Class is in session - Montereytrench schools USS America

[USSAmerica]

Oh really?  Very interesting!  [:D]
 
You would Withdraw them into the other squadrons with the same plane type, right?  When the withdrawn squadrons come back at Sydney, what plane type are they, the same as when they left?  If there are none in the pool, do they come back empty? 
 
Time to go do some research on this idea, and maybe take the discussion to The War Room.  [8D]
 
Thanks for the tip, ny! [:)]

[ny59giants]

You would Withdraw them into the other squadrons with the same plane type, right? When the withdrawn squadrons come back at Sydney, what plane type are they, the same as when they left? If there are none in the pool, do they come back empty?

YES to all three questions. I would also consider sending a few of the Dutch recon squadrons to India. They upgrade to F-5's and this will help your bombing and save your other planes for their actual roles.

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]12/28/41 Update:[/font]
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[font="times new roman"]I had a little ASW success today.  My big ASW TF 60 miles from Singapore hit SS I-153 4 times, but must not have done much damage.  Later in the day, she got some revenge, torpedoing DD Stewart.  Stewart took 97 floatation damage.  She’s only 1 hex from Singapore, but I’m sure she’s a goner.  SS Tarpon hit DD Inazuma with a dud Mk 14 at Tainan.  [8|][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Here’s a shot of my subs covering the area between Taiwan and Luzon:[/font]
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[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I’m really hoping to get some non-dud shots at some troop convoys. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]16 Oscars escorted 6 Nells to Singapore from Khota Bharu.  They were met by 37 mixed fighters.  We traded 2 P40B’s and 1 Wirraway for 2 Nells and 5 Oscars.  No bomb hits.  Then, the varsity showed up.  25 Zeros and 70 Bettys from Saigon.  This time I had 34 fighters intercept.    3 Zeros and 5 Bettys were destroyed in exchange for 1 Blenheim IF, 1 Wirraway, and 2 Buffalos.  Only 24 Bettys completed their bomb runs causing a measly 1 hit on the airbase and the runway.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The AVG aircraft seem to be repairing very slowly at Singapore.  There’s no base damage, almost 60k supply, 2 Air HQ units, and 185 aviation support for 124 aircraft there.  The group’s morale is 99 and fatigue is only 3.  Could it be the group leader?  I know LCU leader Admin Skill affects the rate they will recover disrupted elements.  Does anyone know if it’s the same for repairing aircraft?  The current leader’s Admin Skill is 51.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey finally made a move in China.  19 LCU’s have moved into Wuchow from Canton.  [X(]  I have 1350 assault strength there with 4 forts, but only 9000 supply.  We'll see what happens here.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Looks like it's time to reevaluate my plans for the DEI air assets, thanks to ny59giants.  [:)][/font]

[Admiral DadMan]

I can offer you some advice as to USN CV ops:

Do NOT confront IJN CVs with less than 2:1 superiority where you can help it, you will get hammered. If he is operating more than 3 fleet CVs together, stay clear. If he at any point splits them up to cover multiple offensives, put all 3 (or 4) CV together and stalk him. USN CVs should operate in single CV TFs until 1943, then they may go to 2 CV TFs.

Do NOT conduct commerce raiding against bases early on, this exposes you unnecessarily to LBA. Once Hornet and Wasp arrive and you have converted your torpedo squadrons from TBDs to TBFs, you can begin stalking KdB Death Star.

Don't panic about losing little islands in CenPac, SoPac, or SWPac.

DO panic about seabore ops in India.

[USSAmerica]

Admiral DadMan, thanks for the advice.  I'm onboard with all of this.  Before my CV's depart Pearl I will know where the KB is.  Then, I'm going to look for a spot where I can hit some targets without the risk of enemy LBA.  For instance, Tarawa is still a size 1 airfield.  Once it's size 2, I won't risk it until much later.

