Defending the empire 1943, the allies attack - a Jap AAR

[Hortlund]

Apparently it was a false alarm at Norfolk Island. An allied surface combat TF visited the island and went away again.
No combat and no bombardment. Perhaps he was testing my defences, perhaps he was looking for mines. Norfolk Island moves up the list of probable allied objectives at this point in time though.


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 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
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

I wonder what this is...Ive spotted 8-9 mini-TFs between Ceylon and NEI. The hit rate by my sea planes is appalling.

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

Trusty should sink after two solid hits.




I am setting a trap tomorrow. Today I have moved all fighters from Koepang to Soerebaja. Instead I have filled the base with worthless dive bombers and bombers with low exp. All these bombers are on ASW duty. I expect Castor to react to this somehow. Either he will launch a strike at the base, and then my fighters from Dilli will intercept (they have LRCAP-orders to this base) or he will move around his units in Australia. Im expecting to see more fighters over Derby.

Anyway, I have ordered all the bombers here so his intel shows a base full of bombers. Tomorrow, or the day after that (we'll see) I will fly out all these dive-bombers, and instead I will fly in Helens and a couple of Zero wings as escorts. They will then attack Derby at the same time as my BBs arrive.

I have two BBs that are three days out from Derby. Tomorrow I will order two destroyers to do a surface sweep of the harbor, the day after that the BBs arrive, and the same day the Helens will bomb. Its a complex manuever, but it might work.

I need to start making the allied last-move-intel work in my favour.


Here is the bait...

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

No no no...not invade. Just destroy the bases and the ships caught in that trap.

Oh, sorry, I made an invalid assumption!
[:(]

Also, I chatted with Nik a bit - and he thinks "damage" to aircraft is more meaningful in this mod that in stock - so you might be "suppressing" his air even if you are NOT killing it.

In your place - I might try to use my ships and air as a "distraction" to cover movement of more troops and supply into Timor - build, build, build. And also take on the other little Islands north/northeast of Darwin. Every distraction you offer him might slow him down. And dig, dig, dig. And early attack in the SRA is the most dangerous to your strategic supplies. Action in Burma is next most dangerous. Your least dangerous defensive sector is CenPac/SoPac ... you can yeild without a fight there. You prolly need more reserve divisions in Burma too

BTW I will now follow the Admiral Laurent rule. Either post only in one side of AAR or read both and do not post in either. Since I post here - I cannot even read Castor's thread - and I haven't since the game "restarted" and will not again.

[Hortlund]

HAHA, busted. He saw the bait and took it. Over 150 B-25s tried to attack my bombers on the ground. I had good LRCAP from Dilli over Koepang, and the result was...again severely dissappointing. Despite me ambushing 150 bombers with 45 fighters I managed a pitiful 3 kills. Lots of B25s were damaged though, and his morale must be in shambles now...More than half his bombers were turned back by my fighters.


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

Wonder what he is doing here. Probably probing for some sort of reaction to test my defences. Ive got the Akagi-TF coming in, but they will refuel at Guadalcanal and then just hover in that area.


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

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

Japanese Ships
APD APD-37

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

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

This is pathetic. Intel shows me I shot down 3 B25s and another 4 were lost to ops. All in all 7 losses for that which should have been a massacre...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet

These are the two destroyers that will scout Derby harbor tomorrow. The day after that, two BBs come in, the BBs will have aircover from the Zuikaku-TF. The Zuikaku TF will patrol 8 hexes from Derby, the BBs will wait 6 hexes off before the bombardment run.

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

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

Allied Ships
SS S-44




I will commence the attack on Derby tomorrow. The fight will start with two destroyers doing a sweep of the harbor to check for traps. During the morning hours, two Zero wings from Koepang will do a sweep over the base. Later, around noon my Helens will arrive from Koepang together with an escort of 30 Zeros.

