PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

Air Reinforcement Schedule

Need more of everything but bombers reallly.

[PzB74]

Combined Fleet March 1944

Last overview - the Navy!

6 fleet carriers
2 light carriers
6 escort carriers
10 battleships
10 heavy cruisers
8 light cruisers (2 training)
69 destroyers and 3 apd's
18 submarines

As you can see most ships are operational, 4 of the best carriers need 6 months
or so in dock. Within 3-4 months another 3 fleet, 1 light and 3 escort carriers will have joined the fleet.

Until then our 10 carriers, 18 cruisers and 70 destroyers will operate independently.
The carriers Hiyo and Ryuho will be my only operational Carrier TF together with the Escort Carrier Division.

In late summer the KB will be reformed and consist of:
9 fleet and 3 light carriers + 9 escort carriers.

Mostly thinking of the KB as a decoy - hit and run - fleet in being force.
Too vulnerable really.

[PzB74]

Andy has brought in reinforcements: Another carrier force - time for some R&R me thinks.
Enemy ground strikes against Noemfoor may indicate a landing here in the near future.

Advantage: We got large bases within transport ac range of all Northern NG bases.
Some 300 transports can bring in a lot of reinforcements in no time. This is were we put
the foot down!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/05/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

My last sub in the area wasn't as lucky as its cousin... Had moved the Glen ashore,
just in case!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 49,77

Japanese Ships
SS I-42, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
DD Lewis Hancock
DD Halligan
DD Hale
DD Hailey
DD Haggard
DD Dortch
DD Dashiell
DD Cowell
DD Cotten
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Moved my remaining fighters on Biak to Noemfoor...just in time to receive strong
enemy combat formations! Despite heavy losses we manage to inflict losses that are
better than 1-2.

First the heavies got a rough handling:

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 33
J2M Jack x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 4 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 15 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two strong carriers strikes were tougher customers:

Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 29
J2M Jack x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 38
F6F Hellcat x 30
Corsair IV x 5
SB2C Helldiver x 73
TBM Avenger x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 23 destroyed
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 2
J2M Jack x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 73
SB2C Helldiver x 111
TBM Avenger x 131

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed
J2M Jack: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 3 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Escort Carrier Type

Kinda usefull: depth charges and heavy AA!
Decoy!? [;)]

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/06/44

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 2
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 3
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 4
CL Montpelier
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CL Boise
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa

Japanese ground losses:
1130 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 27

Looks like Andy wants Noemfoor as well!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1030 encounters mine field at Noemfoor (45,76)

Allied Ships
DMS Elliot
DMS Chandler
DMS Howard
DMS Palmer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Several heavy unopposed strikea against ground units at Noemfoor:

Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
F6F Hellcat x 23
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 184
F6F-5N Hellcat x 6
TBM Avenger x 194

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBM Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Base Force, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 8
Corsair IV x 3
F6F-5N Hellcat x 3
TBM Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noemfoor next!

I didn't think Andy was ready to jump again that soon. There are two options:
Noemfoor, the obvious one - or Manokwari just to the NW if the first is a ruse!

Too much hardware being used to be a ruse, good thing I put the transports in action
yesterday. 20+ were lost but several reinforcements were airlifted in including a
heavy AA unit from Truk and a Heavy Artillery unit from Morotai.

Forts are at 8+53% - assault strength at 353 with some 25k troops in all. It will take
at least 50k troops to capture this nut.

I am amassing base forces in Morotai in order to provide support for a massive air offensive.
Oscar and Zeke units are resting and new bomber units are being made ready. First we'll let
Andy play....

My only 'card' for tomorrow is a host of crack Betty and Mavis units that have been put on
night surface attack in the vicinity of Noemfoor.

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/07/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

The heavy asw armament of the APD sent USS Paddle to the bottome - permanently!

ASW attack at 33,53

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 29
PC Ch 14
PC Showa Maru #3
PC Shonan Maru #7
MSW Hakata Maru #7
MSW Choun Maru #8
APD APD-46

Allied Ships
SS Paddle, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
---------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

No doubts, Noemfoor it is!
Got quite a few 'established' 5.5/4.7in coastal guns there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 8
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 4
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 1
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CL Boise
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa

Japanese ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 66

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Runway hits 9
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 48

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't want this kind of attack against one of my TF's....

Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 47
F6F Hellcat x 73
Corsair IV x 10
SB2C Helldiver x 181
TBM Avenger x 189

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got a little payback today!

Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships - lucky escape...
CL Adelaide

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Alcoa Pennant
CA Minneapolis - and another one [:(]
LCT LCT-147, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a good one! [8D]
Day Air attack on TF at 46,76

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AK David Hewes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Trathen
AK John F. Myers, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* SeaBee's in the cargo!
DD Young, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK John A. Johnson

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fighters in place when the PM strike arrives:

Day Air attack on TF at 46,76

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
P-38J Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enemy troop convoy draws closer to Noemfoor:

It would be suicide to send in massive air units against the full strength of
the US carriers. So we continue with cover actions... Small crack torpedo bomber
units will attempt to snipe at vulnerable enemy ships.

Let's hope that Andy underestimates the strength of Noemfoor - amphibious ships may
well get shot too pieces here.

Nelson: Any sailor who attacks a fort is a fool! [:-]

[PzB74]

Obviously Andy doesn't read Nelson!
He should [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/08/44

Bombardments

If you notice that your heavy bombardment groups are taking hits from coastal gun
battery - think twice before sending in your invasion fleet [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Gatling
DD Franks
DD Foote
DD Eaton
DD Dyson
CA Chicago
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe
CL Montpelier
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CL Boise, Shell hits 3
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa

Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 49
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

This is what I hoped for - a large invasion convoy moved straight into line of
sight of the numerous coastal guns at Noemfoor [&o] Couldn't have inflicted this
much damage on the Allies no matter how hard I had tried [;)]

TF 1174 encounters mine field at Noemfoor (45,76)
TF 1174 troops unloading over beach at Noemfoor, 45,76

Allied Ships
MSW Chief
MSW Motive
MSW Sage
DE Emery
DE Parks
AK Charlotte P. Gilman, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Noemfoor, 45,76, firing at TF 1174
1432 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.



Allied Ships
DD Trathen, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Walker, Shell hits 6, on fire
AK John Adams, Shell hits 2
DD Bache, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AK Gideon Welles, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK George W. Julian, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Chief, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
LCVP 532F, Shell hits 5
LCT LCT-479, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-478, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-359, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-472, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Colahan, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-459, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-350, Shell hits 5, on fire
MSW Motive, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-174, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-169, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-83, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Sage, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-23, Shell hits 2
LST LST-18, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DE Sederstrom, Shell hits 5, on fire
LST LST-17, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-16, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
4276 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1174 encounters mine field at Noemfoor (45,76)
TF 1174 troops unloading over beach at Noemfoor, 45,76

Allied Ships
MSW Chief, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Motive, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Sage, on fire, heavy damage
DE Sederstrom, on fire
DE Emery
DE Parks
DD Young, heavy damage
LSD Belle Grove, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Noemfoor, 45,76, firing at TF 1174
296 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCVP 532F, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DE Emery, Shell hits 3
LST LST-475, Shell hits 3
AP Latimer, Shell hits 7, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
754 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 54

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 8
B-24J Liberator x 56

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday I moved 100 ac to Truk and today Andy bombed it for the first time in months [:@]
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 28
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 20 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 92
Corsair IV x 10
SB2C Helldiver x 182
TBM Avenger x 207

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 7

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11576 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29112 troops, 235 guns, 47 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noemfoor Invaded

It was a costly day for Andy! Somehow I don't pitty him....
I seriously doubt the Allied units on Noemfoor are capable of offensive action,
far less reducing 8 forts and capturing the place.

Don't misunderstand me, Andy
will be back, but this buys us valuable time and he can't keep his carriers around
forever. Give me a window and 10k more troops will stalemate the place permanently! [&o]

The Combined Fleet staged today: 2 TF's including 2 Kongo battleships are 2 hexes south of
Morotai. They were spotted by enemy carriers 5 hexes away, so I will turn back (The ships
had a strong LR CAP and I had hoped to strike against the enemy carriers).