[USSAmerica]

12/29/41 Update:

My large DD ASW TF escorted the critically damaged DD Stewart 60 miles back to Singapore. On the way, they found and pounded SS I-157 with 8 hits. Stewart sank right after the attacks. Another ASW TF of 4x MSW hit I-157 9 more times, including 3 direct hits that penetrated her belt armor. My first confirmed SS sinking. [:)]



I had a contact with SS I-153 1 hex SW of Sing, but no hits.

I noticed a Glen recon plane over Johnston I. I think the ASW TF I was moving back to Pearl will return and patrol the area around Johnston I. for a while.

No action in China today. I’m pulling back my division from Nanchang for some R&R. Monterey still has 19 units parked at Wuchow. I am pretty strong there, but don’t have a lot of supply on hand, so I’ll probably just sit out the siege for a while. Maybe I’ll set one unit to bombard, just for some intel.

3 Betty’s from Saigon tried to hit shipping at Singapore, unescorted despite my CAP there. 34 Allied fighters met them, splashing 1 and sending the other two packing. 8 more tried it later in the day, again unescorted, and were chased off by 37 fighters, only damaging one Betty.

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]Well, this latest gap in updates was caused by some vacation time and busy real life activity.  We only completed 3 turns since my last update, so here is the summary:[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/b][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]12/30/41[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
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[font="times new roman"]SS I-153 takes 3 hits from 2xMSW 60 miles SW of Singapore, then 2 more hits later.  KXVIII put a torpedo into TK Huzisan Maru 4 hexes NE of Brunei.  This TK has an AP and a MSW with it.  At the orders phase of the 12/31 turn, there is a TF spotted in this hex with 6xAP and 3xAK.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]6Nells, 9Oscars attack from Khota Bharu, but are driven away by Singapore CAP.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3Bettys, and then 5Bettys attempt to hit TF’s at Singapore unescorted.  My CAP damages 1, destroys 1, and drives off the rest.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My bombardment attack at Wuchow reveals the following:  [/font]
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[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]He only has 1 division, 1 Naval Guard unit, and 1 tank regiment, with lots of artillery and engineers in this group.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey has also finally moved into Alor Setar from Songkhia and started marching from Rahaeng toward Rangoon and the rail line.  I estimate 1 division at each location.  I’ll have to adjust my plans for moving ground forces now that he’s moving there.  I have the 1&2nd Burma Rifles Bdes still at Taung Gyi, just starting to march toward Rangoon after their 60 mile jungle trek back to Taung Gyi.  If the enemy troops march straight to Rangoon, I can’t beat him.[/font]
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[font="times new roman"][/b][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]12/31/41[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]SS I-175 was found 3H west of Johnston I. by a small ASW TF and hit 4 times, with at least one direct hit.  Spearfish fires at and misses the already damaged AP Shinko Maru at Pescadores.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 Japanese DD’s snuck into Rabaul undetected and hit my AP trying to sneak out with the base force.  Surprisingly, no torps hit, and only 8 shells.  I may still get that AP out.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS I-153 still has some fight in her, 1H SW of Sing.  She fired torps at one of the DD’s in my large ASW TF, but missed, and all 7 DD’s couldn’t find her.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]In the PM, Spearfish fires at AV Sanuki Maru in the hex at Pescadores, but again misses.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]6Nells, 7Oscars hitting Sing from Khota Bharu are met by 44 fighters.  2N dam, 2N destroyed, 4O destroyed for 3 P40B dam.  No base hits.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]5Bettys from Saigon on Naval attack at Sing met by 39 fighters.  AVG destroyed 1B and the others turned tail and ran.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]AP Shinko Maru goes down at Pescadores from earlier damage, I think from a Mk14 hit here on the 26th.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japs bombard at Naga.  I seem to be way stronger here.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]And now things get a bit interesting in China.  