After that attack, the Helens and Zeros will transfer back to Soerebaja, and a new bomber wing will move in to Koepang, this time Sallys with 60-70 exp.

During these attacks tomorrow, the BBs will move into position for a bombardment strike, they will be under the protective cap of the Zuikaku TF, where I have ordered 100 Zeros on LRCAP to cover the BBs. The fighters and the BB armor should be enough to prevent any damage. The BBs will then do their bombardment run in the same day as the Sallys attack Derby from Koepang.

It is a rather complicated operation, but I hope we can finally do some damage to the allied bandits.

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

No no no...not invade. Just destroy the bases and the ships caught in that trap.

Oh, sorry, I made an invalid assumption!
[:(]

Also, I chatted with Nik a bit - and he thinks "damage" to aircraft is more meaningful in this mod that in stock - so you might be "suppressing" his air even if you are NOT killing it.

In your place - I might try to use my ships and air as a "distraction" to cover movement of more troops and supply into Timor - build, build, build. And also take on the other little Islands north/northeast of Darwin. Every distraction you offer him might slow him down. And dig, dig, dig. And early attack in the SRA is the most dangerous to your strategic supplies. Action in Burma is next most dangerous. Your least dangerous defensive sector is CenPac/SoPac ... you can yeild without a fight there. You prolly need more reserve divisions in Burma too

BTW I will now follow the Admiral Laurent rule. Either post only in one side of AAR or read both and do not post in either. Since I post here - I cannot even read Castor's thread - and I haven't since the game "restarted" and will not again.

Ah good to have someone in my corner [:)]

Well, you can tell Nik that the damage doesnt really seem to do that much harm. Two days ago I damaged 58 B25s out of a strike of 192, and today he came back with 157. This time I damaged 55, so if the math holds, he should be able to return the day after tomorrow with 110 B25s. Now I know I made half the force turn back today, and that his bombing was almost completely ineffective...I do find it important to note however, that despite all this...despite my ambush of 45 fighters against 150 unescorted bombers, despite his low morale, despite all the damaged bombers...despite all this, he managed to destroy more aircraft on the ground than he lost in the attack.

Now, that might not seem to matter that much when he only lost 5-7 and I lost 7-9, but what will this mean in one year...when he can mount 2,3, 400-plane raids with heavy bombers? If I lose more than him when he comes unescorted...If I lose more than him when I have expert pilots against unescorted B25s...what will that mean when I have less experienced pilots and he can escort his bombers with P38s and P51s?

I will have no chance to defend the SRA against his bombers. No chance whatsoever.

[Hortlund]

Day 1 of the attack. We achieved some of our objectives.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42

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

Japanese Ships
ML Hirashima
ML Nasami
ML Natsushima

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

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

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

Japanese Ships
AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

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

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
10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
17 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
17 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

We take heavy losses due to flak, but meet no opposition in the air. All bombers are moved to Soerebaja, and a new group of 150 bombers are moved into Koepang. They will attack tomorrow. The Zero escort can be recycled since they took only marginal ops losses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
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 17

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

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


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
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

For some reason the destroyers remained in Derby. Bad move destroyers. Both sink.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet

These bombers come from Wyndham. Recon shows 150 bombers and no fighters at Wyndham, so tomorrow I have ordered 80 Bettys to attack the base from Kendari.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

The bombs just bounce off the BBs, they will bombard Derby tomorrow. I have also detached 3 CAs from the carrier escorts to do a bombardment run on Derby, these CAs arrive the day after tomorrow.


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

Japanese Ships
AK Nitiyu Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor




Tomorrow we continue. Planned attacks are.
1) BB run on Derby with 2 BBs
2) Helens/Sallys attack on Derby with 150 bombers from Koepang.
3) Betty attack on Wyndham with 80 bombers from Kendari.

I have moved alot of dive bombers to Lauterm to give the impression of a base full of bombers. This to force him to keep some sort of defence at Darwin.

