AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 08, 43
Ground combat at Babar (76,117)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16371 troops, 271 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 378
Defending force 9266 troops, 122 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 137
Japanese adjusted assault: 299
Allied adjusted defense: 71
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Babar !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
551 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
6213 casualties reported
Squads: 234 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 678 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 94 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 142 (142 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 93 (93 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 9
Assaulting units:
31st Engineer Regiment
2nd Division
138th Infantry Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
8th Armored Car Co
31st Tankette Co
22nd Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.AA Gun Co
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
6th RF Gun Battalion
41st Ind.AA Gun Co
18th Army
1st Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
Defending units:
503rd Parachute Regiment
40th Infantry/A Division
2/6 Commando Battalion
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
811th Aviation Engineer Battalion
10th Marine Defense Battalion
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
2nd Air Advn Base Force
42nd US Naval Construction Battalion
Banzai!!! Allied Marines, Paras and Commandos beaten by ordinary IJA troops - all hail the power of Yamato-damashii!
IdahoNYer vs LST (J AAR): GAME OVER!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
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LargeSlowTarget
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FeurerKrieg
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
A nice early Christmas present!
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LargeSlowTarget
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Game has advanced to Dec 22, 1943 - here is a sitrep with the highlights :
China:
After the fall of Chungking, the next objectives are Kweiyang and Kunming - the latter to stop the flow of supplies from the Burma Road to the remaining Chinese bases.
The Chinese are contesting every hex, and with the terrain and stacking limits it is tough going.
My opponent also has the air superiority since Oscars suck but I have nothing else available. Repeated night bombing of Kweiyang airbase with Helens to annoy his fighters does achieve nothing, despite ground skill 80+ pilots. How comes that the Allies send 3-5 Wellingtons or B-24s at night to my airbases and get multiple planes killed on the ground almost every time, while my Betties and Helens are ineffective almost every time?
China:
After the fall of Chungking, the next objectives are Kweiyang and Kunming - the latter to stop the flow of supplies from the Burma Road to the remaining Chinese bases.
The Chinese are contesting every hex, and with the terrain and stacking limits it is tough going.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 16, 43
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Ground combat at 75,48 (near Kweiyang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 41158 troops, 448 guns, 468 vehicles, Assault Value = 1144
Defending force 30430 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 930
Japanese adjusted assault: 386
Allied adjusted defense: 1369
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
5083 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 517 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1780 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
34th Division
40th Division
22nd Division
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Army
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Defending units:
76th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
My opponent also has the air superiority since Oscars suck but I have nothing else available. Repeated night bombing of Kweiyang airbase with Helens to annoy his fighters does achieve nothing, despite ground skill 80+ pilots. How comes that the Allies send 3-5 Wellingtons or B-24s at night to my airbases and get multiple planes killed on the ground almost every time, while my Betties and Helens are ineffective almost every time?
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LargeSlowTarget
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Burma:
This title will soon drop from the AAR. Some remnants of the Thai Army are holding out in Central Burma, and a thin veil is covering the Moulmein river line in Southern Burma, but a large part of the former Burma Army has been moved or is in the process of moving to Malaya. I expect an Allied move anywhere along the line soon, given the fact that I have no offensive air power in the theater to fight the convoys arriving at Rabaul, surely full of supplies and reinforcements. I will contest the jungle+rough terrain hexes along the roads and eventually make a last stand at Bangkok.
This title will soon drop from the AAR. Some remnants of the Thai Army are holding out in Central Burma, and a thin veil is covering the Moulmein river line in Southern Burma, but a large part of the former Burma Army has been moved or is in the process of moving to Malaya. I expect an Allied move anywhere along the line soon, given the fact that I have no offensive air power in the theater to fight the convoys arriving at Rabaul, surely full of supplies and reinforcements. I will contest the jungle+rough terrain hexes along the roads and eventually make a last stand at Bangkok.
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LargeSlowTarget
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Malaya / Sumatra:
While a large part of the ex-Burma Army is rushing to defend the West Coast of Malaya, the Allies have advanced easily in Northern Sumatra and captured the important oil center of Medan and it's good airbase. In order to trap my forces the Allies have landed at Sibolga, but I managed to gather some defensive power behind level-3 forts. Let's see if I can hold long enough to allow the base forces to escape south (hoping that there will not be another landing operation in virtually undefended Central and Southern Sumatra).
I have also concentrated all Tojos and Franks 'PDU off' allows me to have and all low-naval trained Oscars plus a group of Georges, some Jills, Betties and Frances at Singers and Kuala Lumpur. Glad I did, because before I was ready to launch my own strike, the Allies launches a carrier raid across Sumatra against convoys at Singers. My CAP caused heavy losses but some SBDs broke through to sink a couple of xAKs.
The Allied carriers retired next turn and I was able to throw my LBA at Allied convoys unloading at Sibolga a few turns later:
Some revenge for what has happened a few turns earlier at the other corner of the shrinking Empire!
While a large part of the ex-Burma Army is rushing to defend the West Coast of Malaya, the Allies have advanced easily in Northern Sumatra and captured the important oil center of Medan and it's good airbase. In order to trap my forces the Allies have landed at Sibolga, but I managed to gather some defensive power behind level-3 forts. Let's see if I can hold long enough to allow the base forces to escape south (hoping that there will not be another landing operation in virtually undefended Central and Southern Sumatra).
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 22, 43
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Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 10335 troops, 117 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 346
Defending force 9628 troops, 128 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 356
Assaulting units:
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
29th Ind.Mixed Brigade
70th Field AA Battalion
11th Mortar Battalion
21st Air Defense AA Regiment
55th Construction Battalion
42nd Air Defense AA Regiment
37th JNAF AF Unit
39th JNAF AF Unit
36th Field AA Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
90th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
194th Tank Battalion
29th British Brigade
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
98th Indian Brigade
I have also concentrated all Tojos and Franks 'PDU off' allows me to have and all low-naval trained Oscars plus a group of Georges, some Jills, Betties and Frances at Singers and Kuala Lumpur. Glad I did, because before I was ready to launch my own strike, the Allies launches a carrier raid across Sumatra against convoys at Singers. My CAP caused heavy losses but some SBDs broke through to sink a couple of xAKs.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 16, 43
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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 37
Ki-84a Frank x 22
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 5 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 35
Ki-84a Frank x 21
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 26
Ki-84a Frank x 21
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 17, 43
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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 35
Ki-84a Frank x 27
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 13 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
2 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
3 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 15000 feet
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 25
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 102
SBD-5 Dauntless x 102
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 12 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Tarayasu Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Esashagawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
PB Fuji Maru #4
xAK Alaska Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tasmania Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatsuhiro Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Raizan Maru
PB Sozan Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Delagoa Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Teihoku Maru
E W-25
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 32
Ki-84a Frank x 27
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 105
SBD-5 Dauntless x 67
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 14 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Delagoa Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tasmania Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Alaska Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Teihoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Hirado, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Tuyama Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E W-25, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
The Allied carriers retired next turn and I was able to throw my LBA at Allied convoys unloading at Sibolga a few turns later:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 22, 43
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sibolga at 44,79
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 14
N1K2-J George x 16
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 6
FM-1 Wildcat x 20
F4U-1A Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 8 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Santee, Torpedo hits 1
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sibolga at 44,79
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 23
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
FM-1 Wildcat x 16
F4U-1A Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Santee
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sibolga at 44,79
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 94
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
FM-1 Wildcat x 14
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 4 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
Allied Ships
DD Isherwood
DD McKee, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DE Burden R. Hastings, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CVE Santee, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta
CVE Corregidor, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
Some revenge for what has happened a few turns earlier at the other corner of the shrinking Empire!
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LargeSlowTarget
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
New Guinea
CV Zuikaku foundered before reaching port...
There is a sad background story to this. I had offered Ed a redo of the turn because he had forgotten to set escorts for his Singers raid and the unescorted SBDs got massacred by my CAP. In the first run of the turn SS Steelhead had put one torp into Zuikaku and two torps into Shokaku, but both survived and made port. In the redo however all three torps connected with Zuikaku, and down she went. This is a gentlemen's war, so I accept the result - with gritted teeth and a clenched fist and a curse on my lips [:@].
Meanwhile, my efforts to evacuate the 2nd ID form Babar by Tokyo Express met with repeated disasters:
SoPac:
The Allies have landed on Manus a couple of turns ago, with multiple bombardment forces for softening-up, and after a consolidation period attacked - and in the great tradition of fort levels meaning nothing the base fell quickly:
CentPac:
No activities since the Allied carrier raid into the Philippine Sea - just regular unopposed milk-run bombing of Truk.
I have been watching those bombing attacks for a while and since the trusty engineers of the Truk garrison keep the airfield operational, I decided to spoil the party by sending some Zeros down from the Marianas.
NoPac:
Ominous silence - very suspicious, I'm afraid the Allies will land on Hokkaido before the end of the year...
So much for this round of updates, more in a game month or if something happens that warrants Breaking News.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 16, 43
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Sub attack near Sansapor at 84,107
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu
CLAA Tenryu
DD Oshio
DD Asagumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
SS Steelhead
Fuel storage explosion on CV Zuikaku
SS Steelhead launches 6 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku
Steelhead diving deep ....