Most of Monterey’s LCU’s at Wuchow conduct a bombardment attack, costing me 107 casualties and 3 guns.  The interesting part is that I’ve set all my LCU’s to Shock Attack this turn.  I’ve read that conducting a bombardment attack cuts your defensive value in half.  Here we go….[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]…well, not catastrophic, but not great results.  I got a 1 to 1, but 2200 casualties to his 351.  This tells me two things.  1) I got lucky that he bombarded.  2) I may need to do this more, since he’s loaded with combat engineers, construction engineers, and artillery units here.  They seemed to take the bulk of the damage.  Time to seek some advice in the War Room here.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ground combat finishes up with my two PA divisions bombarding the lone SNLF that has advanced on Naga from Legaspi.  I think I’m strong enough here to get him to retreat.[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"][/b][/font] 
[font="times new roman"][/b][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]1/1/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]SS I-123 put 2 torps into AK Siberoet 1 hex NE of Tobali.  She was carrying supplies into Singapore, but sank immediately.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]4 CA’s, Aoba, Kinugasa, Furutaka, and Kako sweep into Rabaul and finish off the poor AP Koolama that was trying to evac the last of the base force.  5 8-inch shells and 3 torpedoes did the trick.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I guessed wrong that yesterday’s 3 DD raid was a scouting mission.  I should have tried to have Koolama make a run for it.  [:-][/font][font="times new roman"]  The CA’s then bombarded the base a little bit, obviously prepping for the invasion forces.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 Nells attack the Singapore base and are met by 55 varied fighters.  I bag 1, and the other 2 quickly bug out.  Why 3 Nells for a base attack with known CAP?  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 DD’s find I-153 1 Hex SW of Sing and get 1 hit on her.  She should be in pretty bad shape by now.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Enemy transports land troops at Miri from the TF that I’ve hit with a couple of sub torpedoes.  I wasn’t sure if they were heading for Miri or Brunei.  They will be subject to a lot more sub attacks.  (I hope)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The SNFL at Naga bombards my two Phil Divs and takes more casualties from my counter-fire than they give.  My troops then launch their bombardment attack, but for little effect.  I’m sorely tempted to shock attack here and chase this SNLF back to Legaspi.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey again bombarded my troops at Wuchow.  Not much effect.[/font]
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[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/2/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Some Sub/ASW action today.  12 DD’s went after SS-18 1 hex SW of Truk, but no hits.  Skipjack took a shot at DD Ikazuchi at Pescadores, but was shooting blanks.  5 DD’s managed one hit on SS-34 at Truk.  I-162 missed AK Belawan  1 hex SW of Sinkep I.  TK hit 2 days ago on the way to Miri sank at Miri today.  [8D][/font][font="times new roman"]  I-165 took a shot at a DD of my ASW tf  1 hex W of Sing, but missed and ate one depth charge for her trouble.  Then, 1 hex SW of Sing, I-153 (still refusing to sink!) hit one of my 2 DD’s hunting her.  [:(][/font][font="times new roman"]  DD Encounter is at 73S/65Flt/24Fire, and 1 hex from port at Singapore.  Could be close.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]After some reading on the forums, I’m changing lots of patrol AC from ASW missions to Naval Search.  I’m told this will improve their ASW performance.  I’d like to see that.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]6Bettys from Saigon on Naval Attack went after 2 MSW’s at Singapore.  My cap all had to dive on them, so they must have come in very low.  I damaged 2, but they got through to put a torpedo into Ballarat and sent her to the bottom.  I think I’ll set one of my squadrons on lower cap tomorrow.  I did bag two other Bettys from Saigon with my Singapore cap, 1 hex SW, where they tried to go after another ASW TF.  The rest ran away without attacking.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Japanese forces at Miri ( 35th Bde, 81 & 91st Nav Gds, and the Yokosuka  2nd SNLF {paras}  ) captured the undefended base.  He bombarded me again at Wuchow, causing only 113 casualties.  At Naga, I shock attacked the Kure 1st SNLF with my two PA Divs.  