PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

I did sortie 2 fast carrier divisions and moved them south of Guam but I decided to return them
to Ulithi today. Andy has massed his TFs again and if he spotted me he would intercept me very
quickly at top speed.

We just have to be patient and avoid depleting our strengh! There are 16 carriers in the Combined Fleet
and in just a few months there will be 20. As we have seen Andy will need at least 1-2 weeks to capture
a heavily defended base - even after severe air and sea bombardments. In this time our LBA and subs will
cause attrition and fatigue even on 20 enemy carriers. This is the time to strike with all we got.

So we wait....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/19/43

Air Combat

Relatively few air strikes today but Andy keeps on hitting Aitape and the Admiralities!
The meticulous little Scot must be planning something...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Aitape , at 51,80

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 18
B-17E Fortress x 6
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 22

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Admiralty Islands , at 58,84

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
Spitfire VIII x 3
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 87
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 37

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays small anti shipping strikes were all fended off...Andy got his CAP in place!

Day Air attack on TF at 80,81

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 24
P-40N Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Mili at 84,85

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 9
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 81,82

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein at 79,79

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 4
P-40N Warhawk x 2
P-38J Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samurai Nest!

Allied CinC - Quote: "Ah well it will just take me a few months to take the island" [:D]
He didn't think he could rout our brave samurais' that easily, did he? Claims that the Allies only got
2 combat engineer units - that can't be true!? As far as I know he got 2 such units on Maloelap..so
that would mean he's fresh out! Would be too good to be true[8D]

As you can see my units are still intact: experience varies from 70-85 and morale is still close to 100!
One of the reasons for this must be the large amount of supplies I stockpiled on Kwajalein. Despite all the
bombardments only a small percentage of the supplies has been torched. Close to 50k left.

My base force units also holds from 25-40 inf squads and this helps boost our defensive capabilities. The atolls
surrounding Kwajalein all got assault values from 2-300 and it would take at least 3 division to capture each of them.
Let's hope we can tie our foe down here for a while. 5-10 years would be nice...

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Let's hope we can tie our foe down here for a while. 5-10 years would be nice...

With soldiers like him thats more than possible!





http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9709/23/japan.straggler/

[WhoCares]

Have you considered to make some kind of torpedo run with Kitakami and Oi against his bombardment TFs? You could put them in a small SC-TF with two or three Fubuki DDs and rush them to Kwai into his BB groups. In such small TFs the ships get a lot of shots against multiple enemy targets - a fair chance to score some torpedo hits.
You could combine it with a second daring move, where you assume that your ships will make it damaged or crippled out of the battle. In day-phase, those ships would most likely attract the attention of many carrier planes+escorts, thus reducing the CAP over his CVs - the chance to strike with a good number of LBA.

[PzB74]

That's the spirit! Should be able to make peace by 1972 [:D]

Oh yes, I have considered it WhoCares...but not until Andy lands in the Marianas or Philippines [;)]
All the ships I send into the Marshalls will die for sure and I can't afford it. With Eniwetok closed I can no longer muster enough
LBA in the Marshall region.

The opportunity to hurt the Allies later on will be much better and I plan to use dozens of patrol craft to boost my combat strength.
Should force the enemy to spend shells and torpedoes on low value targets before I send in my powerful surface fleet.

One problem with having 20 carriers is that I don't have enough surface units to escort them - so I'm only going to dispatch a light screen of
destroyers for this purpose. My intention is to keep my carriers at least 5 hexes away from the enemy at all times. If Andy gets in a powerful strike
a few additional cruiser escorts won't save them anyway. Just having 20 carriers and 1000 ac is enough to pose a threat to any Allied fleet, so it may
be better to use them in skirmishes and transfer their ac ashore instead of sailing into the jaws of 1000 Hellcats, Helldivers and Avengers.

So while I appreciate good advice I urge you all to think out new and improved defensive strategies for the great battles that will come in 5 or 6 months [:)]
As I said earlier I will be keeping a turn for later and then we can send the Jap fleet towards the Marshalls and see how it most likely would have turned out.

[Mynok]

My base force units also holds from 25-40 inf squad

Yes, but not that one, apparently (AV 1). Probably got pummeled by the bombardment?

