PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[wernerpruckner]

it is good to see that the show is not too one sided in the late game !!

Congrats PzB
I think we need a PzB fanboy banner [:'(][:D]

[Naskra]

Nicely done, PzB.  Strike Force II will certainly engender a Congressional inquiry and a command shake up.

[PzB74]

Thx guys, pretty sure Andy will close the cupboard after this though [;)]
Attaching a map Fish!

A relatively quiet turn today: can't achieve surprise more than once.
A large 48 ac Jill Daitai and another one with 27 ac arrive over the last 2 days.
Average exp = 75! [X(] Whoho! Strike planes for my new carriers [:D]

I have thought about things and come up with the following action plan:
A Brigade from the Northern Force will be moved to Sapporo and the division there
moved to reinforce the Marianas. This is the last major reinforcement I can scrounge
for a while in this area.

At Formosa the newly arrived division there will prepare to assault Tomini at Sulawesi,
it will be accompanied by a engineer regiment at Manila. I got a plan for how I'm going
to execute this cunning counter attack.

Ground units from various bases are being air lifted into Kendari and shipped by barge
to the enemy base at Makale. Over time we will swamp the enemy and force him to keep his
carriers on station or perish.

A large aviation regiment and 2 base forces are being moved from India and Burma to the SRA.
They will be accompanied by 1 engineer regiment and 3 SNLF/Guard units that will bolster defensive
and offensive capabilities on Borneo.

A strong naval bomber / fighter formation will be based on Java and kept in readiness. If Andy
sticks around for too long we will whip him again [;)]

3 excess base force units are being moved from the Palaus/PI to Borneo as well. All these redeployments
does not weaken our defense in the Marianas - it actually strengthens it [:D] It also provides a strong
counter-attack force, as well as defensive LCUs for the SRA.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/14/44

Invasions

The Brigade is ashore at Makale:

Coastal Guns at Makale, 32,67, firing at TF 65
TF 65 troops unloading over beach at Makale, 32,67

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

Troop convoys to the Marianas are shielded from enemy subs by their escorts.

ASW attack at 60,59

Japanese Ships
MSW W.27
MSW W.25
MSW W.2
PC Etoforu

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 60,57

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 21, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
PC Ch 29
PC Shonan Maru #7
PC Shonan Maru #6
PC Fumi Maru
PC Aguni
PC Awaji
APD APD-46

Allied Ships
SS Drum
Sub attack at 60,59
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ships
AP Bokuyo Maru
MSW W.27
MSW W.25
MSW W.2
PC Etoforu

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, hits 4, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Tomini and Makale are getting a lot of heat now.

Day Air attack on Tomini , at 34,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 111
Ki-49 Helen x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 503rd USA Para Regiment, at 34,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-21 Sally x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd NZ/C Division, at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Damaged transport is finshed of, sparing my loaded ships.

Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 7
SB2C Helldiver x 20
TBM Avenger x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Minowa Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I sent my unloaded transports out first - they attracted most of the attention.

Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 8
Corsair IV x 4
SB2C Helldiver x 26
TBM Avenger x 16

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

Japanese Ships
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Anrugu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Koei Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kunimitsu Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy has joined his TF's and we had just too few attack ac to inflict damage.

Day Air attack on TF at 32,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 25
D4Y Judy x 16
G4M2 Betty x 18
P1Y Frances x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 27
F6F Hellcat x 53
Corsair IV x 16
F6F-5N Hellcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 25 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 4 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 18 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 23 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 22 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 7 destroyed, 11 damaged
Corsair IV: 6 damaged
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio
LCT LCT-134

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 43,73

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Gove, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Makale

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2010 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Defending force 6021 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 109
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strike Force Position

No sign of the enemy, have stood down all search planes as they work both ways.
Will head into the stormy parts of the North Pacific and hang out there for a while.
Have to consider whether to RTB or sortie again if Andy doesn't catch us.

Suggestions?

[Nemo121]

Return to base, put out a Glen-equipped picket line and await further opportunities. As I see it logically speaking your aims with this operation were as follows:

1. Actually inflict actual loss on enemy forces.

2. Establish that a risk does exist against enemy SLOCs such that the Allies must apportion more of their forces to escort/nodal reaction force duties.