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Sub attack near Gebe at 81,104
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CLAA Tenryu
Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 1
SS Steelhead launches 6 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku
CLAA Tenryu fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA Tenryu fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA Tenryu attacking submerged sub ....
CLAA Tenryu fails to find sub, continues to search...
CLAA Tenryu attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
CV Zuikaku foundered before reaching port...
There is a sad background story to this. I had offered Ed a redo of the turn because he had forgotten to set escorts for his Singers raid and the unescorted SBDs got massacred by my CAP. In the first run of the turn SS Steelhead had put one torp into Zuikaku and two torps into Shokaku, but both survived and made port. In the redo however all three torps connected with Zuikaku, and down she went. This is a gentlemen's war, so I accept the result - with gritted teeth and a clenched fist and a curse on my lips [:@].
Meanwhile, my efforts to evacuate the 2nd ID form Babar by Tokyo Express met with repeated disasters:
Guess I should be glad I had no collisions this time!AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 16, 43
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TF 58 encounters mine field at Babar (76,117)
Japanese Ships
DD Nagatsuki, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
DD Numakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kisaragi, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 22, 43
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Babar at 76,117, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Arashio
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Arare
DD Kasumi
DD Samidare
DD Wakaba
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 4
DD Halford, Shell hits 1
DD Hazelwood
DD Waller, Shell hits 1
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Hazelwood at 12,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Fletcher at 12,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Arashio at 12,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Oshio at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Waller at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Waller at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Waller at 11,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
DD Oshio sunk by DD Hazelwood at 8,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Halford at 8,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Arashio at 8,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Asagumo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Fletcher at 4,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Hazelwood at 4,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Hazelwood at 4,000 yards
DD Hazelwood engages DD Samidare at 4,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Halford at 4,000 yards
DD Halford engages DD Asagumo at 4,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Yamagumo at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Fletcher at 7,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Halford at 7,000 yards
DD Halford engages DD Asagumo at 7,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Fletcher at 7,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Fletcher at 7,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Arare at 7,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Halford at 7,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Halford at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Halford at 11,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Arare at 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Halford at 11,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Hazelwood at 11,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Asagumo at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Halford at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Halford at 11,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Asagumo at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Waller at 10,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Fletcher at 10,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Waller at 10,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Samidare at 10,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Waller at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Fletcher at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Hazelwood at 10,000 yards
DD Halford engages DD Wakaba at 10,000 yards
DD Halford engages DD Samidare at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Halford at 10,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Waller at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Fletcher at 9,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Hazelwood at 9,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Fletcher at 9,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Fletcher at 9,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Waller at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Waller at 13,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Fletcher at 13,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Halford at 13,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Fletcher at 13,000 yards
DD Hazelwood engages DD Arare at 13,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Asagumo at 13,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Waller at 13,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
SoPac:
The Allies have landed on Manus a couple of turns ago, with multiple bombardment forces for softening-up, and after a consolidation period attacked - and in the great tradition of fort levels meaning nothing the base fell quickly:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 22, 43
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Ground combat at Manus (101,119)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 34667 troops, 550 guns, 415 vehicles, Assault Value = 1250
Defending force 14594 troops, 138 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 180
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 490
Japanese adjusted defense: 107
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Manus !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1996 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 44 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (22 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
540 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Assaulting units:
6th Marine Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
1st Arm Amphib Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
131st Cmbt Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
8th Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Pioneer Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
Defending units:
Sasebo 7th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
Imperial Guards/B Division
7th Port Unit
4th Ship Engineer Regiment
10th Special Base Force
7th Base Force
1st Ship Engineer Regiment
62nd JNAF AF Unit
CentPac:
No activities since the Allied carrier raid into the Philippine Sea - just regular unopposed milk-run bombing of Truk.
I have been watching those bombing attacks for a while and since the trusty engineers of the Truk garrison keep the airfield operational, I decided to spoil the party by sending some Zeros down from the Marianas.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 23, 43
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Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 45
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 11 destroyed, 11 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 19
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Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 21
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 14
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 6
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 5 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 4 damaged
Runway hits 4
NoPac:
Ominous silence - very suspicious, I'm afraid the Allies will land on Hokkaido before the end of the year...
So much for this round of updates, more in a game month or if something happens that warrants Breaking News.
- Attachments
-
- xmas_BandaSea.jpg (417.91 KiB) Viewed 123 times
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
There is a sad background story to this. I had offered Ed a redo of the turn because he had forgotten to set escorts for his Singers raid and the unescorted SBDs got massacred by my CAP. In the first run of the turn SS Steelhead had put one torp into Zuikaku and two torps into Shokaku, but both survived and made port. In the redo however all three torps connected with Zuikaku, and down she went.
Sympathies regarding the Zuikaku, and kudos for your sportsmanship. As for the two versions of the turn you experienced, it's not clear to me which would be worse. In the original run, although neither carrier sank I would guess that both of them would have been out of action for several months. By that time the Allies would have had overwhelming carrier superiority in any case, whereas at the moment you have rough parity. Maybe losing one permanently instead of two indefinitely was actually better.
You're maintaining a good fighting defense, but it does seem to hang by a thread. Or, to put it another way, Ed can recover from a mistake but you may not be able to. I suppose that is life for the Japanese at the end of 1943.
In China, what remains to be fought over is almost "Burmaesque" in the sense of grueling combat over awful terrain with little to show for it. I'm not convinced of the strategic value in it. Would it be better to use some of your massive army to reinforce some critical locations in the Pacific?
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
PDU OFF - so you have to use Oscars … to be effective you need numerical superiority AND a large production base AND a deep pilot pool. At this point (end of '43) 1.5:1 losses would be great, soon it will be 2:1 loss ratios and continue to climb. All you can do is plan for it. If you can't get numerical superiority, I wouldn't fly. Wait until you have it ….
Be sure to have your Frank upgrade plan in front of you. As '44 rolls on, more and more groups will be able to upgrade to Frank. You want to be sure you are increasing your Frank production to be able to support the air groups to convert as well as the operational losses. ON the flip side you will be able to ease off the Oscar production some, but not as much as you think. You will still need to fly Oscar with the losses that flying them equates to, so you will still need a fair number. Balancing this is on of the trickier production elements of '44 for IJ.
Be sure to have your Frank upgrade plan in front of you. As '44 rolls on, more and more groups will be able to upgrade to Frank. You want to be sure you are increasing your Frank production to be able to support the air groups to convert as well as the operational losses. ON the flip side you will be able to ease off the Oscar production some, but not as much as you think. You will still need to fly Oscar with the losses that flying them equates to, so you will still need a fair number. Balancing this is on of the trickier production elements of '44 for IJ.
Pax
-
LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4805
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
@jwolf: I have not enough PPs to purchase units from China to reinforce critical locations in the Pacific. There is always a leader to switch or a dead unit to resurrect to prevent me from getting above 600 PPs. I need what, 1500-1800 to buy a full division?
@PaxMondo: Thx for the hint. I'm building 240 Oscar IV and 130 Frank-a per month, plus earmarked for production 5x30 R&D on Frank-r which is currently at 5/1944 and seems to be the upgrade for most groups. I have also the Ki-100 at 5/44, those R&D factories will switch to the Frank-b which seems to be used by far fewer groups.
I won't research jets or other fancy late-war stuff like Ki-94II etc. - I don't have the supplies for repairing the factories and the Empire won't last long enough anyway.
AAR Update:
Good News - I survived into 1944 (game date Jan 09, 1944)
Bad News (although not unexpected) - the Empire keeps shrinking.
Burma:
The last defenders at Bhamo have been crushed - the two Thai divisions made a pretty good stand and bought valuable time. Two other albeit pretty shattered Thai divisions even managed to escape and will make it back to Thailand.
Sumatra:
Sibolga has been evacuated except a sacrificial rear-guard. I will make a stand further south in jungle terrain in a hex outside the range of naval bombardment.
The Allies have also landed at the undefended island of Siberoet, just across the virtually undefended Padang.
Don't have the LCUs to defend each base, and with Northern Sumatra in Allied hands Palembang is in 4E range and toast anyway.
Surprised Ed hasn't bombed it yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 10039 troops, 129 guns, 195 vehicles, Assault Value = 916
Defending force 306 troops, 21 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied adjusted assault: 307
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 307 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Sibolga !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (26 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
98th Indian Brigade
72nd British Brigade
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
18th Canadian Brigade
29th British Brigade
192nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
28th Canadian AA Regiment
15th Indian Construction Battalion
Defending units:
70th Field AA Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Siberoet (42,85)
TF 318 troops unloading over beach at Siberoet, 42,85
Allied ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 85 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 32 (0 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (0 destroyed, 40 disabled)
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 3rd Marine/B Div /2
China:
Bad luck near Chihkiang but with the last Chinese units on the northern bank of that Yellow River tributary river near Kweiyang pushed across the river, arty reinforcements will be sent to approach Kweiyang from the south.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 77,49 (near Chihkiang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 48668 troops, 388 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 1428
Defending force 21803 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 617
Japanese adjusted assault: 795
Allied adjusted defense: 1683
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
5469 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 501 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Guns lost 29 (5 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
1135 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 148 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Assaulting units:
13th Division
39th Division
3rd Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
11th Army
Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
18th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,48 (near Kweiyang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27240 troops, 348 guns, 412 vehicles, Assault Value = 643
Defending force 8613 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Japanese adjusted assault: 284
Allied adjusted defense: 113
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
3391 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 102 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
40th Division
35th Division
1st Army
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
Banda Sea:
Having been pushed off Babar has not discouraged the Allies, they are back on a neighboring island.
