Small War: Guadalcanal (B. S.'s MOD, 80) Saso (J) vs Shark7 (A)

[Gen.Hoepner]

LOL...nice signature Saso[:D]

[Saso]

Future Plan

Shortly I'll receive 2 CVs and 1 CVL, few BBs, several CAs and many DDs.
Of course, I don't try an engagement against his CVs but I'll try to retake Lunga and reinforce Tulagi at least.
If I'll manage to push out his force from Solomons and I divert him on fake targets, perhaps I'll be able to contein the offensive.

I believe that after these two last turns he'll send the ships (not all) at Noumea for refuelling/raparation, during this time I'll prepare four invasion forces with the follow targets:

Before all I'll try to severely damage PM airfield with all my LB left, but I don't know if are enough...

Alpha: to capture Gili Gili with one base force and 2/3 naval guard units.

Bravo: to capture Ndini with a little unit.

Charlie: to reinforce Tulagi with one engineer unit and 2/3 naval guard units and overkill the enemy force.

Delta: to regain Lunga with one base force, 1/2 engineer unit, 1 infantry brigade and several naval guard units.
Here he has attacked with a whole division at least.

[Saso]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

LOL...nice signature Saso[:D]

Grazie, I contracted WitP illness [:(]

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: Saso

Shortly I'll receive 2 CVs and 1 CVL, few BBs, several CAs and many DDs.
Of course, I don't try an engagement against his CVs but I'll try to retake Lunga and reinforce Tulagi at least.

If I recall correctly, those CVs do arrive with somewhat depleted squadrons (about 20 Zeros where it should be 27 etc.). Make sure you check that and make sure you have planes and pilots (you are short of these or will be soon) in your pool to fill them up.

Before all I'll try to severely damage PM airfield with all my LB left, but I don't know if are enough...

Well... [8|] closing a big AF like PM in that scenario is something I never managed to do, even with 4 daitais of Betties, even when throwing in Lilies and Sallies. Allies are more successful in this discipline...

One problem is that I never could keep up the pressure, whereas Allied engineers are much more effective than yours. Like GH said somewhere above: Morale drops quickly in those units - even after successful missions with hardly any losses-, fatigue increases...

My feeling is that the best way to shut down PM in this scenario is securing Gili Gili to improve fighter cover you can provide for your ships and go for bombardment attack.

Alpha: to capture Gili Gili with one base force and 2/3 naval guard units.

This would be one of my favourite objectives.

Bravo: to capture Ndini with a little unit.

As a diversion - why not.

Charlie: to reinforce Tulagi with one engineer unit and 2/3 naval guard units and overkill the enemy force.

Bear in mind that you will need to keep those troops supplied in order to keep them efficient. Only commit if you are sure you can guarantee this in the face of enemy air superiority. Be aware that if your opponent commits a lot of engineer units, Lunga can be a Level 4 airfield very soon - I have seen 1 level AF increase every 3-5 days. On the other hand, even if you LRCAP it wil be from a distance.

Therefore, check whether reinforcing Tulagi is realistic. If your troops are not well supplied now, more troops may be less so.

Delta: to regain Lunga with one base force, 1/2 engineer unit, 1 infantry brigade and several naval guard units.
Here he has attacked with a whole division at least.

Not sure whether the troops you assign her will be sufficient (but there may be better experts than me).

One thing I think you need to start working on now is additional but secure Level 4 airfields. You need them for your Betties. The available ones -Lae, Kavieng, Rabaul for the present strategic situation, if the AF levels are like stock in the game you play- are or will be soon in B17 range - and at least in stock B17s can be quite good at closing AFs, much better than any of your planes. It takes forever to have Jap engineers build something, so plan well ahead...

Just some thoughts from my (limited) experience. Good luck !

Hartwig

[marky]

would that be from any of the experience i gave ya moddy? [:D][:)]

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: marky

would that be from any of the experience i gave ya moddy? [:D][:)]

Well... now that you mention it... [8|] but I think I read about it earlier than that... in an AAR featuring AW1Steve as Allied and you as Nippon e.g.... So I think it can be considered a well tested Allied strategy [:D]

[marky]

i were teasin [:D]

[:D]

im no good as IJN

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: marky

i were teasin [:D]

I know...

[:D]

im no good as IJN

Me neither... but I'm no good as Allies either [8D]

So evidently I'm better than you being no good [:D]

[marky]

ORIGINAL: marky

i were teasin [:D]

[:D]

im no good as IJN

and indeed i rememebr ur comments

help da markys enemy...

SHAME on u!!! [:D]

[marky]

ORIGINAL: marky

ORIGINAL: marky

i were teasin [:D]

[:D]

im no good as IJN

and indeed i rememebr ur comments

help da markys enemy...

SHAME on u!!! [:D]

teach u i can hmmm yes!!! [:D]

[marky]

check out these [:)]

tm.asp?m=1687704&mpage=1&key=&#1754910

tm.asp?m=1699537

[Saso]

Hi Hartwig,

If I recall correctly, those CVs do arrive with somewhat depleted squadrons (about 20 Zeros where it should be 27 etc.). Make sure you check that and make sure you have planes and pilots (you are short of these or will be soon) in your pool to fill them up.