[PzB74]

Yep, Andy's air and sea bombardment has mostly demolished my AA, arty and base force unit. Several of the other atolls
hold 2-3 base forces each.

Also notice that 95% of the aviation regiment has been evacuated + parts of the Naval HQ.

[PzB74]

A small beer break [:)]

Nothing much to report...there is unusually much activity around Komandorski Isl.
and Andy has sent a convoy to Maloelap - to pick up his combat engineers?

My next move will be to strengthen the 'junction' between the Palau's - Northern New Guinea and the DEI.
If Andy wants to invade the Philippines he will have to force his way through here.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/43

[PzB74]

Andy decided to bring reinforcements to Kwajalain...and it cost him dearly!
The invasion convoy took severe casualties from the coastal guns: seems like he
didn't bring any heavy escort ships [8D]

A few vicious bombardments followed by scores of air attacks preceeded another shock
attack that lowered the forts to level 7. The enemy continues to suffer heavy casualties though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/43

Invasions

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1032
TF 1032 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79

669 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. [:D]

Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Pringle, Shell hits 7, on fire
DE Jaccard, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Robert J. Walker, Shell hits 2, on fire
APD Overton, Shell hits 6, on fire
AK Phoebe A. Hearst, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Cape Constantine, Shell hits 2
DD Abner Read, Shell hits 5, on fire
LCT LCT-322, Shell hits 2, on fire
LCT LCT-163, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-157, Shell hits 1
LCT LCT-148, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-144, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AV Timber Rush, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-142, Shell hits 2, on fire
APD Manley, Shell hits 8, on fire
LCT LCT-133, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
APD Dickerson, Shell hits 3, on fire
LST LST-342, Shell hits 2, on fire
LCT LCT-470, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-335, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST LST-26, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1214 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1032
TF 1032 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Maloelap, at 82,81 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA Canberra
CA Wichita
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
BB Idaho, Shell hits 1
BB California
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Runway hits 12
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein, at 79,79

Allied Ships
CL Helena
CL Concord
CL Emerald
BB Alabama
BB South Dakota
BB North Carolina

Japanese ground losses:
1148 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 79,79

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein Base Force, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 13
Liberator VI x 9
F-5C Lightning x 3
P-47C Thunderbolt x 6
F-6A Mustang x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 28
B-24D Liberator x 10

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 damaged
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 5th SNLF, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 12

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 7th SNLF, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 20

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 7th SNLF, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 27
Liberator VI x 4
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
P-40N Warhawk x 38
P-38J Lightning x 11
F-5C Lightning x 1
P-47C Thunderbolt x 40
P-47D Thunderbolt x 12
F-6A Mustang x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 6
PB4Y Liberator x 17
B-24D Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 87th Naval Guard Unit, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 84
SB2C Helldiver x 99
TBM Avenger x 79

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 87th Naval Guard Unit, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 3
F-5C Lightning x 1
F-6A Mustang x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 75334 troops, 503 guns, 382 vehicles

Defending force 17288 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 7

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 7)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7

Japanese ground losses:
1597 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Allied ground losses:
1510 casualties reported
Guns lost 70
Vehicles lost 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/43

More sea bombardments of Kwajalein today! Lots of barges have been lost in a mini
evacuation process. Got out the aviation regiment and parts of an HQ and an arty unit.

Sub/ASW Attacks

First round to the USS Pollack!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,46

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 19
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kanju
PC Etoforu

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Thousands of enemy ac pounded Kwajalein today! I tried to mount a counterstrike from
Eniwetok but (fortunately) the lack of an Air HQ meant that only a minor strike was launched.
The strong enemy CAP could not have been penetrated so I saved 54 crack Betties.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein at 79,79

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31
Ki-21 Sally x 13

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 47
F6F Hellcat x 77
Corsair IV x 11
P-40N Warhawk x 8
P-38J Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 19 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 31 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Another shock attack reduces all the forts...Kwajalein will fall tomorrow!

Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 73392 troops, 418 guns, 378 vehicles

Defending force 14249 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 7)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
548 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
1331 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Maloelap - guess this place is next on Andy's list!