The day after tomorrow planned attacks are.
1) CA run on Derby with 3 CA.
2) Helens/Sallys attack on Derby with 150 bombers (new ones) from Koepang.

[Hortlund]

Day 2 of our offensive see our first victories.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/42

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

Japanese Ships
AP Otori Maru, and is sunk
AK Nitiyu Maru, and is sunk
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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wyndham , at 30,86

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

No Japanese losses

No defensive fighters over Wyndham? Thanks.

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

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
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

Because then my Bettys can come in unopposed. We torch alot of aircraft on the ground here. I think he did not expect this attack. Good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

And here comes the attack on Derby. No defenders, lots of aircraft destroyed on the ground. Including 10 Swordfish. Excellent.


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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
9 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
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

A counterstrike on the 3 CA-task force. Fortunately it is under the protective umbrella of the zuikaku-TF. Although we only get 20 Zeros into the air, we do alot of damage. And again the abysmal morale of the allies is visible as roughly half the attacking B25s turn around.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

Here we have no CAP. I wonder why the BBs are still here. They were ordered to bombard Derby, but they just moved one hex towards the port. What the fuck?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

This is just a diversion. Its great to see he wastes his attacks on them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet

This is a PM strike from Derby and Broome. They went in unopposed. Still, no damage to my CAs.

[Hortlund]

For tomorrow Im ordering the BBs to attack AGAIN, as well as the CAs. Bombers have been shifted at Koepang, and another 150 bomber strike is heading to Derby tomorrow. Bettys will hit Wyndham again. Zeros will sweep Derby and Wyndham in case he tries to put up a defensive CAP.

I have also moved the Yamato a few hexes east to give the impression of another hit on Darwin, that should force him to keep some airpower at Darwin.

[tlkiilerich]

I would guess that the reason your BB's didn't go in, is because they couldn't reach the target.

[Hortlund]

Perhaps, but the BBs were heading back to their home port, not their bombardment target...

[tlkiilerich]

I see that a lot after a bombardment TF's has been attacked by air, guess the commander chicken out....

[Hortlund]

Day 3 of our offensive and we reach one of the 4 goals of this offensive. Derby has been abandoned by allied air. I will mount attacks on Derby for a couple of more days, and then turn all attention to Broome.

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

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

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

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

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu


Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

What the fuck? 500 casualties and 10 guns? Ise/Mutsu are ordered to turn back and bombard again, the 2 CAs are to replenish ammo at Koepang and then return. Another BB is dispatched from the Zuikaku TF to bombard Derby, should arrive in 2 days.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 my sweep is cut up in to two strikes. I lose heavily because of this, but the second sweep does some really good damage on the allies. Fighters are sent back to Soerebaja for rest and refit, new fighter wings are flown in to take their place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

Apparently he has withdrawn everything in the air from Derby. Perfect. It is much easier to destroy an undefended base than a defended one. Helen/Sallys are rotated to Soerebaja, new bombers are flown in. Tomorrow we will attack with 120 more bombers. Escort is recycled again.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
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
5 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
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Torpedo bombers are operating out of Broome. Good to know.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
3 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

PoW is retreating to India. This is off Java, near the edge of the map.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

Poor bastard.

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

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze
APD APD-37

Allied Ships
SS S-38


Orders for tomorrow.
1) New airstrike from Koepang to Derby.
2) Bettys are moved to Truk for rest and refit, new Bettys are flown in to Macassar. 80 Bettys from Macassar ordered to recon Broome tomorrow to prep for bombardment.
3) BB squadron currently off Java ordered to strike Broome. They should arrive in 4 days, they will be protected by the carriers.
4) Ise/Mutsu ordered to bombard Derby again.
5) Yamato to move to protect Lauterm. I will move Yamato over to Koepang in a few days and use her to bombard Derby.