3. Weaken the forces available to cover the Allied main thrust by drawing them off into escort and nodal reaction force duties.


You have inflicted actual loss BUT that risk only continues to exist if your force gets away relatively cleanly. If it is met by an Allied carrier force and suffers damage and loss then Andy will know the chances of you mounting further raids will be much lower and will be forced to divert much smaller forces to escort/nodal reaction duties.


In essence you have crossed the threashold from KB being a major threat to Allied combat forces to one where it is a major threat only to unescorted/lightly escorted forces. That threat ONLY continues if your carriers remain in action. They may be in port but so long as they haven't been sunk Andy MUST divert forces to cover for the possibility that they may sortie.


In short, based on my understanding of your tactical, operational and strategic goals from this operation you have succeeded. To stay around risks losing what you have gained for almost no chance of gaining any further advantage. Therefore pull back to base, rebuild your squadrons and sortie again at a time and place of your choosing for a repeat performance.

[Arstavidios]

The point is that US carriers are gonna swarm out of PH like angry hornets burning for revenge..... 

[FeurerKrieg]

I agree completely with Nemo - the threat is worth more than the damage inflicted, so make every attempt to RTB!

[PzB74]

An excellent analysis Nemo: very much the same conclusion I've reached.
2 days after the strike and still no sign of the enemy. The Strike Force has
rejoined the Replenishment Group and refuelled. We're now in the vaunted t-storm
belt and we will head west and try to reach Marcus Island within 10 days or so.

In a few weeks we should be able to field:
6 fleet carriers and 3 light carriers - a substantial force that can handle an
enemy force of 2-3 Essex fleet carriers and 1-2 light carriers.

Within 2 weeks the defensive preparations in the Marianas will be complete. Saipan
has been sown with 5000 mines. The 2 MLEs are working overtime [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/15/44

Surface Combat

More enemy destroyers surge into the 'arm' leading in to Makale and
sink several barges loaded with troops.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Makale at 32,67

Japanese Ships
AG AG-109
AG AG-121
AG AG-5050
AG AG-5068
AG AG-5087
AG AG-5117, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-2049, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-2055, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-2065
AG AG-2089
AG AG-2091
AG AG-2098

Allied Ships
DD Charles Badger
DD McCalla
DD Drayton

Japanese ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy PT boats and barges really doesn't have anything to do this far from their bases! [:'(]

Night Time Surface Combat at 32,71

Japanese Ships
AG AG-115
AG AG-5033, Shell hits 2
AG AG-5088, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AG AG-2090, Shell hits 8, on fire
AG AG-2097

Allied Ships
PT PT-522
PT PT-523
PT PT-524
PT PT-525

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

Air Combat

Becoming more and more reckless Andy moves his carriers next to Makale. This triggers
a few more strikes that are all stopped cold by the CAP. Several carrier strikes punish
the now empty and damaged transports trapped in the 'arm'.

On the other side Japanese Army Air Force bombers punish Tomini and Makale, destroying more
than 30 enemy ac on the ground. It seems like Andy is having difficulties operating out of
the damaged dirt strip at Tomini.

We also launch several ground and port strikes to keep the enemy weak.

Day Air attack on Tomini , at 34,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 34
Ki-21 Sally x 113
Ki-49 Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 5 destroyed
Spitfire VIII: 4 destroyed
P-47D Thunderbolt: 7 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 37
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Makale , at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 45
Ki-21 Sally x 76

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 10 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 36th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 13

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
F6F Hellcat x 11
Corsair IV x 2
F6F-5N Hellcat x 5
TBM Avenger x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 36th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Timor Garrison Battalion, at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
F6F Hellcat x 42
Corsair IV x 7
F6F-5N Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25
Ki-30 Ann x 19

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
F6F Hellcat x 37
Corsair IV x 7
F6F-5N Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 23 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 31,70


Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Netsuda Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 18

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Anbo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
F6F Hellcat x 9
Corsair IV x 2
SB2C Helldiver x 28
F6F-5N Hellcat x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Minto Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nihonkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nichiryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Macassar at 30,69

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 5

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-30 Ann x 13

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 20
F6F Hellcat x 33
Corsair IV x 5
F6F-5N Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 45,74

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK George H. Williams, Shell hits 8

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Makale Offensive

This strange offensive has entered a new - and close - phase. Sending carriers into
harms way together with unescorted convoys close to several Japanese bases is extremely
reckless.