This time a counter-landing is out of the question - Babar was a costly lesson in mine warefare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)
TF 267 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1921 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 108
Defending force 6558 troops, 94 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 177
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
34th Const Co
5th JNAF Coy
Defending units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
30th Australian Bde /1
98th Field Artillery Battalion
6th US Naval Construction Battalion
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
27th US Naval Construction Battalion
Pacific Ocean:
At the turn of the year, naval search had picked-up a gaggle of CVEs moving towards Truk, obviously in order to give it another working-over.
With the Allied fleet CVs in support off Sumatra, I thought it would be a good idea to rush KB to the scene and hoped for a nasty surprise for the Allies.
Well, the CVEs disappeared without a trace, KB only found a handful of small AKs near Manus and put them under.
With the surprise blown, I ordered KB back to base.
However, on the way back, some US submarines earned their pay :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woleai at 99,104
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1
CA Mikuma
CL Yahagi
CL Noshiro
DD Kishinami
DD Shimozuki
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashimo
Allied Ships
SS Grayling
SS Grayling launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hiryu
Grayling diving deep ....
DD Arashi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nowaki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nowaki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayashimo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 94,106
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
CLAA Tatsuta
CLAA Tenryu
CS Nisshin
DD Akizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Flasher
Fuel storage explosion on CV Kaga
Ammo storage explosion on CV Kaga
SS Flasher launches 4 torpedoes at CV Kaga
Flasher diving deep ....
DD Wakazuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 94,106
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
CLAA Tatsuta
CLAA Tenryu
CS Nisshin
DD Akizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Flasher
SS Flasher launches 6 torpedoes at CV Kaga
Flasher diving deep ....
DD Wakazuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
Hiryu made Ulithi and needs some yard time.
Tough old gal Kaga has 76(51) float damage and is 8 hexes from the nearest port, Babeldaop.
Can't get her planes off with that damage level - and as luck will have it, I have put a crack land-based Zero unit full of exTRACOM pilots aboard to augment fighter strength.
Surface and air ASW protection is being maximized, but she probably won't make it through the gauntlet of subs that surely will move-in for the kill.
To add insult to injury, in the mail with his turn orders Ed commented about Allies and Japan having parity in flight decks at the moment...
Alas, with Palembang soon burned / recaptured by the Allies, it is perhaps not a bad thing to get rid of some fuel-guzzlers!
@PaxMondo: Thx for the hint. I'm building 240 Oscar IV and 130 Frank-a per month, plus earmarked for production 5x30 R&D on Frank-r which is currently at 5/1944 and seems to be the upgrade for most groups. I have also the Ki-100 at 5/44, those R&D factories will switch to the Frank-b which seems to be used by far fewer groups.
I won't research jets or other fancy late-war stuff like Ki-94II etc. - I don't have the supplies for repairing the factories and the Empire won't last long enough anyway.
AAR Update:
Good News - I survived into 1944 (game date Jan 09, 1944)
Bad News (although not unexpected) - the Empire keeps shrinking.
Burma:
The last defenders at Bhamo have been crushed - the two Thai divisions made a pretty good stand and bought valuable time. Two other albeit pretty shattered Thai divisions even managed to escape and will make it back to Thailand.
Sumatra:
Sibolga has been evacuated except a sacrificial rear-guard. I will make a stand further south in jungle terrain in a hex outside the range of naval bombardment.
The Allies have also landed at the undefended island of Siberoet, just across the virtually undefended Padang.
Don't have the LCUs to defend each base, and with Northern Sumatra in Allied hands Palembang is in 4E range and toast anyway.
Surprised Ed hasn't bombed it yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 10039 troops, 129 guns, 195 vehicles, Assault Value = 916
Defending force 306 troops, 21 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied adjusted assault: 307
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 307 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Sibolga !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (26 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
98th Indian Brigade
72nd British Brigade
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
18th Canadian Brigade
29th British Brigade
192nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
28th Canadian AA Regiment
15th Indian Construction Battalion
Defending units:
70th Field AA Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Siberoet (42,85)
TF 318 troops unloading over beach at Siberoet, 42,85
Allied ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 85 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 32 (0 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (0 destroyed, 40 disabled)
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 3rd Marine/B Div /2
China:
Bad luck near Chihkiang but with the last Chinese units on the northern bank of that Yellow River tributary river near Kweiyang pushed across the river, arty reinforcements will be sent to approach Kweiyang from the south.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 77,49 (near Chihkiang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 48668 troops, 388 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 1428
Defending force 21803 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 617
Japanese adjusted assault: 795
Allied adjusted defense: 1683
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
5469 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 501 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Guns lost 29 (5 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
1135 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 148 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Assaulting units:
13th Division
39th Division
3rd Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
11th Army
Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
18th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,48 (near Kweiyang)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27240 troops, 348 guns, 412 vehicles, Assault Value = 643
Defending force 8613 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Japanese adjusted assault: 284
Allied adjusted defense: 113
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
3391 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 102 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
40th Division
35th Division
1st Army
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
24th Group Army
Banda Sea:
Having been pushed off Babar has not discouraged the Allies, they are back on a neighboring island.
This time a counter-landing is out of the question - Babar was a costly lesson in mine warefare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)
TF 267 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1921 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 108
Defending force 6558 troops, 94 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 177
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
34th Const Co
5th JNAF Coy
Defending units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
30th Australian Bde /1
98th Field Artillery Battalion
6th US Naval Construction Battalion
2/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
27th US Naval Construction Battalion
Pacific Ocean:
At the turn of the year, naval search had picked-up a gaggle of CVEs moving towards Truk, obviously in order to give it another working-over.
With the Allied fleet CVs in support off Sumatra, I thought it would be a good idea to rush KB to the scene and hoped for a nasty surprise for the Allies.
Well, the CVEs disappeared without a trace, KB only found a handful of small AKs near Manus and put them under.
With the surprise blown, I ordered KB back to base.
However, on the way back, some US submarines earned their pay :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woleai at 99,104
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1
CA Mikuma
CL Yahagi
CL Noshiro
DD Kishinami
DD Shimozuki
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashimo
Allied Ships
SS Grayling
SS Grayling launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hiryu
Grayling diving deep ....
DD Arashi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nowaki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nowaki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayashimo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 94,106
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
CLAA Tatsuta
CLAA Tenryu
CS Nisshin
DD Akizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Flasher
Fuel storage explosion on CV Kaga
Ammo storage explosion on CV Kaga
SS Flasher launches 4 torpedoes at CV Kaga
Flasher diving deep ....
DD Wakazuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 94,106
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Hyuga
BB Mutsu
CLAA Tatsuta
CLAA Tenryu
CS Nisshin
DD Akizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Flasher
SS Flasher launches 6 torpedoes at CV Kaga
Flasher diving deep ....
DD Wakazuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Niizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
Hiryu made Ulithi and needs some yard time.
Tough old gal Kaga has 76(51) float damage and is 8 hexes from the nearest port, Babeldaop.
Can't get her planes off with that damage level - and as luck will have it, I have put a crack land-based Zero unit full of exTRACOM pilots aboard to augment fighter strength.
Surface and air ASW protection is being maximized, but she probably won't make it through the gauntlet of subs that surely will move-in for the kill.
To add insult to injury, in the mail with his turn orders Ed commented about Allies and Japan having parity in flight decks at the moment...
Alas, with Palembang soon burned / recaptured by the Allies, it is perhaps not a bad thing to get rid of some fuel-guzzlers!
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Even if you can't save the planes on Kaga, can you pull out the pilots? [&:] Not sure about that. Kaga is tough; if any ship can make it through, she can.
-
LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4805
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
The skipper of USS Flasher has earned his Navy Cross - he managed to pursue Kaga and put two more fish into her - down she went...
What else on Jan 10/11, 1944:
Allied landing at Padang in central Sumatra, defended only by an AA unit. Night attacks by Bettys and Frances hit nothing - as usual. There is nothing between Padang and Palembang, and at Palembang only base forces and AA. The four IJA infantry brigades on Sumatra are to the north and the south of Padang. I'm toying with the idea to send an Inf Division from Malaya to delay the fall of Palembang and possible get some more drops of oil before the inevitable - but is it worth it?
At Saumlaki in the Banda Sea, air attacks by Jills escorted by Zeros and Georges get shredded by LRCAP of at least six different Allied fighter types - the kitchen sink...
What else on Jan 10/11, 1944:
Allied landing at Padang in central Sumatra, defended only by an AA unit. Night attacks by Bettys and Frances hit nothing - as usual. There is nothing between Padang and Palembang, and at Palembang only base forces and AA. The four IJA infantry brigades on Sumatra are to the north and the south of Padang. I'm toying with the idea to send an Inf Division from Malaya to delay the fall of Palembang and possible get some more drops of oil before the inevitable - but is it worth it?
At Saumlaki in the Banda Sea, air attacks by Jills escorted by Zeros and Georges get shredded by LRCAP of at least six different Allied fighter types - the kitchen sink...
