The rant goes on... PBEM QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[castor troy]

unfortunately this game is on hold [:(]. Hortlund seems to have a corrupt file, he says he can´t load the turn. Rtrapasso would be so kind to run the turn but I think Hortlund won´t give away his password, we will see...

you could ask now, why on earth aren´t you just redoing the last two turns. Well, I had never problems redoing a turn when some kind of bug hit the game and it was obvious during the replay. Though this corrupt file thing is different. I had this happen earlier against Japanese opponents. The file seems not to be working. Sent it to someone other, it worked. Now if it would be a turn where it´s probably pretty quiet or if there´s nothing expected to be happening, no problem. The last time this corrupt file thing came up, the Japanese player lost a couple of carriers with me as the Allied suffering one bomb hit on my carriers. So it was a very special turn, where the corrupt file popped up... you go two turns back and the carriers wouldn´t meet two days later... deliberately, or just because you can´t give exactly the same orders like before...

Now in our case, I ordered a huge airstrike from India which could destroy a monthly Japanese aircraft production. What´s even more interesting is the fact, that I spotted Kirishima off Darwin, as I wrote in my last post, she (or more BBs) are either going to bombard Darwin (where I have 2 BBs and 70 torp bombers) or the Japanese are just going East. So what if this is a turn that is working? The IJN comes in, damages my 2 BBs and gets damaged also. Then 70 torp bombers attack the Japanese at 3 or 4 hexes range because their max speed dropped below 5 hexes... 2 BBs and a CA sunk or something like that are sunk... to top it off, my airforce from India torches 100 enemy fighters... would be a perfect turn for the corrupt file to jump out of the box... that´s why I´m insisting to see this file run on another computer, but that seems impossible at the moment... [:(]

I´m not blaming any of my opponents but in all honesty, the Japanese player is the one that resolves the turn, sees the results first. If he doesn´t like them, what does he do? Normally send it back of course, saying ouch... but he could also say the file doesn´t work, let´s go back two days and you will never see his carriers, BBs, aircraft... show up two days later at the place where he lost them (or would lose them) in the corrupt file turn... everytime (well, everytime isn´t really correct, but often) I had this corrupt file thing, it was a turn where something "special" happened, never when it was a usual turn. I don´t call anyone a cheater, but if I would go back two turns in this situation and then nothing happens at this date, then the game would have a really bad smell for me for the rest of it´s duration... or until we have the next corrupt file... So to really clear up all doubts, the turn should be sent to rtrapasso, who would be so kind to run it and then we would see what´s really happening. If Hortlund isn´t willing to give away his password, then I fear this PBEM has ended... another one... [8|][:(]

Please release AE with a working AI... [&o]

[anarchyintheuk]

Hope you can find a way to keep it going.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

Hope you can find a way to keep it going.

at the moment we´re working on a solution...

[castor troy]

I didn´t want to lose the game and finally I agreed to redo the turn...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,71

Japanese Ships
AK Morioka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-36

S-36 on the way to the front hits a big AK...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here´s the expected engagement...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84 [X(]

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Natori, Shell hits 2
DD Arashi, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 6, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 1
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD O'Brien
DD Walke, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Morris
DD Stuart
DD Arunta
DD Tjerk Hiddes

we were able to surprise the Japanese after we spotted them on radar. During the surprise phase we launched a lot of torps that all missed. Arashi was shot to pieces after being surprised but she was able to put a fish into DD Sims. The BBs were all hit by non penetrating hits. Shortly before the engagement ended DD Stuart was able to hit Kirishima with a torp... this should slow her down... Colorado´s night exp was boosted up to 59...

so there was this expected engagement, though only one BB with a small escort was coming in. Recon the day before showed a lot more ships AND sightings with spotted ships, but for the moment I can live with it... hopefully (or better say I don´t expect) to see those "corrupt" files again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
CL Natori

Allied Ships
SS O21

4 torps miss... [:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 35,83

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, on fire
DD Hakaze, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-40

4 torps miss Kirishima retiring towards Lautern... [:@][:@][:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 78
P-40E Warhawk x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

the big airstrike from India wasn´t ordered anymore as I wasn´t sure about the situation as I didn´t get a combat replay from redoing the turn...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this is the reason why I think it was a suicide mission to send surface forces to Northern Australia:

Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Swordfish x 40
Hurricane IIb x 16
Kittyhawk I x 16
T.IVa x 7
Beaufort I x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 21


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
T.IVa: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Kirishima is lost. This adventure cost the Japanese a BB and a DD... you can surely understand why I didn´t wanted to redo this turn. I spotted BBs and CAs moving back from the East to Lautern so I think they were part of the Kirishima TF before... [8|]

Kirishima isn´t worth a lot of points but Hortlund will miss her as escort for KB...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 94,92


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CL Yubari

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

most of our low exp Mitchels failed to locate the target and with low exp they don´t hit anything...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Emerald

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

[castor troy]

First Japanese BB sunk!