I've decided to try and stop this once and for all. These carriers need to be dispatched off!
The Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force will take the job [:-]

[Fishbed]

Well should I cross fingers again?
I did it today already for France vs Brazil, hope Ive got some good luck-credit left for you [:D] [;)]

[PzB74]

Think you should... [;)]
T-storms for tomorrow & we need one BIG strike - not 3 small ones [:'(]

The carrier strike was such a beauty really. It didn't inflict that much damage, but all the planning
was followed up by a perfectly executed strike!

1. Slipped through enemy search planes.
2. Scout sub spotted enemy convoy.
3. Strike Force closed within 1 hex of enemy convoy.
4. 2 perfect strikes with a high hit % were launched despite of t-storm warnings.
5. Strike Force faded away into the waste of the Pacific.

This is what makes WitP SO great [&o] [:D]

Btw: Congrats on the place in the Semis Fish! [8D]
Will meet Germany in a grand finale...(Italy is out of favor with me because they beat Norway in the qualics;-)

[PzB74]

I've just upgraded my Irving Recon units to the new 'Myrt'.


Decided to read more about this type and found some interesting info
here: Myrt

Can paste in the text and highlight the interesting stuff:

Nakajima's C6N Saiun was among the finest carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft to operate during World War II. Soon after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Japanese naval leaders acknowledged that standard torpedo bombers made poor reconnaissance aircraft. A new, fast airplane designed and built specifically to conduct long-range scouting missions was needed. In the spring of 1942, Nakajima Hikoki K. K. received a new specification from the Naval Staff. It described a 3-seat aircraft with a maximum speed of 648 kph (403 mph), a normal range of 2,780 km (1,727 mi), and a maximum range of 4,956 km (3,078 mi). Landing speed must not exceed 130 kph (81 mph), and the airplane must climb from sea level to 6000 m (19,685 ft) in less than 8 minutes.

Engineers Yasuo Fukuda and Yoshizo Yamamoto originally envisioned a pair of 1000 horsepower engines buried in the fuselage of the new design and driving propellers mounted on the leading edge of the wings, via extension shafts. Thankfully, the Nakajima Homare engine was about to be introduced. Its relatively small diameter, coupled with a high power rating, allowed Fukuda and Yamamoto to meet the specified speed and range goals using a single engine. The original power arrangement would probably have been unreliable and a maintenance nightmare. The vertical stabilizer was canted forward to keep the overall length of the aircraft within the dimensions of existing carrier deck elevators. The two Nakajima engineers used both Fowler flaps and split flaps to keep the landing speed low. The 3-man crew (pilot, observer, and radioman/gunner) sat beneath a long canopy. In flight, the observer viewed the earth below through windows in the bottom and sides of the fuselage.

Nakajima completed the first prototype in March 1943 and flew it first on May 15. From the start, the Homare engine failed to generate the specified power at altitude and suffered other problems endemic to most new engines. While the aircraft handled well, the power loss meant that the speed requirements could not be met. The speed that was achieved, 639 kph (397 mph), was still far better than any other similar airplane. The Navy ordered the Saiun into production in the spring of 1944. By war's end, Nakajima had built 463 C6N aircraft at the company's two factories in Koizuma and Handa.

Nakajima's slender, elegant design saw its first combat during the battles for the Marianas. By carrying a torpedo-shaped gas tank of 730 liters (193 gal), the C6N1 Saiuns (or MYRT as the Allies called them) could fly more than 4,830 km (3,000 mi). Range of this magnitude, combined with high speed, generally kept them safe from intercepting U. S. Navy Grumman Hellcat fighters (see NASM collection). MYRT crews could shadow the U.S. fleet with impunity.