This will provide a head ache for Andy though, he will have to move his carriers.
T-storms tomorrow and he got lots of damaged ships and a disastrous invasion to look after [:D]
So with a little luck our bombers will find targets tomorrow!

[Nomad]

It looks like he didn't put any CLs or CAs in with his invasion fleet. [:-] bad, bad, Andy. A couple of USN CLs will really help against CD guns. [;)]

[PzB74]

Andy tried putting in some CL's Ken - didn't work either [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/09/44

Invasions

TF 1174 encounters mine field at Noemfoor (45,76)
TF 1174 troops unloading over beach at Noemfoor, 45,76

Allied Ships
MSW Chief, on fire, heavy damage
DE Parks
DD Walker
DD Trathen, on fire
LST LST-72, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Noemfoor, 45,76, firing at TF 1174
492 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Emerald, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage [:D]
DE Emery, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Shell hits 3
AK Marcus Daly, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Concord, Shell hits 9
AK John Burke
AK John Adams, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-360, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Gideon Welles, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-83, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
716 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1162 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
APD Herbert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1174 encounters mine field at Noemfoor (45,76)
TF 1174 troops unloading over beach at Noemfoor, 45,76

Allied Ships
MSW Chief, on fire, heavy damage
DD Young, heavy damage
DD Walker
AK William Prouse, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Noemfoor, 45,76, firing at TF 1174
150 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AK John P. Holland, Shell hits 2
AK John H. Rosseter, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-24, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DE Parks
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 65
Corsair IV x 13
TBM Avenger x 44

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 55

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Runway hits 21
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 24
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24J Liberator x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 15 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 30
Runway hits 112
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 7
D4Y Judy x 5
G4M2 Betty x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 34
Corsair IV x 8
Kittyhawk III x 5
P-38J Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 7 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 5 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Can our 28000 troops fend off the Allied assault when it comes?

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11647 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 31549 troops, 254 guns, 72 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map

[Rob Brennan UK]

Sort of reminds me of arnhem, an island too far [;)]. success disease seems to have taken root with andy, nasty wake up call there.

very happy to see you back in this full-time PzB, hows work working out now you have moved ?

[castor troy]

I can´t wait for the first assault on an island against the stationed 8" CD or 240 mm howitzers there. This will even be a problem for his CAs.

[Nomad]

It is not tha having CLs is a silver bullet, they just help a lot. Lots of 6" rapid firing guns coupled with decent arour( when compaing it to the penetrating ability of 5 and 6" CD guns) can really reduce the effect of CD fire. The other aspect is that Andy is making a number of assaults in quick succesion. It is not allowing him time to prepare his targets. In WitP the game, it takes a long time to properly bomb a target to suppress those CD guns. Also he probably needs to find more Naval Bombardment TFs to use.

[PzB74]

Thx Rob, I'm back full time this weekend but work and travelling takes up a lot of time.
The next few weeks will be busy again and turn less regular. Will fill in whenever I can.
I refuse to turn this game into work as well [;)]

The eternal air and sea bombardments make it difficult to hold an island against a superior
attacker in the long run. Andy will just keep on bringing in reinforcements. Let's see how the
first few assaults go!

I got an Independent Brigade nearby that can be airlifted in. This will cost me a lot of transports
though - but there are no other options if I want to halt Andy here. In the meanwhile I'm reinforcing
the rest of the bases in Northern New Guinea. Only 3 bases left here now.

[PzB74]

In a way he's doing the right thing Ken - moving quickly ahead in order to prevent me from digging in to deeply!
This approach comes with both cons and pros though. My goal is to cast him of schedule and enforce a sitzkrieg for
a while so I can strengthen my position and bring in more reinforcements.

[Nomad]

One thing, by making him bring in reinforcements you are actually delaying his advances by a lot. After he does take his objectives, those units will have to be moved back to a malaria free base and reprepped for the next objective. My feeling is that Andy has and is trying to do too much too fast given his resources. One thing that is very costly is failed or stalled/prolonged invasions. They cost a lot of time, both directly and indirectly. Of course, things always look different looking from the outside than they do when looking from the inside( I know about that )

[PzB74]

Hope you're right Nomad - don't know how many reinforcements Andy can call upon.
Still think he's low on escorts, msw's and transports!

