The Shattered Sword: John 3rd vs. Anachro--BTS

[John 3rd]

August 12, 1942
East of Ocean Isle

Two Carrier Task Forces come together. A CVL moves from Sho--Zui--Soryu TF to the Junyo--Hiyo TF so there are 3 CV/2 CVL and 2 CV/2 CVL in the other.

We shall begin a slow move SE staying out of PBY range. He has PBY at Noumea, Suva, and the Line Islands. That makes for a very porous and distant Air Search screen. The two American CV disappear this turn but I am certain they remain close. We will not tip our hand until there is something to truly go after. Considering I have a new CV and CVL about three days steaming to the NW (just passing the Marianas making for Tabitueau), it would be GREAT if I can combine with them and create a truly formidable conglomeration of carrier power.

To answer Adar:
1. No. Haven't used Flank Speed yet. Want to save it for a perfect time. It causes way too much SYS damage and sucks a crap-ton of fuel.
2. Fortunately with my pre-positioning and eight full AOs nearby, we are set for extended operations.
3. There are nearly 18 SS operating in the area and they are HUNTING!

Have slowly (over the last four weeks) moved more planes into the area. Currently have nearly 200 Zeros, 100+ Betty/Nell, and three Daitai of Vals in theatre. If I want, I can add nearly 100 Zeros to the CVs by pulling off my least experienced Daitai of Vals or Kates.

Am keeping shipping at Ndeni and Tabitueau to serve as continued bait to draw the enemy westward...

[Bif1961]

There were 170 planes in that strike and the big E and Wasp have only 166 combined so I would suspect at least 3 carriers.

[John 3rd]

Concur but that number COULD have been two complete--everything--CV worth of planes.

I am actually thinking and planning for four. We know that two Brit and two American fought west of Perth two weeks ago. The two American might be anywhere now but I'll wager Sean has kept them together. Right the Americans have everything but Ranger--I think. Ranger comes in pretty soon I believe.

This is why I want to take my time, look for an oportunity, and unify with the third TF coming down from Tokyo. I'll have six CV and five CVL at that point. SHOULD be enough to overwhelm up to four American CVs.

[John 3rd]

August 13, 1942
Ndeni

It is on.

I lost my opponent as he made a full speed jump west followed by normal movement.

My warships at Ndeni (3 CL and 14 DD in three TFs) are startled when air search picks up a massed, incoming strike of 46 Wildcats, 91 DB, and 13 Avengers. The AF quickly puts 36 Zeros into the air and so a mad furball erupts over the airspace above the warships. Only 8 F4Fs and 5 SBD are shot down prior to them tipping into their deadly dives. That would make 86 SBD diving. CRAP!

NOT!!!

For the third time American DBs truly show their lack of experience as only three 1,000lb bombs hit. CL Ishikari takes 1 bomb (SYS 15/FLOT 11/ENG 2) and DD Minazuki get two hits. The DD automatically disbands into port but is still a float at the end of the day.

The die is now cast. There are three CVs (by the plane squadrons) and the Japanese Carriers to the north point their bows south and prepare for their own High Speed move due south. REACT set to the FULL SIX hexes. The CVs are carrying 251 Zero, 91 Val, and 115 Kate.

Ready or not...we strike next turn...

[John 3rd]

If I was Sean, I would be very careful and, perhaps, move away after the strike. However, since the strike was sooooooo ineffective, I hope he tries again or stays fairly close to the area. If he does then my FULL SPEED move will put me 1 hex SE of Ndeni with full react on. Let us hope he is stubborn and tries again...

[John 3rd]

The turn is sent so we'll see what he decides to do fairly quickly.

[John 3rd]

August 14, 1942
SoPac

Well...we make the WARP SPEED jump and don't find much. Certainly have surprise but that is about it. As suspected, he pulled his CVs back towards Australia.

Still find a group of DDs to attack. Three Strikes fly:

1. A small morning strike of 15 Zero and 13 Val fight through 18 F4F and score no hits. Minimal plane losses for nothing.

2. Good-sized attack of 75 Zero and 48 Val attack 4 DDs. They encounter stiff resistance with 54 Fighters (P-40/F4F/P-39) flying CAP. My Fighters put up a good fight and then perform an OLE and let the fighters into the Vals. NASTY. Lose 17 before the remaining 31 dive on their targets. These are veteran Japanese pilots. SURELY they can teach the Americas how to dive-bomb. RIGHT? NOPE! Only one bomb hits DD Arunta. BOTH sides suck evidently...

3. 24 Zero and 17 Kate hit and SINK DD Tamorth with 2 TT at Luganville. The Torps work...

Well...rat farts...

[John 3rd]

NOTE: He must have 30-40 SS deployed throughout the Marshalls, Solomons, and Ndeni area. I have been losing an AK a day for six days. This turn I shift a bunch of Betty/Nell/Val/Kate to ASW. There is a lovely 12 SS HITS scored but that don't mean much. Will keep this up for a couple of days and try to drive away the pesky fish.