Kirishima (Battlecruiser and Battleship, 1915-1942)

Kirishima, a 26,230 ton Kongo class battlecruiser built at Nagasaki, Japan, was completed in April 1915. After more than a decade of service, she was modernized at Kure between 1927 and 1930 and reclassified as a battleship. Again reconstructed in 1935-36, with her hull lengthened and more powerful machinery installed, Kirishima emerged as a modern-appearing 32,156 ton capital ship, quite fast though comparatively lightly armed and armored.

Her high speed ensured that Kirishima would play an active role in the first year of the Pacific War. She accompanied the Japanese aircraft carriers during their 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and was active during the offensive in the East Indies in early 1942. In March and April, she was part of the powerful force that raided the British in the Indian Ocean. During the Solomons Campaign later in 1942, Kirishima was present during the carrier battles of the Eastern Solomons in August and the Santa Cruz Islands in October. She received minor damage in the night surface action off Guadalcanal on 13 November. Two nights later, serving as flagship of another Japanese surface force, she was engaged by the U.S. battleship Washington (BB-56). Disabled in this encounter, Kirishima was scuttled a few miles west of Savo Island. Her wreck was discovered and examined in August 1992, resting upside down with its forward end blown off some 4000 feet below the surface.

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Allied Ships
MSW Launceton
MSW Lismore
MSW Grebe

sub laid minefield completely cleared now... should take some time until the next sub arrives and my MSWs will stay at Perth anyway...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

my ports in Northern Australia have MSWs also...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 34,78

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
CA Kumano
CA Chokai
DD Kisaragi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44

those ships are part of the TF that was originally spotted the turn BEFORE our corrupted file, so in all honesty, I really think that those were also ordered to attack Darwin first... the "not corrupted" turn saw only a very small escort for Kirishima... Yamato is also in this TF, I bet she should have gone to Darwin too... oh well [8|]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD Pakenham
DD Foxhound
DD Fox

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)


Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 7

Allied Ships
DD Fox
DD Pakenham
DD Foxhound

I-27 attacks our ASW TF. 6 torps miss DD Fox, in return we achieve 7 near misses of which one damages the forward torp tubes...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 89
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 33

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

no flak and we even torch 3 aircraft on the ground. All flak seems to be concentrated at Mandalay...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 12

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 56,47

Japanese Ships
AK Suzuya Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Gato, hits 1

South of Japan, we hit a big AK with a MK14, 2x4 inch shells and 7x.50 rounds. TF of 9 ships spotted going West so I think this could be an empty TF ordered to haul in some ressources.


What is interesting is the fact that Timor seems to accomodate HUNDREDS of Japanese aircraft now. I´m heavily reconning Lautern and Koepang and at Lautern (level 2 airfield) we see 80+ fighters on Cap with 320 aircraft being spotted at the airfield. Well, I know how accurate recon is, normally I take the number from recon and divide it by 2 but then there would still be 160 fighters at this airfield. Allowed are only 50x2 + 10%. As I see 80 fighters on cap, I really wonder how many fighters there really are as there are also other aircraft types at Lautern. Normally, no matter if you set your CAP to 90% you see around 60% flying as the Japanese. So with all the other aircrafts there and 80 fighters in the air, it really seems that Hortlund has forgotten about our stacking rule, at least at Lautern...

