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

[Saso]

After all I've been lucky [;)]

Japan

I lost the CVL Ryujo, CV Shokaku damaged and CV Zuikaku light damaged but both safe.
Aircraft losses (only CV squadrons):
Zero: 23
Kate: 33
Val: 22

America

I think that the CV Wasp has gone and the CV Enterprise is out of business for several months.
Aircraft losses (only CV squadrons):
Wildcat: 59
Dauntless: 43
Avenger: 24

Now he still has two CV, enough for support his invasion but he must pay attention to Bettys, I don't believe that can attack Shortlands right now.

[Saso]

Ok, my most important invasion TF is near to target but I'm thinking to stop it because I lost the CV support.

If he continue the attack at Solomons I'll try to intercept your CVs with the BBs in night attack, in the previous invasion he has parked the ACTFs to the end of operation. We will see.

SS Operations

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Sub attack at 68,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 6, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage sink [:D]
DD Buchanan
DD Farenholt

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ASW attack at 68,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage sink [:(]

Allied Ships
DD Dale
DD Worden
DD MacDonough
DD Farragut
DD Phelps

Good job! [8D]

[vettim89]

Nice AAR, Saso. I fear you may be cooked with the damage to your CV's. This scenario is very frustrating in that the "Return to Home Port" option is not turned on. The thinking is that there is not enough time for units to return to Japan , repair, and then return to theatre. This is not true as the scenario goes through 2/43. So your only repair option is Truk which has no shipyard. As a consolation, your opponent is in the same position. So Enterprise and Zuikaku are likely out for several months. Also with that many fires burning on your 2 CV's, system damage will likely increase significantly before they are out. In my Guadalcanal PBEM game, my opponent developed Munda and placed 50 landbased A6m there. He then used these as LRCAP over his CVTF which made them unbreakable. Very clever on his part. He then strved out the defenders on GC by placing all his BB's around the island. He invade with a strong force and the Marines surrendered in the first combat phase.

Good choice to take Nidini. It will cause your opponent to divert resources that could otherwise be used to shore up GC or take Tulagi. The Tulagi issue seems to be a common thread in this scenario. Historically the Marines cleared the island in 2 days. In my game and this one, the defenders not only heald out for weeks but eventually pushed the Marines into the sea. Quite frankly I think the scenraio is broken and the Japanese units starting on Tulagi are much stronger than they should be.

[Saso]

Hi vettim89,

thanks and sorry my poor English.

I fear you may be cooked with the damage to your CV's.

You are right, they damages are increased.

So Enterprise and Zuikaku are likely out for several months.

Shokaku for sure while Zuikaku I hope less...
At Truk I have an AR, port 9 and the best Naval HQ (I read somewhere that it may be helpful) [8|]
The other problem are my pilots, I don't have reserve in the pool.

In my Guadalcanal PBEM game, my opponent developed Munda and placed 50 landbased A6m there. He then used these as LRCAP over his CVTF which made them unbreakable. Very clever on his part. He then strved out the defenders on GC by placing all his BB's around the island. He invade with a strong force and the Marines surrendered in the first combat phase.

Good advice [;)].
Frankly I thought that he throw back from Solomons, therefore I 'm building Admiralty and Madang.

In my game and this one, the defenders not only heald out for weeks but eventually pushed the Marines into the sea. Quite frankly I think the scenraio is broken and the Japanese units starting on Tulagi are much stronger than they should be.

In the early phase I don't know, the allied player has 3 CVs and several division instead the japanese player has a couple of CA e nothing more. In my game he has shoot down my Zero and Betty with his strong CAP in the early attack, I believe that if he attack me with more troops I would have lost Tulagi as well.

[Saso]

Operation Alpha

Invasion of Gili Gili is ongoing, the first wave is on the beach with only some transport ships sunk and one CA damaged (his LBs in naval attack from PM).
I managed to intercept an enemy TF with men and supply direct to Gili Gili, so he don't succeed to reinforce the base.
He tried to send a SC TF but my Bettys have made a bautiful job, the BB Warspite is sunk. [:D][:D]

Operation Bravo

The diversion has worked, his CVs are near Ndini and the remaining of my TFs hasn't been spotted.
I'll try again to evacuate this heroic unit under siege with the barges.

Operation Charlie

Completed. I'm building the fortifications. [8D]

Operation Delta

Ok, here I'll have some problem.
I've put many transport ships in this operations and I think that the losses will be high, he can work over with his DB/TBs and SCTFs, the risk is huge but I need to get Lunga for the future operations.
I shouldn't lose units because I'll unloading in the night with enough supply, maybe.
We will see.

[Saso]

Here there are the demages of the CVs arrived at Truk.
I forgot, CV Wasp is at last sunk. [:D][:)]

[Saso]

Ok, as expected I lost a lot of ships, mainly transport ships more a kamikaze SC TF (I managed to stop his SC TF before he could attack my invasion TFS).

After a bloody shock attack I retake Lunga with heavy losses for american side, all 5 units (one was a division) have surrender. [:)]

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Ground combat at Lunga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 34476 troops, 390 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 819

Defending force 17900 troops, 194 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 324

Japanese max assault: 1646 - adjusted assault: 702

Allied max defense: 225 - adjusted defense: 133

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lunga base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 6 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
1679 casualties reported
Guns lost 51

Allied ground losses:
25226 casualties reported
Guns lost 149
Vehicles lost 6

Operation Delta completed!

My ship sunk until now.

[Saso]

Here I've made a mistake, too few troops unloading on this base, at the moment we are in a stall situation.