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22549 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11483 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Guns lost 25

Allied ground losses:
851 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
---------------------------------------------------------------

Schwerepunkt

After Andy finishes in the Marshalls, New Irland, the Admiralities and in Central New Guinea
this area will become crucial! The junction between the DEI, NG, Philippines and Palaus'.

[PzB74]

After defying the Allies and the odds for 14 days organized defense on Kwajalein
collapsed on Christmas Eve! 8000 troops of the Special Navy Landing Force will continue
the fight to the last man.

Pretty sure Andy will clean up on Maloelap now before turning his attention towards Eniwetok:
another atoll with more than 20k defenders.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 72015 troops, 395 guns, 377 vehicles

Defending force 12973 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 88 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kwajalein base !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
17002 casualties reported
Guns lost 21

Allied ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------

[Ron Saueracker]

checking for signs of an AA GAP[:)]

[PzB74]

Nothing but beer gaps here Ron [;)]

Christmas Days are relatively quiet...Allied mopping up actions on Kwajalein.
I'm going to release another large aviation regiment from Kwantung and dispatch it to
Sakhalin. Need several large aviation units and HQs in the area. If Andy decides to attack
the Empire from the north we will be ready for him.

More and more enemy subs have been spotted in the shipping lanes and I've sent epxerienced
Army bombers from China to the coast to provide cover. I'm running most of my convoys in large
protected groups anyway and there are several hunter/killer groups in action.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/43

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

Several ASW attacks with only one 'hot contact':

Sub attack at 45,44

Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
PC Ch 3
PC Takuna Maru #7
PC Sonan Maru #6
PC Seki Maru #2
PG Shinko Maru #2
PG Tamo Maru #6

Allied Ships
SS Pollack, hits 1, on fire
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A sudden strike against Emirau caught some Tabbys napping!

Day Air attack on Emirau Island , at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24J Liberator x 96

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 4 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 76
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The entire US carrier force pounded the remnants at Kwajalein today!

Day Air attack on Sasebo 7th SNLF, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 24
F6F Hellcat x 141
Corsair IV x 6
SBD Dauntless x 38
SB2C Helldiver x 108
TBM Avenger x 110

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
460 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 87th Naval Guard Unit, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 4
F6F Hellcat x 42
Corsair IV x 1
SBD Dauntless x 8
SB2C Helldiver x 24
TBM Avenger x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 79,79

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F Hellcat x 96
Corsair IV x 4
SBD Dauntless x 22
SB2C Helldiver x 50
TBM Avenger x 59

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
405 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

There are still 2-3 SNLF remnants left on Kwajalein...only a few squads in shape to
fight, the rest are damaged!

Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7284 troops, 0 guns, 384 vehicles

Defending force 4099 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 96 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
6994 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Relatively quiet...again!

I'm trying to answer a difficult question: Should I place as many ac as possible in the Marianas/Palaus?
That would mean some 2000 ac - that would strike against any attacker - but also be vulnerable themselves.
Is it wiser to only keep a modest presence while keeping a strategic reserve in the Philippines?

What do the rest of you think?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

Aircraft reported 2 enemy subs hit in the South China Sea today...perhaps we can
drive the grey wolfes out from our shipping lanes yet again?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 46,45

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 19
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kanju
PC Etoforu

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air reinforcements

In 17 days large air reinforcements will arrive!
As you can see 8 Daitai's equipped with the new 'Francis' naval bomber will become part of our arsenal.
It's supposed to carry only bombs but I hope it's also able to carry a torpedo for naval attacks? I'm pretty
sure this was how it was used in WWII?

"The P1Y was designed by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal to Navy specifications calling for speed matching
the Zero, range matching the G4M, a 1-ton bomb load, and the ability to dive-bomb as well as carry torpedoes."

With a top speed of 340 mph this ac should be quite usefull!

Another most annoying fact: I'm going to receive another 300 Oscar IIs before the end of the war [:o]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Relatively quiet...again!

I'm trying to answer a difficult question: Should I place as many ac as possible in the Marianas/Palaus?
That would mean some 2000 ac - that would strike against any attacker - but also be vulnerable themselves.
Is it wiser to only keep a modest presence while keeping a strategic reserve in the Philippines?

What do the rest of you think?