[castor troy]

this was an "ouch" day...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
CA Chokai
DD Kisaragi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58
A6M3 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 43
A-20B Boston x 35
B-17E Fortress x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed, 28 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 15 destroyed, 13 damaged
A-20B Boston: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 24 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet

it´s just better to send in the bombers alone and let the Japanese take down a dozen until they turn back... my Tomahawks are just useless, my pilots are dying in droves... 6:1 A2A in fighter losses... [8|]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 192

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 58 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet

90 fighters were flying over Lautern today, that are just too many. We could deal with half of them, but not with nearly 100...

our losses were too high, morale isn´t existing anymore (mostly below 20) and we lost two months of P-40B replacements...[8|]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 78
P-40E Warhawk x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

only 100 Oscars are on Cap in Burma... every other Japanese fighter seems to be on Timor...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,83

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wildebeeste, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

empty AK...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
DD Kisaragi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Urakaze
BB Yamato

Allied Ships
SS Trusty

ahh, Mrs. Yamato is still at Lautern...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS Trusty

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 38,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
DD Electra
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
DD Hughes
DD Meredith

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 38,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
DD Electra
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
DD Hughes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 93
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 10,34

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Scout

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

we tried to transfer a dozen cargoes from India to Australia as I really lack AKs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 10,34

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wagtail

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 10,34

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wagtail, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

FOW, not a single AK was hit today...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 10,35

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Lake

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS Trusty

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough
DD Aylwin
DD Pakenham
DD Foxhound
DD Fox

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS Trusty, hits 5, on fire

this single APD proves to be more dangerous than my 2 dozen DDs I had hunting subs today. 2 real hits, Trusty retires with 69 float damage to Darwin...

we spotted bombers (Betties) on Timor today...[:(]

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/19/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Norfolk Island at 60,119

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Napier
DD Hotspur

we tried to catch a cargo ship that was able to retreat last turn but even better we hit a sub with 2 real hits and 5 near misses...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 31,75

Japanese Ships
AP Toko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O23

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported

Couple of hexes North of Timor the famous O23 is out on her next patrol after replenishing at Darwin and on the way to the front she sinks an AP. Parts of the 1st aviation rgt are rescued. Hortlund seems to build up Timor more and more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS S-44, hits 1, on fire

APD-37 stays lucky, 4 torps miss but the damn APD hits our sub with a 4.7 inch shell. S-44 retires with 23/33...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,76

Japanese Ships
AK Nitiyu Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-18, hits 1

and we sink a big AK... good day for our subs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 106
P-40E Warhawk x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

we have to further increase our fighter bomber pilots´ experience before we can take on the IJA in Burma. Only Mandalay is heavily defended. Tomorrow we will do a long range strike on Rangoon...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 157

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 55 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

this attack has finally completely wrecked our bombers´ morale. Hortlund is now flying LRCAP over all those bases on Timor. Good tactic to see more fighters in the air as with short distances this is working better than 90% CAP AND he doesn´t suffer so many ac lost on the ground as most of them are in the air... 120 of our bombers turn back...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,79


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo
DD Sagiri

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

2 DDs alone 6 hexes North of Derby... surface raid on Derby? Derby is empty...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
CA Chokai
DD Kisaragi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44

sooner or later one of our subs at Lautern will hit a warship. Port 1 doesn´t prevent subs from attacking docked TFs...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,77

Japanese Ships
ML Hirashima
ML Nasami
ML Natsushima

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

MLs going to Lautern...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 51,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
PG Swan
APD Stringham
APD McKean
APD Little
APD Colhoun
APD Manley

2 real hits, I-170 could be in trouble. This is 7 hexes East of Brisbane...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

Tambor on mine laying mission at Lautern attacks the heavily damaged Nitiyu Maru but misses with 4 torps...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34 [:D]

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 138

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A Val: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
466 casualties reported

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 120

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet

all of the Japanese flak in Burma seems to be stationed at Mandalay and Akyab. Mandalay has 100+ Oscars in the air flying CAP, so probably 150+ fighters at the base. Akyab, no aircraft at all anymore. Rangoon has only one Sentai flying Cap and the Oscars can´t stop our high experienced British bombers. We do a lot of damage and lose only 1 bomber to ops... [:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 79
Ki-49 Helen x 82
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 7 destroyed, 57 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

hmm, what should I think about that? We have spotted a BB TF 6 hexes North of Derby and 8 hexes North of Derby there´s a CV TF. So after heavily reconning Derby Hortlund seems to send in a nuke with his BBs to Derby but that´s the point that I don´t understand. Why does he send his bombers first? After the nuke flak fire wouldn´t even be half as intense...

