Eric's Guadalcanal Diary

[EWGuttag]

While taking a break from March Madness, I decided to start a thread on my experience, as a newcomer to WitP, on doing the Guadacanal scenario from the Allied side against the Japanese AI. Guddalcanal was recommended as a good starting scenario to try, and I thoroughly agree. It combines the "island hopping" aspects of the Solomons Campaign (Operation Watchtower) involving use of naval TFs, with the signfiicant ground/air campaign of New Guinea (Operation Cartwheel), so that you get many different aspects of WitP without the overwhelming detail of the full Pacific campaign for those who haven't been exposed to WitP.

On this thread, I'm going to copy in my early experiences from my War Room thread so that those new to WitP can get the feel of this great game from one who their level of experience with this game. My thanks to all of you who have offered me great advice as I've stumbled along. My apologies too for only narrative without screen captures (the computer I'm playing the Guadacanal scenario on does not have Internet access), but hopefully I can share some tips (and even disasters) so all might learn. My reports may be also sporadic (sorry, I'm not letting this game "possess my soul" as some said it can), and with significant pauses.

At the moment, I'm at around Turn 70 (using 1-day turns) with a Normal difficulty and with all of the options (or almost all) flipped to the "green" up position. So here we go, and Good Hunting to You All!

[EWGuttag]

Making progress through Guadalcanal scenario (Allied), mistakes and all.  I restarted once after learning from some of those mistakes, and making more mistakes to learn from, including handling the logistics.  Have just taken Lunga  and Tulagi, and moving supplies/fuel towards those new bases.

One thing I've learned to do is to check each base to see what assets it has.  For example, I didn't realize I had naval transport at Brisbane until after sending Aussie troops by foot.  Oh well, as someone on this thread pointed out, you'll make mistakes and learn from them in WitP.

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Well, now that I've secured Lunga and Tulagi, I've got questions (please don't laugh too hard, I'm still on the step part of the learning curve):

1.  Even before I secured these bases, I started supplies/fuel and support units towards them.  My first question relates to the support units for captured bases.  I realize the composition of the support force may vary depending on the size of the base, what it's for, etc.  Is there any standard support force to use for captured bases?

2.  I've started a PT Boat TF towards Tulagi for basing there.  Is that a good idea?

3.  I'm currently sending a B-17 force to each of Rabaul and Shortlands to pound the ports there for harrassment and to slow down reaction to the taking of Lunga and Tulagi.  Is that a good idea?

4.  There's a Japanese unit parked adjacent to Port Moresby which is being held off by an Aussie unit.  Currrently I'm pounding this Japanese unit with a B-17 force.  I'd like to do it with a B-26 force, but the B-26 forces don't have sufficient legs from their bases in Australia.  I'd like to move these B-26 units up to Port Moresby, but what I see suggests that will creat a supply and aviation support problem.  I'm trying to move additional supplies from Brisbane up to Port Moresby; is that a good idea?  Also, what's the best way to get additional aviation support to Port Moresby?

5.  The limited number of Allied forces in and around Port Moresby makes me nervous, especially with that Japanese unit parked next door (as well as the other Japanese bases close by).  I'm trying to move additional combat units into Port Moresby.  Is that a good idea?

6.  I know there's both "fuel" and "oil".  What's the difference between these two in terms of what units can use which resource?

That's it for the moment.  Stay tuned and Tallyho!