I think I would probably put some of the planes in the Marianas (maybe half). Make sure you have Emilys as far out as possible to spot the Allied TFs. They have a max range of 24 hexes. You'll see them coming from far enough off to decide whether or not to keep your planes there, reinforce them or remove them. If the Marianas fall, a reserve of aircraft in the Philippines is meaningless. You need to hold that area as long as possible.

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB
In 17 days large air reinforcements will arrive!
As you can see 8 Daitai's equipped with the new 'Francis' naval bomber will become part of our arsenal.
It's supposed to carry only bombs but I hope it's also able to carry a torpedo for naval attacks? I'm pretty
sure this was how it was used in WWII?

Yes, Frances carries torpedos at normal range (10 hexse?).... you can check it in ac data screen

[Monter_Trismegistos]

I think that at first they carried bombs, but some patch changed this and added torpedoes to them.

[PzB74]

Had a few busy days...not much happening in the game anyway - very quiet turn!
That's how I thought it was Monter - game database says the Francis carries bombs but it
should be fixed in the OOB!

Released a crack Independent Brigade from China today: going to Menando while an army regiment
is being moved from Kendari to Morotai. Several base force units are going back from the forward
bases to strengthen those to the rear. Trying to close 'the junction' between the DEI and Palaus'.

Received the light cruiser Yahagi today, nice escort vessel with 440 aa rating. Due for upgrade in 3
months. Need these ships for carrier escort and destroyer leader duties.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/43

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/43

Maloelap is bombarded from both air and sea...nothing can save it now!
Firts air strikes from Kwajalein hits Eniwetok: I'm still working to extract another
few units from this base.

Andy has sent long range Ligthning recon ac over Ulithi - and spotted a massive formation
of ships...if they got through the 400 fighters on CAP that is!

The Shokaku and Zuikaka plus the heavy cruiser Mikuma moves towards a naval yard to complete
their 01/44 upgrades. Considering to move the KB back to Davao, not planning to use it anytime
soon and I don't want Andy to be able to recon the main base. Davao is actually a very good base
located dead centre in 'the juncture'.

Also moving 2 heavy artillery brigades from Burma to Morotai and Menando while several Army and Air
HQs are moving from Japan to the Philippines.

The Elite 55 Division at Palau

Here is one of the units that awaits Andy on Palau [8D]

[Honda]

Ulitihi is your main fleet base a the moment. That is good. As close as possible to the front lines. However, you should be very wary about putting CVs there, disbanded ones that is. When he comes for Ulitihi's port (and he will), he'll come with all he has. And he will go through no matter what. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to have at all times there an old BB (Ise or Fuso class) just to atract bombs. With any luck they wont be 1000kg APs. If it's the standard 500lbs, then you'll have a great magnet for them and save most of the ships vunruable to them. Also, a BB sighted on recon report will convice Andy a strike could be worthwhile. He'll know what he's up against, but your cap must hold against P38Js any way it can. Not a bad place for high exp Georges. Even if you manage to destroy a good number of his ac, many of them will surely penetrate the cap. The problems start if he coordinates the action with navy and sends a follow-up raid by a CV TF. Keeps as much fighters there as you can.
Good hunting.

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/43

More of the same - some asw action in the South China Sea but no hits.
An asw ac hit one yesterday though, seems like Andy has deployed most of his boats again.

I've trained the bulk of my air groups and I'm now trying to train some groups into their high
80s and above - if possible. Lots of reinforcements are due over the next few months and I'm going to
need them. Andy will most likely bring 1500 carrier ac and I'm going to need at least 4000 to have
a chance to hurt his fleet.

Fighters at Ulithi

Here is the fighter cover I've got at Ulithi - not counting those aboard the KB! Pretty sure I can
defeat even a strong group of bombers escorted by P38s.

I'm not afraid to keep valuable ships here yet, no Allied airfield within 20 hexes and I'd surely
spot an enemy carrier group approaching. It would have to face a horrible torrent of fighter and bombers
if it came within range to launch its own bombers.

In due time I will move all my ships back to the Philippines - planning to keep a strong reserve of ac both
on the ground and on my carriers (for rapid redeployment). The next great battle will be bloody and most
unpleasent...have to come up with a very sound defensive scheme. Which air groups that should stay in the
forward bases, when to deploy the fleet and air reserves etc etc [8|]

Thanx for the input Honda! [8D]