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund


Well, you can tell Nik that the damage doesnt really seem to do that much harm. Two days ago I damaged 58 B25s out of a strike of 192, and today he came back with 157. This time I damaged 55, so if the math holds, he should be able to return the day after tomorrow with 110 B25s. Now I know I made half the force turn back today, and that his bombing was almost completely ineffective...I do find it important to note however, that despite all this...despite my ambush of 45 fighters against 150 unescorted bombers, despite his low morale, despite all the damaged bombers...despite all this, he managed to destroy more aircraft on the ground than he lost in the attack.

The cumulative effect of damage on the bombers does require some time to have effect if a very large # are being used. The most "immediate" effect is what you've already noted....shredded morale making the bombers easy to drive off. Alas, what's "missing" from the current WitP code is the ability for AA guns to disrupt bomber aim. Creates a big hole in base defense.

Also, if your attacker reinforces with fresh groups that will reduce the "immediate" effect of reduced follow up raids. The ability to mass aircraft and attack is not addressed in standard Nikmod. You'd have to try the "experimental" version with the greatly reduced AV support, or Guadmod. (of course in the grand campaign exper. version, there's nothing to stop a player from stacking alot of ENG units to generate greater levels of AV without a house rule.....but even in lieu of that, there won't be enough base forces to go around to do that all over the map.

AE is supposed to also address the instant repair and high servicability rates seen all over the map for both sides. The code "equivilent" to what i was attempting in Guadmod and "experimental" Nikmod 9.2

[Hortlund]

I really love your mod Nik, and its the only variant of witp Ive played since it first came out.
 
I have had some really bad experiences in this game though. Ive lost 30+ Bettys in a raid where 60 Bettys came alone against 40 allied fighters (Hurricanes), but when 190 B25s come alone against 70 Zeros, I only shoot down 5 and damage 50. In a raid where 11 Hudsons came alone against 40 Zeros I only shot down 3...etc. It makes me wonder if the Japs are punished too hard in the early game because of their puny armament.
 

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

I really love your mod Nik, and its the only variant of witp Ive played since it first came out.

I have had some really bad experiences in this game though. Ive lost 30+ Bettys in a raid where 60 Bettys came alone against 40 allied fighters (Hurricanes), but when 190 B25s come alone against 70 Zeros, I only shoot down 5 and damage 50. In a raid where 11 Hudsons came alone against 40 Zeros I only shot down 3...etc. It makes me wonder if the Japs are punished too hard in the early game because of their puny armament.

Thx. I'm glad your enjoying it.

I do feel your pain too. I just about slap my forehead every time the mod gives me back a result that I know is bad, but as Bombur has reminded me on occasion, its the big picture effect that has to be kept in mind too.

The funny thing is that based on my ongoing air combat research, the latter result you mentioned is actually the more realistic result. Anytime your shooting down more than a half dozen planes, especially bombers in one skirmish or set of skirmishes, its more the exception than the rule. (air combat is not nearly as bloody as most people tend to assume)

Now losing 30 G4M's out of 60 vs. 40 Allied fighters? Now thats BS, even with unarmored bombers. I hate results like that! As far as the mod is concerned.....yes the Japanese early war fighters are going to have a much harder time vs armored Allied bombers. In the case of the lightly armed fighters they are still too weak. Even a Ki-27 can shoot down a 2E and did more than once during the SRA campaign. Ki-43's shot down B-24's more than once. Zeros are middle of the road and are highly dependant on pilot exp to score decent kills against bombers. They may be a tad weak but not by much. They can be overpowerful in large #'s vs enemy fighters if they have high experience. Bombur and I found this out in our GuadMod campaign. I'd spent alot of time "tuning" the Zero and Wildcat for that scenario. When used in "historical" numbers at short range, the results tend to be good. But as we found out, when employed "witp" style en mass in a large super-KB formation they punk'd the F4F's good. Yet the tuning worked well at historical level, and yet another compromise was that at long range (like range 11 attacks on Lunga), the Zero is at a disadvantage. Not completely ahistorical given the RL situation but the kill ratio tends to favor the F4F a bit much.