[EWGuttag]

Well, I'm in to my 23rd or so turn as the Allies in the Guadacanal scenario.  I just took both sides of Guadalcanal (Lunga and recently Tassafronga).  I moving supplies/fuel like mad to Lunga and Tulagi so my TFs don't run completely dry.  So far, I've taken quite a few hits in the "naval" department, including losing a CA and a CL which are high point value (40 each), plus 3 destroyers.  I'm looking at my next base to capture, either Munda or possibly Vella Lavella or possibly both.  I've also put together a strong surface combat TF around the BBs Washington and North Carolina (back from repairs in Espirito Santos) to fend off the periodic "night attacks" by  JPN suface combat TFs (including 2 BBs) down the Slot.  I've now got 4 Air Combat TFs around the Wasp, Enterprise, Hornet and Saratoga, with Hornet TF off of Tassfronga, the other 3 off of Lunga; I need to move one of the Air Combat TFs west to join the Hornet TF.  I've also got U.S. sub forces out harrassing JPN transports (and sinking some), along with SBDs and Avengers from the Air Combat TFs, plus a sprinkling of PT TFs.

I continue to try to run supplies/fuel into Port Moresby, along with additional combat units (including the 32nd U.S. Division).  I think one of the mistakes I made was not getting the transports in Port Moresby out of there early to avoid JPN air attacks that have sunk several transports.  I continue to periodically use the B-17 groups out of Port Moresby (and occasionally a B-24 group out of I believe Cairns) to harass Buna, Rabaul and Shortlands.  I've apparently stopped the JPN unit that went after Port Moresby (including hitting it periodically with attacks from B-17/B-24 groups).  I've also got part of the 32nd U.S. Division heading for Buna to give the JPN something to think about.

The logistics issues in this game are something to behold and contend with.  All in all, making mistakes, learning from them and having fun.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[EWGuttag]

After taking massive shipping loses (400+ points worth), I decided to restart the Guadacanal scenario from the first turn having, as they say, "learned from my mistakes" (and some were pretty "dumb").  I'm now up through about turn 7 again.  The logistics issues even in this scenario are something else.  As Canoerebel said, it's important to figure out where your next steps will "flow."  One thing I did was to get my support units "flowing" towards Guadacanal even before Lunga and Tulagi were secured, and even moved the Americal Div. right away to Tassafronga (now captured).

Regarding Port Moresby, I'm trying to flow supplies (and units) there in a more organized fashion, using Cairns as my staging area (I discovered that Cooktown isn't as good because you can't go directly from there to Port Moresby).  Port Moresby became a shipping "graveyard" for me, and I'm trying to avoid it this time arround.  I'm also using my B-17/B-24 forces more judiciously to suppress the bases at Buna, Lae and Rabaul.

One question I've got relates some of the ship types like SC, PG, AV, AD, etc., that appear to be for transport, and especially what they're used for.  I know what AKs, APs, AOs, TKs, APDs, etc., are used for, but what about these others.  For example, I know SC stands for "sub chaser" but what exactly is it's role in this game?

[EWGuttag]

I'm up to either Turn 11 or 12 now, and have been able to fend of pretty much the JPN air attacks against Port Moresby, enough to offload needed troops/supplies/fuel.  One of the B-26 groups took quite a few losses trying to suppress Lae.  Overall, the Allies are winning the air attrition battle.  The JPN forces have lost close to 70 Bettys, may be 30 or so Zeroes, and several Vals.  I just got some additional Wildcats based out of Lunga (the airfield finally became serviceable), and that helped suppress attacks on Lunga and Tassafronga.

There looks to be a JPN surface combat TF (mainly CAs/DDs) coming towards Lunga that the CV TFs have already beat up some.  Now, I need to increase the supply flow to Lunga/Tassafronga (plus air cover/bombers) before I can jump off to capture another JPN base (Munda and possibly Vella Lavella).  I'm watching Shortlands carefully for potential large JPN TFs coming out of there (I've got several subs patrolling in the area).  Stay tuned for further developments.

[EWGuttag]

Well, the Guadalcanal campaign continues on (Allied Turn 21 or so) and the JPN are starting to take it on the chin.  Lunga is now a growing base with air and support units.  Port Moresby is now a growing airbase too with B-17/B-26/A-20 groups to pound Lae (airfield and port) and Rabaul (airfield and port); the Yamato and Hiei at Rabaul have been hit repeatedly.  Continue to move supplies into Lunga/Port Moresby.  The JPN air response is getting more and more feeble (the point loss ratio Allied:JPN is now about 1:2) with Port Moresby basically receiving no air attacks.

