1926 Campaign goodboyladdie (A) vs Dixie (J)

[goodboyladdie]

This was included with the turn...

"PS: A little something for the AAR from British news sources within Japan. Feel free to pad it out a little for the readers...

The Imperial Japanese Navy have today claimed a major victory in the war at sea. Sources from Japan have announced that a US Navy battleship of the New Mexico class was left sinking in flames near the US held island of Midway. As yet no comment has been received from the US government or US Navy regarding this incident."

I think two of his BBs have taken torps so far, so I won't worry over much with regard to balance of forces.

[goodboyladdie]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AK San Francisco Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP La Plata Maru
DD Kagero
DD Tsuga

Allied Ships
SS S-37, hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Midway at 95,61

Japanese Ships
SS No. 36

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 1
BB West Virginia

No fire, so hopefully not too badly damaged. I really need those ASW upgrade DDs...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Keizan Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AK San Francisco Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Legaspi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17092 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 364

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese assault odds: 186 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5932 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Defending force 10815 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173


Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[goodboyladdie]

2 more DDs completed upgrade at LA and are proceeding to PH.

At PH, an ASW tf of 6 MSWs are on their way to Midway. Another 6 will patrol PH. As you can see from the screenie, Mike has established a sub blockade at Midway. New Mexico is 33/30/5 and will limp back to PH escorted by the entire PacFlt. As I will have no ASW DDs available for a week, I could not leave them at Midway. It is touch and go if they'll get back to PH unscathed. The 2 unescorted reinforcement convoys will come in from the North to try to avoid Martin's patrol line. It is essential they land as soon as possible, regardless of risk, because I reckon Martin is on his way...

[goodboyladdie]

Now Martin has run away from Naga I'll redeploy the subs there. 2 will go to Vigan, 1 to Naha and 1 to Taichu.

2 upgraded DDs are steaming from Shanghai to Manila as ASW escorts are urgently needed there to help get injured ships through the sub blockade that has claimed so many victims already (all of my losses so far have been to sub torpedoes!).

[jwilkerson]

Patrol planes and ASW TFs (4 ships each) used together can gain control of small areas in and around ports. Even 0-range patrol/sea planes can help make the port hex itself safe-ish. Every spot helps EXP - and higher EXP increases probability of attack and hits. But just detection will reduce the probability of the sub attacking and that makes the use worthwhile. So placement of the few patrol/seaplane assets is key is ASW effectiveness.
(huh all this being in my experience anyway!)

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

Patrol planes and ASW TFs (4 ships each) used together can gain control of small areas in and around ports. Even 0-range patrol/sea planes can help make the port hex itself safe-ish. Every spot helps EXP - and higher EXP increases probability of attack and hits. But just detection will reduce the probability of the sub attacking and that makes the use worthwhile. So placement of the few patrol/seaplane assets is key is ASW effectiveness.
(huh all this being in my experience anyway!)

Thanks Joe. I am probably going to be getting my planes out of Manila (well that's the plan), but this will hopefully work at Midway.

[Heeward]

Glad to see your AAR back up.
 
How short of ASW assests are you?
Will this problem be solved over time?

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: Heeward

Glad to see your AAR back up.

How short of ASW assests are you?
Will this problem be solved over time?

All of my USN DDs bar the 6 with the fleet have undergone ASW upgrades. They are sailing for PH as soon as they are ready, but I reckon it will take over a month before I can field them all and get the last 6 in the yards. I will then have a lot (70+ I believe) so should be able to screen the fleet and form sub hunting task forces.

[goodboyladdie]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
ML Aso

Allied Ships
SS S-35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
ML Aso, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-35

Tee Hee [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AP Otori Maru
DD Kagero
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Kaki
DD Take

Allied Ships
SS S-37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AP Kumagawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Keizan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-35


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5921 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 188

Defending force 10841 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173


Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported

[goodboyladdie]

I don't know what is going on as the CRs were for new turns, but I have had a bit of deja vu in these turns...

2 more upgraded DDs left LA for PH. The screenie shows the constsnt flow of new ASW escorts on their way to join the fleet. Pac Flt was still at Midway so I have tried to give them orders for PH again.

2 ASW equipped DDs were ready at Shanghai and they are sailing for Manila.

[goodboyladdie]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AP Seizan Maru
DD Kagero
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Kaki
DD Take
CA Ibuki

Allied Ships
SS S-37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Kunimitsu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-35

Takao continues to be a good hunting ground in this scenario, as well as in the 1922 campaign...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5921 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 188

Defending force 10841 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173



Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

[goodboyladdie]

Battle Fleet Naval HQ is moving to Mare Island to assist with all the ship repairs. Reserve Fleet will stay at San Diego. Battle Fleet will eventually move to PH. 2 DDs were ready at Mare Island and are cruising to Pearl Harbor to join Pac Flt.

The scratch force sent North to cover Dutch Harbor when Martin's sub turned up there has arrived at Anchorage and disbanded (see screenie). I will probably start feeding them back South to complete repairs once they can be replaced or I decide there is no threat.

BB New Mexico is now 33/23/1 and about 4 days away from PH. 6 MSWs are on their way to French Frigate Shoal to drive off a Jap sub near the Pac Flt retreat route. This is a little confusing because I am sure I sent them to Midway a few days back. I will have to discuss this issue with Martin if it continues. Orders seem to be changing turn to turn...

The AP and AKs under repair at PH will sail to San Diego with the old CL Chicago to free up the dockyards at PH for Pac Flt work.