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Losing Palembang before 6/44 in most of my economic plans is NOT good. Losing it in Feb 44 would mean I will have to severely curtail IJN use OR lose the equivalent of 50,000 aircraft. Neither is a good thing.
Based on where you seem to be right now, the biggest thing is to not allow too many troops to get cut off. Choose what troops to defend which objectives carefully. The allies do not need to take Palembang, once it is isolated, it is as good as dead. They need nothing there, they are swimming in fuel and supply. They do need to take Singers though for the RSY. Once you lose moulmien, be careful with your retreat. If you go south to Bangkok remember they can go east to Vinh and cut everything off ... that could be far more troops than you can afford to lose. Java is another place where I have seen a lot of IJ players lose far too many units to simple bypass. There is nothing in Java that the allies need, so turning it into a prison is fine.
Good Luck!
Based on where you seem to be right now, the biggest thing is to not allow too many troops to get cut off. Choose what troops to defend which objectives carefully. The allies do not need to take Palembang, once it is isolated, it is as good as dead. They need nothing there, they are swimming in fuel and supply. They do need to take Singers though for the RSY. Once you lose moulmien, be careful with your retreat. If you go south to Bangkok remember they can go east to Vinh and cut everything off ... that could be far more troops than you can afford to lose. Java is another place where I have seen a lot of IJ players lose far too many units to simple bypass. There is nothing in Java that the allies need, so turning it into a prison is fine.
Good Luck!
Pax
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LargeSlowTarget
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Game date Feb 04, 1944
China:
A defensive line has been established along the river north of Kweiyang. At the western end of that line, a chain of mountaineous terrain with 20k stacking limits has stalled any further advance in the direction of Kunming. One such hex has been surrounded and the defenders are being pounded by an arty concentration, but starving them out will take time - or forever if the Allies use air supply. In the east, the "gap" between the river bend and Chihkiang seems to have been rendered impassable as well, large stacks of Chinese units are now being backed by British tanks. The prospects to break through to Kweiyang are dim, especially since I have ceded air superiority - the fighter units allocated to the China theater are restricted to Oscars by the 'PDU off' settings and I need the unrestricted air units somewhere else even more urgently.
I will keep the defensive line in place and a reserve at Chungking, but will redeploy a sizeable force - several infantry divisions, most tanks and arty and all Combat Eng units in the direction of Changteh and from there to Ichang and then to Southern China to start fortifying the coast. This will take several months, I hope the Allies won't arrive by sea faster than expected.
Burma/Thailand/Malaya:
Still no indications of an Allied advance from Pegu southwards across the river line.
However, the deteriorating situation on Sumatra and the real danger of Allied landings anywhere along the long coastline from Moulmein to Singers makes a defence in strength of the river line less and less desirable. The defensive force in Northern Thailand / Southern Burma might get cut-off because there is no realistic chance to contain an Allied invasion along the coast and the Allied might get to Bangkok faster than my forces can withdraw from the river line. It is impossible to defend everywhere in strength and the Allies can bring overwhelming strength to any point they really want and/or can bypass any "hard point" the Empire may chose to defend.
I therefore have started a strategic redeployment. The new strategy is to delay at strategic points in good defensive terrain while not losing any big units in the process. To achieve this I will shamelessly take advantage of the game engine. At present almost all coastal bases from Moulmein to Singers are held by one division each. I have decided to split all divisions in Thailand and Malaya. In Thailand, the C elements will remain at the current locations as speedbumps, the B elements will defend Bangkok for as long as possible, the A elements will withdraw all the way to Hanoi to start digging at the river line east of the city. In Malaya, the C elements are in the process of moving to Palembang to delay the Allied advance in the good defensive swamp terrain. The B elements will defend Singers to the death. The A elements will move to Hanoi as well. At the coastal bases a token presence will be maintained by port engineers and other expendable units. Most of the arty, tanks and AA will move off to Hanoi as well.
The idea is that the C and B elements will be cut-off and destroyed eventually, but that the A elements will be preserved and eventually "grow" back into full divisions - time and supplies permitting. The A elements get a head-start to dig-in in the jungles east of Hanoi and will be backed by most of the arty and tanks, plus newly raised formations.
Sumatra:
Padang and Sawahloento, the base just inland, have been lost. Allied troops have advanced inland quickly on the roads, blocking the retreat paths of all our forces in Northern and Central Sumatra in the direction of Palembang. Only a handful of base forces and an Air HQ have managed to slip away. The remnants of 25th Army HQ, 3 infantry brigades, four base forces, three AA Rgts and two AA Bns will try to reach Bengkalis on Malakka strait trough jungle and swamps. From Bengkalis they might be evacuated to Malaya - if Malaya is still in Japanese hands when they arrive at their destination.
Another Allied column has advanced south from Padang on the coastal road and has reached Benkoelen. The base is defended by one infantry brigade, a tank regiment and a heavy mortar Bn behind level-3 forts. With luck they may hold for one attack or two.
The next base south - Oosthaven, is held only by a single garrison Bn. I am expecting an invasion any day.
The first "C" elements - as related above - have arrived at Palembang, three infantry brigades and one tank brigade. They will be deployed near Palembang to guard river crossings and jungle hexes, but will retreat to concentrate for a last stand in the swamps of Palembang.
I have launched a couple of naval attacks against Padang with Lily dive-bombers at 10k and Oscar IV on naval attack at 1k, covered by Tojos and Franks. About 60 planes lost for two APA sunk and a DE damaged.
Borneo:
I have found out the hard way that there are Liberator models with a range of more than 20 hexes. I still felt save for my Borneo oil, until a group of VLR Liberators - which are supposed to hunt submarines - showed up to bomb Miri. Allied dogs are mis-using specialized assets here! Probably because there are only eight Japanese submarines left in service and the specialized sub-hunting Liberators were complaining about unemployment.
Banda Sea:
After their defeat on Babar, the Allied dogs have landed on Saumlaki, Taberfane, Kai-eilanden and recently on Kaimana, dropping brigades reinforced with tanks, arty and combat engineers on each island under the cover of cruiser TFs, LBA and apparently also CVEs. Since each island is held only by regimental-sized units - punch-drunk from carpet-bombings by heavy and medium bombers - the Allies had little difficulties to capture each base. However, I am no longer willing to risk major fleet units in this area infested with enemy subs and mines. A small cruiser-destroyer TF sent to interfere was mauled, losing Furutaka and four DDs to LBA when the admiral in charge foolishly decided to stay in the area in broad daylight. Our offensive airpower in the area is weak, many fighter units have move out to protect the oil bases from long-range bombers and only a token force remains on Ambon.
New Guinea, Central Pacific, North Pacific - all quiet.
Economics:
The biggest four heavy industry complexes in the Home Islands have stopped working due to lack of fuel.
With the abundance of tankers, I can risk a few to continue shipping oil and fuel from Palembang as long as I still have air superiority over that base.
However, the days of obtaining oil from the SRA are counted, and I will need to go into strict conservation mode. I will stop fetching as many resources as possible from the SRA, disband the xAKs in the Home Islands and will only load resources on home-bound convoys which have brought reinforcements and supplies to the front. The stockpiles in the Home Islands and the supplies from Hokkaido and Manchukuo/Korea/China will have to suffice.
Production of planes will concentrate on fighters, anything else will be stopped.
Ship production will end soon, what is less than 60 days from completion will go ahead but all the rest is being stopped (except DD and SS).
Combined Fleet or what's left of it is disbanded at a classified location to conserve fuel and to await the occasion to strike under more favorable circumstances.
Air war:
Not surprisingly, the Allies have the edge in the air war through quantity and quality.
Fighter forces available at the moment (PDU off):
IJNAF LBA:
- 5 groups of Georges*
- one group of J2M3 Jack
- 3 groups flying the latest Zero version A6M8
- 9 groups flying the Zero A6M5c**
- about a dozen groups flying older versions of the Zero, half of them still using the old and worn A6M2 from the beginning of the war.
*Three of the five George groups are understrength because equipped with the N1 version which is no longer in production and no planes left in the pools due to bad production planning (blame staff). PDU off prevents upgrading to use the ample pools of the N2 model.
**Could upgrade to A6M8, but I keep the older model due to better range, armament and engine requirements.
IJAAF LBA:
- 2.5 groups of Frank-a
- 5 groups of Tojo II-c
- one group each of Ki-61 b and c
- 17 units equipped with Oscar IV
- 4 units equipped with older Oscars
- 4 units still flying Nates
So, for the whole PTO I have only 4.5 groups of first-rate planes (Frank and George), eight groups of mediocre planes and the rest is junk as far as air superiority missions are concerned. That means I can only defend in strength a few selected points - first and foremost Singers and Palembang - and very little strength is available for offensive sweep/escort missions.
All Nates, most Oscars and all unarmored Zeros are in the rear, training pilots. Results however are "hand to mouth", The program is hard-pressed to keep the standard of a "exp 50/air 70/def 70" pilot skill-sets before committing them to frontline units. More often than not, the defense skills are in the low 60s.
I have started a training program for the low naval attack skill, using non-fighter groups stuck with obsolete planes like Mabels, Jeans, Vals, Kates, Alfs, etc.