Still overall....."big picture", the loss rates look good. Less than 2:1 in favor of the Zero from Aug - Dec. (something like 77 F4F's lost to 53 Zeros) This despite the nature of the play....(bombur doesn't do the daily raid thing....tends to horde for the right moment than attack)

With the more accurate direct loss of fighters though, yes a problem of bombers being able to overly pummel airbases does present itself unless other countermeasures are taken. (like using lots of AA or dispersal tactics) I'm hoping AE will address some of these as well as curb the ability to do those ridiculous "154 B-25" raids that are so common....or the 150 plane "fighter sweep" silly stuff folks. [:)] Bomber and fighter ops tended to revolve more around squadron sized engagements. "Big" raids were less common, required more effort to organize and even then tended to be smaller. For example a stated "Big" raid in Tunisia in early 43 constituted elements of two B-17 BG's and totaled a whopping 49 planes minus 5 aborts.

Not here!

[Hortlund]

Two days now.

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

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

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

I really dont understand these bombardment results.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet

He tried to move in some bombers to Derby, and he is caught on the ground.

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 93

No Japanese losses

A fighter sweep from the carriers. No opposition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet




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

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

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

This is getting ridiculous.

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

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

I dont understand why my bombardment is so amazingly ineffective.

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

Broome is just as bad. Here he pulled out his aircraft too. The base is undamaged so he is just trying to avoid losses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,64

Japanese Ships
ML Ukishima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ishizaki

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
2 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

Excellent. The key seems to be in numbers.

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 159

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

He lost 100 fighters in the air today, I lost 45. Tomorrow I will stand down and defend my bases, and the day after tomorrow I will return. These numbers should cause great concern for him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet

Bombing from higher altitude gave almost no change in losses, but severe change in accuracy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
16 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet

Same here. Pitiful result.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 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
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 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
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell 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
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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


His moral is pitiful. Tomorrow Im moving the carriers in further towards Darwin. If everything goes according to plan, I should be able to attack darwin in 3-4 days.

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

Thx. I'm glad your enjoying it.

I do feel your pain too. I just about slap my forehead every time the mod gives me back a result that I know is bad, but as Bombur has reminded me on occasion, its the big picture effect that has to be kept in mind too.

The funny thing is that based on my ongoing air combat research, the latter result you mentioned is actually the more realistic result. Anytime your shooting down more than a half dozen planes, especially bombers in one skirmish or set of skirmishes, its more the exception than the rule. (air combat is not nearly as bloody as most people tend to assume)

Now losing 30 G4M's out of 60 vs. 40 Allied fighters? Now thats BS, even with unarmored bombers. I hate results like that! As far as the mod is concerned.....yes the Japanese early war fighters are going to have a much harder time vs armored Allied bombers. In the case of the lightly armed fighters they are still too weak. Even a Ki-27 can shoot down a 2E and did more than once during the SRA campaign. Ki-43's shot down B-24's more than once. Zeros are middle of the road and are highly dependant on pilot exp to score decent kills against bombers. They may be a tad weak but not by much. They can be overpowerful in large #'s vs enemy fighters if they have high experience. Bombur and I found this out in our GuadMod campaign. I'd spent alot of time "tuning" the Zero and Wildcat for that scenario. When used in "historical" numbers at short range, the results tend to be good. But as we found out, when employed "witp" style en mass in a large super-KB formation they punk'd the F4F's good. Yet the tuning worked well at historical level, and yet another compromise was that at long range (like range 11 attacks on Lunga), the Zero is at a disadvantage. Not completely ahistorical given the RL situation but the kill ratio tends to favor the F4F a bit much.

