. Will throw LBA against Wyndham and ground assault next turn - only have a Bde without engineers, so this may not work. Darwin shipping backlog looks to have resolved itself the last few turns, and baseforce engineers landed will also now head to Fenton to establish that base as well. Between Bathurst, Darwin and Fenton, USAAF will be able to mass airpower to cover the next Allied move into the Banda Sea area.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, Chungking is still gradually being encircled from the southwest. A slow process, but one with an inevitable ending.

In Burma, with Shwebo secure, troops begin moving down the Central Plain toward Prome - lead elements avoiding crossing to river towards Mandalay, leaving Magwe and Mandalay for follow on troops. Will try a Bde sized airborne drop on Meiktila, next to Mandaly, which if successful, will cut retreat towards Tuang Gyi. Combined with the upcoming Ramree landings, all this should liberate central Burma and may trap over 30k troops still in jungles near Akyab. On that note, the “Akyab Force” - about two Corps of 4 divisions plus support will begin bombardment to soften up this major IJA contingent. In the air, in addition to supporting the Airborne drop, LBA will sweep both Rangoon and Toungoo with first line fighters. Heavies will also focus on Toungoo with the mediums supporting the airborne drop.

In the IO, Spruance moves toward Rangoon and will launch sweeps and initially limited night time bombing of the port and AFs next turn. Will be interesting to see if enemy air strikes out at the CVs. Recon reports over 200 fighters at Rangoon, so this could be bloody. Still, between hitting both Rangoon and Toungoo, the goal is to attrit the IJA LBA to where they can’t interfere with the Ramree Amph. One mishap with Spruance - in the accompanying CA TF, DD Mugford (2/29(18)/6) was rammed by CL Achilles (2/7(7)/0) and both ships will detach with two DDs low of depth charges and head to Columbo. The Ramree Amph TF and support are still steaming across the Bay of Bengal, the long way off the coast to take advantage of some LBA LRCAP out of Chittagong as it makes its final approach. Near Port Blair the focus is on killing subs and moving troops. LBA ASW a/c reported another 4 subs hit near the Andamans and I’ve got 4 DDs from the Port Blair area that need to head back to Ceylon to replenish DC racks.
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Jul 43 Summary

Post by IdahoNYer »

July 43 Summary

A very successful month, and without excessive cost. A number of highlights this month - closing Magwe and Rabaul, taking Darwin and Port Hedland, and the IJN was on the receiving end on two occasions of the US version of the KB, Spruance’s TF, and the results were solid. Although the KB was not decisively engaged, the initiative has been regained in the IO, and the ground deadlock in Burma seemingly broken. The primary goal for Aug will be engaging and destroying the KB if it comes back out, and continuing to advance in most Theaters, with the emphasis remaining in Burma and the IO Theaters. Naval losses for the month were very solid, the IJN losing a CVL (Zuiho to a Mk-13 mine!), CVE (Hosho), BB (Haruna or perhaps Fuso), CS (Chitose), DD, and 5 SS. Add to this at least a dozen major AK/xAPs in the IO sunk, and at least a half dozen BBs and/or CAs damaged to some degree requiring yard work. Allies only lost 2 SS and 9 PT, but a good half dozen subs were damaged, mostly by ASW a/c. In the air, Magwe was a tough nut to crack, making it an expensive month in the air, but still a fairly good month for the Allied Cause, 973 for Jpn to 667 Allied.

INTEL: I’m pretty sure the KB - as well as the bulk of the IJN - has departed the IO and is now waiting to jump on the Allies as we launch toward the islands in the Banda Sea. I only have the sighting of the BB Musashi TF in and around Koepang, as well as some non confirmed recon reports of CVs in Koepang. Frankly, I have no idea where the IJN is concentrated right now. I do need to exercise some caution in all Theaters just in case, as with two day turns, the KB could show up and strike very quickly. On the ground, I haven’t met L_S_T’s main defensive belt in any Theater - all delaying actions, in which he’s pulling back faster than I can advance. I expect ground resistance to stiffen in New Guinea, central Burma, any future landings in the IO, and in the Rabaul/Kavieng area. Intel has picked up the IJA’s 14th ID coming into the Marianas, so he’s starting to harden that defensive belt, and I’m a long way away from threatening there.

SUBWAR: Allied subs continue to be more targets than threats -- this certainly feels more like the Atlantic U-Boat campaign mid ’43 than the Pacific. IJN subs are thick in the IO, and are paying a price as they attempt to catch the US fleet, but are conspicuously absent elsewhere.

West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Fighter production will drop to 486 in Aug due to two of the three US P-40 models ceasing production. With the Magwe fight over, the lull did allow US Army and British fighters to gain some numbers in the pools, but bomber pools remain low. Navy and USMC pools are fairly robust for the moment. Pilot pools are mixed, US Army pools, including bombers, are finally fairly solid, as are the USMC and Navy fighters. British pools and US Navy bombers remain low - the Navy’s largely due to the influx of numerous groups coming in with carriers that require additional training. Nothing to really complain about. At sea, the Fletcher DD refits are largely done, and the majority fleet, including the two new Essex class CVs are now in the IO. The next group of CV/CVL reinforcements will go to the Pacific.