My 9-1 attack caused him to retreat toward Legaspi.  I’m going to pursue to try to crush this unit quickly.  [/font]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/3/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-153 should finally be finished after 8 more hits from 2 MSW’s, including 2 that penetrated.  It is still 1 hex SW of Singapore, which will be it’s final resting place.  It’s last victim, DD Encounter made it safely back to Singapore port today, with the fire almost out, but the Flt up from 65 to 73.  I think she’ll survive.  I-165 is still 1 hex W of Singapore, and tried to attack my DD’s again.  She ate a penetrating depth charge hit for her trouble.  Yesterday, planes spotted 2 Japanese subs 3 hexes SE of Kendari.  I split 7 Brit DD’s off from my SC TF at Kendari and went hunting.  Today, they scored 7 hits on I-8.  SS Swordfish hit a DD at Pescadores with another dud.  Just 1 glancing blow in retaliation.  SS Tarpon used a torp that was not a dud to hit AP Matsukawa Maru 1 Hex W of  Takao.  38 Casualties reported.  [/font][:)][font="times new roman"]  They are likely heading for Luzon to press the attack after the initial landings there.  9 PCs and 3 MSWs failed to hit Tarpon.  This enemy TF has to make it past a lot more subs before reaching the PI, if they keep heading South…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-162 is still 1 hex SW of Sinkep I.  It tried to attack a small 2xPG ASW TF and ate 4 DC hits for the effort.  A Glen spotted 2 of my ships heading NW, but I missed where they were.  I need to check on this and get some ASW assets in the area.  (Turns out to be at  130,58, right in the middle of my SF-Pearl convoy route, …and another Glen sighting at Kendari, likely from I-8.)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]9 unescorted Bettys went after one of my TFs at Singapore.  AVG downed the first one, and the rest ran home.  Their morale must be pretty poor.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey bombarded again at Wuchow.  My supply is slowly increasing here, so I think I’ll bombard him again tomorrow to distract while a couple units try to get behind him from Kweilin.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The 33rd Div of the IJA didn’t move on Rangoon, even though they made it onto the rail line yesterday.  They instead shock attacked and captured undefended Moulmein.  This may give my 1&2nd Burma Rifle Bdes time to make it into Rangoon, and then by ship to India to garrison the coast.  The 2 ex-Dutch transport and 1 C47 transport groups are making very good progress ferrying the Malaya fragments from Mandalay to Dacca.  They will all be safely tucked away in India within the next few days.  [/font]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/4/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
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[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]I-24 was hit 4 times, including one that penetrated and started a fire, NE of PagoPago by 7xDMS.  SS Skipjack hit DD Akatsuki with a Mk14 that actually exploded, 1 hex W of Takao.  The TF with Akatsuki continued SE and tried to find SS Stingray near Batan Island, but none found her.  Akatsuki later sank off Batan Island.  Stingray then bounced a dud off the hull of AP Ozan Maru and took a penetrating hit from her PC escorts.  Late in the day, Stingray took another 5 hits from a bunch of PC’s.  She’s in pretty bad shape, only 20 sys damage but 70 floatation.  I-168 was caught in the same hex that I attacked I-8 yesterday, 3 hexes SE of Kendari.  My two PG’s only scored one hit, but I-168 was reported to be badly leaking fuel oil.  I-158 put 2 torpedoes into AK Siace 1 hex SW of Sinkep I.  She was carrying resources pulled out of Singapore, but ended up carrying them to the bottom.  I-165 remains 1 hex W of Singapore and took another 2 dc hits.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Troops finally landed at Rabaul today.  I’m trying to get the last of my base force there out via PBY’s.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]We traded bombardments at Wuchow.  My forces that are at Nanning tried to march SE toward Wuchow, effectively marching through Nanning, but even though the hex beyond it does not show control by either side, they didn’t move anywhere, and the marching orders were cleared.  The 2 corps from Kweilin are well on the move…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My 2 PA Divisions from Naga have pursued the retreating Kure 1st SNLF to Legaspi.  I’m going to hit him with another shock attack tomorrow, and then quickly march back to Naga.  I suspect that the TF’s keeping my subs busy north of Luzon are carrying troops to invade Naga.  [/font][/b]

