Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[DuckofTindalos]

So, that was Operation Squash The Penguinista Pilots...

[Andy Mac]

The limit I am having to play with now is no more than 4 USN Fleet Carriers per Hex although I am now more ofter actually operating with 2 or 3

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

The limit I am having to play with now is no more than 4 USN Fleet Carriers per Hex although I am now more ofter actually operating with 2 or 3

But you can still use lots of CVL's?

[Andy Mac]

You can but its very innefficient

You only get 8 US CVL's so overloading is hard to do.

In a hostile environment if I am in real danger it would be 2 TF's of 1 - 3 CV's and 1 - 3 CVL's limited at 4 CV's

Thats just my personal interp others operate in different ways and I only operate like that in some games it really depends on what is agreeable to both sides

Andy

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt./Andy - it's all been agreed with Faber now. We have a 3-4 CV limit max per hex. As such from tomorrow my CV Divisions will spread out along the Mariana's chain.

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Today was disappointing around the Mariana's. Bad weather socked in my TF's throughout the day preventing any air strikes! Not good. I need this to go like clockwork. I suppose one good thing with having TF's in separate hexes will increase the chance of air strikes.

All SC/Transport TF's remain 120 miles east of Saipan.

I have even spotted The Japanese PT's at Saipan. As such one of the CVE TF's Fighters have been assigned to attack them tomorrow.

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More pounding in Burma. Although frustrating at no quick breakthrough I am confident the gradual pounding will allow me to breakthrough in due course. When it comes it will probably be rapid.

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More fun in the SRA.

The Borneo follow up units are passing Maumere now.

Banja is at level 4 airfields now. A 64 x Commando TCG flew in today in preparation.

DD Uranami was reported sunk at Batavia today. A further victim of the SC around Banja.

USA is 16 miles east of Banja.

With the Heavies rested we strike again tomorrow. PB4Y's will hit Bali and B29's will go for Balikpapan's airfields (recon indicates 100+ fighters there). Escort will hopefully fly from Banja.

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SS Hammerhead evaded 4 x MSW convoy escort before probably sinking AK Anbo Maru with 2 torpedoes 300 miles SW of Hong Kong.

SS Permit heavily damaged AP Tango Maru with 2 torpedoes 60 miles east of Batavia. She later on damaged AP Tonei Maru with a torpedo.

Air sightings = 10
Air attacks = 0

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SS Jallao, an LCI, LST and AK arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Thought it would be interesting to see my aces list. As expected the majority are CV fighter pliots. Note 1LT Reynolds of 49th FG. This guy was 'my hero' in the conquest of southern SRA. He scored 18 kills during his time over Timor, Maumere and finally over Banja where he was wounded in combat[&o]

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

Hi Capt./Andy - it's all been agreed with Faber now. We have a 3-43 CV limit max per hex.

Doesn't really seem to address the issue...[:'(]

[Speedysteve]

[:D]

[Andy Mac]

Just be carefull individual TF's can be overwhelmed now so be carefull not to go to deep

I was committed to my Malayan adventure when I implemented the new rule and I am not 100% sure I would have went that deep had the rule been in place before I committed it cost me a LOT of CVE's

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Andy - I know. It is a risk like you say. I should be fine here though. I smashed the Mariana's today.

Pagan, Saipan, Tinian and Guam were all hit by 1 x CVTF. Over 200 enemy planes were destroyed by this ferocious onslaught. All on the ground! Not 1 enemy fighter was on CAP. A mistake IMO. I lost 13 x Helldiver to AA.

We continue bombing the airfields tomorrow but Saipan's port and ground units will also be targetted.

BB1 has been ordered to shell Saipan tomorrow night.

I will probably land at Saipan within 2-4 days depending on bombardment/bombing.

There were no enemy attacks on my Albatross forces today. Fine by me.

----------------------

Usual stuff in Burma and SRA.

Bad weather stopped the Koepang Heavies from taking off.

Within 2 days the West Borneo forces will be at Banja.

We then await the P38J's and then we go under cover of my 2 functional RN BB's.

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SS Bashaw sunk the loaded AP Kunimitsu Maru with 2 torpedoes. 128th ind. Mixed Rgt men were left drowning 420 miles WNW of Iwo Jima.

