Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Mike Solli]

Wow, I finally figured out something (at least partially) before you recommended doing it. I already have a couple of AVs heading into the area. Didn't think of night naval search though. [8|]

I haven't seen a BB TF in the Solomons for quite a while. He used them quite a bit in the Aleutians though. I did sink 2 and damage another 3-4. He uses CAs in the Solomons for bombardment a lot. What would you recommend I use in the ambush TFs? Just DDs or something else?

[Lokasenna]

If he's using CAs, I'd ambush with Kongos and CAs. And place DBs and TBs at bases in range to finish off any cripples - or even just catch him with his pants down after your surface forces have eaten up his ops points.

[Mike Solli]

23 Jun 43

Sub War

With Ted unleashing his subs, this section is definitely getting longer and much more violent.

Because of my belated interest in increasing ASW capability between Palembang and Singapore, I had a TF of 4 good sized cargo ships unloading 4x construction battalions and supply at Muntok with the job of building the airfield there, currently at 0(7), to level 4 as quickly as possible. AS is enroute. Eventually, I’ll have either Sally or Helen ASW based there. Anyway, the Dutch sub KXIII found the TF. She put a torpedo into the xAK Africa Maru (Aden class) causing quite a bit of damage: 19-64(47)-32(22)-3. She continued to offload the engineers. I put her in her own TF and was able to dock her. Hopefully, that’ll keep her afloat.

The good side to this story was that an ASW TF composed of the W-24, 25 & 26 found the KXIII later, drove her to the surface and put her out of her misery for good.

Up at Adak, the Samidare found the Wahoo and hit her with a DC. The Wahoo had been reported sunk many months ago (obviously untrue and still untrue). There’s still another Allied sub sitting in Adak’s hex. My Helen chutai up there is doing nothing. That’s the only real ASW asset I have up there. The Samidare is waiting for Yudachi to complete temporary repairs (which just happened today) before escorting her to the Home Islands.

About 10 or so hexes SW of San Francisco, the I-27 found an unescorted convoy (probably empty because they were headed toward SF). She surfaced and attacked a big xAK. Five torpedo and many shell hits later, she had the satisfaction of watching the big cargo ship go down.

5 Fleet

Nothing going on other than the sub action described above.

4 Fleet

Something offensive by the Allies happened here for the first time since the war began! The DD Blue appeared out of the blue (yeah, lousy pun[:D]) and shelled Maleolap all by her lonesome. What she didn’t know (but knows now) is that Maleolap has a CD unit. She took 2x 6” hits and limped away causing no damage to Maleolap. I’m going to scrounge up some Nells to put out there so they can get a little target practice should some ships return.

SE Fleet

This was the center of action today. First off, I had mentioned a CA TF sent out of Truk to catch a small TF idling at Madang. Well, that TF disappeared (or my naval search lost track of it) so my TF is still sitting NE of Madang hoping for a target of opportunity. It’s composed of Kumano, Suzuya and Mikuma along with 4x Fubukis.

Ted decided to send most of his bomber sorties against Rabaul today. I have an issue that I hadn’t forseen there. I don’t have enough supply at Rabaul to use drop tanks so most of my fighters there are stuck. There’s only ~5k supply at Rabaul. I need to get it higher so I sent out a TF composed of a dozen or so xAKLs with ~18k supply loaded. They’ll arrive in 1.5 days. Anyway, back to the air battle…

There were four separate attacks. The first was a large one composed of 79x 4E and 32x 2E bombers followed by small attacks of 6x 2E, 12x 4E and 6 2E and finally 7x 4E. Basically, lots of bombers. I had 110 fighters, but they came slowly over time. When it was all said and done, I lost 9 fighters shot down plus 4 planes destroyed on the ground but shot down 19x 4E and 23x 2E bombers. There was some damage to Rabaul’s airfield but it’s still functional.

I hope that when the supply convoy arrives, Ted doesn’t try to attack it because of the number of fighters I have there. I have a lot of reserve fighters at Truk (either upgrading to a new plane or just resting and getting replacement aircraft). I keep sending more down to Rabaul to beef up the numbers. As of when I sent this turn to Ted, Rabaul was up to 188 fighters and 24 FBs. I really want this supply convoy to get through because then I can send the worn out fighter units back to Truk for replacements and R&R.

Ted is happy bombarding my troops with the 24 Division at Shortlands. It does nothing to me and keeps me apprised of the AV of the US troops.

Current damage to the bases in this area:

Manus: 0-70-96
Kavieng: 0-88-93
Gasmata: 15-0-0
Rabaul: 0-32-12
Shortlands: 14-30-34

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The only thing of note here is that Little Andaman Island’s airfield made level 4. This is significant because the G3M3 Nell can reach Ceylon’s bases with torpedoes now. Months ago, I had some based there and they did a night bombing run (using 2x 250kg bombs each instead of torpedoes) on one of the harbors bombing and sinking several full tankers. I’m going to dedicate a Glen sub to keep an eye out on Colombo (night search) so my Nells might cause more of a ruckus.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Here is a shot of air losses. I don’t think it’s very accurate, but it does show relative losses pretty well:

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

If he's using CAs, I'd ambush with Kongos and CAs. And place DBs and TBs at bases in range to finish off any cripples - or even just catch him with his pants down after your surface forces have eaten up his ops points.

That's what I figured, but Michael has this fascination with using DDs for ambushes when the moonlight is low.

Edit: I like to use one type of ship higher than my targets, which means that I don't want to get into surface action against Allied BBs.

[Lokasenna]

If he's using BBs in the Aleutians only, let him. I guess.

If he's using BBs, particularly slow ones, in the Solomons... chew up his ops points (and hope for slowing hits) with torpedo boats and destroyers. If you can bring a much larger TF to bear on his, then I would use some heavier ships. But make sure you have LBA around to mop up. Against BBs and Allied damage control, you'll need torps.