[rogueusmc]

I'm playing his as Allies also...Game dates are about the same too...[8D]

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: rogueusmc

I'm playing his as Allies also...Game dates are about the same too...[8D]

Ha! That's funny. [:D] I know Monterey started 2 or 3 games at about the same time when we started this one. Are you playing any others at the same time? There are a few days where I am waiting for a turn, but mostly I have trouble finding time to get turns back to Monterey, even at the slow pace we are moving forward. [:D]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/5/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Sub action:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-123 took 4 hits 1 hex E of Sing., then 4 more hits (1 penetrated), 2 more hits[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-168: 9 hits 3 hexes SE of Kendari[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Sargo missed AP Anzan Maru 1 hex SE of Batan Is.  Took 1 hit from 12 escorts.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]S-27 had a shot at ML Tsugaru at Kwajalein but missed.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS KXIII missed DD Sagiri at Saigon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-158 took 3 hits (1 penetrated) from my 2xPG TF 1 hex SW of Singkep Is.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Stingray’s fires are out this turn, and the floatation is down from 70 to 66.  Keeping my fingers crossed as she still has 7 hexes to reach Manila.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A first in my WitP career, DD Asanagi destroyed a few sub laid mines at Kwajalein…and then hit a Mk 12 Mine.  [8D][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I moved most of my LBs and TBs from Singapore up to Alor Setar and Georgetown, where even the TBs will be in normal range of the reinforcing transport TF’s at Khota Bharu and Songkhia.  I sent about 40% of my available fighters for cap and escort.  I have no AV support at these bases, but I figure I can hit the ships, and then pull out the damaged AV via rail back to Singapore.  They flew several attacks at both bases.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The score:  [/font]
[font="times new roman"]AK Asakasan Maru:  2 torpedo hits[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD Murakumo:  1 TT hit[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Sendai:  1 TT hit[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD Amagiri:  1 500lb bomb hit[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allied losses:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2 Vildebeests and 1 Buffalo I.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey had only a few Nates on CAP over the two bases.  I’m going to leave these AC at the forward bases for one more turn, then pull everyone back to Singapore again.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The CAP back at Singapore was plenty to bag 3 unescorted Bettys on Naval attack and damage 1.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The freshly landed troops at Rabaul bombarded the remnants of my base force.  There are 5 combat units, 1 SNLF and 3 NLF’s among them, and 1 HQ unit.  If I had left my starting forces here or reinforced them, I could have handed out a bloody nose here.  No big loss.  I have to pick my battles very carefully for now.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Speaking of which, my 2 PA Divs crushed the reeling 1st Kure SNLF at Legaspi with a 20-1 shock attack and recaptured the base.  Judging the distance for the closest possible Naga invasion TF, I’m going to roll the dice and hit the 1st Kure one more time before pulling back to Naga.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD Encounter made some progress at Singapore’s port, dropping her floatation damage from a high of 73 2 days ago to 64.  [/font]

[rogueusmc]

Before I took my hiatus, I had three going...now I just have the one with him. I can't promise a turn a day like I used to.