Soon I'll reinforce them, is necessary take it before he sent the CVs thus far.
In the meantime I'm doing bombardment attacks on PM's airfield.

His ships sunk until now.

[Saso]

As expected Ndini is fallen but this trick has properly worked. [8D]
On the base he has putted 2 divisions and some eng. units.

Intelligence screen.

[Saso]

At the moment he has 2 CVs (another one is damaged) and several division (two of them in Ndini), whereas I don't have available CVs (one with 49 sys and one with 25 sys) and only one division a Truk.
The rest of my force are scattered around several bases.

He has started bombardment raids over Lunga with the B-17E Fortress (55+), I suffered some infantry losses.
The first thing is to bring the Lunga's airfield on level 4 (now is 1.5) and to concentrate 2/3 Zero squadrons on CAP.

Second one, occupy and evolve the Gili Gili base for to start naval bombardment on PM.
I'm waiting another division and I'm thinking if possible to take PM with 2 of them, but before I'll look the possible reaction of my opponent.

The big problem are his Cvs, I have lost several subs trying to sink them but without success (the American DDs are very powerful, my subs are sink/damage before its can attack something).
I'm forced to wait his error and I know that isn't the good way...[:(]

[Saso]

Well, Operation Delta completed.

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Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8010 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 243

Defending force 7882 troops, 45 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Japanese max assault: 386 - adjusted assault: 232

Allied max defense: 56 - adjusted defense: 57

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Gili Gili base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Also the near base Fergusson Island has fallen [:)]

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Ground combat at Fergusson Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1128 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Defending force 802 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese max assault: 68 - adjusted assault: 17

Allied max defense: 9 - adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Fergusson Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1056 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The unit on Ndini has been eliminated but it has made a good job.

Next move is to expand the capture airfields, especially Gili Gili that will be the base for future offensive actions.

My first objective is PM (I'm preparing two divisions for it) but I don't think that my opponent will remain quiet.
We will see.

[vettim89]

Wow. Very well done Saso! As I pointed out before Nidini distracted your opponent long enough for you to take Lunga. Those lost Marine units are gone forever.

Taking Gili Gili is excellant. Beware of PM. It is a tempting target but the LBA can be intense. Also, if your opponent has been aggressive he could have 3 full Divisions at PM

[Nanshinron]

Hi Saso,
Just bought this game a couple of weeks ago. Reading AAR's is a good way to learn.
I specially like this AAR. It's not boring at all. On the contrary!! Very exciting!
The size of this scenario enables me to really focus on the details.
I also like the mix of your writing and the screenies. [:)]

What's the end date of this scenario? I find myself hoping you'll prevail against the enemy!

Regards,
Peter

[Saso]

Thanks vettim, and yes, an american division is out of business [:D]

Beware of PM. It is a tempting target but the LBA can be intense. Also, if your opponent has been aggressive he could have 3 full Divisions at PM

Yes but I don't think so, my recon never seen big TFs on PM, but of course, he can to use small TFs to unloading troops.
I believe that he will try to retake Tulagi at least, because his CVs are always between Ndini and Espiritu Santu.
In the last turn he has used the CVs (more a SCTF) to attack Tulagi, I lost a TK while unload fuel (I intend refuel my subs in this place).

[Saso]

Hi Nanshinron,
thank you very much and welcome in the forum [:)]

Just bought this game a couple of weeks ago. Reading AAR's is a good way to learn.

You are right, when I have time I read the AAR too.

The size of this scenario enables me to really focus on the details.

I'm a newbie like you, therefore I've prefered to start with a small scenario instead that the "grand campaign".

We still have about 5 months of war, the end date is 02/07/1943.

[Saso]

Quiet turns, I'm reinforcing my bases.

He has shutdown the airfield of Gili Gili with all his LBs from Cooktown, roughly 90 A/C.
This isn't a big problem given that I have Lae (lv. 5) and Madang (lv. 3,5) to support my operations.

Meantime my airfiled of Lunga has reached the level 3 (34% of level 4).
Shortly I'll have the air supremacy in this sector.

At the moment he still has two divisions a Ndini and I'm attempted to destroy them...[8|]

[Saso]

Lucky hit...[:D]

[Saso]

Continue the bombardment di Gili Gili and Lae, moreover I seen his CVs near Cooktown.

I'm seriously thinking to attack Ndini, he has 6 unit about which 2 divisions cover from Espiritu Santu's airfield by 50 LBs.
I can to use two divisions, two brigades and some Navy units for the landing and 4/5 BBs, 7/8 CAs as naval support.
I'm waiting to bring to level 4 the airfield of Lunga (now 47%) and then to use all my Bettys for shoot down Espiritu Santu.

Uhmm...

[Saso]

I've been lucky again...[:D]
This is the third CV damaged/sunk.

[Saso]

Well, well...

At the moment there's only an enemy CV between me and Ndini, I've formed a very mini KB (CV Junyo and CVL Zuiho, 70 A/C total) that will escort my future invasion TF.

I'm assembling a strong force in Truk (2 division, 2 brigade, Sasebo unit and some other units) and it's preparing for Ndini, I don't know is enough to defeat 2 American divions more 5/6 others units but the temptation to destroy them is irresistible...

Plan:
Step one: shut down Espiritu Santu's airfield, his 4e LBs are a very big problem.
Step two: wreak havoc on Ndini with 3 SC TFs
Step three: unloading and hope for the best.

P.S: my CVs don't want repair their demages, I've tried to change the port but the effect is the same [:(]
I'll transfer the squadrons away...