we lose 12 Mitchels on the ground, damage to the airbase is already repaired again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 88
P-40E Warhawk x 18


Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 17

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85 [X(][X(]


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Hurricane IIb x 32
A-24 Dauntless x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet

this is the next thing of this round that I don´t understand. Those DDs just stayed at Derby and are sunk by my dive bombers with 1000lb bombs... oh, I already was told that he doesn´t need his DDs anyway! [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 2
B-26B Marauder x 27
B-17E Fortress x 22


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

couple of more hits on the already doomed DDs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,79


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 61


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 4
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

unfortunately our Mitchels are mostly below 60 exp and the hit rate isn´t impressing. 6 hexes North of Derby, only 500lb bomb hits that just bounce off. I have no idea what the CV TF is doing 2 hexes further North, perhaps it´s just there to scare me. Perhaps the bomb hits caused one or two points of sys dam but that´s it. Tomorrow those BBs should go in position for the bombardment in two turns. They can only move 4 hexes, so most certainly they will be able to run 5 hexes when they do the bombardment but they can´t go 6 hexes, so this means my airfield is still full tomorrow and then I will take out most ac as they would all be torched by the Japanese nuke. I think I counted up the hexes 5 times and the BBs are still 6 hexes off Derby, so if the game doesn´t go completely crazy then there should be no chance for the BBs to do the bombardment next turn... but who knows...

here are the aircraft losses for this turn:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

another unsuccesful attack on the already doomed AK...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 34 encounters mine field at Noumea (68,113)

Japanese Ships
MSW Asahi Maru
DD Otori

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 26,65

Japanese Ships
APD APD-39
APD APD-36
APD APD-35
DD Oboro
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
SS KXVI, hits 1

a dangerous ASW TF with APDs is around again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 119

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed
D3A Val: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 126

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet

this attack has closed Rangoon´s airfield....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

sweep from Timor...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86 [X(]

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 80

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 10 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 66

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

damn it! This was a long range strike, probably coming from Kendari. Those Betties must be really high experienced as they achieve a very good hit rate... 89 hits isn´t that bad for 80 bombers... flak fire wasn´t as intense as I had wished and a lot of bombers are torched on the ground today... [:(]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 32
Ki-49 Helen x 50
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 26 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed, 32 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed
Swordfish: 5 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

we were right that the BBs weren´t able to move in today, they are now in position 5 hexes North from Derby, as well as a CA TF 6 hexes North from Derby. I expect them to nuke the base tomorrow night, therefore all my ac have left the base as well as two damaged ships. Nevertheless ground casualties are expected to be super high, despite having level 7 forts...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

No Japanese losses

a sweep goes in after the bomber attack...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on No. 112 RAN Base Force, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,79

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 45
B-26B Marauder x 21
B-17E Fortress x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 12 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 7 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 2
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

this is leaking Cap from the CV TF South of Timor. CV Soryu was spotted today... more damaged bombers and hit rate is a joke. Due to low exp we only drop 500 lb bombs and the Japanese sailors are laughing about 500lb bombs bouncing off the deck armor of IJN CAs. Thought Nik had changed IJN CA´s deck armor to realistic levels, but it doesn´t seem to be the case...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,80


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 24,83


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Swordfish x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Hortlund throws away another DD... he´s kind of "nuts" IMO to do that... The DD was 2 hexes North of Derby... unbelievable...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 23,79


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 36
B-26B Marauder x 18
B-17E Fortress x 14


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

80 bombers, 4 hits... [8|] non penetrated. Biggest succes today was a 5 inch turret knocked out...

the attack on Wyndham came totally unexpected and therefore it was a bad day for us...

[castor troy]

good day for us! [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 25,84

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Modjekerto, Shell hits 2

Shiranuhi that was hit by 3x1000lb bombs ended up in the same hex as an AK...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported [X(][X(] [8D]
Guns lost 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu


Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported [X(][X(] [8D]
Guns lost 5

both bombardments seemed to completely miss their targets... all aircraft were transferred...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 3
B-26B Marauder x 44