NOPAC. No change here; remains a backwater and will remain as such until spring of ’44 when I may look at landing in the Kuriles with the incoming US 6th ID.

CENPAC. Only Roi-Namur was taken taken this month in CENPAC. August will see Wotje and Eniwetok as the primary objectives, and if all goes well, perhaps Kusaie Island. While I plan to bring a small CV TF into the Pacific, not knowing where the KB is will limit its flexibility.

SOPAC. July saw the shift in effort towards New Guinea with landing at Oro Bay and the beginning of the Buna campaign. That will continue into August, in which troops should also take Milne Bay and Port Moresby, and perhaps a landing at Salamaua to flank Buna should L_S_T decide to hold the base. End of July saw Marines land at Buka, and that will be followed up by landings on New Ireland to eventually seize Kavieng. Rabaul will be kept neutralized, but it looks to have already been abandoned as a major base. L_S_T looks to be forming a main defensive line based on Manus and Umboi Island. Troops are prepping for these and further objectives along the New Guinea coast, but a jump past Kavieng will likely require carriers, and I’m not ready to move the fleet to support SOPAC just yet.

SWPAC/WAUS. Combining these two Theaters into one now that Darwin and Port Hedland were taken in July. The rest of the month was focused on mopping up the IJA positions in OZ, and building up bases. Was surprised to see BB Musashi make an appearance at Port Hedland (L_S_T loves fighting for this base!), and its likely she and her consorts remain in the vicinity of Koepang-Ambon-Kendari area, awaiting my next move. It will likely take most of August to clear Broome and move on to Derby in any case. Still, hope to move into one of the islands in the SE Banda Sea to establish a forward base in August. Just really depends on where the heck the KB is.

China. L_S_T continues to conduct a broad encirclement of Chungking from the west, and this includes probably 60% of the Chinese Army. Not that it matters, supplies are nonexistent, and the end result is still bleak. The only salvation possible for China is the Allied drive in Burma opening up a ground route to Paoshan to Kumning, but I don’t see Chungking holding that long.

Burma. Things are finally rolling in Burma in July. The Andaman landings did lead L_S_T to pull troops and aircraft out of Burma to protect his southern flank, and that allowed Magwe to be reduced from the air - the end of a brutal 6mo air campaign. What I was surprised at was the Allied India/Burma frontier “holding” attacks have given way to a full-fledged advance in the Burma Central Plain. I did not expect such a rapid pull out when sizeable IJA troops are still near Akyab in the jungles. Will continue pushing in the center, and of course, Ramree is about to be amphibiously invaded with a US Corps. Goal now in August is push the IJA defenses to the gates of Rangoon, and trapping a major force northwest of Ramree.

IO. Although we missed engaging the KB - we came close near Little Andaman, but Spruance’s CVs did good work in repulsing a counter landing and battering a support force. Once Ramree landings have taken place, the fleet will return to operations in the IO. After a brief (hopefully) port call to repair minor damage and replenishment, the fleet will move back toward Sumatra in search of the KB. Although I think the KB has departed, I can’t discount it may be operating out of Singapore or Batavia. Will continue to build up Port Blair and Little Andaman to keep Rangoon isolated, and once I can free up transports from Ramree, will look for a landing at Trinkat or perhaps even Sabang.


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IdahoNYer
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31 Jul - 1 Aug 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

31 Jul - 1 Aug 43

Highlights – Near Rangoon, a sub puts two torps into CV Essex while Jpn air attacks are mauled.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-166)
xAP: 1
xAK: 1
xAKL: 1

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 211
Allied: 38

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ships hit (CV Essex hit by 2 torps from I-176)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph/Airborne Assault:
Milne Bay (SOPAC)
Meiktila (Burma)
Truscott (SWPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Buka (SOPAC)
Meiktila (Burma)
Truscott (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN is missing in action again. No idea where any heavy units are.

West Coast/Admin: With Essex heavily damaged, I will now send the soon to arrive CV America and the two CVLs in Balboa to the IO instead of supporting CENPAC and SOPAC.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Buka is taken much easier than expected, figure that L_S_T was airlifted troops out before the blow fell. In any case, A/Imperial Guards Div and a Special Base Force were wiped out with the remainng 600+ troops. The 201st (Sep) IN Reg went ashore at Milne Bay without problems and should mop up the remnants next turn. Lastly, the 37th ID closed on Buna while the 8th NZ Bde finally arrived and began offloading. Allied troops will begin bombarding next turn, and will ground assault after the 8th NZ is fully ashore. Estimated 22k defenders, so this will be a tough fight. Allied air forces shift from Buka back to ground support against Buna.