Nakajima also worked on a torpedo-carrying variant, the C6N1-B, but this model was not needed after Japan lost most of its carriers. As Allied forces closed in on the home islands, there arose a critical need for good night fighters. Nakajima created the C6N1-S by eliminating the observer and installing two oblique-firing 20 mm cannon in his place. These weapons weighed about the same as the observer, so performance suffered little. The C6N1-S was the fastest Japanese night interceptor but it had no air-to-air radar equipment. Only a few of the type were built. Other designs C6N variants were contemplated but none left the drafting boards. A MYRT was the last aircraft shot down in World War II, at 5:40 a.m. on August 15, 1945, five minutes before the hostilities ended.

The National Air and Space Museum's Saiun is the last example remaining of this fine aircraft. It is one of the C6N1-S night-fighter variants armed with oblique-firing 20 mm cannon and crewed by two men. The aircraft was part of the shipment of 145 Japanese aircraft sent to the U.S. for technical evaluation. It transited the Pacific aboard the escort carrier USS "Barnes" and arrived at Langley Field, Virginia on December 8, 1945. It is not known why the Navy transferred this airplane to the Army Air Forces (AAF) but Army personnel overhauled the MYRT at the air depot at Middletown, Pennsylvania, then flight-tested the airplane. Details about the test flights remain unknown. On August 22, 1946, an AAF pilot flew the Saiun to the foreign aircraft storage area at Orchard Place Airport, Park Ridge, Illinois. The Air Force turned over the MYRT and all other assets at Park Ridge to the National Air Museum in 1949.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It therefore seems that:
1. The Myrt should be carrier capable, giving the IJN carriers an invaluable recon asset.
2. The Myrt was faster than what Matrix has given it credit for - should be 397 and not 379 mph!
3. A torpedo carrying verions should be available.
4. The Myrt should be able to operate with more impunity than what is the case in WitP. I produce 140 Dinah IIIs pr
month and can barely not keep up with losses [:(]

[PzB74]

I've compared industry output for May 1944 with that of last month.

Industry Overview May 1944



Aircraft engine output has increased by almost 300 units to 3415. It's still
very difficult to produce a pool since ac production increases with the same pace
as engine production can be increased.

Aircraft production is up by almost 400 units! From 2262 to 2631 + some 450 RD.

The armament pool has decreased by over 30000 units after I halted several factories.
Have to restart some of them.

Merchant shipyard is up by 2500, most likely because most of the accelerated CVE's have
been finished.

Naval shipyard pool is still at 0, should increase when the last few accelerated cv's have
been finished.

Oil pool is up by almost 470k units! [X(] From 1294609 to 1776250! This is excellent but
somewhat surprising news!? How long will such a reserve last if the SRA is cut off?

The resource pool is stable at some 2080000 units.

Heavy industry is up 100k units! [X(] From a mere 15k to 115k units. Most amazing, the only
truly important change I've done is to halt several armaments factories.

Manpower reserves are down by some 80k units from 1620000 to 1547000. Lots of new units have
been deployed over the last month.

Fuel reserves are up by 127k units from 5250000 to 5377000.

Supply reserves are down by 230k units from 5130000 to 490000. The large increase in ac/engine production,
conversion of ac factories and the shipment of 200k units to the perimeter bases must be the reason for this drop.

In short: reserves are substantial and if we can increase the HI and shipping pools, we may be stocked for a
long siege. Just how long is something I have to ask you logistics guru's about [;)]

[PzB74]

Afraid you spent all your luck asking for that win over Brasil Fish [:'(]
Most of my Zekes followed a strike against the enemy carriers now in Makale port...
Somehow only 30 of 130 bombers followed - and of these 2 of the units with the
lowest morale decided to strunt along.

It's just not possible to get of proper Jap strikes anymore, they're all messed up
one way or another. Today we could have won a major victory.

An attack on Kendari by Lightnings and a few Libs indicates that the place will be
crushed by heavies any time now.