All enemy shipping moved away from Noemfoor and the enemy didn't even try to attack
the base. Guess we're waiting for Round 2. I'm stepping up deployment of reinforcements
to Manokwari and Sansapor. A crack division from India will replace the garrison at Morotai
and provide much needed reinforcements.

A bit hesistant about moving the reinforcement Brigades that are arriving in Malaya.
In a year the enemy may run rampant here unless there are some troops there.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/10/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 56,61

Japanese Ships
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Shinko Maru #5
PG Seisho Maru
PG Keijo Maru
PC Mutsure
PC Tsushima
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
SS Trigger, hits 2, on fire
-------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

The small surface combat group fared badly....by a fluke the entire Allied fleet
anchored at Sarmi today [8|] Didn't think Andy would bring his cv's here, still
mines in the area. Unfortunately only the Minekaze hit one of our own mines.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 80 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1030 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
DMS Elliot
DMS Chandler
DMS Howard
DMS Palmer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 48,78

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima
DD Amagiri
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
DD Yakaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
BB Iowa
BB New Jersey
CL Boise
CA Louisville
CA Astoria
CA Chester
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham
CA Chicago
DD Dyson
DD Eaton
DD Foote
DD Franks
DD Gatling
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
DMS Chandler
DMS Elliot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 48,78

Only the Hatsushima and Amagiri were fleet destroyers, the Yakaze and Numakaze
didn't even have torpedoes.

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amagiri
DD Yakaze
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 44, on fire, heavy damage - surface combat is still a bit flawed. Hit by more than a dozen
16/50 shell and stayed afloat for an eternity.

Allied Ships
BB Iowa
BB New Jersey
CL Boise
CA Louisville
CA Astoria
CA Chester
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham
CA Chicago
DD Dyson
DD Eaton
DD Foote
DD Franks
DD Gatling
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
DMS Chandler
DMS Elliot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 48,78

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsushima, and is sunk
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 52, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Numakaze, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Iowa, Shell hits 1
BB New Jersey
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria
CA Chester
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham
CA Chicago
DD Dyson
DD Eaton
DD Foote
DD Franks
DD Gatling
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
DMS Chandler
DMS Elliot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1182 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
DD Johnston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1012 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
DD Miller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1018 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
DD Farenholt
DD David Taylor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 41
B-25J Mitchell x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Runway hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 5
B-24J Liberator x 40

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 24
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few minor successes:

Day Air attack on TF at 54,82

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AR Mahukona, Torpedo hits 1, on fire - Andy won't like this!
MSW Benalla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few pugnacious AK's passed straight by Wake Island and I decided to give them
a whipping for their insolence!

Day Air attack on TF at 82,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 27
Ki-30 Ann x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Edward Livingston, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Centarus, Shell hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Edward Livingston, Shell hits 24, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Davis vs. Goliath

This encounter reminded me about how outclassed the Combined Fleet has become.
No way I want to go head to head with that bunch, not even with the Yamato et al! [:'(]

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

It looks like he didn't put any CLs or CAs in with his invasion fleet. [:-] bad, bad, Andy. A couple of USN CLs will really help against CD guns. [;)]

Nope...CD guns seem to fire an amount in relation to the number of enemy ships. Also, I've had BBs in invasion TFs and rarely does one see any counter suppression of the CD batteries/mortars/AA guns/kitchen sinks the LCUs can bring to bear on moving targets. I've yet to see any ammo expenditure by the escorts.

[PzB74]

I find it difficult to predict how well coastal defences will do against invasion
fleets. I know that if BB/CA's in heavy bombardment TFs take hits it's unadvicable to
send in troop convoys.

Alled ships still in Sarmi: take all the respite I can get!

I've managed to get all the damaged carriers through the sub infested waters. One is
in the Home Islands, one in Shanghai, two in Hong Kong and two in Singapore.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/11/44

As I said - who would use SARMI as a fleet anchorage! [&:]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1174 encounters mine field at Sarmi (48,78)

Allied Ships
MSW Chief, heavy damage
DE Sederstrom
DD Bache, heavy damage
AK William Prouse, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A few very heavy air attacks against Noemfoor!