Lee

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/6/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]I-123 took 7 hits, including another that penetrated 1 hex E of Singapore.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]S-38 took 2 close hits near Pescadores.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD Hatsuyuki at Songkhia was hit by a 500 pounder dropped from a Blenheim I.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]42 Bettys from Saigon went after 2 DD’s at Singapore.  I bagged 4, damaged 4, and the 10 that made it through my CAP all missed.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]8 Blenheim I’s likely finished off DD Amagiri with 3 more 500’ers.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]S-28 hit ML Okinoshima with a dud at Kwajalein.  That’s 2 ML targets in 2 days at Kwajalein that I’ve failed to cash in on.  Hey, I thought the S boats didn’t have dud torps?  [8|][/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-8 took another pounding 3 hexes SE of Kendari.  9 hits, with 2 penetrating.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My PA divs hit the SNLF at Legaspi, but the attack caused only minor damage.  I’m pulling back to Naga this turn so they don’t get stuck and cut off at Legaspi if more troops land at Naga.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]After 2 days of attacks on the shipping at Songkhia and Khota Bharu, I’m pulling my aircraft back to Singapore to repair and rest.  The score from these 2 days:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 DD’s, 1 CL, and 1 AK damaged, with at least one DD likely to sink, and maybe the AK.  I lost a total of 2 Blenheim IV’s, 2 Vildebeests, 1 Blenheim IF and 1 Buffalo I.  Thunderstorms forecast for today, and I don’t expect Monterey to leave these bases relatively uncapped for long, so all get pulled back.  A successful 2 day mission.  [/font][:)]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ok, so I made one miscalculation.  I counted on transporting any damaged aircraft back to Singapore via rail, but there is a Japanese LCU at Alor Star, sharing the place with the 15th Ind Bde.  Silly me forgot that the damaged planes can’t use the rails to evac with an enemy LCU there.  I have 6 Vildebeests and 4 Buffalos damaged there.  All the rest of the AC flew back to Singapore.  I’m going to fly in a few squads of the 113th Base Force via 3 Catalinas from Singapore to patch up the planes enough to fly out.  [8|][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Singapore preparations are going well.  I’ve finished evacuating a fragment of all the Malaya LCU’s, evacuated the entire Aus Bdes to Java, I have plenty of AP’s on hand to haul out the entire 2&3rd ISF oversized base forces to Java, and I have the forts up to 6 + 99%.  I have hauled out all but 3400 resources from all of Malaya, with 3000 of them waiting to flow from Kuala Lumpur, and I have 98,500 supply stocked in the warehouses of Singapore.  I have more supply heading in from Palembang, Toboali, and Java.  The only other thing that would be on my wish list would be to carry the 142,000 fuel to safety, but I don’t want to spare any of my TK’s from hauling oil out of the DEI as long as I can.  Monterey has moved slowly in this region during the first month of war.  He’s finally landed at Miri, but no where else in the DEI yet, and hasn’t yet attempted to advance beyond Alor Star or Khota Bharu.  Not taking Kuching early is allowing me to get lots of supply into Singapore and lots of oil out of Palembang.  He has had some success sinking transports with subs around Singapore, but he can’t prevent all of my ships from getting through, and he’s starting to pay a price courtesy of my ASW activities.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Monterey knows this is my first PBEM game, and really first ever game of WitP.  Maybe he’s moving slowly on purpose to give me a chance.  If so, I sure hope I can make him pay for his charity.  [:D]  All’s fair in love and war.  [/font][;)]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/7/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]SS Sargo hit an AP with a dud and then went toe to toe with 15 escorts.  Sargo took only 1 near hit, but hit PC Kyo Maru #2 with 3 deck gun shells and left it on fire!  [X(][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Not much other action today.  I’m still shadowing a couple of enemy TF’s heading from Pescadores directly toward Truk.  I have 8 subs getting into position to take a shot at them.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My big transport TF left Pearl for Midway today, with 3 CV, 1 ASW and a BB TF as escorts.  They are bringing the 24th Div, 102BF, 34th Engr Rgt, 64th AA, NOPAC HQ, a squadron of F4F-3’s, and over 100K supply.  I intend to hold Midway, expand the port to size 4, and eventually launch my Central Pacific offensive from here.  I’ll base an AS and an AE here, as well as flying in some bombers and more fighters when the place is secure.  [/font]

[USSAmerica]