[goodboyladdie]

S-31 has replenished at Manila and is off to patrol Taichu. The 4 subs off Naga needed their orders to move repeated today.

Diamond Harbour was full of damaged ships. I am sharing them out amongst Colombo and Bombay too to ease congestion and work more efficiently. I cannot believe I did not do it before!

This is the state of play with the damaged ships at Manila...

[goodboyladdie]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 96,61

Japanese Ships
SS No. 46

Allied Ships
ML San Francisco, Torpedo hits 1
DM Stribling

How annoying... I know it's a taste of my own medicine, but it still sucks. Luckily, these light cruisers have been quite tough so far.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-35

Normal service resumed at Takao
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Midway at 95,61

Japanese Ships
SS No. 36

Allied Ships
DM Stribling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,52

Japanese Ships
SS No. 29

Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

This could be interesting. I will have to check to see what flag this TK flies/flew and see what she was doing when she was attacked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Keizan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-35

Very good work by this sub this turn...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 108,68

Japanese Ships
SS No. 35

Allied Ships
MSW Thrush
MSW Eider
MSW Turkey
MSW Oriole
MSW Tanager
MSW Lapwing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AK Shinnan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kagero
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Kaki
DD Take

Allied Ships
SS S-37, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 108,68

Japanese Ships
SS No. 35

Allied Ships
MSW Thrush
MSW Eider
MSW Turkey
MSW Oriole
MSW Tanager
MSW Lapwing


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4057 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 188

Defending force 10859 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 174


Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

[goodboyladdie]

2 TKs completed upgrade at San Diego and are loading fuel for Pearl. 2 AKs are also heading for Mare Island and the last 4 DDs to complete upgrade at San Diego are off to join the ASW campaign around Hawaii, Midway and the Line Islands. An AK also left Seattle for Mare Island.

A minelayer and 4 DMs left Mare Island for Midway. VB-1, VB-1B (both torpedo bomber units) and 23rd bomb sqn (NBS-1s) have transferred to 9th Corps Hawaii and embarked on a convoy for PH.

At Pearl Harbor an MSW ASW tf has started patrolling after the similar task force sent to French Frigate Shoal last turn ran across their prey on the way to Pearl Harbor. The sub escaped and was last seen heading East (see screenie).

ML San Francisco, torpedoed near Midway, has damage of 20/18/5 and will head for PH escorted by the other ships in her task force. The various Pac Flt task forces are being routed slightly to the North to hopefully avoid subs. The convoy bringing in 808th EAB and VF-7 and VP-3 arrived at Midway and has been ordered to unload. The floatplanes will be able to commence work as soon as they are assembled, but the fighters are waiting for the airfield to be completed (currently 53% I think).

[goodboyladdie]

The TK torpedoed last turn was Dutch, but chartered for a run into Manila, so I am not sure I can make that much of it. If the Dutch Government decide to send a protest I'll post a copy here. She is running for Manila with damage 43/76/49.

S-2 reloaded at Manila and headed for Takao to replace the successful S-35 which is now out of torpedoes. 2 more ASW DDs left Shanghai for Manila. The previous two will attempt to thread their way through the Japanese blockade (see screenie).

[goodboyladdie]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Bataan (42,51) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

112 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isonami, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urunami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
BB Settsu, Shell hits 2
BB Ise


Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pescadores at 47,43

Japanese Ships
AP Tarushima Maru
DD Kagero
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Kaki
DD Take

Allied Ships
SS S-41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao at 48,45

Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-40

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bataan at 42,51

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Settsu
DD Urunami, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PG Elcano, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PG Romblon, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
PG Bobol, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PG Marie Duque

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Bataan, at 42,51 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
BB Settsu, Shell hits 5
BB Fuso, Shell hits 3
BB Ise, Shell hits 2, on fire


Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

It's interesting that there appeared to be two bombardment phases. It looks like the Bataan forts opened fire first...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,48

Japanese Ships
AK Takaoka Maru
DD Kawakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Isokaze

Allied Ships
SS S-34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 47,48

Japanese Ships
BB Mishima, Shell hits 1
BB Suwo, Shell hits 1
DD Amatsukaze
DD Isokaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Kawakaze
AP Oridono Maru
AP Otake Maru
AP Tainichi Maru
AP Taizin Maru
AK Takaoka Maru
AP Takayo Maru
AK Taketoyo Maru
AP Takuei Maru

Allied Ships
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
DD Hulbert, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Bugger. Two much needed ASW DDs lost...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3988 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 186

Defending force 10918 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 176


Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[goodboyladdie]

Another TK was ready at San Diego so it joined the other two loading fuel for PH. 3 more ASW equipped DDs left LA for the central Pacific. The scratch force is being sent back to Seattle from Anchorage. There is no point giving points away and I want them in top shape if they have to engage the enemy.

A sub has been spotted off Oahu. 2 ASW DDs coming in from the North will try to intercept, as well as the two MSW tfs already on patrol. USS New Mexico is now 33/25. USS San Francisco is 21/16/1. 144th FA Rgt is unloading at Midway.

[goodboyladdie]

The ring is closing around Manila. On Mindanao Japanese troops are drawing up opposite US lines in Davao.

The ASW DDs leaving Shanghai are being routed to the South of the PI to Legaspi to hopefully avoid further disasters...

[goodboyladdie]

A little OT, but she is in this scenario (I think)- here is a picture Dixie previously used for a sig banner for Yava. He has colourised a late WWII photo of Renown. I think it is wonderful...