JPN AI moved a BB/CA/DD surface combat TF towards Lunga, with the BBs getting pounded on the way.  Lost 6-12 PTs in the process, but the JPN surface combat TF is now high tailing it back to Shortlands (where I've got some subs waiting get them, having already torpedoed the Kongo twice).  I lost one CA (ouch) and some transports, but other than that primarily PT loses.  The Enterprise, Wasp and North Carolina took some damage in earlier land-based bomber/torpedoe attacks, but are recovering and have been left alone for quite sometime.

I'm moving a portion of the 7th Aussie towards Salmaua to give the JPN something to think about.  The next amphib assault planned is against Vella Lavella with the Americal out of Tassafronga.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[EWGuttag]

I'm now past Turn 40 in the Guadacanal scenario, and the Allies continue to roll forward.  The Allies now have about a 150 point lead.

Vella Lavella is now an Allied base, and building.  Lunga is now a major base.  Next stop:  Buin to get a toe hold on Bouganville.  The main issue is pushing fuel/supplies/support units forward fast enough.  Noumea and Luganville getting pretty far back, so moving supplies/fuel/support units forward is a slow process.

Right now, the JPN air is fairly well decimated.  Still have a few fighters (maybe 50 total) at Rabaul and Lae, but most of the bombers (Bettys) are toast.  The airfields at Rabaul and Lae have been hammered repeatedly by B-17/B-24 groups, and occasionally B-26 groups.  I've caught several surface TFs out in the open, but unfortunately, the B-26/B-25/A-20 units aren't the best to sink ships.  Still, I've inflicted damage on the JPN naval forces, including the BB Yamato.  Shortlands has also taken a pounding from B-17s stationed at Lunga.

In New Guineau, I continue to build up Port Moresby, forwarding supplies/fuel/support units/combat units/air units as quickly as possible.  A sizable portion of the 7th Aust. Div. is marching off towards Lae; if I can capture this base, Buna will be isolated and ready to reduce.  I may even move some Air Combat TFs against Buna later, and possibly conduct an amphib assault to take it after it's reduced sufficiently.

In terms of naval loses, I've had a few CAs/DDs take hits (plus some transports), but have only lost a DD and an MSW recently.  Right now, the JPN have more in naval loses, not counting damaged units.

That's it for now.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[EWGuttag]

This concludes my reports from the War Room.  After this, every report will be something new:
 
Now at Turn 58 and the Allies continue to roll forward.  Buin has been taken, so now the Allies have a toehold on Bougainville.  Next on the agenda will be Tokorina, thus isolating Shortlands for further reduction, and potential conquest.

Allies now have air superiority and are close to air supremacy.  The JPN AI launches very few bomber attacks now.  A JPN DD force (about 8 in all) is getting hammered off Salamaua (1 DD already sunk).  The BBs Nagato adn Mutsui got pounded some and skeddaled NE towards Truk to get out of harms way.

On New Guineau, Allies continue to pour forces into Port Moresby (also the major B-24/B-17/B-26/B-25 base, with a squadron of SBDs as well).  7th Australian Division force from Port Moresby is now less than 60 clicks from Salamaua to isolate Buna and set up Lae.  Stay tuned for further developments.

[Hornblower]

Goo luck

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General Situation:  I'm now at Turn 73, and the Allies continue to roll forward.  Allies basically have air supremacy as the Japanese can only put up meager numbers of fighters on defense, and only an occasional bomber raid.  Allies have lost 23 ships (including one CL and two DDs) to the Japanese 42 ships (including BB Kongo, one CL, and ten DDs); the Japanese may have lost more BBs, CAs, CLs and DDs as several were pounded either by land-based bombers, or carrier-based SBDs or TBDs.  Japanese naval is pretty much non-existent or easy prey for land-based attack from Port Moresby, naval-based attack from one of four CV TFs that roam near Salamaua or submarine attack.
 
