PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Todays air losses

The worst loss is all the Zeke Daitais that won't be back for..a year?
Jap carriers truly doesn't have a role to play in WitP in 1944, that's for sure.

I think cv groups wont return (except for US - they respawn with carriers in 55O days).

I am glad to see that loss of carriers isnt major blow for the morale of the Empire!

[PzB74]

Thx for the support guys!
I can survive without the carriers, but a bit annoying that they die so easily.
300 Zekes on CAP were just wiped out in ONE attack. This game will indeed be more playable during
the latest years with Nicks mod! [&o]

I had no reason to believe that Andy would send SO MANY carriers WEST of Zamboanga.
Going to do the next turn and see what happens. Will not strike for the carriers, a lot of unprotected TFs further
south. These are the main objective for 7 Kami groups. Also sent several surface combat groups to Zamboanga,
nothing bigger than ca's though. Battleships are flanking back to Manila. Let's hope Zamboanga can be recaptured.
If not we will tie Andy's forces to the area for quite some time to come and harass him daily.

The Yamato/Musashi Battlegroup was actually in the hex NEXT TO Andy's mega carrier group [:D]
They didn't even see them - told this to Andy [:D]

[PzB74]

Big News! The Divine Wind hit the enemys supply train and rear vanguard heavily today [&o]
Also shot down large numbers of enemy carrier ac - Andy's plan for future invasions in jeopardy
and Zamboanga as good as recaptured [&o]

More to come...hopefully this taster will cheer up all fanboys out there! [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69
 
Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 2
Ki-48 Lily x 18
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1D Corsair x 9
 
Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 18 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 24
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1D Corsair x 6
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 24 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CVE Liscome Bay, Kamikaze hits 1,  on fire
CVE Petrof Bay, Kamikaze hits 1,  on fire
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hail to the brave warriors of the Empire [&o][&o]
 
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

Khorne will be pleased [;)].

Nice kami attacks there. 2-4 CVE .. has to be a good exchange in 44. the days of the imperial japanese carrier arm is long over RIP. although the loss of so many allied a/c is very good news for your LBA later on. and as you say NIKMOD might be very important late war for japan. I think we all tend to forget just how long ago this all started and most new games with various mods/patches will be rather differant in the latter years.

Hats off to you though vs early stock F4U's ! .. and the F6F's got a real battering too.

[ChezDaJez]

Great job, PzB. I think the first CVE you hit, Natoma Bay, is one of the escort carriers that furnishes replacement aircraft to his battle carriers. I could be wrong though. If you so, you have dealt a good blow because it will reduce his ability to keep his air groups on his carriers at full strength.

His fighter strength must be weakened on his fleet carriers and now they won't have as many aircraft available to replace losses.

BANZAI!!!

Chez

"Carriers, Japan don't need no stinkin' carriers!"

EDIT: I just looked at the Allied OOB. Natoma Bay is a standard CVE and not a replenishment carrier, DARN!

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 2
Ki-48 Lily x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1D Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funny that your kamikazes damaged many of the intercepting fighters. I dont think that IRL there were any crew members present on kami bombers except kami pilot [;)]

[PzB74]

That was just a taster Rob [:)]

Here is a list of all the enemy CVE's that were hit today:

CVE Liscome Bay, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Ommaney Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Manila Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Petrof Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

[&o]

We hit them all the way down to Noemfoor and at Sulawesi!
Ammo and fuel storage explosions everywhere! Even though only the Natoma Bay
sank, the Liscome Bay and Prince William will soon follow suit.

Somehow our own escort carrier TF decided to move closer to Zamboanga!?
Did the Commander devise this scheme by himself?

CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 19, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
CVE Shinyo, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *snks*

This question will remain un-answered...but his sacrifice caused heavy enemy air losses.
Damage to the enemy's supply train and carrier fighter is very heavy. Andy said he did
not expect to meet a refurbished KB and had hoped to hit our surface combat units.

It is possible that our -costly- Zamboanga offensive actually pre-emptied the enemies plans
and cast them awry! [8D]

Despair one day and jubilation the next! This battle is ferocious - not sure I can take much
more of it [;)] I continue to mass air units over and around Zamboanga. More Kami units have been
dispatched, but the enemy must surely be alerted by now.