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet

nice hit rate from that high...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Hurricane IIb x 59
Kittyhawk I x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

as we moved a lot of aircraft from Derby to Wyndham we had to cover them from another long range Betty attack. The enemy goes in with a sweep that is shot up pretty bad and I was amazed how well my low experienced Aussi pilots performed. We took advantage of the facts that we fought over our own base, had radar and we outnumbered the enemy 5:1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
Hurricane IIb x 40
Kittyhawk I x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed, 27 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged

unfortunately there was another sweep and our defenders were out of position. Still, we achieve a 1:1 and lose only 5 pilots today... Hortlund still has hundreds of IJN pilots in the pool but with every one lost he gets one back that is in the 60s instead of the one that he lost who was in the 70s-80s...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-21 Sally x 37
Ki-49 Helen x 72
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed, 42 damaged


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 102

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

Hortlund seems really serious about shutting down Derby. And I have to say I really wonder why... He has no chance of closing all of my airfields, not even 2 IMO. It will be extremely hard to close Derby alone for longer than one or two days. When I look at the aircraft losses, then I´m just happy with what my opponent is doing as this really seems as he would be in suicide mode now... [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 55 damaged


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

long range strike and a lot of Betties are lost with their high exp pilots. I´m not far away from giving Hortlund some hints, as I really think what he´s doing at the moment is more than careless. I wouldn´t use Allied material like he uses Japanese. He throws away his DDs like I could throw away PTs and uses his best Navy pilots for long range suicide attacks on empty airfields that are full of Allied flak guns... [&:]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 94
P-40E Warhawk x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 13

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Shiranuhi was still afloat, Hortlund moved the DD to Derby... Swordfish from Broome finished the DD...

what I really find STRANGE is the fact that Hortlund seems to use a dozen AKs in 4 or 5 different TFs that are 4-6 hexes North of Derby as potential targets for my airforce. None are attacked so far, but come on, what kind of super duper realistic tactic is that now... Sending out a dozen suicide AKs that should be attacked instead of the warships? And he was the one who thought (or still thinks) that 95% of my moves are gamey...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 3,53

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

moving PoW back to India. A 30lb GP bomb knocked out a secondary turret...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 3,53

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 3,53

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

wonder how many of those AVs and CS used their float planes in the middle of the Indian ocean to hunt down shipping. I don´t care, but that´s just another comparison of realistic or not.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,83

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wildebeeste, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

enemy carriers...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS S-38


and here´s the reason why I think Hortlund seems to be in some kind of suicide mode:

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 138 encounters mine field at Noumea (68,113)

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru #5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 2
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
CL Nashville
DD O'Brien
DD Foxhound

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
APD APD-37, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Shell hits 3
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 2, on fire

should have better sent the Boise, but perhaps the dangerous APD is sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

what I will never understand is this... last turn the BBs nearly do no damage at all and without ammo, they are sent in again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 94 encounters mine field at Lautem (33,78)

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
DD Kisaragi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 126


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Yamahagi Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Uyo Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 13
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet

there´s a flak unit now. For the loss of 3 Wellingtons, we should have sunk those 2 AKs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously, Hortlund stays in suicide mode...

Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 69
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 21 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 8 destroyed, 42 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,83 [:@]

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD O'Brien
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

damn it, the night engagement slowed down a DD and we end up 5 hexes from Lautern. One lucky Kate hits Nashville. The CL is out of action for the next months with 26 sys dam now...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 25,80


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CL Kuma

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Foxhound, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

Really impressing that Kates are so far more dangerous when dropping one bomb from 6.000ft compared to my level bombers dropping 6 bombs from 6.000 ft... [:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,136

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Hatfield
DD Gilmer
DD Brooks
DD Dent
PG Charleston
PG Yarra

couple of hexes West of Wellington...

again, high losses for the Japanese airforce. If he wants to I don´t have a problem to see all the Japanese bombers dying over Derby... let´s bomb on. Base isn´t even closed yet... and I can´t see his air attacks getting more intense, with every attack there should come fewer bombers. Only a nuke could put the airfield out of action for a couple of days. Even then, to keep it closed this would mean ongoing air strikes from Koepang at max range...

Hortlund has already lost 600 planes more than I did. Only the ground losses for us look severe, mostly due to the losses in China.