The trained Zekes in Kendari performed exceptionally badly today, were shot down in
drowes and inflicted only a few kills. Starting to think that I don't have to train
them anymore either. Trained Frank, George and Jacks and untrained Zekes and Oscars
sounds like a plan for the future. Comments? (Of course I have to trian the carrier
based Zekes)

We make another effort tomorrow: New Zekes are in place and the bombers are rested
and capable.

Some good news: Strike Force I is heading west and no sign of the enemy [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/16/44

Air Combat

63 CAP fighters vs 24 Lightnings.
Losses: 18 CAP fighters and 2 P-38's. 1-9 ratio.
New 'bad record'...and the Zekes were flown by TRAINED pilots!

Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 52
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 2
P-38J Lightning x 24
F-5A Lightning x 2
F-5C Lightning x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 12 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
F-5C Lightning: 1 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Makale at 32,67

72 escort fighters vs 67 CAP fighters.
Losses: 62 escort fighters and 9 CAP fighters. A 1-7 ratio.
Most horrible...

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 50
D4Y Judy x 13
G4M1 Betty x 3
G4M2 Betty x 10
P1Y Frances x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 19
F6F Hellcat x 34
Corsair IV x 5
F6F-5N Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 43 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 5 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio
CVE Sangamon
CL Adelaide

Aircraft Attacking: - 7 bombers got through...imagine if it had been 70! [:o]
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Fishbed]

Dummy! [X(][:(]

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB
It's just not possible to get of proper Jap strikes anymore, they're all messed up
one way or another. Today we could have won a major victory.

From the picture attached it seems that you didn't overstack Kendari. Stupid usual guestions (i'm sure that you did everything well but i need to be catious before i start rant about another anti-Jap conspiracy[;)]) - enough supply, moral status of the bombers...?

I don't get it and i'm starting to suspect that there is some hidden code "penalty for jap air strike in late war period"....[&:]

ORIGINAL: PzB

The trained Zekes in Kendari performed exceptionally badly today, were shot down in
drowes and inflicted only a few kills. Starting to think that I don't have to train
them anymore either. Trained Frank, George and Jacks and untrained Zekes and Oscars
sounds like a plan for the future. Comments? (Of course I have to trian the carrier
based Zekes)

From experience learnt last few days it seems that you are right. One small trick just in case that you didn't aware of it. Check your Sentais which upgrades to Frank and disband other crack groups to them. That will allow you to have 2x crack pilots than you would have with "normal" upgrade. Just disband those groups (or even better fragments of those groups) before you upgrade sentais to the Frank....

reserves are substantial and if we can increase the HI and shipping pools, we may be stocked for a
long siege. Just how long is something I have to ask you logistics guru's about

Not a bad situation in your industry, indeed. I calculated and now you have a reserves for another 4 months of full production (1.770.000 oil / 14 979 = 119 days)...

Here some thoughts (based on ac production previously posted too):

1. I do not know what is your merchie fleet status - do you have enough APs, AKs...if you think that you have them enough you can turn off some merch shipyards to save HI points

2. I see that you still count on new CVs. Probably there are lots of DDs which need to be produced too. Once when majority of these ships are finished (not before) you can turn off some naval shipyard points too (NS are great consumer of HI!)

3. ac production: i see that you have app 1200 Georges (monthly rate: 186) - you could turn off some Georges (30?)... you will not save a lot HI points but it will save your engines...

You have more then 1000 Judy in reserve as well, but produciton of 86 doesn't guarantee you will be able to replace losses in the short time (after "decisive kamikaze battle"[8|]), but you may consider temperarely turn off some ac types. My favourites are Tojos (almost 500 in the pool, but you will need a lot Nakajima engines once when Frank goes into producition.....

My advice to you: ship all oil you can get it from SRA to Japan while you can! As you may see you don't need a lot of reserves with your current HI production (latter you can turn off some HI after you turn off shipyards) so do everything you can to protect your oil fields)...

you have 2895 oil - which is enough for supporting more than 17.000 HI. Some oilfields are "closed" for shipment (Sorong, Amboina) so lets assume that you can count on 2.500 oil - which is enough for 15K HI... IMO, you shouldnt expand HI anymore, you need to have a decent stockpile of the oil (when your industry runs into trouble you can, as i mentioned before turn off some industry....)

