WPO Beta AAR: Sprior(IJ) vs Belphegor(Allies) Campaign 1.

[Jorm]

either really just want to get a feel for the number of air squadrons available

[Tankerace]

How can I say this.... not many.

Remember, historically in 1925 the US Navy possesed about 30 fighter planes. Granted, with war there will be an air buildup, but nothing on the scale of WW2, or even really WW1.

[Jorm]

I have a refernec that seems to indicate that in 1925 the US navy and marine corp had 491 combat aricraft inclduing a/c in reserve. this doesnt count transports and trainers.

"united States naval aircraft 1910 - 1995"
Roy A. Crossnick

i have a pdf of it i can send you if you like

cheers
Paul

[Tankerace]

Yes. But of those were about 30 different designs, of various combat effectiveness, and only a handful were the most modern type, and only a handful of those fighters (and I mean "modern" fighters, not ones like the Vought VE-7 of WWI vintage.

Remember, in the 1920's there were several variants of planes, with maybe 100 built, and then another model would be produced to test it. WPO includes all the major models of aircraft, and many limited production aircraft. But early in the game, there are very few squadrons. The US Navy, abrrine a few patrol and bombing squadrons, has ziltch, and there are only a handul of Army squadrons on the west coast.

In the 1922 campaign, aircraft play a very minor role.

[Tankerace]

ORIGINAL: Jorm

I have a refernec that seems to indicate that in 1925 the US navy and marine corp had 491 combat aricraft inclduing a/c in reserve. this doesnt count transports and trainers.

"united States naval aircraft 1910 - 1995"
Roy A. Crossnick

i have a pdf of it i can send you if you like

cheers
Paul

Na, That's Ok.

Not counting Trainers and transports eh? Based on what I have found, (combining USMC and USN planes, something I had not done, and reserves) there were maybe 75-100 fighters of all types, 117 flying boats, and about 200 or so scout planes, early torpedo bombers, etc. Also, a number of those fighters were NOT Navy fighters, but DH-4s used by the USMC. Simple statistics can be misleading.

The point I am trying to make is that pre 1926, aircraft are toys. The prinicple USN fighter is the VE-7SF, a WWI era trainer turned fighter, and the main US Army and Marine Fighter is the DH-4, a bomber/scout turned fighter/bomber. The Bulk of US Navy aircraft are the Flying boats - the H16 and F5 series, and scout planes such as the UO and VE-9. Remember, by 1925 all US dreadnoughts and scout cruisers had catapults, contributing to the 491. However, in actual attack planes (capable of offensive action), the USN until the late 1920's was grossly outclassed. The planes it had in 1925 were good, for 1918. But against new British and Japanese planes....

[Belphegor]

I forgot to take a screenshot this turn of my magnificent 5 squadrons in the Pacific. Next turn.

Relatively peaceful, Once all ships have returned to Pearl I'll tally the damage for defending Midway. Looks like he isn't coming back, but it is a long sail from his closest large ports.

[sprior]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/16/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


775 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 10
AK Shinnan Maru, Shell hits 15, on fire
CA Ibuki, Shell hits 13
CA Kurama, Shell hits 16
DD Take, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kaki, Shell hits 8
DD Kagero

Japanese ground losses:
1688 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


820 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 10, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
CA Ikoma, Shell hits 11
CA Ibuki, Shell hits 1
DD Kaki, Shell hits 13, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
950 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 57782 troops, 299 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28246 troops, 167 guns, 42 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8231 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14196 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21937 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 71782 troops, 299 guns, 43 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5588 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12715 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2578 troops, 42 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 8228 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[Belphegor]

Nagato sinks!

and my mightly air force... all of it at this point. Certainly not a war winner, nor even really a concern.

[sprior]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/17/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


329 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Kagero, Shell hits 12
CA Kurama, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1 encounters mine field at Shanghai (52,39)

Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi
DD Nowaki

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Ikoma, Shell hits 4


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 63162 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28087 troops, 159 guns, 42 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)


Japanese ground losses:
558 casualties reported
Guns lost 26

Allied ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16906 troops, 201 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 8079 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 33 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1961 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8187 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14316 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21798 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 76024 troops, 265 guns, 43 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5588 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12855 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 2



The build up in China continues...

[Belphegor]

It is going to be at least 3 months before I can consider any offensive action. Until then, I have to fight with what I've got. Another IJN BB sinks at Marcus I. The disadvantage of going for something so far away is the distance to help. I lost one BB, and I have 3 in drydock for some time.
Counterattack on Midway begins!

[sprior]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/18/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 1
TF 1 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


466 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Nowaki
AP Baikal Maru, Shell hits 15

Japanese ground losses:
1116 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 1
TF 1 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported

TF 1 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 57512 troops, 273 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28125 troops, 154 guns, 41 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14345 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8237 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16687 troops, 195 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 6688 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 32 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
551 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8108 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 18085 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21966 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 76518 troops, 273 guns, 43 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at San Marcelino

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5548 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12892 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



The campaign to isolate and take Shanghai begins with the assault on Hangchow.

[Belphegor]

The coastal defences are the only thing working in Hangchow.... 2 DDs sunk (I think) so far...

[sprior]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/19/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Hangchow, 51,39, firing at TF 1
TF 1 troops unloading over beach at Hangchow, 51,39


17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 9 encounters mine field at Shanghai (52,39)

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 57818 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28182 troops, 155 guns, 42 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13730 troops, 95 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17869 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
410 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16714 troops, 193 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 6006 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 88 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
599 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8055 troops, 59 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17821 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21908 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 76978 troops, 275 guns, 46 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 2



I can neither confirm nor deny the Allies claims ast to losses at Hangchow. What I can say is this; opposed landings hurt - but then what do you expect when you try to land fully loaded combat troops using the ships' jolly-boats?

Anyway, here are the Naval reinforcements japan can expect soon (I have removed merchies and auxiliaries for clarity)

[watchtower]

Yes you swine[:D] It's good old Watchtower- me matey, arr....lets splice the mainbrace.......

[watchtower]

Whoops sorry - wrong thread - not for the first time[:-]

[sprior]

We can still splice the mainbrace tough.. now where's that bottle of Pussers Rum...

[Belphegor]

Hoping for the final push on Midway tomorrow. All damaged ships have made it back (all that will make it back) and a tally presented tomorrow.

The US Battle Fleet is effectively 1/3 strength while the remainder repairs. I am unable to send help anywhere currently. Not much else to tell. I don't know how far the IJN fleet has pulled back, reports of two BBs sunk near Marcus I.

[sprior]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/20/22


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 58123 troops, 279 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28205 troops, 158 guns, 42 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 16575 troops, 192 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 5186 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 137 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
321 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hangchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8125 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17945 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21943 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 77101 troops, 279 guns, 44 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1




A lul while follow-on forces are brought up.

[Belphegor]

Most of the lasting damage to the IJN was done by my battleships. 3BBs and a BC lost for Japan. There were a number of other shipping losses for Japan, mainly to the CD guns.

[sprior]

07/21

Quiet turn.

Hint: You will need to convert AKs to AS and AR to support long-range operations as the IJN.