Yes, you are right. I have waited until the CVs coming to fulfil the squadrons, but it hasn't been enough because I had only 15/16 IJN pilots in the pool, moreover some squadrons had the aircrafts but not the pilots. [:(]

Well... closing a big AF like PM in that scenario is something I never managed to do, even with 4 daitais of Betties, even when throwing in Lilies and Sallies. Allies are more successful in this discipline...

It's a tough job, look the next combat report...

One problem is that I never could keep up the pressure, whereas Allied engineers are much more effective than yours. Like GH said somewhere above: Morale drops quickly in those units - even after successful missions with hardly any losses-, fatigue increases...

My feeling is that the best way to shut down PM in this scenario is securing Gili Gili to improve fighter cover you can provide for your ships and go for bombardment attack.

I don't know if is "really" possible to shut down PM without heavy losses because if his CVs stay togheter I can't contrasting them (my previous attack have been deadly).
Anyhow I'll try to make the feasible.

Be aware that if your opponent commits a lot of engineer units, Lunga can be a Level 4 airfield very soon - I have seen 1 level AF increase every 3-5 days.

Ouch...[X(]

Not sure whether the troops you assign her will be sufficient (but there may be better experts than me).

Ehm...no [8|]
Yes, I don't know if they are sufficient but if I'll manage to push out his AK/AP from Solomons I should be able to retake Lunga, maybe...
I don't know if his air transport is enough to supply a division unit.
We will see.

One thing I think you need to start working on now is additional but secure Level 4 airfields. You need them for your Betties. The available ones -Lae, Kavieng, Rabaul for the present strategic situation, if the AF levels are like stock in the game you play- are or will be soon in B17 range - and at least in stock B17s can be quite good at closing AFs, much better than any of your planes. It takes forever to have Jap engineers build something, so plan well ahead...

I'm building another two airfield at Madang (now lv. 2) and Admiralty Islands.
Often he attacks me with LBs but the Rabaul's airfield should be safe at least.

Just some thoughts from my (limited) experience. Good luck !

Thank you very much, I appreciate this!

[Saso]

Nice turn. [:)]
An AK and 2 CAs (Quincy and Australia) damaged in the previous turns have sunk.

I sent the SCTF on Tulagi for another night surface attack, the outcome has been good.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tulagi at 68,96

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1
CL Tatsuta
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oite
DD Asanagi
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
DM Gamble, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DM Tracy, Shell hits 36, and is sunk
DM Preble, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AP President Jackson

I have started the attack on PM, earlier sweep mission from Lae with the Zero and then a bombardment attack from Rabaul, any losses but very few damages over runway.
The altitude is high but I think the Betty aren't well-suited, unfortunately I don't have nothing more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 101
J1N1-R Irving x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 6 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 5 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 20000 feet
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 20000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 18000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 20000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 20000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 18000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 20000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet

At last I sunk another SS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
APD Nagatsuki
APD Uzuki
APD Yayoi
APD Yuzuki
APD Mochizuki
APD Mutsuki

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 3, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
APD APD-36
PC PC-102

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The rest of the turn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9
B-17E Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3473 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Defending force 1540 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese max assault: 52 - adjusted assault: 9

Allied max defense: 6 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

[Saso]

Finally I recevied the reinforcement, a lot of ships. I divided them in several TFs:

a) ACTF: 2 CVs (Shokaku, Zuikaku) and 1 CVL (Ryujo), 1 BB, 2 CAs, 1 CL (radar on board), DDs (goal: support f/g).
b) SCTF1: 3 faster BBs, CA/CLs, DDs (goal: support f/g).
c) SCTF2: 3 BBs, CA/CLs, DDs (goal: support e).
d) FastTF: CA/CLs, DDs, 8th SNLF Yokosuka on board (goal: Ndini, AV 23).
e) Amphibious TF: APs, several ships on escort, 7th SNLF Kure and 147th BF on board (goal: Gili Gili, AV 130).
f) Amphibious TF: APs, several ships on escort, 4th SNLF Maizuru and 141th BF on board (goal: Tulagi, AV 85).
g) Amphibious TF: APs, several ships on escort, 5th/7th SNLF Yokosuka, 5th/6th SNLF Kure, 35th Brigade, 66th Naval Guard, HQ Army Corp, AA battalion, and 15th BF on board (goal: Lunga, AV 600).
h) Replenishment TF: 5 AOs, several ships on escort.

I used-up all my political points to change TF/squadrons leaders.

[modrow]

Hi Saso,

I don't know if is "really" possible to shut down PM without heavy losses because if his CVs stay togheter I can't contrasting them (my previous attack have been deadly).
Anyhow I'll try to make the feasible.

The question is what kind of trade you can arrange. As long as Lae is open, your Betties are dangerous for his carriers - so he will have to keep a lot of CAP, i.e. few planes on escort.

If you own Gili Gili and Buna, you might be able to LRCAP your surface TF at relatively close range to these bases - say 3-4 hexes, having 1-2 daitais cover them. In due time, you will have a number of Zero daitais available for that purpose, and at the beginnig their exp is not bad. In combination with weakly escorted strikes from his CV you may be able to gut his strike AC. That may even be worth losing a BB or two...

