I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,139, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 2
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 2
DD Yunagi
DD Akikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AP McCawley, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
AP Barnett, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP President Adams, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
AP Crescent City, Shell hits 24, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
10962 casualties reported
Squads: 364 destroyed, 308 disabled
Non Combat: 348 destroyed, 310 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 182 (163 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 43 (38 destroyed, 5 disabled)
***[/i]

Let me know your thoughts, both on the turn and more strategically. What can I do to make his life most difficult given my somewhat restricted operational capabilities?

IMO, that's worth losing a carrier battle right there. You just mission killed the equivalent of two infantry divisions. Two infantry divisions that he *needed* on Lunga for this scenario. That loss will make it very difficult for him to complete his missions there, especially if there's meaningful Japanese LCU assault units that can take advantage.

Well done. [&o]

[BBfanboy]

+1 to CBs comments.

Just one question: Why do you think Hornet is going to Brisbane rather than Efate or Noumea? Brisbane's drydock is not big enough to handle Hornet and AFAIK he has no naval support there.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

The next stage in the drama unfolds! So I lost the carrier battle, which was, I admit, both disheartening and my own fault. Despite this I want to show the Japanese spirit and make sure I keep the pressure on at this stage of the battle for Guadalcanal.

Don't get into real historical Japanese spirit. That battle was a draw. You can field 100 planes on your two operational CVs, and US also can field as much, especially considering their loses. Well, Shokaku will be probably closed after first hit, but you still have CV air parity. You have disadvantage in damage absorption, but remember, that Carrier Planes can be used on any lvl 2 airfield.

1) I have run out of fuel. Which is to be expected given my perhaps excessive use of bombardment runs (too used to the freedom of Hearts of Iron style naval conflict!). I am still bringing in the last major chunk from Babeldaob and I suspect there is a total of 6-8,000 in the outlying islands in drips and drabs. I will bring the majority to Truk to refuel my major task forces and then the remainder to Rabaul for my supply runs into GC.

Pump it out from your heavily damaged ships. You will not use them anymore, anyway. Just create damaged ships TF with "no refuel" option, and then another TF, with Combat Ships, and "Full Refuel" at the same hex. Then press "Refuel at Sea" (maybe twice), and voila!

3) His B17Es and newly arrived B24s are going to crush any forward airfields I have - starting with the bombing of shortlands today.

As you have discovered, LRCAP over TF is quite useless, but even 5 LRCAP fighters against unescorted 4Es can slowly reduce their numbers.

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AP McCawley, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
AP Barnett, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP President Adams, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
AP Crescent City, Shell hits 24, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
10962 casualties reported
Squads: 364 destroyed, 308 disabled
Non Combat: 348 destroyed, 310 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 182 (163 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 43 (38 destroyed, 5 disabled)

That is large amount of troops, as for only 6 transports, but it seems whole Division is gone. What happened with your Amphibious forces, which landed at GC?

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

+1 to CBs comments.

Just one question: Why do you think Hornet is going to Brisbane rather than Efate or Noumea? Brisbane's drydock is not big enough to handle Hornet and AFAIK he has no naval support there.

I had to dig around to find the quote which explains my decision (below). Although, having now looked back at it - I misread it! It does also say Noumea. I didn't realise Brisbane wouldn't be able to repair carriers. Is it a certain Port level which allows for this?

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
On a related note, I've found that having my submarines south and southwest of Lunga, along the retreat path to either Noumea or Brisbane is a much more fertile ground for picking off cripples. You mentioned a sentry line far to the North. Move them down where they can put some real hurt on the Allied fleet! It's much better than acting as a picket (which they don't do particularly well).

[Leandros]

I had to dig around to find the quote which explains my decision (below). Although, having now looked back at it - I misread it! It does also say Noumea. I didn't realise Brisbane wouldn't be able to repair carriers. Is it a certain Port level which allows for this?

Sidney is the port for you.

Fred

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

Pump it out from your heavily damaged ships. You will not use them anymore, anyway. Just create damaged ships TF with "no refuel" option, and then another TF, with Combat Ships, and "Full Refuel" at the same hex. Then press "Refuel at Sea" (maybe twice), and voila!