[John 3rd]

PLAN

The Carriers will move about 6 hexes south and strike at Luganville and a .dot hex showing a dozen targets disbanded in the harbor. Slightly lower CAP from 60% to 50% so I have a few more fighters for escort.

Really HOPE he flies more planes into Luganville! Detach two Kongo's and a pair of Command Cruisers to PLASTER that AF next turn.

Will pull back at that point and fuel as well as rendezvous with the Tokyo CV TF coming down.

A gauntlet has just been thrown. Wonder how he'll respond...

[adarbrauner]

You have to make allowance for every enemy's countermove;

Anachro is first class sailor and super aggressive;

never underevaluate

[Canoerebel]

John was up very late or very early. He has church in the morning, so he's going to be red-eyed and muddle-headed.

How do I know these things? I was up very late and very early. I have church this morning. I am red-eyed and muddle-headed.

This dratted game!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

John was up very late or very early. He has church in the morning, so he's going to be red-eyed and muddle-headed.

How do I know these things? I was up very late and very early. I have church this morning. I am red-eyed and muddle-headed.

This dratted game!

Damn Dan---If that ain't the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

Up after less then 6 hours of sleep and I just found out I have Sunday School. Great...

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

You have to make allowance for every enemy's countermove;

Anachro is first class sailor and super aggressive;

never underevaluate

I knew he could run as I said earlier but I had a chance to truly surprise him. He is SOOOOOO aggressive, I thought there was a real chance he might stick around for another shot at my shipping. Alas...not to be.

[John 3rd]

August 15, 1942

The Carriers move south and find some targets.

Before dawn, two Kongo's and two Fuji-Class Command Cruisers hit Luganville. Sean prudently moves his aircraft from the base but they lay pretty good waste to the area.

Morning Strike:
86 Zero, 21 Val, and 20 Kate hit DD's Javelin and Hamilton

Afternoon Strikes:
10 Zero and 74 Kate attack that base where the disbanded shipping was spotted. Unfortunately, they are not there.
104 Zero, 25 Val, and 41 Kate crush the DD TF: SINK Javelin, SINK Hamilton, and hit Arunta and Jervis (may be sunk)

The CVs continue their southward move and will retire after tomorrow.

[John 3rd]

August 16, 1942
China

Am taking some pride in my China accomplishments. Have never really made an attempt to take China. I HATE the ground element within AE so this is a chance for me to grow some and learn things.

Today sees the beginning of an elimination of the a small Chinese stack that has been trapped and is now surrounded. Three ID attack netting 52-1 and three Corps surrender yielding 4,117 Cas and 283 Squads. Tomorrow's attack will get the rest of them out of the picture.

To the NW edge of the screenshot sits the true Chinese prize. Thirteen units are completely surrounded. Within that stack are 2-3 in good shape with the rest badly beat-up. Expect a 20-25,000 troops surrender.

Am doing this prior to entering Chungking because I want the units destroyed and then they cannot come back as long as I am contesting the hex for the city. This is a correct reading of the reinforcement rules: CORRECT?

[John 3rd]

Kido Butai moved south to a line parallel with Noumea and Nadi. The CVs launch a small strike of 9 Zero and 15 Val to sink three AKs trying to flee the area.

Tomorrow will see 4 CA and 4 DDs bombard Suva and then the Kates will do an afternoon Port Attack. Fuel begins to run low so we're heading back for the barn next turn.

[John 3rd]

Have found a Mod error. The CAVs have returned for their conversion upgrade to full Fleet Carrier and while the planes upgraded, the ships did not. Have to look at it and figure the problem out. Crap.

[John 3rd]

August 17, 1942
SoPac

The Japanese CVs strike at several targets and manage to sink some AKs, an AE, and an AD. Not bad. A massed strike of 107 Zero and 115 Kate nail the Port of Suva in the afternoon. The carriers will now retire to Tabitueau. AOs have moved down some and will refuel the TF.

A new STF centered around BC Ishitaka (Amagi-Class) enters the field of battle. They will bombard Efate. I have had multiple FP reconning this area since I have not been down here recently. EFate has been expanded to a Lvl-6 AF. That got my attention. We'll punch there and throw some shells into the target.

I have advanced multiple support and replenishment ships to Tabitueau to handle all re-arming. Always remember to plan ahead fellow players!

[John 3rd]

The retiring Japanese CTF will retire on Tabitueau and rendezvous with the ready-to-arrive new CV Kaimon (Shokaku Kai-Class) as well as the new Rhujo, two Kongo's, 2 CAs, 2 CL, and 8 DDs. We'll reorganize the carriers at that point.

Leaving Singapore yesterday were the last of the major carriers--Amagi and Akagi are upgraded and ready. They'll stop at Soerabaja and pick-up some modern DDs with good AA and work their way to join the rest of the fleet.

[Canoerebel]

Wait a second. It's August 1942 - just how many carriers do you have? How many BBs and BCs? I could look it up, but me and the editor aren't on speaking terms.