However, the pilots now come from the first flight school training cycle (Navy) respectively the third training cycle (Army).
Let's see what will run out first - HI points, supplies or bodies...
China:
A defensive line has been established along the river north of Kweiyang. At the western end of that line, a chain of mountaineous terrain with 20k stacking limits has stalled any further advance in the direction of Kunming. One such hex has been surrounded and the defenders are being pounded by an arty concentration, but starving them out will take time - or forever if the Allies use air supply. In the east, the "gap" between the river bend and Chihkiang seems to have been rendered impassable as well, large stacks of Chinese units are now being backed by British tanks. The prospects to break through to Kweiyang are dim, especially since I have ceded air superiority - the fighter units allocated to the China theater are restricted to Oscars by the 'PDU off' settings and I need the unrestricted air units somewhere else even more urgently.
I will keep the defensive line in place and a reserve at Chungking, but will redeploy a sizeable force - several infantry divisions, most tanks and arty and all Combat Eng units in the direction of Changteh and from there to Ichang and then to Southern China to start fortifying the coast. This will take several months, I hope the Allies won't arrive by sea faster than expected.
Burma/Thailand/Malaya:
Still no indications of an Allied advance from Pegu southwards across the river line.
However, the deteriorating situation on Sumatra and the real danger of Allied landings anywhere along the long coastline from Moulmein to Singers makes a defence in strength of the river line less and less desirable. The defensive force in Northern Thailand / Southern Burma might get cut-off because there is no realistic chance to contain an Allied invasion along the coast and the Allied might get to Bangkok faster than my forces can withdraw from the river line. It is impossible to defend everywhere in strength and the Allies can bring overwhelming strength to any point they really want and/or can bypass any "hard point" the Empire may chose to defend.
I therefore have started a strategic redeployment. The new strategy is to delay at strategic points in good defensive terrain while not losing any big units in the process. To achieve this I will shamelessly take advantage of the game engine. At present almost all coastal bases from Moulmein to Singers are held by one division each. I have decided to split all divisions in Thailand and Malaya. In Thailand, the C elements will remain at the current locations as speedbumps, the B elements will defend Bangkok for as long as possible, the A elements will withdraw all the way to Hanoi to start digging at the river line east of the city. In Malaya, the C elements are in the process of moving to Palembang to delay the Allied advance in the good defensive swamp terrain. The B elements will defend Singers to the death. The A elements will move to Hanoi as well. At the coastal bases a token presence will be maintained by port engineers and other expendable units. Most of the arty, tanks and AA will move off to Hanoi as well.
The idea is that the C and B elements will be cut-off and destroyed eventually, but that the A elements will be preserved and eventually "grow" back into full divisions - time and supplies permitting. The A elements get a head-start to dig-in in the jungles east of Hanoi and will be backed by most of the arty and tanks, plus newly raised formations.
Sumatra:
Padang and Sawahloento, the base just inland, have been lost. Allied troops have advanced inland quickly on the roads, blocking the retreat paths of all our forces in Northern and Central Sumatra in the direction of Palembang. Only a handful of base forces and an Air HQ have managed to slip away. The remnants of 25th Army HQ, 3 infantry brigades, four base forces, three AA Rgts and two AA Bns will try to reach Bengkalis on Malakka strait trough jungle and swamps. From Bengkalis they might be evacuated to Malaya - if Malaya is still in Japanese hands when they arrive at their destination.
Another Allied column has advanced south from Padang on the coastal road and has reached Benkoelen. The base is defended by one infantry brigade, a tank regiment and a heavy mortar Bn behind level-3 forts. With luck they may hold for one attack or two.
The next base south - Oosthaven, is held only by a single garrison Bn. I am expecting an invasion any day.
The first "C" elements - as related above - have arrived at Palembang, three infantry brigades and one tank brigade. They will be deployed near Palembang to guard river crossings and jungle hexes, but will retreat to concentrate for a last stand in the swamps of Palembang.
I have launched a couple of naval attacks against Padang with Lily dive-bombers at 10k and Oscar IV on naval attack at 1k, covered by Tojos and Franks. About 60 planes lost for two APA sunk and a DE damaged.
Borneo:
I have found out the hard way that there are Liberator models with a range of more than 20 hexes. I still felt save for my Borneo oil, until a group of VLR Liberators - which are supposed to hunt submarines - showed up to bomb Miri. Allied dogs are mis-using specialized assets here! Probably because there are only eight Japanese submarines left in service and the specialized sub-hunting Liberators were complaining about unemployment.
Banda Sea:
After their defeat on Babar, the Allied dogs have landed on Saumlaki, Taberfane, Kai-eilanden and recently on Kaimana, dropping brigades reinforced with tanks, arty and combat engineers on each island under the cover of cruiser TFs, LBA and apparently also CVEs. Since each island is held only by regimental-sized units - punch-drunk from carpet-bombings by heavy and medium bombers - the Allies had little difficulties to capture each base. However, I am no longer willing to risk major fleet units in this area infested with enemy subs and mines. A small cruiser-destroyer TF sent to interfere was mauled, losing Furutaka and four DDs to LBA when the admiral in charge foolishly decided to stay in the area in broad daylight. Our offensive airpower in the area is weak, many fighter units have move out to protect the oil bases from long-range bombers and only a token force remains on Ambon.
New Guinea, Central Pacific, North Pacific - all quiet.
Economics:
The biggest four heavy industry complexes in the Home Islands have stopped working due to lack of fuel.
With the abundance of tankers, I can risk a few to continue shipping oil and fuel from Palembang as long as I still have air superiority over that base.
However, the days of obtaining oil from the SRA are counted, and I will need to go into strict conservation mode. I will stop fetching as many resources as possible from the SRA, disband the xAKs in the Home Islands and will only load resources on home-bound convoys which have brought reinforcements and supplies to the front. The stockpiles in the Home Islands and the supplies from Hokkaido and Manchukuo/Korea/China will have to suffice.
Production of planes will concentrate on fighters, anything else will be stopped.
Ship production will end soon, what is less than 60 days from completion will go ahead but all the rest is being stopped (except DD and SS).
Combined Fleet or what's left of it is disbanded at a classified location to conserve fuel and to await the occasion to strike under more favorable circumstances.
Air war:
Not surprisingly, the Allies have the edge in the air war through quantity and quality.
Fighter forces available at the moment (PDU off):
IJNAF LBA:
- 5 groups of Georges*
- one group of J2M3 Jack
- 3 groups flying the latest Zero version A6M8
- 9 groups flying the Zero A6M5c**
- about a dozen groups flying older versions of the Zero, half of them still using the old and worn A6M2 from the beginning of the war.
*Three of the five George groups are understrength because equipped with the N1 version which is no longer in production and no planes left in the pools due to bad production planning (blame staff). PDU off prevents upgrading to use the ample pools of the N2 model.
**Could upgrade to A6M8, but I keep the older model due to better range, armament and engine requirements.
IJAAF LBA:
- 2.5 groups of Frank-a
- 5 groups of Tojo II-c
- one group each of Ki-61 b and c
- 17 units equipped with Oscar IV
- 4 units equipped with older Oscars
- 4 units still flying Nates
So, for the whole PTO I have only 4.5 groups of first-rate planes (Frank and George), eight groups of mediocre planes and the rest is junk as far as air superiority missions are concerned. That means I can only defend in strength a few selected points - first and foremost Singers and Palembang - and very little strength is available for offensive sweep/escort missions.
All Nates, most Oscars and all unarmored Zeros are in the rear, training pilots. Results however are "hand to mouth", The program is hard-pressed to keep the standard of a "exp 50/air 70/def 70" pilot skill-sets before committing them to frontline units. More often than not, the defense skills are in the low 60s.
I have started a training program for the low naval attack skill, using non-fighter groups stuck with obsolete planes like Mabels, Jeans, Vals, Kates, Alfs, etc.
However, the pilots now come from the first flight school training cycle (Navy) respectively the third training cycle (Army).
Let's see what will run out first - HI points, supplies or bodies...
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
What about Jack?
And you may want to consider rebuilding an N1K1 factory. Just one. size it to be whatever it needs. You can't afford to be short N1K in any group.
In general for PDU OFF, you will need to build pretty much everything … one factory each in many cases, but you need to build it. And of course you need A7M ASAP for the IJN.
You need Frank r ASAP for the IJA.
Most, but NOT all fighter groups will upgrade to Frank r and A7M.
And you may want to consider rebuilding an N1K1 factory. Just one. size it to be whatever it needs. You can't afford to be short N1K in any group.
In general for PDU OFF, you will need to build pretty much everything … one factory each in many cases, but you need to build it. And of course you need A7M ASAP for the IJN.
You need Frank r ASAP for the IJA.
Most, but NOT all fighter groups will upgrade to Frank r and A7M.
Pax
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LargeSlowTarget
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- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Hello PaxMondo,
I have only one group allowed to fly the Jack. It is equipped with the M3 version and recently saw combat as point defense at Palembang and in an escort role in the recent air battles against the Allied Death-star off Sunda Strait. It is holding its own, having lost 16 Jacks for 15 kills on the unit roster, which is a good record compared to other models.
The bad news is that I have decided early in the game not to research the Sam, doubting that I would ever get far enough into the late game to reap the profit from the considerable research effort it would require while blocking research factories for years before they actually start repairing and researching.