[ny59giants]

Any possibility of using a few groups of Georges to sweep a base or two?

[rustysi]

The RO-106 completed temporary repairs, 0-39(39)-0-0 and will move from pierside to readiness so it can leave Rabaul in a few days to head to Truk then the Home Islands for complete repairs.

No need to go all the way home. You have an ARD at Truk with a 3K capacity. If she's empty the sub will easily fit and repair all float damage. Will take a bit, but probably no longer than the trip home and back. Save a few fuel points too.

[rustysi]

What's your AAA situation in the Solomons Mike? Just curious. Is it having any effect? In my AI game I have ~36 75mm in Port Moresby, a dozen B-25's show up, altitude 13k, 10 go home. No damage to me. I'll take that. I've used AAA throughout the region in similar numbers and have thrown off most of the AI attacks.

[rustysi]

One last thing. Did you say he's got CV's 'hanging out' four hexes south of Rabaul???[X(] They're in some pretty restrictive waters. Got subs???? If I had any in the region I be flooding the place. In addition if I could amass some DD's I'd try to get 'em in at night. Fubuki's would be my choice. Not great fleet escorts due to 'short wind', but lots of torps. I like to go after CV's that seem to be out on a limb. Just some food for thought. Might be too late as you've said you've already put a fish into one though, too bad.

[Mike Solli]

He's been hiding his capital ships since the Enterprise ate a torpedo. I spotted them at Milne bay. There usually are a few small TFs hanging out south of Rabaul, but they're probably ASW TFs. I still have my TF NNW of Rabaul (3 CA & 4 DD). I finally have a mission for them (2 more turns to post).

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Any possibility of using a few groups of Georges to sweep a base or two?

My Georges are having a hard time repairing (SR3). Is that how you like to use them? They seem pretty short legged. At what altitude do you sweep with them?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

The RO-106 completed temporary repairs, 0-39(39)-0-0 and will move from pierside to readiness so it can leave Rabaul in a few days to head to Truk then the Home Islands for complete repairs.

No need to go all the way home. You have an ARD at Truk with a 3K capacity. If she's empty the sub will easily fit and repair all float damage. Will take a bit, but probably no longer than the trip home and back. Save a few fuel points too.

She just made Truk and you're right, the ARD can fix her. 9 days if I recall?

[Mike Solli]

I have a fair amount of AAA there. I'll let you know next time I open the game.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

One last thing. Did you say he's got CV's 'hanging out' four hexes south of Rabaul???[X(] They're in some pretty restrictive waters. Got subs???? If I had any in the region I be flooding the place. In addition if I could amass some DD's I'd try to get 'em in at night. Fubuki's would be my choice. Not great fleet escorts due to 'short wind', but lots of torps. I like to go after CV's that seem to be out on a limb. Just some food for thought. Might be too late as you've said you've already put a fish into one though, too bad.

I've tried being somewhat aggressive with subs in the area, to my sorrow. My subs rarely get a shot with his ASW and often pay the price.

[Mike Solli]

24 Jun 43

Sub War
5 Fleet
4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Rabaul was hit again, but by half as many bomber sorties. He's playing into my strength here. He's sending unescorted bombers into 100+ F/FB over my airbase in an attempt to close it down, still unsuccessfully. This time 49x 4E and 19x 2E sorties came. He lost 3 and 10 planes shot down respectively, plus about half a dozen 4E op losses to my 58 fighter (I rested a lot today) (5 lost + 3 op losses). Damage to Rabaul decreased.

A supply convoy with 17k supply will reach Rabaul tomorrow. It is critical that this convoy succeed.

Here's current damage:

Manus: 0-70-85 - down slightly. Not many engineers.
Kavieng: 0-88-89 - down slightly. Only 4 engineers.
Gasmata: 0-0-0 - down.
Rabaul: 0-32-0 - down.
Shortland: 14-30-26 - down.

SRA
Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Two separate attacks on Chinese units wandering around the countryside. One trashed some more and one (8 Route Army) destroyed. 139 squads killed.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements:
3 South Seas Garrison - 4 Fleet - headed to Maleolap. Very little infantry there.
4 South Seas Garrison - SE Fleet - headed to Wewak as a sacrificial lamb to slow further the slow crawl of the Allies.

Seven Kamikaze class enter refit.

Ki-100-II Tony R&D advanced to 9/43 (will become operational ~7/12/43).

[mind_messing]

What bases have you got to the west of Rabual to backstop your position?

I've found that once Rabual ends up on the frontlines, it can be tricky to keep the airbase network operational, so have you got Manus, Kavieng or any other New Guinea bases ready as a fallback?

[Mike Solli]

Manus, Kavieng and then Hollandia. Two of the 3 are beat up right now. Gasmata, right on the front line, is undamaged but has no planes.

[ny59giants]

George and Frank have been sweeping in at around 20k or just below. For me the George has been able to get at least 1:1 in losses while the Frank has been super in sweeping. Only P-38 and P-47 have been able to stand toe to toe with them.

[zuluhour]

ref post#3022 or so
I don't think ASW a/c missions will be effective at 0 range. If you want 1 or 2 hex you need to set at range 2 and 4. I'm pretty sure on this.
I did not think an ARD can do sub repair. Is this true?

**I did some reading last night but RL intervened. I only saw ARDs can repair "ships"and small craft which I have to take
as yes an ARD will "load"/repair a sub. sorry.

[rustysi]

I did not think an ARD can do sub repair. Is this true?

**I did some reading last night but RL intervened. I only saw ARDs can repair "ships"and small craft which I have to take
as yes an ARD will "load"/repair a sub. sorry.

Keep in mind that's only IRT flotation damage.