Worked an absolute Treat! 2x Cruiser formations fully refuelled at Rabaul and en route to cause some devastation!

[Derfflinger13]

One Sub has been diverted to Sydney from Brisbane. 2 back to Noumea (they don't have the endurance to make the Sydney Trip)

[tarkalak]

It is the shipyard size. If the ship cannot fit in the dry dock you cannot repair Major float damage.

The port can only repair major damage if it is 5 points or less.

There is a repair guide somewhere on the forums, but I don't have the thread id.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: inqistor
That is large amount of troops, as for only 6 transports, but it seems whole Division is gone. What happened with your Amphibious forces, which landed at GC?

My troops are facing daily bombardment but it doesn't appear to behaving much affect. He has about 390AV, I have about 320. I currently have 300AV marching down from Tassafaragona. They are aobut 1/4 of the way there so should be there in about 10 days. He has a heavy naval presence in the region including BBs which I tried to sink with subs last turn, but missed with the torpedo shot! Doh…
Zuikaku is 3days until she is ready to sail back to Truk after emergency repairs at Rabaul. Shokaku has just got to Truk and is under repair now. Zuiho is ready to go.
What should I do with my CVE? It is seriously slow, but perhaps I sacrifice the speed of the taskforce to ensure I have suitable CAP. It has 27 Zeros on it at the moment.

[GetAssista]

If Hornet is severely damaged there is no point in getting it to the Sydney shipyard cause it will not repair in time anyway, scenario will end sooner. So it can be left disbanded at some relatively safe port like Noumea indefinitely

Congratulations on catching those troops on their ships. Always fun!

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
What should I do with my CVE? It is seriously slow, but perhaps I sacrifice the speed of the taskforce to ensure I have suitable CAP. It has 27 Zeros on it at the moment.

Nothing until your CVs are out of dock and ready to rumble. The map is small so you do not need speed for your CV TF that much in my opinion. And additional CAP you do need. Your damaged CVs will not be speed kings anyway.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

If Hornet is severely damaged there is no point in getting it to the Sydney shipyard cause it will not repair in time anyway, scenario will end sooner. So it can be left disbanded at some relatively safe port like Noumea indefinitely

Congratulations on catching those troops on their ships. Always fun!

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
What should I do with my CVE? It is seriously slow, but perhaps I sacrifice the speed of the taskforce to ensure I have suitable CAP. It has 27 Zeros on it at the moment.

Nothing until your CVs are out of dock and ready to rumble. The map is small so you do not need speed for your CV TF that much in my opinion. And additional CAP you do need. Your damaged CVs will not be speed kings anyway.

Agreed. Keep the 27 CAP CVE with your damaged CVs in an air combat TF. You'll need the extra help at CAP.

[inqistor]

What are your remaining CV air groups status? Have you offloaded them from Zuikaku?
There should be several pilots in Reserve now, those rescued from sunk Carrier. Find them employment. And watch out on possible Rabaul air raid.

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

ORIGINAL: inqistor
That is large amount of troops, as for only 6 transports, but it seems whole Division is gone. What happened with your Amphibious forces, which landed at GC?

My troops are facing daily bombardment but it doesn't appear to behaving much affect. He has about 390AV, I have about 320. I currently have 300AV marching down from Tassafaragona. They are aobut 1/4 of the way there so should be there in about 10 days.

That is probably not enough, for assault. Where are your HQs, and have you left anything at Tassafaronga? It may be nasty surprise, if US land there, at empty base, and take your supplies.

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 42 16th September 1942

How many chance does a submariner need to hit a Battleship?

***
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 112,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
DD Blue
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
DD Conyngham
DD Mahan
DD Lang

SS I-10 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Blue
***
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 112,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
DD Mahan
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
DD Blue
DD Lang

SS I-10 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Mahan
***
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 113,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
DD Mahan
DD Lang

SS I-175 launches 4 torpedoes at BB North Carolina
***

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 43 September 17th 1942

A bombardment run with my battleships doesn't work to plan as they end the turn 2 hexes south of Lunga and 2 hexes away from his carriers!