Despite the failure of the your recent strikes on enemy CVs, you are doing a good job. If his AFs at Sulawesi are closed he can't airlift troops! he would be forced to send ships which makes him vunerable to your naval and air force... if he stays with his CVEs near sooner or latter he could make a mistake (what about escort of these CVs - if he stays in same hex for two or three days you could found him with strong CA TF and.... booom!)...

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I've just upgraded my Irving Recon units to the new 'Myrt'.


Decided to read more about this type and found some interesting info
here: Myrt

Can paste in the text and highlight the interesting stuff:

Nakajima's C6N Saiun was among the finest carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft to operate during World War II. Soon after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Japanese naval leaders acknowledged that standard torpedo bombers made poor reconnaissance aircraft. A new, fast airplane designed and built specifically to conduct long-range scouting missions was needed. In the spring of 1942, Nakajima Hikoki K. K. received a new specification from the Naval Staff. It described a 3-seat aircraft with a maximum speed of 648 kph (403 mph), a normal range of 2,780 km (1,727 mi), and a maximum range of 4,956 km (3,078 mi). Landing speed must not exceed 130 kph (81 mph), and the airplane must climb from sea level to 6000 m (19,685 ft) in less than 8 minutes.

Engineers Yasuo Fukuda and Yoshizo Yamamoto originally envisioned a pair of 1000 horsepower engines buried in the fuselage of the new design and driving propellers mounted on the leading edge of the wings, via extension shafts. Thankfully, the Nakajima Homare engine was about to be introduced. Its relatively small diameter, coupled with a high power rating, allowed Fukuda and Yamamoto to meet the specified speed and range goals using a single engine. The original power arrangement would probably have been unreliable and a maintenance nightmare. The vertical stabilizer was canted forward to keep the overall length of the aircraft within the dimensions of existing carrier deck elevators. The two Nakajima engineers used both Fowler flaps and split flaps to keep the landing speed low. The 3-man crew (pilot, observer, and radioman/gunner) sat beneath a long canopy. In flight, the observer viewed the earth below through windows in the bottom and sides of the fuselage.

Nakajima completed the first prototype in March 1943 and flew it first on May 15. From the start, the Homare engine failed to generate the specified power at altitude and suffered other problems endemic to most new engines. While the aircraft handled well, the power loss meant that the speed requirements could not be met. The speed that was achieved, 639 kph (397 mph), was still far better than any other similar airplane. The Navy ordered the Saiun into production in the spring of 1944. By war's end, Nakajima had built 463 C6N aircraft at the company's two factories in Koizuma and Handa.

Nakajima's slender, elegant design saw its first combat during the battles for the Marianas. By carrying a torpedo-shaped gas tank of 730 liters (193 gal), the C6N1 Saiuns (or MYRT as the Allies called them) could fly more than 4,830 km (3,000 mi). Range of this magnitude, combined with high speed, generally kept them safe from intercepting U. S. Navy Grumman Hellcat fighters (see NASM collection). MYRT crews could shadow the U.S. fleet with impunity.

Nakajima also worked on a torpedo-carrying variant, the C6N1-B, but this model was not needed after Japan lost most of its carriers. As Allied forces closed in on the home islands, there arose a critical need for good night fighters. Nakajima created the C6N1-S by eliminating the observer and installing two oblique-firing 20 mm cannon in his place. These weapons weighed about the same as the observer, so performance suffered little. The C6N1-S was the fastest Japanese night interceptor but it had no air-to-air radar equipment. Only a few of the type were built. Other designs C6N variants were contemplated but none left the drafting boards. A MYRT was the last aircraft shot down in World War II, at 5:40 a.m. on August 15, 1945, five minutes before the hostilities ended.