The good new is that Frank-r just entered production with 150 planes per month. Could be 200 but I keep a 50-plane factory on hold with the Frank-a since I have groups in the reinforcement queue for Frank-a and I don't know if they are allowed to upgrade to other versions. It really sucks in PDU off that there is no visibility on the upgrade paths of reinforcement air groups.
The three groups flying Frank-a can upgrade as soon as enough Frank-r airframes are available.
There are three groups of Tojo-c which can upgrade to Frank-r - after having upgraded to Frank-b, which for some reason is a seperate development path and won't enter production before 4/45 (I just started researching it after having finished with the Frank-r).
However, none of the numerous Oscar groups can upgrade to the Frank, most end with the Oscar-IV or very late planes like Ki-94II which I am not going to research.
Game update: game date Feb 14th, 1944
I am throwing every modern plane I have at Southern and Central Sumatra - Franks, Georges, Jacks, Tojos, Tonys, Judys, Jills, Frances, Helens, and even some Zeros 5c. Feels like throwing good money after bad, since Sumatra will fall. But well, everything I do will get me killed, including doing nothing.
Air raids on Allied shipping off Padang and Allied ground units in the open have been costly failures, hundreds of planes lost for two APAs sunk and probably an DE as well.
The Allied Death-star has approached Sunda Strait again to cover an invasion force going for Oosthaven. The lone garrison Bn guarding Oostaven has been brushed aside by Marines.
In anticipation I rushed base forces and air groups to Northern Java from all over the SRA - no infantry reinforcements available to defend Oosthaven or Java (only token forces present on Java to cover garrison requirements) since everything is already committed to the plans related above for Singers, Bangkok etc.
However, my air groups impaled themselves on LRCAP over Oosthaven. Like eggs against a wall, even my best horses - a hundred Franks - made no impact, and 7 remained in flyable condition after the dust settled. All pilots committed had 50+ exp / 70+ Air / 60+def skills. I could cry... Must send almost my entire LBA back to Japan for rebuilding.
I also assembled most of Combined Fleet at Banjermarsin for "Operation Death or Glory", using fake home ports and destinations but patrol orders at Banjermasin to fool SIGINT. Not sure it worked.
I was planning for a "ranged attack" on the Death-star to profit from the longer reach of my TBs, but the sortie of Combined Fleet fizzled - the Allied task forces which have been camping in Sunda Strait for two turns have retreated out of range the turn I made my thrust. I had sent some subs and a cloud of midget subs to harass the Allies the turn before, probably an error since apparently the subs have triggered the Allied retreat. Should have thought twice.
The surprise is gone, and I'm not going to pursue the Death-star into the LBA from Padang. Well, Combined Fleet will die another day.
In the meantime in the Banda Sea, Allied forces have invaded Lautern on Timor. Only a weak South Sea garrison unit is offering token resistance. No sea and air power available to oppose / counterattack, everything has been sent to the botched Sumatra operation.
The house of cards called SRA is starting to collapse.
I have only one group allowed to fly the Jack. It is equipped with the M3 version and recently saw combat as point defense at Palembang and in an escort role in the recent air battles against the Allied Death-star off Sunda Strait. It is holding its own, having lost 16 Jacks for 15 kills on the unit roster, which is a good record compared to other models.
The bad news is that I have decided early in the game not to research the Sam, doubting that I would ever get far enough into the late game to reap the profit from the considerable research effort it would require while blocking research factories for years before they actually start repairing and researching.
The good new is that Frank-r just entered production with 150 planes per month. Could be 200 but I keep a 50-plane factory on hold with the Frank-a since I have groups in the reinforcement queue for Frank-a and I don't know if they are allowed to upgrade to other versions. It really sucks in PDU off that there is no visibility on the upgrade paths of reinforcement air groups.
The three groups flying Frank-a can upgrade as soon as enough Frank-r airframes are available.
There are three groups of Tojo-c which can upgrade to Frank-r - after having upgraded to Frank-b, which for some reason is a seperate development path and won't enter production before 4/45 (I just started researching it after having finished with the Frank-r).
However, none of the numerous Oscar groups can upgrade to the Frank, most end with the Oscar-IV or very late planes like Ki-94II which I am not going to research.
Game update: game date Feb 14th, 1944
I am throwing every modern plane I have at Southern and Central Sumatra - Franks, Georges, Jacks, Tojos, Tonys, Judys, Jills, Frances, Helens, and even some Zeros 5c. Feels like throwing good money after bad, since Sumatra will fall. But well, everything I do will get me killed, including doing nothing.
Air raids on Allied shipping off Padang and Allied ground units in the open have been costly failures, hundreds of planes lost for two APAs sunk and probably an DE as well.
The Allied Death-star has approached Sunda Strait again to cover an invasion force going for Oosthaven. The lone garrison Bn guarding Oostaven has been brushed aside by Marines.
In anticipation I rushed base forces and air groups to Northern Java from all over the SRA - no infantry reinforcements available to defend Oosthaven or Java (only token forces present on Java to cover garrison requirements) since everything is already committed to the plans related above for Singers, Bangkok etc.
However, my air groups impaled themselves on LRCAP over Oosthaven. Like eggs against a wall, even my best horses - a hundred Franks - made no impact, and 7 remained in flyable condition after the dust settled. All pilots committed had 50+ exp / 70+ Air / 60+def skills. I could cry... Must send almost my entire LBA back to Japan for rebuilding.
I also assembled most of Combined Fleet at Banjermarsin for "Operation Death or Glory", using fake home ports and destinations but patrol orders at Banjermasin to fool SIGINT. Not sure it worked.
I was planning for a "ranged attack" on the Death-star to profit from the longer reach of my TBs, but the sortie of Combined Fleet fizzled - the Allied task forces which have been camping in Sunda Strait for two turns have retreated out of range the turn I made my thrust. I had sent some subs and a cloud of midget subs to harass the Allies the turn before, probably an error since apparently the subs have triggered the Allied retreat. Should have thought twice.
The surprise is gone, and I'm not going to pursue the Death-star into the LBA from Padang. Well, Combined Fleet will die another day.
In the meantime in the Banda Sea, Allied forces have invaded Lautern on Timor. Only a weak South Sea garrison unit is offering token resistance. No sea and air power available to oppose / counterattack, everything has been sent to the botched Sumatra operation.
The house of cards called SRA is starting to collapse.
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated
Operation Death or Glory
It's possible to have both. [8D] Maybe the next time.
It's true that the SRA is beginning to collapse -- unless you manage a miracle victory somehow -- but on the other hand you're into Feb 1944. How long does it take for the economic effects to make a big difference back home in Japan?
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LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4805
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): CV losses
Game date March 5th, 1944
Blows followed by setbacks followed by disasters - and rinse and repeat.
Massive Allied forces have crossed the Burma river defense line between Moulmein and Chiang-Mai, pushing back the weak Thai sub-units which have provided a thin screen, more a bluff than a defense. All units not engaged have been ordered to pull back as well and I will try to consolidate the sub-units again further south for a last stand before the Thai units will dissolve automatically in a few months. The two IJA divisions at Moulmein risk to be cut-off and have been ordered back towards Rahaeng.
In China, the Allied air force is becoming more active, with troop movement being hampered by ground attacks. The IJA fighter groups assigned to the China theater are limited by PDU off and stuck with Oscars IV, so they are useless except for training. I have assigned two precious George units to cover the Hanoi/ Haiphong area where I am preparing a defensive line. In Central China, troops are moving around in the Changhsa area trying to eliminate a few more Chinese units before heading for the coastal bases on defensive assignments.
Concerning the SRA:
After the non-battle off Sunda Strait I have rushed Combined Fleet into the Banda Sea to attack the invasion forces at Lautern on Timor. The surface navy bombarded Lautern with little success. A few Allied PTs got sunk and one cruiser managed to sink a DD by ramming - unfortunately it was one of ours. Lord, give me a surface action without friendlies colliding!
The carriers fared no better. Naval search discovered several TFs within easy striking range, but only a handful of feeble strikes were launched, sinking some small fry. Culprit is probably the weather, or my bad luck, or both. The Banda Sea being alive with enemy subs, one managed to torpedo CV Katsuragi several times. She split off the TF automatically with CLAA Tatsuta as escort and struggled into the nearest port - Kendari - for emergency repairs. With Kendari airbase having been thrashed thoroughly in the days before, no CAP was available. She couldn't run and she couldn't hide, so she got sunk next turn in port by 4Es, along with the CLAA.
Combined Fleet fled north away from the Allied sub carpet in the Banda Sea and out of range of the carpet bombings to replenish from the fleet train at Davao. Recon did spot increased shipping activities around Hollandia, so with the Allied carriers last seen off Sumatra and their subs concentrated in the Banda Sea, KB sortied again to look for easier pickings off New Guinea. As my rotten luck would have it, my carriers ran over yet another sub and CV Hiyo went down after two attacks with three torpedo hits each. "Radio intercepts" (i.e. email exchange with my opponent) revealed that it was the only Allied sub in the area - so my luck must be more than rotten...
With fuel supplies dwindling and no reasonable chance to inflict more damage than receiving, I have decided to terminate fleet operations in the SRA and to move Combined Fleet to Japan for upkeep, upgrades, pilot training and a final battle in home waters - if the B-29s soon to come won't sink the fleet in port...