SS Permit missed ML Shirakami 60 miles east of Batavia.

SS Cobia evaded 3 x convoy escort deep in the Phillipine Sea.

SS Lionfish was atatcked by convoy escorts 180 miles ESE of Batan Island. 1 x DC near miss - 28/0/0.

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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An SS, CVE, LCI and LST arrive in theatre tomorrow as does an SBD Squadron.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Saipan received it's first ship borne death of the war today. BB1 went in as ordered. As I expected mines hit 5 x DD. DD Hoel and Healy sank due to their wounds. An average bombardment but it will help the initial landings i'm sure:

Naval bombardment of Saipan, at 63,64 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed

134 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Denver, Shell hits 3
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 6
CL Hobart
CA Louisville, Shell hits 3
CA Chester, Shell hits 2
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa, Shell hits 24
BB Alabama, Shell hits 4
BB Massachusetts

Japanese ground losses:
1497 casualties reported
Guns lost 42

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

BB2 will go in tomorrow night.

Throughout the day all the airfields in the area were bombed heavily again destroying another 30 planes on the ground.

3rd Heavy AA Bn was hit hard at Saipan.

Strangely an IJN TF sailed to within 120 miles north of Pagan. CV FP's detected it nd throughout the day bombed it, shelled it and torpedoed it. By days end the following had been sunk and damaged:

AV Kiyokawa Maru - damaged.
AP Rakuyo Maru - sunk
AP Ryuosan Maru - sunk
MSW Wa 106 - sunk

God knows what it was doing here. Either a mistake by Faber or a test to see if I had any planes set on Naval Attack.

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Massive airstrikes over Burma.

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A minor frustration in SRA when my B29's attacked Balikpapan BUT the escort was socked in at Banja! The enemy Nick, George, Zeke, Jack and Tojo fighters shot down 18 x B29 for the loss of 7 fighters. I will rest my B29's an had have ordered my NZ Corsairs and P47D's to sweep from Banja.

It is time to start moving a little up western Borneo. 2nd USMC Paras will airdrop tomorrow from Commando's. Soon follow up convoys will leave Banja for Kuching.

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SS Mingo damaged AO Iro with a torpedo 120 miles north of Kuching.

SS Rasher was lost with all hands today 180 miles WNW of San Marcelino. She was attacked by 3 x PC and 2 x DD - 3 x DC hit, 11 x DC near miss[&o]

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

[castor troy]

What I forgot to say when I said you should take Tinian first is the fact that there are fixed 8" guns and other fixed CD guns on Saipan. Hope your bombardments take the big ones out. If not you will take pretty uggly losses. I know that by myself as I once landed at a target (as the Japanese) where those 9,1" CD guns (only 2) were present and more than a dozen of ships was sunk outright listed as sunk by 9,1"...

Those 8" could be equally dangerous... though it looks like none of the hits on your ships in the bombardment TF was hit by a 8". A 8" would penetrate the armor of those CLs at least.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Faber is away until Monday now.

Hi Castor - I know Saipan will be tough BUT recon surprisngly indicates only 60,000 men and 480 guns in 13 units. If that is all and I can get ashore in strength I should take the place. I have 13 divisions let alone 13 units!

All of the Mariana's were hit from the air again and during the night BB2 went in to shell Saipan again. After destroying 3 x PT, 2 x cruiser and 2 x DD hit mines. A further 700 men were hit during the bombardment.

Tomorrow a majority of the CV forces will hopefully target Saipan and it's defenders before the invasion forces go in with BB3 the day after that.

-----------------

Massive bombing again in Burma and IJA positions north of Rangoon are weakening:

Ground combat at 30,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 48263 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1039

Defending force 37056 troops, 52 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 798


Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported

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The Japanese had flown away from Balikpapan so the fighter sweep from Banja found no one.

2nd USMC Para's occupied the abandoned Sampit on Western Borneo.

I was going to wait for a few days before moving further by air upto Singkawang and by sea to Kuching BUT recon indicates a Japanese presence of 1000 men at Singkawang now. As such 503rd USA Para Rgt men will be assaulting the place from the air tomorrow.

No time to lose. Within 2 days the seaborne forces will leave Banja for Kuching.