In SWPAC, the 2/7 Aus Cdo Bn takes undefended Truscott via airborne attack. Truscott, although currently undeveloped, will be built up to support fighter sweeps over Koepang. Wyndham is bombarded by CA TF (CA, 2CL, DDs) with minimal effect, and the ground attack is easily held with minimal loss to both sides. Navy will return next turn to bombard, and the 3rd Motor Bde will try again next turn, with air forces in full support. Recon will begin a focused observation plan on islands in the Banda Sea while troops continue to prepare for the first landings. But first, assault shipping will move to Exmouth to load troops to land at Broome. The wild card of course is whether or not the IJN will show itself as naval forces in the area (assigned to the newly arrived 7th Fleet) are minimal.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, things begin moving fast. Perhaps too fast. Air forces sweep both Toungoo and Rangoon, but find no fighters. B-24s hit Toungoo and British Lib IIs hit Rangoon (in daylight, forgot to change the Lib IIs to night!) with good effect, shutting down Toungoo and damaging Rangoon; 36 Tonys and 18 Tojos destroyed on the ground for the loss of one Lib II. Was a bit surprised there was no CAP at all, and the Army fighters were left on the ground. The IJN planes were otherwise employed (see below para). Allied Air Forces were also busy supporting a Bde sized para drop when the 14th LRP Bde seized Meiktila which was only garrisoned by a Machinecannon Company. This flanks Mandalay, and threatens Taung Gyi. Two additional airborne brigades will be brought in to Meiktila to flank Taung Gyi. Near Akyab, the main IJA force (estimated at 2 ID and AR Divs) begins pulling south along the secondary road, and the Allied force (also at 4+Divs) will pursue, and the Allied bombers will attempt to interdict. Meanwhile, along the Central Plain, only one IJA Bde size force is identified blocking the clear terrain leading toward Prome, so the goal is to push hard down this corridor and attempt to block the withdrawing IJA force - and link up with the forthcoming landing at Ramree. As I said, L_S_T is moving fast now, and its going to be tough to cut him off. As usual it seems, I expected him to try and delay harder, rather than pull south at speed.

In the IO, it was not a good turn. Opened up with IJN’s most vaunted sub, I-176, missing CV Yorktown with a torpedo spread, and as soon as my heart rate returned to normal, the bloody sub put two fish into CV Essex! Essex is heavily damaged (37/65/(59)/9) and of course, AI Adm Spruance detaches Essex with only one DD with EXACTLY 1 depth charge left as escort! Not good. Daylight brings Hellcat fighter sweeps over Rangoon and like their Army counterparts, find no CAP. Instead, the IJN LBA launches 5 strikes which are met by a very robust CAP which does extremely well: 43 Zero, 11 George, 46 Jill and 27 Vals are lost in exchange for 5 Hellcats, 7 Martlets, and 3 F4Fs. Only three Jills get through the CAP, and all three are destroyed by AA. So, while a good day in the air, Essex’s damage is a tough blow. Spruance’s TFs will follow Essex away from the coast toward Magwe, and with some luck Essex can avoid contact until she can get more escorts. Will also focus more air ASW and DDs to hunt subs off the Burma coast as the Ramree Amph and bombardment TFs are still inbound. Spruance, as well as LBA will provide LRCAP over the Ramree TFs, but the priority next turn is to safeguard Essex. This could get even more dicey! Essex will initially head to Trincomalee to pump out and offload its air group (just in case, I pulled all the pilots off), and then eventually to Colombo and likely she’ll need to head for the East Coast. Lady Lex will depart Columbo for Cape Town to make room and finish repairs (7/22(22)/0). To replace Essex, the latest arriving CV, America, will head to the IO with two CVLs, a CL, and DDs. That will take a couple of weeks. Both Essex and Lex will leave airgoups in Theater, so sorting out the airgoups is going to get challenging at some point. Of course, there’s a good chance Essex won’t even make Trincomalee…..



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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: 31 Jul - 1 Aug 43

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

Bad luck!!! [:@][:@]

looking at the silver linen, you now have 3 kick ass LBA squadrons

Can the planes fly away? have you thought about moving to Pt Blair to unload do minimal repairs?
jwolf
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RE: 31 Jul - 1 Aug 43

Post by jwolf »

I'll bet Jap subs would swarm around any nearby Allied base, Port Blair included. [:(]

Curious about China -- is it possible you could open up a supply path via Myitkyina or Lashio, to Paoshan and beyond? Even a trickle of supply could really upset the Japanese as their own supply isn't really robust there. Or is it? [&:]
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RE: 31 Jul - 1 Aug 43

Post by IdahoNYer »

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Bad luck!!! [:@][:@]

looking at the silver linen, you now have 3 kick ass LBA squadrons

Can the planes fly away? have you thought about moving to Pt Blair to unload do minimal repairs?

Assuming I can get her to port and get the planes off! No air ops till she gets to port. To get to port, need to avoid the subs!

Port Blair is sub city, and even getting to Chittagong would have been challenging with the subs looking for the Ramree Amphib...so the long voyage across the IO to safer waters, hopefully avoiding the sub concentrations between the Andamans and Colombo.
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