Concerning ground and air units, preservation is the key word as well.
Since the Allied need only a turn or two to thrash the CAP and flatten an airbase but the Japanese engineers need two weeks to repair it, the only Japanese airfield still operational within reach of the Banda Sea is Makassar - and with Lautern captured, Dili under attack and Endeh (Flores islands) invaded recently, Makassar is in range of Allied fighters and it's days are surely numbered. I am evacuating the base forces, Air HQs and Engineers from the inoperable air bases at Kendari, Ambon and Boela and in anticipation of the blow to fall from Makassar as well - I will need the AV support for the 'end game'. All airmobile squads and devices are being airlifted to Menando, fast transport TFs are trying the bring back the heavy stuff liker radar sets and motorized support. From Menando, the evacuated units will move to prepare defenses on Luzon, Formosa and the Ryukus.
The infantry units in the area - 2nd ID on Ambon, various elements of the 31st ID scattered between Babar, Kendari and Makassar, one independent brigade each on Boela, Koepang, Roti and Waingapoe, two IJA South Sea garrison units at Dili and assorted naval guard forces and SNFL on the Moluccas and other islands around the Ceram Sea - will stay put for the moment to fight it out if invaded. If bypassed, I will try to get the airmobile parts out by flying boat.
Some base forces and fighter units will keep watch over the remaining oil port while tankers will continue to ship home as much fuel and oil as possible, but no efforts will be made anymore to interfere with Allied invasions in the SRA.
I hope I will have enough time to create and train a Kamikaze Corps for the mutually supporting airbases in the Formosa - Ryukus - home islands area to be ready when the enemy arrives. The latest turn brought some good news which will surely strike fear into the hearts of our enemies - 12 Ki-27b Nate replacements arrived at Tokyo.
In the North, dead calm. Reinforcing and digging-in continues on the Kuriles Islands.
Blows followed by setbacks followed by disasters - and rinse and repeat.
Massive Allied forces have crossed the Burma river defense line between Moulmein and Chiang-Mai, pushing back the weak Thai sub-units which have provided a thin screen, more a bluff than a defense. All units not engaged have been ordered to pull back as well and I will try to consolidate the sub-units again further south for a last stand before the Thai units will dissolve automatically in a few months. The two IJA divisions at Moulmein risk to be cut-off and have been ordered back towards Rahaeng.
In China, the Allied air force is becoming more active, with troop movement being hampered by ground attacks. The IJA fighter groups assigned to the China theater are limited by PDU off and stuck with Oscars IV, so they are useless except for training. I have assigned two precious George units to cover the Hanoi/ Haiphong area where I am preparing a defensive line. In Central China, troops are moving around in the Changhsa area trying to eliminate a few more Chinese units before heading for the coastal bases on defensive assignments.
Concerning the SRA:
After the non-battle off Sunda Strait I have rushed Combined Fleet into the Banda Sea to attack the invasion forces at Lautern on Timor. The surface navy bombarded Lautern with little success. A few Allied PTs got sunk and one cruiser managed to sink a DD by ramming - unfortunately it was one of ours. Lord, give me a surface action without friendlies colliding!
The carriers fared no better. Naval search discovered several TFs within easy striking range, but only a handful of feeble strikes were launched, sinking some small fry. Culprit is probably the weather, or my bad luck, or both. The Banda Sea being alive with enemy subs, one managed to torpedo CV Katsuragi several times. She split off the TF automatically with CLAA Tatsuta as escort and struggled into the nearest port - Kendari - for emergency repairs. With Kendari airbase having been thrashed thoroughly in the days before, no CAP was available. She couldn't run and she couldn't hide, so she got sunk next turn in port by 4Es, along with the CLAA.
Combined Fleet fled north away from the Allied sub carpet in the Banda Sea and out of range of the carpet bombings to replenish from the fleet train at Davao. Recon did spot increased shipping activities around Hollandia, so with the Allied carriers last seen off Sumatra and their subs concentrated in the Banda Sea, KB sortied again to look for easier pickings off New Guinea. As my rotten luck would have it, my carriers ran over yet another sub and CV Hiyo went down after two attacks with three torpedo hits each. "Radio intercepts" (i.e. email exchange with my opponent) revealed that it was the only Allied sub in the area - so my luck must be more than rotten...
With fuel supplies dwindling and no reasonable chance to inflict more damage than receiving, I have decided to terminate fleet operations in the SRA and to move Combined Fleet to Japan for upkeep, upgrades, pilot training and a final battle in home waters - if the B-29s soon to come won't sink the fleet in port...
Concerning ground and air units, preservation is the key word as well.
Since the Allied need only a turn or two to thrash the CAP and flatten an airbase but the Japanese engineers need two weeks to repair it, the only Japanese airfield still operational within reach of the Banda Sea is Makassar - and with Lautern captured, Dili under attack and Endeh (Flores islands) invaded recently, Makassar is in range of Allied fighters and it's days are surely numbered. I am evacuating the base forces, Air HQs and Engineers from the inoperable air bases at Kendari, Ambon and Boela and in anticipation of the blow to fall from Makassar as well - I will need the AV support for the 'end game'. All airmobile squads and devices are being airlifted to Menando, fast transport TFs are trying the bring back the heavy stuff liker radar sets and motorized support. From Menando, the evacuated units will move to prepare defenses on Luzon, Formosa and the Ryukus.
The infantry units in the area - 2nd ID on Ambon, various elements of the 31st ID scattered between Babar, Kendari and Makassar, one independent brigade each on Boela, Koepang, Roti and Waingapoe, two IJA South Sea garrison units at Dili and assorted naval guard forces and SNFL on the Moluccas and other islands around the Ceram Sea - will stay put for the moment to fight it out if invaded. If bypassed, I will try to get the airmobile parts out by flying boat.
Some base forces and fighter units will keep watch over the remaining oil port while tankers will continue to ship home as much fuel and oil as possible, but no efforts will be made anymore to interfere with Allied invasions in the SRA.
I hope I will have enough time to create and train a Kamikaze Corps for the mutually supporting airbases in the Formosa - Ryukus - home islands area to be ready when the enemy arrives. The latest turn brought some good news which will surely strike fear into the hearts of our enemies - 12 Ki-27b Nate replacements arrived at Tokyo.
In the North, dead calm. Reinforcing and digging-in continues on the Kuriles Islands.
-
LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4805
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze
Game date March 25th, 1944.
Have been looking for an opportunity to test the Kamikazes, using the airgroups stuck with older airframes and scheduled to withdraw in a few months - use them or lose them.
The occasion came this turn - my opponent untypically made the mistake to leave a Japanese airfield operational within range of an Allied invasion site.
After the easy capture of Dili on Timor and the uneventful and unopposed invasion of Flores, Ed has crossed the Banda Sea to land at Kolaka on Celebes - the back door to Kendari.
In preparation, his Death Star has made a stab at Manado, but my naval search saw it coming and most of the shipping - Manado was my major hub for the evacuation of base forces and construction units from the doomed bases around the Banda Sea - got away.
Damage to Manado from the Death Star and the coordinated 4E strikes was comparatively light, and with all the construction units and base forces present the airbase was 100% operational again when the Allied invasion force arrived at Kolaka - range 10 hexes as the crow resp. the Kamikaze flies.
Naval search showed a bunch of CVEs in the base hex providing cover for the bombardment and amhib TFs, with an estimated 160 fighters available. The Death Star was observed heading East into the Philippine Sea, apparently covering the invasion of Sorong at the Northern tip of New Guinea.
A golden opportunity to strike at the CVE soutside effective land-based LRCAP (closest Allied airbase 8 hexes away at Endeh on flores) and with the Death Star being somewhere else.
The Kamikaze Corps has been training on Luzon, assembled at Tarakan when NEws of the Kolaka landing arrived and moved to Manado for this turn.
The screeny shows the forces assembled.
To make it short, the results were short of expectations and hopes, but still better than nothing.
Have been looking for an opportunity to test the Kamikazes, using the airgroups stuck with older airframes and scheduled to withdraw in a few months - use them or lose them.
The occasion came this turn - my opponent untypically made the mistake to leave a Japanese airfield operational within range of an Allied invasion site.
After the easy capture of Dili on Timor and the uneventful and unopposed invasion of Flores, Ed has crossed the Banda Sea to land at Kolaka on Celebes - the back door to Kendari.
In preparation, his Death Star has made a stab at Manado, but my naval search saw it coming and most of the shipping - Manado was my major hub for the evacuation of base forces and construction units from the doomed bases around the Banda Sea - got away.
Damage to Manado from the Death Star and the coordinated 4E strikes was comparatively light, and with all the construction units and base forces present the airbase was 100% operational again when the Allied invasion force arrived at Kolaka - range 10 hexes as the crow resp. the Kamikaze flies.
Naval search showed a bunch of CVEs in the base hex providing cover for the bombardment and amhib TFs, with an estimated 160 fighters available. The Death Star was observed heading East into the Philippine Sea, apparently covering the invasion of Sorong at the Northern tip of New Guinea.
A golden opportunity to strike at the CVE soutside effective land-based LRCAP (closest Allied airbase 8 hexes away at Endeh on flores) and with the Death Star being somewhere else.