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 38,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
MSW Cessnock, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Cowra
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Castlemaine
MSW Benalla
DD Voyager

we sent out an ASW TF, 2 hexes South of Sydney to attack a sub that is carrying a Glen, that is spotting my TFs going in and out of Sydney. Instead of hunting down the sub, we lose a ship...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported [:D][:D] [8D]
Guns lost 1

Hortlund won´t be happy about his bombardments so far. Another CA TF was spotted today, 6 hexes North of Broome, so we expect to see a bombardment at Broome tomorrow. Broome´s airfield was evacuated...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-21 Sally x 50
Ki-49 Helen x 24
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 10 destroyed, 30 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 3 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet

Hortlund keeps up his suicide attacks. 20 bombers lost to flak today and attacking numbers getting lower and lower. We moved some dive and torpedo bombers to Derby last turn and hoped they would be attacking a naval target when the expected IJA attack goes in. None of my bombers attacked and we lose 10 aircraft on the ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Broome , at 21,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 93

No Japanese losses

this is a sweep of carrier based Zeroes from 8 hexes range...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,80


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 29


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

we launch from Wyndham. Hiei loses a gun mount of her secondary armament and Kuma was hit with a penetrating 500lb bomb...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 25,81


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Tokuwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

attack from Broome, 6 hexes. This is one of the AKs that Hortlund has sent to Australia´s North coast to act as a target... strange [8|], but I don´t have a problem with this tactic...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,79


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

Mogami lost a 8 inch turret, but that´s it...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,80


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

Kuma is again hit by two penetrating 500lb bombs. She could be in trouble now, as she was already separated from the Hiei TF after the first bomb hit in the morning. So far, Hortlund is really on the losing end, I can´t undertand what this operation should achieve. He can´t take the North coast, we have far too many inf units there and all my bases are fort level 7-9. He lost 150 aircraft so far, probably a lot more will follow if he keeps up those attacks that achieve more or less nothing but Japanese losses. 3 DDs were lost (of which we know that he doesn´t need them anyway... ) and a CL could be lost now also. Not to forget Kirishima that was sunk near Darwin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,79


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 7


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Maya

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/25/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1024 encounters mine field at Lautem (33,78)

Allied Ships
SS Dolphin, Mine hits 1, on fire

my ships keep on hitting mines just from entering the hexes. Never seen that happen so often before. Invasions will probably look like in UV when 99% of the ships will hit mines... [8|]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85 [8|]

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

another attack with another BB that was out of ammo. Serves me good, probably a point of sys dam more...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Derby, at 24,85

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Maya, Shell hits 3
CA Chikuma


Allied ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

the expected CA bombardment of Broome doesn´t do any damage...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,64

Japanese Ships
ML Ukishima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [:D][:D][:D]
ML Ishizaki

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

this is one of the big MLs!!!!! Very good! Ukishima sank later in the day...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lashio , at 35,30


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 108
P-40E Warhawk x 24


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 44
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 75

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Hurricane IIb x 31
P-40B Tomahawk x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 15 destroyed, 31 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 23 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed, 13 damaged

Our fighters fought bravely. Strike came from Lautern. During the bounce we had a clear advantage and the Oscars were in big trouble. When the Zeroes showed up, the bounce was unfortunately over and I think the Zeroes achieved a 20:1 kill rate... [8|]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 159 [8|]

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
Hurricane IIb x 35
Kittyhawk I x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 10 destroyed
Hurricane IIb: 24 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 20 destroyed

not long ago, Hortlund told me how strange (don´t know if this means gamey also) it is to see 150 bombers attacking in one strike. Well, once again it seems that if your opponent is doing something, then you think it is strange (or gamey) but if you do it yourself, then it´s a good plan and tactic... [8|]

Using 150 bombers can´t be more "strange" than to see 278 fighters flying a sweep in one day. Or that 60% of the whole Japanese airforce is in the Timor area. Being outnumbered our fighters had no chance. We lost 2:1 in aircraft losses today but we only lost some 25 pilots, while Hortlund lost more pilots today. Though the Hurricane II pool is depleted now and we have only some 70 operational fighters left in Northern Australia...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-49 Helen x 34
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 26 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet

only a small number of bombers doing nearly no damage but we take down a couple of Helens. Airfield damage is already decreasing and soon our airfield is 100% operational again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Broome , at 21,85

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 99

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet

an attack that doesn´t do any damage, but again a couple of Betties are lost...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,80


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,79


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,80


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 20


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,80


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

the usual attacks that don´t do any real damage. Though a couple of secondary armament turrets are lost today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

the bombers turn back...