Allied land forces are pushing more than 60 miles east of Banja now towards Balikpapan.

------------------------

SS Seadragon finished off the damaged AO Iro with 3 torpedoes 180 miles ENE of Palembang. She later on hit AO Genyo Maru with dud torpedoes.

SS Guavina was attacked by 3 x convoy escort 180 miles east of Balikpapan. 2 x DC near miss - 16/0/0.

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An SS, AK, AGC and MSW arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Faber is back and the fun continues..............

With the additional supplies crawlign on the trail to my forces north of Rangoon AND the massive bombing detriting the Japanese an Allied advantage is being formed:

Ground combat at 30,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 48169 troops, 239 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1048

Defending force 36246 troops, 49 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 772


Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported

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The SRA is also an exciting theatre for me.

503rd Para Rgt failed to take Singkawang, NW Borneo today. They dropped over the target (after being attacked by enemy fighters - 6 lost transports) and encountered 2nd IJA Para Rgt defending the airfields. My men were unable to take the place. Time for plan B here. More of the 503rd will drop and, hopefully, take the unoccupied base of Pontianak 60 miles further south.

To coincide with this Seaborne forces will leave Banj a tomorrow carryignsubstantial LCU forces (including 2 x USA Divisions). I may land these at Pontianak to take Singkawang OR (less likely now) continue onto Kuching. BB Valiant & Co. will provide cover along with P38J's in the air.

Provided I take Pontianak tomorrow I will probably land there, establish a fighter base, then take Singkawang and in time reduce and take Kuching.

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Allied air roamed freely over the Mariana's today. All Islands were attacked but Saipan the heaviest. 18th Mixed Bde positions were hit heavily on Saipan. Interestingly recon only indicates 11 units and 60,000 men at Saipan. If so I expected more............

I have reorganised my 5 x invasion transport TF's to now include BB/CA/CL support from a SC TF.

We wait another day of bombing and then we go in with the last BB TF providing fire support.

The 2 outer CV TF's are ready for Naval action if Faber dares venture near. The inner 2 CV TF's + CVE's are to target Saipan and it's defenders.

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SS I-40 was chased away by DD Richard Leary near Saipan. 5 x DC near miss.

SS Pompon missed AP Chihaya Maru 240 miles ENE of Tarakan. In return DD Akebono landed 4 x DC near miss & 1 DC hit - 40/91/0.

SS Pogy blew up the fuel laden AK Kumanoyama with 4 x shell and 3 x torpedo hits 240 miles WNW of Iwo Jima.

Air sightings = 7
Air attacks = 0

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2 x AK, an LCI(G) and a DE arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

In the SRA Pontianak was secured by elements of 503rd USA Para Rgt. Excellent.

The seaborne elements are 120 miles NW of Banja and no enemy attacks went in today.

It seems an enemy convoy has brought an additional unit to Singkawang. I will almost certainly land at Pontianak now to clear Singkawang before Kuching.

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Saipan was hit hard again today as were 18th Mixed Bde positions.

Tomorrow is the 'day of days' the invasion TF's go in with BB support................

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SS Permit was attacked by 3 x PC craft 60 miles east of Batavia. 9 x DC near miss - 22/5/0.

SS Pogy was in action again damaging AK Kibi Maru with a torpedo 240 miles WNW of Iwo Jima.

SS Spadefish hit TK Kokuei Maru with dud torpedoes 60 miles NE of Jesselton. In return she received 1 x DC near miss from the escorts - 5/0/0.

SS Seadragon left AO Otoriyama Maru winking by the bow with 2 torpedoes 180 miles ENE of Palembang. In return she received 3 x DC near miss - 12/0/0.

SS I-155 sank due to her wounds at Marcus Island today.

Air sightings = 9
Air attacks = 1
Air hits = 1 - SS Puffer by a Sally 240 miles SE of Camranh Bay - 25/42/0.

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An LCI, LCI(G), LST, DD and DE arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well what a day of days!