The Kamikaze Corps has been training on Luzon, assembled at Tarakan when NEws of the Kolaka landing arrived and moved to Manado for this turn.
The screeny shows the forces assembled.
To make it short, the results were short of expectations and hopes, but still better than nothing.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 23, 44
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 187 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 62 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M5 Zero x 18
A6M5c Zero x 90
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 100
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed by flak
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed by flak
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVE Anzio
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Casablanca, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CVE Chenango
CVE Suwannee
CVE Breton
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A6M2 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x A6M5 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x A6M2 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 12 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30390.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Massive explosion on CVE Casablanca
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Prince William
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Casablanca
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Casablanca
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 183 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5c Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 97
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 15520 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 141 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 21
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 94
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 8 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10560 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11920 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24150 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18560 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 35960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 25740 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 12
B6N1 Jill x 24
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
FM-2 Wildcat x 42
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 18 destroyed
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B6N1 Jill flying as kamikaze *
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 26780.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 151 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 68
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
FM-2 Wildcat x 39
F6F-3 Hellcat x 85
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 23 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 23740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 81 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 24, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 198 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 65 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5c Zero x 54
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVE Prince William
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M5 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30390.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A6M5c Zero x 23
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 12560 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15930 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 175 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 58 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M2 Sen Baku x 7
A6M5c Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M2 Sen Baku: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 23560 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 165 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5c Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 16560 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 10
B6N1 Jill x 6
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 3 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 16560 and 25740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 25960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 182 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 17 destroyed
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
- Attachments
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- KamiCelebes.jpg (489.36 KiB) Viewed 123 times
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LargeSlowTarget
- Posts: 4805
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze
So, 200+ Kamikazes and 27+ escorts expended for 11 Kamikaze hits:
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, Ammo storage explosion
CVE Casablanca, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, Massive explosion, Ammo storage explosion, Heavy smoke from fires
CVE Anzio, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
11 out of 200+ is worse than the historical record (14 percent of Kamikazes survived CAP and AA to score a hit on a ship), hope I will do better in the future. CVE Casablanca looks like a goner, the others will probably survive [:@].
The Kamikaze fighters and all escorts were set to 29k altitude, the Jills to 1k. The detection ranges show that altitude seems to have an impact in the game, the high strikes have been detected much father out than the Jills. Suprisingly, the Jills at 1k have been escorted, although the escorts were all set to the much higher 29k altitude.
I expect that the future invasions will have cover from the Death Star and possibly LBA. Next time I should probably sweep the landing hex heavily before sending in the Divine Wind. This will probably happen around Luzon.
What has happened elsewhere:
- Sansapor, a a lightly defended dot base next to Sorong, has been invaded and captured by the Allies
- west of Changsha, Allied counterattack in open terrain including Chinese troops and Commonwealth infantry and tanks and supported by LBA - two IJA divisions mauled and forced to retreat
- Allied advance from Burma into Thailand on multiple vectors, a first ground attack on the vector Moulmein-Bangkok repulsed :
- first ground attack goes in at Palembang and receives a bloody nose :
Note that the base forces, construction units and the Air HQ have been airlifted out right under the nose of the Allied airbases nearby - only non-airmobile devices remain.
- the Allies have cleared all mines in Sunda Strait and a naval bombardment has tested defenses at Merak:
Java has long been evacuated and only token units remain - the island won't become an Allied POW camp.
Except for Palembang, Singapore and Bangok, the deep SRA has been largely abandoned and valuable assets - base forces and engineers have been or are in the process of moving to the "main defensive line" spanning from the river east of Hanoi (with speedbumps at the Mekong crossings and Vinh) through Formosa and Luzon.
With the SRA oil centers already lost or as good as cut-off with the Allies on Celebes and the Death Star roaming freely, the aim is now to delay the bombing of the home islands. The Marianas have been reinforced to about 20-25k men each, a division plus AA, arty and AT, behind level-6 forts and slowly rising. Frantic digging is going on on all islands between Iwo Jima and Formosa.
The fuel situation is becoming more and more desperate, most of the heavy industry is no longer producing. Refuleing of TFs has been suspended, and the first AKs have been run dry and disbanded in port. I will retain one replenish TF with oilers for a last sortie of Combined Fleet.
There are 520k HI points left in the pool, and factory output has been severely curtailed - no floatplanes, no transport planes, no Oscars, no Zeros, no ships except a few DDs, subs and MTBs. Production of Frank-r, George, Ki-100 Tonies and Nick night-fighters continues at full speed.
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, Ammo storage explosion
CVE Casablanca, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, Massive explosion, Ammo storage explosion, Heavy smoke from fires
CVE Anzio, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
11 out of 200+ is worse than the historical record (14 percent of Kamikazes survived CAP and AA to score a hit on a ship), hope I will do better in the future. CVE Casablanca looks like a goner, the others will probably survive [:@].
The Kamikaze fighters and all escorts were set to 29k altitude, the Jills to 1k. The detection ranges show that altitude seems to have an impact in the game, the high strikes have been detected much father out than the Jills. Suprisingly, the Jills at 1k have been escorted, although the escorts were all set to the much higher 29k altitude.
I expect that the future invasions will have cover from the Death Star and possibly LBA. Next time I should probably sweep the landing hex heavily before sending in the Divine Wind. This will probably happen around Luzon.
What has happened elsewhere:
- Sansapor, a a lightly defended dot base next to Sorong, has been invaded and captured by the Allies
- west of Changsha, Allied counterattack in open terrain including Chinese troops and Commonwealth infantry and tanks and supported by LBA - two IJA divisions mauled and forced to retreat
- Allied advance from Burma into Thailand on multiple vectors, a first ground attack on the vector Moulmein-Bangkok repulsed :
Ground combat at 55,58 (near Tavoy)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 32949 troops, 616 guns, 623 vehicles, Assault Value = 1006
Defending force 17789 troops, 173 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 548
Allied adjusted assault: 66
Japanese adjusted defense: 2233
Allied assault odds: 1 to 33
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: fatigue(-), supply(-)
Japanese ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1679 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 167 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 73 (5 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
14th Indian Division
5th Indian Division
Defending units:
21st/B Division
21st/C Division
21st/A Division
55th/B Division
28th Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st RF Gun Battalion
- first ground attack goes in at Palembang and receives a bloody nose :
Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37775 troops, 605 guns, 517 vehicles, Assault Value = 1287
Defending force 23293 troops, 224 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 717
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Allied adjusted assault: 1198
Japanese adjusted defense: 1855
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
483 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 109 (14 destroyed, 95 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
2489 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 241 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 69 disabled
Guns lost 51 (1 destroyed, 50 disabled)
Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
25th Indian Division
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
16th LRP Brigade
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
181st Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
XIV US Corps
168th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
18th/C Division
5th/C Division
33rd/C Division
48th/C Division
2nd Tank/C Division
19th JAAF AF Bn /1
106th JAAF AF Bn /1
16th AA Regiment
93rd JAAF AF Bn /1
35th JAAF AF Bn
41st JAAF AF Bn /1
39th JNAF AF Unit
55th Construction Battalion
3rd Ship Engineer Regiment
3rd Air Div /1
22nd JAAF AF Bn /1
90th JAAF AF Bn
28th JAAF AF Bn /1
Note that the base forces, construction units and the Air HQ have been airlifted out right under the nose of the Allied airbases nearby - only non-airmobile devices remain.
- the Allies have cleared all mines in Sunda Strait and a naval bombardment has tested defenses at Merak:
Night Naval bombardment of Merak at 48,97
Allied Ships
BC Renown
CA Cornwall
CA Suffolk
CL Newcastle
CL Ceylon
CL Gambia
Japanese ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 35
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 5
BC Renown firing at II/124th Infantry Battalion
CA Cornwall firing at Merak
CA Suffolk firing at Merak
CL Newcastle firing at Merak
CL Ceylon firing at Merak
CL Gambia firing at Merak
Java has long been evacuated and only token units remain - the island won't become an Allied POW camp.
Except for Palembang, Singapore and Bangok, the deep SRA has been largely abandoned and valuable assets - base forces and engineers have been or are in the process of moving to the "main defensive line" spanning from the river east of Hanoi (with speedbumps at the Mekong crossings and Vinh) through Formosa and Luzon.
With the SRA oil centers already lost or as good as cut-off with the Allies on Celebes and the Death Star roaming freely, the aim is now to delay the bombing of the home islands. The Marianas have been reinforced to about 20-25k men each, a division plus AA, arty and AT, behind level-6 forts and slowly rising. Frantic digging is going on on all islands between Iwo Jima and Formosa.
The fuel situation is becoming more and more desperate, most of the heavy industry is no longer producing. Refuleing of TFs has been suspended, and the first AKs have been run dry and disbanded in port. I will retain one replenish TF with oilers for a last sortie of Combined Fleet.
There are 520k HI points left in the pool, and factory output has been severely curtailed - no floatplanes, no transport planes, no Oscars, no Zeros, no ships except a few DDs, subs and MTBs. Production of Frank-r, George, Ki-100 Tonies and Nick night-fighters continues at full speed.
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze
It's interesting -- and maybe a bit horrifying -- to see the effects of the fuel shortage already being felt.