severe losses in Hurricanes but we only lost around 25 pilots, the Japanese should have lost more pilots...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/26/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
BB Haruna
BB Yamashiro


Allied ground losses:
729 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 50

damn, I didn´t spot those ships coming in for Broome...[8|]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Broome, at 21,85


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Chikuma


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

Wonder why the dozens of CD guns never shot back so far... supply can´t be the problem...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Norfolk Island, at 60,119 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! [8|][8|]

86 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Concord
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 18
CA Australia, Shell hits 32

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

seems to be different for Japanese CD guns. Not bad, there are reported 13.000 troops on the level 0 port, level 1 airfield... [:(] what should I bring here? 2 divisions? Obviouly there´s also one of the Japanese CD units with dozens of CD guns. My cruisers don´t suffer a lot of sys dam (couple of points with 2 or 3 fire) but Marblehead is stripped off her guns, both primary and secondary armament. Think she lost nearly half of her gun mounts...

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ASW attack at 25,63

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #1
MSW Tama Maru #2
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Bisan Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 136

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 107
P-40E Warhawk x 71
SB-2c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 57 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 58 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed, 53 damaged

We have to take off the pressure from Northern Australia, but like with our counteroffensive in China earlier, this doesn´t effect Hortlunds plannings at all, he just ignores it... We achieve nearly a 1:1 but losses in Hurricanes are once again severe. Those are my best pilots, mostly in the high 60s or low 70s due to their attacks on airfields and ground troops. Nevertheless, the Hurricanes are shot out of the sky. Hopefully we killed a lot of Japanese pilots that were 70-80+ as those are now replaced by pilots in the low 60s...

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 62
P-40E Warhawk x 38
Hurricane IIc x 13
A-20B Boston x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 29 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 37 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Hurricane IIc: 11 damaged

And here we sent our Elite. The difference between the first engagement and this one is that in the first one the Japanese had the bounce for a long time in the beginning (really surprised me!) and here the Japanese defenders were already disrupted and we took full advantage of the bounce.

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 58

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 94 [8|][8|]
P-40B Tomahawk x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 7 destroyed, 80 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 19 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet

[:@] half of our high exp bombers fail to locate the damn target, the rest achieves a laughable hit rate... it seems it was not worth sacrificing our fighters in the morning. The plan was to NOT see so many fighters on Cap in the afternoon, after taking down 90 in the morning I was not amused to see nearly 60 on Cap in the afternoon. I don´t want to describe what flak fire is looking like above Mandalay but I would guess that there are at least half a dozen AA rgts and a couple of base forces. 13 units are reported at Mandalay. With 34 runway hits, we don´t do a lot of damage...

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
34 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 11000 feet

our unescorted B-26s press through but the hit rate is more than lousy. Last attack of this BG on Akyab from 16.000 ft achieved 50+ runway hits, so I expected more hits...

In the end it wasn´t the expected slaughter of the IJA Oscars at Mandalay. I thought I would kill in the air about the number we really shot down, but then torch 50+ on the airfield in the afternoon as the expected number of Oscars at Mandalay was around 170-190.

The situation at the moment is really severe. While I was super confident until a couple of turns ago, things have changed with TWO attacks. I´m speaking of the two Japanese super sweeps to Darwin and Wyndham. I have around 250 fighters / fighter bombers in Northern Australia and while the performance there wasn´t that bad - if I look at the low exp the pilots have - this day has completely wrecked my fighter force. I think I have only 60 fighters left that are operational so Cap number over Darwin is around 45 at the moment, which is NOTHING in Nikmod. All my fighters are sitting damaged on the ground. Hortlund already is aware that my fighter force was crippled that day and he now moves his carriers towards Darwin. At Lautern, there´s still Yamato sitting ready for a bombardment of Darwin. I guess in the next two days I will see big sweeps to Darwin and bomber attacks, probably with 100 Betties, an attack with Yamato and probably also the carriers will attack if the Betties alone would be not enough. So this means I´m running into a COMPLETE disaster. My 2 BBs, a couple of cruisers, a dozen DDs lots of ARs, ADs, AS... will be lost... [:(][:(] I would have needed some 600 fighters, this would have been enough for 3 days of Japanese sweeps. I will be able to save my aircraft, I can transfer them all out but the ships will be lost... Would be cool if fighter groups would do it like in real life over Britain, where the Brits just stopped to take off to engage Luftwaffe fighter sweeps. With his concentrated effort of hundreds of fighters, bombers and nearly the whole IJN battle line, Hortlund wasn´t able to close even one of my airfields or to destroy my bomber force. But the day he ordered those two sweeps he won the battle in this area... [:(] that´s depressing. With the higher durability it will take 10 days+ to see my fighters being back at full strenght and this will be far too late as the next two days will see the destruction of my air and naval forces in Northern Australia.