The National Air and Space Museum's Saiun is the last example remaining of this fine aircraft. It is one of the C6N1-S night-fighter variants armed with oblique-firing 20 mm cannon and crewed by two men. The aircraft was part of the shipment of 145 Japanese aircraft sent to the U.S. for technical evaluation. It transited the Pacific aboard the escort carrier USS "Barnes" and arrived at Langley Field, Virginia on December 8, 1945. It is not known why the Navy transferred this airplane to the Army Air Forces (AAF) but Army personnel overhauled the MYRT at the air depot at Middletown, Pennsylvania, then flight-tested the airplane. Details about the test flights remain unknown. On August 22, 1946, an AAF pilot flew the Saiun to the foreign aircraft storage area at Orchard Place Airport, Park Ridge, Illinois. The Air Force turned over the MYRT and all other assets at Park Ridge to the National Air Museum in 1949.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It therefore seems that:
1. The Myrt should be carrier capable, giving the IJN carriers an invaluable recon asset.
2. The Myrt was faster than what Matrix has given it credit for - should be 397 and not 379 mph!
3. A torpedo carrying verions should be available.
4. The Myrt should be able to operate with more impunity than what is the case in WitP. I produce 140 Dinah IIIs pr
month and can barely not keep up with losses [:(]

Why do you upgrade the Irving to the Myrt if the Irving has a range of 13 and the Myrt only 10?

[pauk]

I dig it on the net for data about Myrt. Actually looked at my favourite site which proved as quite good...

speed for Myrt is listed as it have in WiTP (609 kmph) but unfortunatly there is no number of produced subvariants of these fine aircraft...

http://www.lemaire.happyhost.org/avion/ ... tml#103085

[PzB74]

Again a half hearted raid on the enemy carriers of Makale - we hit 2 escort
carriers today though. We got one more chance before Andy's pulling out. There
are now bombers at several bases and subs are blocking the path of the enemy CV group.

I've changed bomber pilot commanders that are 'cautious' - aggression before competence
now, want to take out this carrier group. Still, I don't want to committ ac that are needed
to stave of Andy's next major offensive - which I'm sure will materialize shortly. Way
to quiet on all other fronts. Even our Strike Force has been left in peace and quiet! [8D]

I think all my Tojo groups upgrade to the Frank Pauk! [:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/17/44

Surface Combat

Sent a destroyer to Tomini, hoped to find some easy kills.
Found 3 PT boats...fortunately the Hamanami is a capable ship and
dispatched of them all!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Tomini at 34,65

Japanese Ships
DD Hamanami, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
PT PT-526, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
PT PT-527, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
PT PT-529, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

Ouch! That was a 16000 cap tanker loaded with oil! Fortunately it can
be docked in Tawi Tawi 1 hex away.

Sub attack at 37,61

Japanese Ships
TK Akatsuki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Shanan Maru #16
MSW Hinode Maru #20
MSW W.13

Allied Ships
SS Shark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Trying to disturb enemy activities at Namlea, not sure if it got any effect.

Night Air attack on Wasile , at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays attack on Tomini was ravaged by enemy CAP fighters...

Day Air attack on Tomini , at 34,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 109
Ki-49 Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 1
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-47D Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even worse over Makale:

Day Air attack on Makale , at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 16

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 3
Spitfire VIII x 12
P-38J Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 3 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 2
P-38J Lightning x 12
F-5A Lightning x 2
F-5C Lightning x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito PR.IX: 1 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply levels at Noemfoor are still some 10k. Really difficult for Andy to get anywhere
here! [:)]

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 6
P-40N Warhawk x 6
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 71

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 83
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd NZ/C Division, at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 39

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 3
Spitfire VIII x 12
P-38J Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 4 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tomini at 34,65

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F Hellcat x 2
TBM Avenger x 6

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships - again the Hamanami extract herselv from trouble! Lucky ship indeed.
DD Hamanami
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy carriers are still expending energy on the empty troop ships of Makale.
Day Air attack on TF at 32,71

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 3
F6F Hellcat x 3
Corsair IV x 1
SB2C Helldiver x 27
TBM Avenger x 8

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Aso Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Anrugu Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kunimitsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Macassar at 30,69

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 7
F6F Hellcat x 9
Corsair IV x 2
SB2C Helldiver x 15
F6F-5N Hellcat x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nichiryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Minto Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 32,71

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 5
F6F Hellcat x 6
Corsair IV x 1
TBM Avenger x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kunimitsu Maru, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays main event: after being grounded by weather in the AM turn the bombers sortied
against the enemy carriers - this time near Pomala! Again a fair number of fighters took
of, but only 1/3 of the available bombers followed suit.