***
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 15, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 4
BB Kirishima

***
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 10, on fire
***


Hiei and Mustu will return to Truk with mid 20s Sys and Eng damage. Kirishima is fairly untouched. I will send her south with reaction range 3 to try and get in the mix with his carriers. Assume this has high likelihood of being highly unsuccessful, however, I am all up for experimenting right now.

My air groups on Shokaku and Zuiho are full with aircraft replaced from the pool, while Zuikaku will start its return from Rabaul in a couple of days. I have all the independent airgroups back at Truk so should be able to reunite them with their carrier in due course. Shokaku will finish critical priority repairs in 12 days.

[BBfanboy]

Give Kirishima a patrol zone with a reaction range of at least 3 (distance it can travel in the night phase), then put float planes on night search at 1000 feet, range equal to or greater than the reaction range. I hesitate to recommend range six because that is a big area for two FPs to search.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

What are your remaining CV air groups status? Have you offloaded them from Zuikaku?
There should be several pilots in Reserve now, those rescued from sunk Carrier. Find them employment. And watch out on possible Rabaul air raid.

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13

ORIGINAL: inqistor
That is large amount of troops, as for only 6 transports, but it seems whole Division is gone. What happened with your Amphibious forces, which landed at GC?

My troops are facing daily bombardment but it doesn't appear to behaving much affect. He has about 390AV, I have about 320. I currently have 300AV marching down from Tassafaragona. They are aobut 1/4 of the way there so should be there in about 10 days.

That is probably not enough, for assault. Where are your HQs, and have you left anything at Tassafaronga? It may be nasty surprise, if US land there, at empty base, and take your supplies.

My carrier groups are all rebased at Truk now. I am Moving Zuikaku under heavy escort back to Truk. I suspect I will have the other carriers ready in a couple of weeks.

I will have limited AV back at Tassafaragona so thanks for highlighting that, that would be frustrating. I have 200AV loading at Truk now. But it will be a lot of LRCAP and SCTF presence required to support those landing at Tassafargona. I have 130AV almost out of Kokoda and to ship out of Buna, but again, will require a lot of naval support to pull off.

[Derfflinger13]

Perfect thanks BB

[Derfflinger13]

20th September 1942

A couple of bombardment runs into Lunga to keep the pressure up. Decent hit on the airfield. Both taskforces risked the overnight stop over to get better acquainted with Henderson Field. Another task force will come in tomorrow as well to pile on the misery. A decent amount of casualties too is pleasing for my guys on the ground. Reinforcements from Tassafaragona are 4 days out. And reinforcements for Tassafaragona have just departed Truk under escort from Kirishima.
130 AV has made its way back down the Kokoda trail. It is waiting at Buna for loading. Will need to get some aircover over there for that operation given its proximity to PM. As more air attacks have been going into shortlands the attacks on Lae and Buna have stopped. What kind of B17E force to the americans have in this theatre at this time? And what sort of trade would I be happy with on a raid? For example I lost 1 zero for 1 B17E destroyed, 5 damaged out of a raid of 6 and no runway damage. Aircraft for aircraft I suspect this is not a satisfactory trade. The below bombardments will help on the fighter front in the region however...


***
Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 19 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Atago
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Harusame

Allied ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (6 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 25
Port hits 25
Port supply hits 5
***
Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 damaged

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
DD Yugiri
DD Shirayuki
DD Shirakumo

Allied ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 10
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1
***

[BBfanboy]

In case you have not been clued in yet, I will mention that the damaged aircraft part of your bombardments does not mean 10 F4F-4 and 19 P-40E aircraft were damaged - it means there were 10 bits of shell damage on F4F type aircraft and 19 bits of shell damage on P-40s. Multiple hits on the same aircraft means you cannot say how many aircraft were actually damaged.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

In case you have not been clued in yet, I will mention that the damaged aircraft part of your bombardments does not mean 10 F4F-4 and 19 P-40E aircraft were damaged - it means there were 10 bits of shell damage on F4F type aircraft and 19 bits of shell damage on P-40s. Multiple hits on the same aircraft means you cannot say how many aircraft were actually damaged.

Well that puts a downer on it! What is the rationale behind reporting things that way?