Enemy troop transports are moving towards Zamboanga, but tomorrow they will have to turn around,
cause we got 31k crack troops in place with 530 assault points.

Will the sacrifice of the KB be worth the re-capture of Zamboanga and disruption of the enemys plans?
The KB will once more - the last time - go back to port and repair battle damage.

Only the Taiho and 2 light carriers survived the battle and will join the Katsuragi, Shokaku and Zuikaku
when they finish their repairs. The CVL Ibuki today left Tokyo Harbour on a top secret mission armed with
27 of the new 'Grace' TBDs aboard.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/29/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 35,46

Japanese Ships
MSW W.14
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Fumi Maru #3
PG Nikkai Maru
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Chosa Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Picuda, hits 3, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 26
A6M5c Zeke x 25
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 88
F4U-1D Corsair x 22
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 110
TBM Avenger x 48
SOC-3 Seagull x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 8 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5c Zeke: 18 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 54 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 44 destroyed
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBM Avenger: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
SOC-3 Seagull: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 19, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Momo
CVE Shinyo, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *snks*
DD Take
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 11
A6M5c Zeke x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 5
TBM Avenger x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Shinyo, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
A6M5c Zeke x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 5
SB2C Helldiver x 40
TBM Avenger x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zeke: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
CVE Shinyo, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Chuyo, on fire, heavy damage
CS Nisshin, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 2
Ki-48 Lily x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1D Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 24

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1D Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 24 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Liscome Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Petrof Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,63

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Ewa, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,73

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 16 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Manila Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE St. Lo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 8
J2M Jack x 45
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 10 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1
J2M Jack x 2
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVE Shinyo, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Chuyo, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incredible enough our surface combat group again escapted unscathed! [&o]
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 106
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 80
F4U-1D Corsair x 18
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 95 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
J2M Jack: 36 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 32 destroyed, 14 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 27
N1K1-J George x 2
J2M Jack x 6

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 27
N1K1-J George x 2
J2M Jack x 6

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 27
N1K1-J George x 2
J2M Jack x 6

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kitano Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3
N1K1-J George x 3
J2M Jack x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 24
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 24
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
PC Etoforu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-cami attack...unfortunately!

Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 27 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Barnes
DE Waterman
CVE Ommaney Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Liscome Bay, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 2

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Liscome Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Galeia at 42,68

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Iowa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Carolinian
AK Steel Mariner

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This enemy troop convoy is sneaking past the Marianas/Palai Island chain!!! [X(]
Noticed it 2 days ago and moved in naval attack groups. Transport with Base Force unit
reported sunk today.

Day Air attack on TF at 56,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Ewa, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Steel Mariner
AK Edward Luckenbach, Shell hits 4
AK Carolinian, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK Susana, Torpedo hits 1
AK Columbian, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Florence Luckenbach

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,73

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Manila Bay, on fire
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Andy showed his hand at Zamboanga - we got a massive overkill.
Todays order to the Commander: SHOCK ATTACK - PURGE THE INVADERS!

Ground combat at Zamboanga

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1350 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Defending force 26973 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 614

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

That's another 100 enemy carrier fighters and a 100 of his bombers!! [:D]

[DuckofTindalos]

Damn... Lots of artificial reefs popping up all over the place...

[PzB74]

Think it was the Bushido spirit of the Kamis that drove of the enemy fighters Kkoovoo!
Now you can check the rest of the CVEs that were hit Chez, should be a replacement cve among them1?
There were absolutely NO CAP fighters above them.

Ground Reinforcements 06-44

Numerous new combat formations have been formed from Naha near Okinawa to Saigon in Burma.
Tarakan, Balkipapan and the other bases in Borneo are no longer vulnerable to anything but a full scale
enemy attack. A full division is being moved from the Marianas to reinforce Formosa.

In 14 days the following Divisions and Brigades will arrive:

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

This game will indeed be more playable during the latest years with Nicks mod! [&o]

It will be very tough for Allies with Niks Mod.