Solomons:  Allies now have Lunga, Tassafronga, Tulagi, Russell Is., Munda, Vella Lavella, Buin and Tokorina as bases.  The 1st Marine Division is loading at Lunga to take Shortlands, which is now isolated, and being pounded by B-17s and a small unit of British bombers.  Particularly important is moving supplies/fuel forward to bases such as Vella Lavella and Buin in readiness when Shortland falls.  B-17/B-24s from Port Moresby/Lunga continue to pound Rabaul.
 
New Guinea:  Port Moresby is now flush with supplies/fuel and no longer subject to attack from Japanese air.  7th Australian Division continues its march towards Salamaua (now less than 30 clicks away).  The Australian 6th Division, along with the Australian 30th Brigade which had been defending against an SNLF force, has now forced the SNLF force to retreat towards Buna.  the Australian 6th Division/Australian 30th Brigade will continue to pursue towards Buna.  B-25s/B-26s/P-39s/A-20s continue pounding Buna/Salamaua/Lae.
 
Current Total Score:  Allies 3392 to Japanese 2762.

[EWGuttag]

As an aside, below is the link to a picture of a Type 89 (Yi-Go or Chi-Ro) Japanese medium tank, several of which are shown in the video opening for WitP.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Type_89_Yi-Go_at_Tsuchira.jpg#file

[EWGuttag]

Well, I'm now up to turn 80, and the 1st Marine Division has landed at Shortlands.  I'm running in supplies and the Americal Division to finish capturing this base.  Also pounding the Japanese positions with 3 different Bombardment TFs (2 of which have the BBs USS Washington, South Dakota, and North Carolina), along with B-17s, British bombers, some land-based SBDs out of Buin, and now B-26 group.
 
Unfortunately, the Japanese Air broke through the Air Combat TFs for the Saratoga and Hornet I had lurking off of Salamaua.  The Saratoga took a torpedo or two, but the Hornet was really ruffed up and is now limping back to Lunga.  Fortunately, all I've lost since the last report was 1 DD.  One really humorous moment was when 3 Japanese DDs took on one of these TFs containing 1 CA, 2 CLs and 4 DDs in a surface action; needless to say all 3 3 Japanese DDs went to the bottom quickly.
 
I also sent several SS patrols of up to Truk and hit the jackpot.  Caught the CV Junyo with a torpedo hit.  There were also some AGs that these SSs put some more torpedo hits into
 
In New Guinea, the the Australian 6th Division and 30th Brigade continue to advance towards Buna.  Meanwhile the Australian 7th Division is now only 14 clicks away from Salamaua.  To give the Japanese AI something else to think about, I landed an Australian Tank Regiment in Salamaua; it should OK until the Australian 7th Division arrives as I contnue to pound Salamaua with P-39s/B-26s.
 
 Current Total Score:  Allies are about 600 ahead.  Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

Now up to around turn 88, and the Shortlands has just been captured.  Now comes the hard part:  getting this base up to snuff.  Next landing planned:  Gasmata.

Unfortunately, the Japanese Air again broke through, sending the Wasp, Hornet (quite damaged), North Carolina, and South Dakota limping back to report for repairs.  .

In New Guinea, the the Australian 6th Division and 30th Brigade continue to advance towards Buna, but are still 40 clicks aways.  The Australian 7th Division is now only 6 clicks away from Salamaua with the Australian Tank Regiment now landed and ready in Salamaua; I contnue to pound Salamaua with P-39s/B-26s.  Unfortunately, Japanese Air broke through and sank a couple of AKs and badly damaging a couple of MSWs.

Current Total Score:  Allies are about 550 ahead.  Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

Now up to around turn 94, and finishing off the remaining Japanese land forces on Shortlands.  Still trying to gett this base up to snuff with supplies/support units.  Looks like the Japanese tried to send naval transport towards Shortlands either to take off the remaining Japanese land forces or to land somewhere else, and got drubbed by SBDs/TBDs based in Buin or from the Enterprise TF.  Gasmata has now been captured, so the Allies now have a toe-hold on New Britain.