Still, the Zekes performed better today and most of the bombers got through the CAP
and 2 CVE's were hit by torpedoes. I know the Wasp and Formidable? are part of this TF,
but no ac have still attacked the.

Day Air attack on TF, near Pomala at 32,69

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 48
G4M2 Betty x 17
P1Y Frances x 28
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 17
F6F Hellcat x 24
Corsair IV x 5
F6F-5N Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 25 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F6F-5N Hellcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Anzio
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Tromp
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

It's going to be difficult to root out the evil in Makale - need some really
heavy mining tool to get the job done!

Ground combat at Makale

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1990 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 279

Defending force 6199 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trying to upload a screenie here, but the Matrix net isn't responding...will add it later!
Got it, upload speed in bits today.

[PzB74]

Regarding the Myrt:
I only got 3 groups and I hoped they would be carrier capable. Also thought the Irving they
upgraded from had a range of 9? May be wrong, but it doesn't matter. Irving factories have
auto converted and most of my search plane groups are equipped with the Dinah III that got
a range of 13-14.

This is actually a problem: if you try to produce an ac like the Irving after the factory has auto upgraded
it's impossible to change it back....cause it will auto upgrade again. This has forced me to upgrade several
transport groups to the Hickory, same with the Ann dive bomber. Auto upgrades to an even more crappy design [:'(]

With the introduction of the Grace we will have a carrier based plane with a max range of 10 hexes. This will
be very handy as we can 'sniff out' the enemy long before he sees us!

There were probably several versions of the Myrt Pauk, difficult when there's only one in game version of the plane.
Will get a night fighter version later on, can put em on LRCAP in daylight I guess....

[Fishbed]

We have to investigate somewhat these awful air combat results. One year ago or so in the solomons, KB Zeroes had disposed of Hellcats quite efficiently, so why should such a comparable situation should be different now?
Is Fatigue the main difference? I dont think so, I am sure there is some way to optimize the use of altitude and tactics when it comes to use diffenrent types of IJN and IJA planes together.
But I have nothing to conduct tests myself
 
But there must be a way to do something about that... That can't only be a dice roll thing...

[PzB74]

Thx for the input regarding production Pauk!
4 months of reserves...if we could increase this to 6 within 6 months. Then Andy would have only
6 months to be able to shut us down. Not sure he can do that.

I've halted all AK/AP but continue to build TKs. This is the first time the merchant yards are producing surplus
points. Want to have a pool before I turn them off. So let's say another 2-3 months of production?

I've halted Sally prodiuction, not sure I can halt the others. Will receive many 48 ac George Daitais over the next
months and I want at least 2000 in the pools. Same with Judys, when the Kamikaze is triggered they will be needed in droves.
Will soon produce 470 Franks pr month, need as many as possible of this fine ac.

Believe me, we're shipping all the oil we can from the SRA [;)]Ambonie and Sorong got very small oil fields, seldom moved my
tankers here anyway.

It's very, very difficult to keep the enemy airfields at Sulawesi closed. Andy simply moves in more ac and our Army bombers
and Oscars can't defend themselves efficiently. Not sure I would like to use the Combined Fleet to do the job. We could win
a victory here, but then we would not be able to field a strong fleet and air force to oppose a landing elsewhere. This is most
likely what Andy wants to achieve. Still, we can delay his buildup and make it very costly with relatively few resources.

Within 1 month there will be dozens of new LCU's in the area, making ALL remaining bases very difficult to occupy.
With dozens of bases in the PI/SRA, it will not be possible to defend them all against an all out offensive. This is an option
ONLY for the Marianas with the few bases there. So I think we're following the correct doctrine for this?

Comments?

Strategic overview: SRA

After 6 attempts I managed to upload another screenie!