You suffered so many terryfying defeats in the air but the backbone of your air force is not broken (do you have any backbone? [:'(] )

I dont think anyone is too far in Niks mod. But when I imagine all your massive strikes, which were wiped out by UberCap - a lot of Andys ships would lie on the bottom of the ocean.

Yes, the CAP is too good in the game, but it is also to easy for Japan to outproduce Allied in ACs and to train green pilots to average level (60 - 1 month), so they are as good as Allied trained replacement.

[PzB74]

Of course you are right Kkoovvoo!
This AAR should be viewed together with Andy's...this will be the only way to get an objective view of it all.
Success and failure follows hand in hand and so does frustration and jubilation.

There are so many tough decisions to be made: the counter-invasion of Zamboanga for intsance. After working hard
for 6 months I had finally refurbished the KB and was building up a nice reserve of trained 2nd gen interceptors.

Now the KB is again shattered, and only 4 fleet carriers remain, and these will not beceom fully operational until late 44.
The Air Force has taken a terrible beating and I estimate that some 50-55% of my operational fighters units have been
shattered - or sunk [:'(]

Still, I have hurt the enemy - Andy is such an offensively minded player that I'm sure his plans have been interrupted.
He said so himself in one of his latest mails. So I refuse to stand down and throw in the rest of my reserves. There are
still numerous Zeke and Tony units available and the Frank, Jack and George formations will be thrown back into the fray
when they have rested and received replacements.

When fighting over your own ground much fewer pilots are lost. Andy's Superforts have also smashed a lot of ac, but the
pilots are still there. This way a steady run of semi-trained and experienced units become available for the front.

The Kamikaze units have proved themselves: especially the highly experienced ones. The Lily unit that went in had an avg
exp of almost 80. It was devastating, and there are plenty of others left.

So I will hang in, despite of battle fatigue, the battle ain't over yet! [:D]

[ChezDaJez]

Ok, PzB.

Prince William is (was) a replenishment carrier. The others you hit are standard CVEs and have complements of 27 aircraft IIRC. The replenishment carriers, while still only having a complement of 27 aircraft, can actually ferry 3 times as many. The VR fighter squadrons can fill out to 54 aircraft. They are used to replace losses among the fleet carriers while at sea.

The following carriers are US replenishment carriers:

Copahee*
Altamaha*
Nassau*
Prince William* (now sunk)
Barnes
Casablanca*
Admiralty Island
Kassan Bay
Takani Bay
Commencement Bay
Block Island*
Gilbert Islands
Cape Glousceter
Vella Gulf

The "*" indicates those carriers that I know have arrive in your game.

There are others, probably 2/3 the total. Whittle these down and the allied player loses a valuable method of replensihing his fleet carriers at sea with trained pilots and aircraft.

Andy must have taken tremendous fighter losses by now and I would be willing to bet that those replenishment carriers have been or are about to be drained of their aircraft to replace his losses.

Chez

[stldiver]

As a silent watcher of both your AAR and Andy's I must say you have achieved a very good perspective from when your 1st KB was laid low.  I find it hard to detach from units that have served me well, and to realize they are just pieces to be used for the final objective.  You have a good attitude and I will enjoy following your AAR more.  Now if only I could not think what might have been if only I had moved one hex closer or farther.  Ahh but that is my weakness.
 
Good Luck.[:)]

[PzB74]

That's good news Chez! Unfortunately I haven't gotten any message saying that the
Prince William has sunk. Let's hope.. Will check my 'sunk ship' list and see if any other
of the replenishment cve's have been dealt with.

Thx Stildiver, and welcome to the AAR! Never seen you poste here before [:)]
I do try to provide a balanced perspective, but emotions sometimes get the better out of me.
It can be such a strain to find out that your Mighty Castle is made out of clay [8|]
3 of the carriers that were lost were actually on their first operation. The Junyo wasn't worth
much, but the Akagi was a sour loss. Still, the Surface Fleet is intact, much to Andy's chagrin [;)]

Andy asked for permission to put plain Marine Corsairs on his carriers. So yes, we must have
depleted his pool of Hellcats! This is good news, but I don't want game limitations to prevent him
from carrying out operations. So I've said that he can do what he deems necessary. We're going to
kick a$$ anyway, right! [:D]

A large group of 54 semi trained George fighters arrived in Japan today. Excellent.
Give me a month and we will be fully operational again! [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/30/44

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Zamboanga, at 39,59

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
CA Chokai
CA Maya

Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

For weeks small numbers of enemy B-24s have been raiding Wake Island.
I moved in some Zekes and they have their daily skirmishes...