In New Guinea, the Australian 7th Division and Australian Tank Regiment have booted the Japanese land forces out Salamaua.  A Japanese surface combat TF of a couple of CLs and several DDs tried to bombard these forces and were then pounded by Allied air, losing at least 1 CL and 1 DD.  The Australian 6th Division and 30th Brigade continue to advance towards Buna, but are still many clicks away.  The B-17s/B-24s are now laying waste to Wewak which is where Japanese AI has based some Bettys/Vals that have attacked Salamaua and naval TFs off of Salamaua.  Rabaul continues to be drubbed by B-17s/B-24s out of Port Moresby and B-17s out of Lunga. 

Current Total Score:  Allies are at least 700 points ahead (about 3700 to 3000).  Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

Now up to around turn 98, and the Allies hit the jackpot.  Between carrier-based and land-based SBDs/TBDs, sent the CV Hiyo and 1 CL to the bottom near Buin; only the CV Junyo remains unaccounted for which was torpedoed on turn 80 (see post #12 above0 at Truk.  Unfortunately, the "Gray Ghost" took several bombs from the Japanese carrier-based aircraft, and will need to limp back to base for significant repairs.  At the moment, the only operational Air Combat TF contains the slightly damaged Saratoga operating off the southern coast of New Britain.
 
Solomons/New Britain:  Still finishing off the remaining Japanese land forces on Shortlands, which are growing smaller and smaller each day.  Gasmata is now captured.  B-17s/B-24s are now pounding both Rabual and Kavieng.

New Guinea.  Trying to get Salamaua operational as a base.  The Australian 6th Division and 30th Brigade continue to advance towards Buna, but are still over 30 clicks away.  I'm now moving a transport TF with portions of the 2nd Marine Division to land at Buna and the put the Japanese land forces there between a rock and a hard place.  The B-17s/B-24s continue to lay waste to Wewak.

Current Total Score:  Allies are about 1100 points ahead (about 4100 to 3000); sinking the Hiyo really helped (over 200 points).  Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

Now up to turn 101, and the Japanese AI decided to throw a "surprise" at me in the form of the Kido Butai (aka "KB") off of Buka.  The KB comprised the CVs Shokaku and Zuikaku, and the CVLs Zuiho and Ruyjo, along with CA and DD escorts, a fairly formidable Air Combat TF, opposed by an Allied Combat TF comprised of the damaged Saratoga, along with 2 CAs and 4 DDs.  "Stripe-Stacked Sara" put up a valiant fight against this KB onslaught, along with several SBD and TBD squardrons based in Buin, which inflicted significant damage on all of the KB CVs and CVLs.  Unfortunately, it was too much for the mighty CV-3 which went down, leaving the Wasp as the least damaged (at 40 sys) of the Allied CVs.  The land-based SBDs and TBDs from Buin are continuing to mop up the remanants of the KB screening force as the KB CVs and CVLs limp away.

Solomons/New Britain:  The remaining Japanese land forces on Shortlands have been crushed and eliminated  Buka is likely to be the next stop for the 1st Marine/Americal Divisions to establish an air base to move forward at least some of the bomber squadrons at Buin.  B-17s/B-24s continue to pound Kavieng and occasionall Rabaul.

New Guinea.  Still trying to get Salamaua operational as a base, and to reinforce the Australian 7th Division and Australian Tank Regiment .  The Australian 6th Division (along with elements of the U.S. 32nd Division) continues to advance towards Buna, now just about 15 clicks away.  Elements of the the 2nd Marine Division have landed at Buna, with more coming.  The B-17s/B-24s continue to turn Wewak into a "wasteland."