Still overall....."big picture", the loss rates look good. Less than 2:1 in favor of the Zero from Aug - Dec. (something like 77 F4F's lost to 53 Zeros) This despite the nature of the play....(bombur doesn't do the daily raid thing....tends to horde for the right moment than attack)

With the more accurate direct loss of fighters though, yes a problem of bombers being able to overly pummel airbases does present itself unless other countermeasures are taken. (like using lots of AA or dispersal tactics) I'm hoping AE will address some of these as well as curb the ability to do those ridiculous "154 B-25" raids that are so common....or the 150 plane "fighter sweep" silly stuff folks. [:)] Bomber and fighter ops tended to revolve more around squadron sized engagements. "Big" raids were less common, required more effort to organize and even then tended to be smaller. For example a stated "Big" raid in Tunisia in early 43 constituted elements of two B-17 BG's and totaled a whopping 49 planes minus 5 aborts.

Not here!

Yeah, I cant wait for AE and a more realistic approach to aircraft numbers. No more 300+ fighter super dogfights in 1942, no more 200 bomber-raids. I think that will go a long way to fix lots of whats broken in aircombat in witp today.

Meanwhile, I agree that your mod has "cured" most of what can be cured in witp. However, it does become disheartening to play the japs and feel completely impotent against the allied bombers. But I understand that the big picture looks ok. The odd occurances where you lose half your bomber fleet are frustrating though..

[jwilkerson]

In my experience the big naval bombardments are not the be-all end-all some people seem to think. I suspect the reason these did not NUC the enemy as you suspected was based on the number of operations points the TFs had available when they reached the targets. The number of coastal guns present could also matter. Trying to keep these airfields suppresed is looking to be a very expensive and temporary thing for you. I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area.

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

In my experience the big naval bombardments are not the be-all end-all some people seem to think. I suspect the reason these did not NUC the enemy as you suspected was based on the number of operations points the TFs had available when they reached the targets. The number of coastal guns present could also matter. Trying to keep these airfields suppresed is looking to be a very expensive and temporary thing for you. I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area.

Yes its costly indeed. The one reason Im doing this attack is because I want to disrupt his campaign against Timor and I want to kill his BBs at Darwin. He has two BBs and lots of other ships that are caught like fish in a barrel. They cant escape west, because that would take them past Port Moresby, and they cant escape east because I have closed off the area with my CVs. Its proving costly to prevent his airforce from defending the ships though, but I believe I am making some progress.

[Hortlund]

Today I rested my airunits at Timor. The day sees a huge attack in Burma.

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

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

He has flown in B25s to Broome. My bombardment takes out 7 and disrupts the land units there pretty good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Norfolk Island, at 60,119 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

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

Well, I think its official now. Norfolk Island is his first target. My shore batteries give his cruisers a bloody nose however. If each hit did at least one sys damage, then both cruisers are out of the action for months.

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

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

First sweep of Mandalay. I give as good as I get. Even better...

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

Second sweep, this time I am on the recieving end. I wonder why there was such a huge difference in outcome between the first and second sweeps.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 58

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 94
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
5 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
8 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet

And here come the bombers. over 80 damaged, this should put an end to the raids for a week at least.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
9 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 11000 feet

Less effective AA this time around.

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


Tomorrow I have ordered another sweep of Darwin and Wyndham. I have ordered a Betty strike on Wyndham in case he decides not to fight me there. There are over 160 bombers on that base, and that is just too good of a target to miss.

My CVs are moving into position for the Darwin attack. I have AgakiTF in place in three days (coming from Port Moresby) and ZuikakuTF will move around Timor to the north. I didnt want to risk a run under the guns by taking the southern route.

If the sweep is good tomorrow, I will move in bombers instead to Lauterm and start bombing the base. Two days of such bombings will be followed by an Alpha strike from the CVs and all the Bettys I can get my hands on.

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
I'd still like to see this viewed as a diversion that enables movement of more troops and supplies into the area.

Oh, and a "side effect" of this attack is that Ive reinforced Timor with 2/3rds of one division, several flak and engineer units. Not to mention tens of thousands of supply that I have on my bases now.