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 36
F6F Hellcat x 49
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
Corsair IV x 11
TBM Avenger x 19
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D Thunderbolt x 2

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 39
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 12
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 36

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy continues to hit Truk - now also Wewak and Hansa. Good, force him to divert
his resources.

Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 26
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 16
PB4Y Liberator x 7
B-24J Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wewak , at 52,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 26
B-25J Mitchell x 63
B-24J Liberator x 109

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12
B-24J Liberator x 23

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Amphibious Brigade, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
F6F Hellcat x 95
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F4U-1D Corsair x 22
Corsair IV x 2
SB2C Helldiver x 165
TBM Avenger x 124
Spitfire VIII x 9
Kittyhawk III x 52
P-38J Lightning x 10
P-47D Thunderbolt x 10
A-20G Havoc x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Base Force, at 45,76

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 37
F4U-1D Corsair x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 24
TBM Avenger x 43
Spitfire VIII x 3
Kittyhawk III x 12
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-47D Thunderbolt x 3
A-20G Havoc x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Centarus, Bomb hits 3, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Edward Livingston, Bomb hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Hey, they have upgraded the text editor! [&o]
A great improvement, I've been struggling with the old one for years.

Good news fanboys!
The first Allied shock attack on Noemfoor was halted with heavy losses, 0-1
odds and the forts did not come down. Andy need at least twice as many troops
if he want the place - and even then the battle will become a slow and bloody
war of attrition.

Bad weather covered Noemfoor in the AM phase and a large part of the 32 Independent
Brigade was airlifted in. In the PM phase Allied fighters cut down 20 transports, but
I'm satisfied for now.

More time has been bought to reinforce the other bases in the area.

The Emperor is pleased.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/12/44

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe
CL Montpelier
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CL Boise
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa
 
Japanese ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
 
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 38
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 11

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 5
B-24J Liberator x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 26
PB4Y Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
Ki-30 Ann x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Edward Livingston, Bomb hits 2,  on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28476 troops, 268 guns, 74 vehicles

Defending force 27742 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8) [8D]

Japanese ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses: [:-]
1838 casualties reported
Guns lost 42
Vehicles lost 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Andy said I had to stop him eventually...not so sure about that. If he had broken through
and captured the rest of New Guinea the situation would have become untenable in the
whole region. As it is we got him bottled up in a narrow salient strecthing along the coast
of NG.

Our next major counter attacks will take place when Andy moves on another major target
with his fleets. By then another 1000 ac should be ready for action.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/13/44

Bombardments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76
 
Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe
CL Montpelier
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Louisville
CL Boise
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa
 
Japanese ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
 
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 39
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on 32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 45,76
 
Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 161
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
F4U-1D Corsair x 27
SB2C Helldiver x 212
TBM Avenger x 197
Spitfire VIII x 12
Kittyhawk III x 64
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
P-47D Thunderbolt x 11
A-20G Havoc x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 13
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 45,76
 
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 7
P-40N Warhawk x 11
P-38J Lightning x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 22
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 damaged
 
Allied Ships
AK Samuel K. Barlow
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,78
 
Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 8
 
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
Kittyhawk III x 4
 
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
 
Allied Ships
AK Marcus Daly, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
LST LST-459,  heavy damage
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Good news fanboys!
The first Allied shock attack on Noemfoor was halted with heavy losses, 0-1
odds and the forts did not come down. Andy need at least twice as many troops
if he want the place - and even then the battle will become a slow and bloody

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28476 troops, 268 guns, 74 vehicles

Defending force 27742 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8) [8D]

Japanese ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses: [:-]
1838 casualties reported
Guns lost 42
Vehicles lost 2

[:D] That is samurai spirit! Keep continue with steady defence and don't try counter attack him. With shock attack and 0-1 odds you gained at least 4 days. He lost more AP than you so you have delay him for even more!

Happy days for Japan are over - and this should be considered as big japanese victory! Banzai! I must admit that you and Sneer are my inspiration...

PS... if it is possible, bring supply to the base (but don't risk DDs)