[font="times new roman"]1/8/42[/b] Update:[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]SS Saury took 5 DC hits from the 15 member ASW TF escorting one of the convoys toward Truk.  None were severe, just 13 Sys/2 Flt damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS KXIII put a fish into the side of CA Chokai near Saigon.  Chokai appeared to have a bit of previous damage.  Ya’gotta love torpedoes that actually explode. [;)][/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-162 is lurking near Singapore and tried to attack my 2xPG ASW TF.  I-162’s attack missed, and 3 DC hits were scored as payback.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A Catalina I spotted DD Amagiri, still at Songkhia, and reported hitting it.  Amagiri sank late in the day.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]AP Kinryu Maru was reported sunk, I believe somewhere on the long road to Truk, but I’m not sure.  I also don’t know what sunk her, but I won’t complain.  [:D]  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]After checking he sunk ships list, it was done in by a Mk14 torpedo, and sank near Saipan.  My notes from 12/16/41 show a sub intercept around 360 miles SSE of Wake I, where SS Trition shot at Kinryu Maru, and missed?  I don’t have very good notes from the first few days of the war, but this is likely where the damage was done.  [&:][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I’ve spotted one SC TF along the Pescadores - Truk route that has at least 5BBs and 3 CAs.  Hmmm….can you say bombardment of PM?  This parade from Pescadores to Truk has at least 6 TF’s, with 2 ASW TF’s leading the way, 2 transport TF’s with lots of ASW escorts and the BB SC TF roughly together, and I’ve just spotted a trailing transport TF on the same heading, near Batan.  Add in the fact that I’ve not seen a hint of the KB since they left the patrol range of PBY’s from Midway on their way home from Pearl, and this looks like a recipe for serious action in the South Pacific soon.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sonias spotted and reported hitting two of my AP’s at Rangoon.  These AP’s are part of the sealift for my rear guard’s evacuation from Rangoon.  Both should be able to finish loading their LCU’s and make it to India.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A Glen sighted my DMS ASW TF at Wallis Island.  If I catch a whiff of the sub-carrier, the DMS group will pounce.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Empty Rabaul was captured with no fight today.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I’m starting to spot some enemy sub activity near and around Port Moresby, so I have some ASW assets on the way to the area.  I’m also steaming my East Australian SC TF, centered around CA’s Louisville, Pensacola, Canberra and Australia, north from Brisbane toward Rabaul.  There’s still very little enemy air power there.  If I can get close enough without being spotted, I’ll take a run into Rabaul to try to hit the enemy transport TF before it leaves.  One more day at full speed will put me in position…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]There is another opportunity that may pan out tomorrow around Legaspi.  I have a combined Dutch/USN SC TF with CA Houston, CL’s DeRuyter, Tromp, Marblehead, and the Big Bad Boise, and 8 Flush Deck DD’s that is 7 hexes from Legaspi.  Yesterday, I figured out that the enemy transport TF that I suspected was heading for Naga is destined for Legaspi.  I have spotted 7DE’s, 3AK’s, and an APD in this TF.  I sprinted my TF from it’s forward deployed base at Menando toward Legaspi to try to intercept.  Thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow, and I haven’t been spotted yet.  One spot of good karma for my boys is the fact that these same Flush Deck’s were part of the last sneak attack at Legaspi, where I managed to sink CS Chitose….  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tomorrow should be an interesting turn.  [/font][8D]

[USSAmerica]

Hello, everyone.  Things at my work are going to slow down soon, after our anual crunch time, so my thoughts are drifting back to WitP. 

I read back through several days worth of my AAR posts, and it seems that my opponent was never very interested or active in this game.  I think he was just "going through the motions", even though I couldn't tell, being as new to the game as I was.  My opponent didn't return a game turn after the 1/8/42 post above, and never replied to several email inquirys over the next month, so this game died of neglect.  I know of at least one other PBEM game that he had going at the same time that he also disappeared from.  Sadly, I've noticed him start up a few new PBEM games since the end of this one.  I guess it's not worth the trouble to send him another email.

The good news is that re-reading some of this AAR reminded me of how much fun I was having with my first PBEM game.  [8D]  I have a game vs the AI that I will soon pick up again to refresh myself, and I hope to start up another PBEM game when my vacation starts in the middle of December.  This time, I'll pick my opponent more carefully.  I already have one "forum buddy" in mind.  [;)]

Sorry to just let this AAR drop with no notice.  I think there were at least one or two readers.  [:D]  Thanks for tuning in, and watch for Round Two with a new opponent in the coming weeks.