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 1
PB4Y Liberator x 2
B-24J Liberator x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The enemy convoy now north of the Palaus is hit again:

Day Air attack on TF at 56,61

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Edward Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Columbian, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kami attack on PT boats... [:'(]
Day Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 48,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
Spitfire VIII x 6
Kittyhawk I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
PT PT-458
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sallys on Kami mission didn't penetrate enemy battleship armor![X(]
Day Air attack on TF at 40,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 14

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Kamikaze hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now we know it...green Kamis sux - big time!

Day Air attack on TF at 40,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zeke x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 33
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 33

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zeke: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 33 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 33 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Kamikaze hits 1
LST LST-34
LST LST-468
CA Minneapolis
LST LST-448
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 51,76

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Mercury, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage - good riddance...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,61

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Columbian, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* - more base force casualties!

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Ground Combat

The fight for Zamboanga was short and brutal: outnumbered and starved
the enemy garrison was marched into captivity...

Ground combat at Zamboanga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 24336 troops, 273 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 619

Defending force 5591 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Japanese max assault: 1048 - adjusted assault: 821

Allied max defense: 83 - adjusted defense: 79

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Zamboanga base !!!


Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Allied ground losses:
3865 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Southern Front

It feels SO good to have erased the enemy presence at Zamboanga!!
The enemy fleet appears to have turned back. The sacrifice of the KB was not in vain.
We have bought more time for the Empire! [&o]

I was really becoming worried about Andy cutting the SRA off from the Home Islands.
The flow of resources and crude would have been more devastating than any loss of territory.
Large number of cargo ships are currently busy picking up all the reserves from the Eastern
Hemisphere.

[AdmNelson]

Looking at the map-- You seam to be in good shape-- Kamikazes are in play I take that Saigon is 15 sea hexes of an Allied base. I just started watching your AAR. Sonny and I started a game two years ago and are in late July 1944. Looks like will be spending some time watching your AAR. Good Luck. It happens the game I am in with Sonny is the only game I am an Allied player, all others I am a Japanese Fanboy. Allied land based air power can be devastating. Again Good Luck

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Andy asked for permission to put plain Marine Corsairs on his carriers. So yes, we must have
depleted his pool of Hellcats! This is good news, but I don't want game limitations to prevent him
from carrying out operations.

I find it more than a little disturbing that even in mid 1944 the allied aircraft pools remain depleted yet Japan isn't complaining about a lack of air frames. I think this is proof that the air frame production system is borked for the allies.

Don't get me wrong I'm enjoying your AAR immensley, but I just wanted to highlight this disparity in production even in mid 1944! It should be Japan complaining about empty pools now, not the friggin allies!

Jim

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

ORIGINAL: PzB
Andy asked for permission to put plain Marine Corsairs on his carriers. So yes, we must have
depleted his pool of Hellcats! This is good news, but I don't want game limitations to prevent him
from carrying out operations.

I find it more than a little disturbing that even in mid 1944 the allied aircraft pools remain depleted yet Japan isn't complaining about a lack of air frames. I think this is proof that the air frame production system is borked for the allies.

Don't get me wrong I'm enjoying your AAR immensley, but I just wanted to highlight this disparity in production even in mid 1944! It should be Japan complaining about empty pools now, not the friggin allies!

Jim

Yeah, that is disturbing news indeed concerning those pools.

Well, I have kept following this AAR from the start so keep it up.

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

And now we know it...green Kamis sux - big time!

Ugrhhh, is it so difficult to ram he ship? Their lack courage, not experience!!!

So you need better pilots for Kamis...but Kami units can perform only Kami missions and training missions, for which Empire doesnt have time.