Firstly the main event: Saipan. This is simply incredible[:D]:

TF 1146 encounters mine field at Saipan (63,64) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

7202 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Courtenay, Shell hits 179, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Igonish, Shell hits 110, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Canso, Shell hits 193, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bayfield, Shell hits 173, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Quatsino, Shell hits 191, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Kingfisher, Shell hits 161, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tanager, Shell hits 122, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lark, Shell hits 166, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tern, Shell hits 128, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rail, Shell hits 141, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Buoyant, Shell hits 126, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Scuffle, Shell hits 64, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Salute, Shell hits 81, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Scout, Shell hits 120, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Velocity, Shell hits 128, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tumult, Shell hits 74, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Champion, Shell hits 130, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Warrnambool, Shell hits 103, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Townsville, Shell hits 148, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toowoomba, Shell hits 143, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Strahan, Shell hits 175, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Stawell, Shell hits 139, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Shepparton, Shell hits 167, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rockhampton, Shell hits 64, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Mildura, Shell hits 138, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lithgow, Shell hits 120, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lismore, Shell hits 187, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 174, on fire, heavy damage
AP Empire Pride, Mine hits 14, on fire, heavy damage

I think they died[;)]

There was a lot more than that I can tell you.

A lot of MSW's were pounded and sunk. the landings then begun and many ships hit mine's. I lost count of how many ships were sunk. Probably about 2 x AK, 10 x LCI, 5 x LST. I counted at least 80 ships that were still afloat but damaged. 2 of my 5 x invasion TF's are relatively unscathed also.

Here's the good news. 1/3 of the troops are ashore and in VERY good condition - 80-85% operational. I stil have 2/3 to unload and look at the force disparity already:

Ground combat at Saipan

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30595 troops, 325 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 723

Defending force 70741 troops, 939 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 2919



Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The main downer for the operation so far is the loss of 30ish MSW's................Overall not too unhappy with this though. Saipan should fall now.

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In the SRA I was surprised today when IJN CV's showed up 180 miles NW of Singkawang.

My transports are still 120 miles away from Pontianak. I am definitely unloading all the men here now.

My P38J's covering the transports performed very well in shooting down 40 enemy planes throughout the day. An AK (carrying supply) was lost and 3 more AK, 1 x TK were damaged. More P38J's are on CAP tomorrow for the final run into Pontianak. When Aviation support is on hand tomorrow then P47D's will base at Pontianak until Singkawang is taken.

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SS Seadragon damaged the troop laden AP Kirishima Maru with a torpedo 180 miles NW of Singkawang.

SS Barbel damaged AK Toyoura Maru with a torpedo 120 miles SE of Davao.

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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CVE Bismark Sea, an AK and a DE arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[rtrapasso]

There was a recent thread about this: the opinion was to way to avoid this was to make a giant invasion convoy - put in MSWs and BBs, CAs, etc. into an ESCORT TF with your AK and APs - then convert the whole mess into a TRANSPORT TF. Once the TF gets to the destination, the BBs (and other warships) will suppress the CDs, and the MSWs will sweep mines almost as effectively as if they were in an unopposed minewarfare TF. You will probably still take some hits, but fewer CD hits and fewer mine hits than having the MSWs in a separate TF - as happened here.

[Speedysteve]

Hi Robert,
 
No joy on that i'm afraid.
 
I had 5 x transport TF's here. All with 90-100 ships. All with 1 x BB, 3 x Cruiser, 10 x DD + DE's, MSW's etc.
 
In short AFAIK there is no sure fire way to prevent sinkings by a mass of mines/CD combination.

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi Robert,

No joy on that i'm afraid.

I had 5 x transport TF's here. All with 90-100 ships. All with 1 x BB, 3 x Cruiser, 10 x DD + DE's, MSW's etc.

In short AFAIK there is no sure fire way to prevent sinkings by a mass of mines/CD combination.

Eeek... was there a separate MS TF, or were all these from the combined TFs??

[Speedysteve]

There was no separate MSW TF.
 
All of the ships were integrated into Transport TF's.
 
If it was separate MSW TF they would have been squashed for no gain.

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

There was no separate MSW TF.

All of the ships were integrated into Transport TF's.

If it was separate MSW TF they would have been squashed for no gain.

Well, that's unhappy news... [:(]

The only other thing i could think to try would have been to put all warships and MSWs into a large TF with just some troops, and only having one TF unload, then rotating things out... much slower and more shipping intensive to have to escort the other TFs separately...