Also, your BB and the well armored CA have a good chance against many level bombers.
Many bombs only scratch the paint... beware of Avengers and Beauforts, though...

I don't know if his air transport is enough to supply a division unit.
We will see.

Yes, we will.

I'm building another two airfield at Madang (now lv. 2) and Admiralty Islands.
Often he attacks me with LBs but the Rabaul's airfield should be safe at least.

Don't count on that. Rabaul can be closed from PM with B17s - at least in a stock game, where those beasts are very difficult to shoot down. Ask Marky about that, he will confirm what the Allied side can do with those beasts. At the beginning of this scenario, these units are understrength (maybe 50% or so), so they will get stronger...

Looking forward to see how this develops...

Hartwig

[Saso]

The question is what kind of trade you can arrange. As long as Lae is open, your Betties are dangerous for his carriers - so he will have to keep a lot of CAP, i.e. few planes on escort.

If you own Gili Gili and Buna, you might be able to LRCAP your surface TF at relatively close range to these bases - say 3-4 hexes, having 1-2 daitais cover them. In due time, you will have a number of Zero daitais available for that purpose, and at the beginnig their exp is not bad. In combination with weakly escorted strikes from his CV you may be able to gut his strike AC. That may even be worth losing a BB or two...

Also, your BB and the well armored CA have a good chance against many level bombers.
Many bombs only scratch the paint... beware of Avengers and Beauforts, though...

Not so bad, it may be a good way...

Don't count on that. Rabaul can be closed from PM with B17s - at least in a stock game, where those beasts are very difficult to shoot down. Ask Marky about that, he will confirm what the Allied side can do with those beasts. At the beginning of this scenario, these units are understrength (maybe 50% or so), so they will get stronger...

Thanks for the advice.
If he mass in B17s on PM I'll try to destroy them with naval bombardment, and if he use his CVs such cover he can't support the Solomon invasion.

At the moment I have spotted several TF near Espiritu Santu, the second wave is ready for action!

[Saso]

New Guinea

I'm bombing PM with all Betty, the airfield damage is 60+ and he has lost 40+ aircraft (most of them were LBs), my losses are few: 6/7 in all.
Every night I've received the attention his bombers on Rabaul and fortunately the damage are light, I tried to switch a Zero squadron in night duty but I can't stop him.
Sometimes he hit Lae as well.

Solomons

Two SCTFs made a night naval bombardment of Lunga, the BBs make the scene.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 67,97 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Sendai
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3 just a scratch [:)]
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato


Allied ground losses:
608 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 67,97

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
CL Abukuma
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Meantime the Amphibious TFs are cruising according to plan.

SS Warfare

We have lost a sub each one.
He miss two DD while I miss the CA Salt Lake City. [:o]
My MSWs are cleaning Rabaul after he has dropped mines with subs.

[Saso]

Battle of Solomons

The last turn has been definitely bloody.

Port Moresby

He has moved a P-39D Airacobra squadron on PM for an ambush but fortunately I have assigned several Zero on escort, most of his planes have been shoot down.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G4M1 Betty x 71
J1N1-R Irving x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 13 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

The airfield damages are 65%, only few bombers can take off, this a good thing because my Amphibious TF is near at Gili Gili.

Gili Gili

I'm continuing the naval bombardment (also with DDs) and any CD guns shots fired in defense, I've open the way.

Ndini

Bravo: to capture Ndini with a small unit. OK
I'll put an aircraft on naval search.

Tulagi

Charlie: to reinforce Tulagi and overkill the enemy force. OK
I lost several ship (enemy CVs in the area) for this mission but fortunately all mans and supply have disembarked of night.
At the moment I have on Tulagi two SNLF and two eng. units, moreover I have minelaying 1700 mines around the base.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 68,96


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64
SBD Dauntless x 107
TBF Avenger x 45


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Aiyo Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-105, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-112, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tama Maru #2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Jinsai Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Iwaki Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neikai Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-104, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1714 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Defending force 8241 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Allied max assault: 18 - adjusted assault: 0

Japanese max defense: 140 - adjusted defense: 201

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)



Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

Allied Unit(s) surrounded at Tulagi [:D]

[Saso]

I set up my ACTF to ambush any invasion force at 5 hexs from Tulagi e Lunga, initially the plan has worked.

All enemy planes attacked my transport ships at Tulagi (see above) and then has been the turn my aircrafts [:)]

Day Air attack on TF at 68,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 38
D3A Val x 39
B5N Kate x 51

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged
B5N Kate: 6 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 16 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage [:D][:D][8D]
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 1

[Saso]

In the afternoon the big battle...

Both ACTFs (mine and his) react at the enemy [:(], now there are three Allied CVs against two Japanese CVs and one CVL...argh

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 43
SBD Dauntless x 87
TBF Avenger x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 25 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:(]
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 14, on fire [:o]
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage [:@][:@]
DD Akigumo
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 68,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 32
D3A Val x 23
B5N Kate x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed
D3A Val: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [:D][:)]
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1

My situation after the battle