This may help (from Pauks AAR):

ORIGINAL: jumper
...
I prefer this one with PDU on:
daitai A with 36 80xp pilots/planes
daitai Bwith 36 80xp pilot/planes

daitai A changes the plane type to same type as datai B, all planes are damaged. Next turn 1-3 planes are repaired. Daitai A is moved away with only 1-3 planes. Daitai A fragment is dispanded into Daitai B.
Now you have Daitai A with 1-3 planes/pilots ready to suck newbies and repeat training and Daitai B with about 70 80xp pilots.
If you have ready another daitai/chutai with less planes then its max size, you can fill the Daitai B with these procedure by whatever desired amount of green pilots.

Hope Pauk will not kick us out of his AAR [;)] This more for war room..

ORIGINAL: kkoovvoo

Thanks,

since I have only 1 PBEM running with PDU off, the option you described never came to my mind. [:)]

ORIGINAL: jumper

In your case the best way would be to place unit into some base with 0 AV support and put it on 90 cap/ or ASW. In a few turns most of the planes will be damaged/in reserve. Much better than jumping from base to base to damage planes. With PDU off It will take you more time but is worth of the effort. You should check it with your opponent. This way you will avoid those 90days waiting and your training will be much faster. It is leetle bit gamey..[:'(]
But according to my experinece there is no any significant difference till mid 42 where I´m now. I´m expecting main payback in later years.. Even for allied player the game should be more interesting..

[PzB74]

I do have a Sally unit - 27 ac and 48 pilots - Kkoovvoo!
I will certainly train as many Kami units as possible - what other use would there be for my many bomber units anyway?
It's not like they're ever going to penetrate the Enemy Uber CAP, so why not let the few that makes it through count?
It's also a danger that the last ac in a unit get stuck in a base hex closed by enemy bombing. Then 1 damaged ac and e.g 30 pilots
will be stranded until this ac can be repaired and take of with all 30 pilots [8|]

Thx for the tip though, it's a way to keep the units in the front line a bit longer.

It's certainly an issue Jim and Aztez, I think the US should be allowed to increase the production of Japan and outnumber them vastly.
Regarding the pilot pool: Here are Andys numbers; USAAF has 4000 and USMC 1000 USN is empty.

So while the USN pool is empty, there are 5k pilots in the other pools: Realistically USMC pilots would have been transferred to USN and
USAAF pilots would have been converted to USN. Still, in this game were the British have been knocked out of the war, the USN has been
forced to take on Japan alone. Without a foothold on the mainland Andy can't deploy his massive Army AF. So you may say that his lack of
USN pilots comes from the massive effort required by the USN. Since the game got fixed replacement rates, the only solution for Andy would
eventually be to start a training program of his own. Adapt or die? [;)]

[PzB74]

Somewhat quiet turn...Andy is reloading his guns! [8|]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/01/44

Air Combat

The Kamis found new targets of the Northern tip of PNG!

Day Air attack on TF at 42,72

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships [:D]
AE Pyro, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AE Lassen
AR Edmund Randolph, Torpedo hits 1, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,72

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
AR Benjamin Holt
AR Charles P. Steinmetz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This TF is a straggler unit to the big TF marked on the situation map. Troops,
no doubt about it.

Day Air attack on TF at 41,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zeke x 4
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 6 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-27, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CA Minneapolis
BB Colorado

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported

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

Kudos

Andy refuse to give us a respite and his fleet is back on course towards Borneo from
what I can see. Balikpapan and Tarakan are solid, Samarinda and Benjarmasin are more vulnerable.
I will reinforce Samarinda first. Same with Jolo, moving a full Bde from Zamboanga.

Fortifications are heavy in the area and I almost hope that Andy overcommits down into the
Makassar Strait! I'm again massing our air reserves and the Combined Fleet is heading for Roxas.
Yamamoto has prophesized that the enemy fleet will be shattered by a massive strike by the battle fleet! [:D]

Subs will put mines in strategic locations and try to finish of the cripples.

The Empire has been hardened after 30 months of war and after observing the enemy's weakness resolve has been
hardened: If he comes the same old way, we will defeat him the same old way! [:-]