Current Total Score:  Allies are about 1300 points ahead (about 4900 to 3300); losing the Saratoga hurt (to the tune of 390 points), but the Allied forces continue to move onward in both the Solomons and New Guinea.  Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

Now up to turn 114.  (Sorry for not posting for a while, but the last 2 weeks has been hectic, to say the least.)  Lost the Big E to a sub torpedo attack trying to limp her back to Noumea for repairs (350 points, ouch!).  The Wasp is now operational with the CVE Long Island as an Air Combat TF.  Just formed another Air Combat TF from 2 or 3 CVEs, along with older BBs (e.g., Maryland), CAs/CLs, and DDs.

Solomons/New Britain:  With Buka now captured, Bougainville is now entirely Allied.  B-17s/B-24s based in Buin continue to pound Kavieng and occasionall Rabaul.  May expand the base at Gasmata, and perhaps take some of the other Japanese bases on New Britain.

New Guinea. The Australian 6th Division (along with elements of the U.S. 32nd Division), in conjunction with the 2nd Marine Division have captured Buna.  All that remains is to mop up  The B-17s/B-24s continue to pound Dagua/Wewak to Japanese air out of action.  Next to be invaded is Finschafen to further isolate Lae, which will then be dealt with.  After that, it's likely on to Wewak.

Current Total Score:  Allies are almost 1800 points ahead (5557to 3768).  Stay tuned for the next report (hopefully not as long in coming as this one was).

[EWGuttag]

I'm back! Now up to around turn 168. (Started playing again during Thanksgiving). Here's a summary of where we stand:

Basically I've lost the CVs Big E and the Saratoga, and one CVE. The Hornet and Wasp have taken quite bit of damage, as have the BBs North Carolina, South Dakota, as well as a few other older BBs like the Maryland and Indiana. The Japanese have lost the CVs Hiyu and Shokaku and the CVL Ruyjo, along with the BB Kongo. Allies have lost only two CAs and one CL (many CAs and CLs have been damanged); the Japanese have lost 3 CAs, and many, many CLs. Overall, the Japanese have lost at least twice as many ships as the Allies.

Solomons/New Britain: The Solomons are basically owned by the Allies. Gasmata and Sag Sag have been taken on New Britian. The latest conquest was Kavieng, now potentially putting the B-17s/B-24s in range of Truk. Rabaul is now surrounded and isolated..

New Guinea. Buna, Salamau, Finschafen, and Lae are now owned by the Allies. The Allies also leapfrogged up the east coast and took Wewak. Allied Air is pounding the remaining Japanese bases on the east coast (e.g., Dagau).

Current Total Score: Allies have now doubled Japanese (~8400 to 4100). Stay tuned for the next report.

[EWGuttag]

I'm now at Turn 180 and the end of my Guadalcanal Diary. The Allies have gained a decisive victory over the Japanese.

My key naval losses were the Saratoga, Enterprise, Wasp and one CVE, two CAs and one CL (many CAs and CLs have been damanged). No BBs went down, but a number of them were pretty beat up. That's a learning for me to do better in protecting my key capital assets.

Needless to say, the Japanese lost many more naval assets, including the CVs Hiyu and Shokaku and the CVL Ruyjo, along with the BB Kongo, 3 CAs, and many, many CLs. Overall, the Japanese have lost at least twice as many ships as the Allies.

Here's where stood at the end on land:

Solomons/New Britain: The Solomons are basically owned by the Allies. All that the Japanese had left on New Britian was Rabaul, isolated and without supplies. Taking Kavieng was particularly important in putting the B-17s/B-24s and even B-25 in range of Truk where bombing attacks on the port were damaging and sinking many Japanese naval assets. The Japanese fighers were also no match for the the P-38 escorts.

New Guinea: The Japanese only held on to about a half a dozen bases. Importantly, Buna, Lae and Wewak fell into the Allies hands. The remaining Japanese bases were isolated and pounded primarily by medium bombers to the point of no supplies.

All in all, a satisfying experience. Now it's time to move on to other scenarios.