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Sub attack at 25,63

Japanese Ships
MSW Bisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toshi Maru #1
MSW Tama Maru #2
MSW Banshu Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS KXVI


The last two days absolutely crippled our fighter forces! I thought with my attack on Burma I could take some pressure from Northern Australia, but it seems once again Hortlund doesn´t even think about diverting some of his forces. No, he just retreated ALL his aircraft from Burma. All airfields there are empty, Rangoon has 2!!! spotted aircraft... [8|]

So what can I do now in Burma? Nothing... bombing empty airfields that have half a dozen Japanese AA rgts and additional base forces? That would just wreck my bomber force and it doesn´t help you if you have 95% of your bombers destroyed/damaged after one attack. Well, we could reduce the damage rate to 50% if we would attack at 16.000ft, but this would lead to 20 runway hits when 200 bombers attack... so my opponent is right in just retreating everything from Burma, while using 600 aircraft in the Timor area.

As soon as Hortlund get´s his nuke bombardments I will take all my base forces one hex outside my bases so he can only bombard my inf units which won´t be nuked. When I will return to Northern Australia (whenever that will be I don´t know, probably when I will have 1000 fighters operational in Australia = never) my base forces will move back into the bases.

Very depressing situation at the moment, even with kill rates that really satisfied me. So far the Japanese have lost far more aircraft than I did. At the moment they are leading with 600 aircraft more lost, but when someone strips the whole map of his aircraft to concentrate them in one place then you can´t keep up the fight. The Japanese can fly half a dozen more sweeps with 100 fighters each, but we are out of the fight after the first one. Without fighter cover, my ships are lost, as are my bombers if I would keep them there...

[Kereguelen]

Naval Bombardment results:

The guns of the Japanese vessels that did the Naval Bombardments at Broome outranged your 6in CD guns. Thus they were unable to fire back.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

Naval Bombardment results:

The guns of the Japanese vessels that did the Naval Bombardments at Broome outranged your 6in CD guns. Thus they were unable to fire back.

I´ve seen Japanese 5,5 inch or Allied 6 inch, or 155mm field guns shooting back at BBs or CAs very often. Also the Japanese 5,5 inch CD guns shot back at CA Australia that is engaging with 8 inch guns.

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

Naval Bombardment results:

The guns of the Japanese vessels that did the Naval Bombardments at Broome outranged your 6in CD guns. Thus they were unable to fire back.

I´ve seen Japanese 5,5 inch or Allied 6 inch, or 155mm field guns shooting back at BBs or CAs very often. Also the Japanese 5,5 inch CD guns shot back at CA Australia that is engaging with 8 inch guns.

The 5.5in CD guns are probably in a CD unit (?), the 6in CD are part of base forces. Seems that guns in CD units fire even when outranged by ships of Bombardment TF's. Never noticed this before.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

Naval Bombardment results:

The guns of the Japanese vessels that did the Naval Bombardments at Broome outranged your 6in CD guns. Thus they were unable to fire back.

I´ve seen Japanese 5,5 inch or Allied 6 inch, or 155mm field guns shooting back at BBs or CAs very often. Also the Japanese 5,5 inch CD guns shot back at CA Australia that is engaging with 8 inch guns.

The 5.5in CD guns are probably in a CD unit (?), the 6in CD are part of base forces. Seems that guns in CD units fire even when outranged by ships of Bombardment TF's. Never noticed this before.

no, my 6 inch CD guns are part of dedicated CD units! [:D] So if Jap 5,5 inch CD guns aren´t outranged by Allied 8 inch naval guns, then Allied 6 inch CD guns shouldn´t be outranged by 8 inch Japanese naval guns either (though I don´t have the max ranges at hand at the moment).

I´ve seen Allied CD guns shooting and hitting Japanese BBs often enough, so the "outrange" theory is just a theory IMO... [;)]