David(s) vs. the IJN Goliath

[decaro]

The following is the latest UV Combat Report/AAR from scenario #16, Yamamoto's Prohecy, the "historic" version of the popular #19. It's a classic PT squadrons vs. BB bombardment fleet series of engagements under cover of wx (thunderstorms).

As the IJN, I "own" PNG and Lunga, while Tocaff has made inroads North of Lungaville to contest Lunga airfield w/4Es/P-38s based in the Santa Cruz chain.

Most of my KB is headed back to Tokyo to lick it's wounds, while most of the Allied carriers are on the bottom; so until Todd gets more CVs from Pearl, I'm going to use my capital ships to counter his 4Es as best I can regardless of casualties. As the IJN, I keep getting BBs and escorts from Tokyo, and they're not going to just sit in Truk like the Yammatto (historically) did.

Tactically, these actions are a loss for me; a damaged CV/DD and a sunk CA, but I hit his airfields hard and sunk the PT 109 (sans Kennedy). And we still have more than a year to go.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
DD Terusuki

Allied Ships
SS S-38, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 38
PT 39, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PT 64
PT 110
PT 120
PT 157

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 159
PT 162
PT 163, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 167
PT 168

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 46, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT 48, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PT 59, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
PT 60, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (Topedo Magnet!)
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 143, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
PT 146
PT 149, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
PT 150

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Musashi
CA Atago
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Kawakaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Shirakumo
DD Amagiri, on fire
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
PT 121, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT 122
PT 128, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage
PT 151

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Musashi
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Kawakaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Shirakumo
DD Amagiri, on fire
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
PT 44
PT 45, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT 61, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 124

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Kawakaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Shirakumo
DD Amagiri, on fire
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
PT 36
PT 37, Shell hits 55, on fire, heavy damage
PT 40, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
PT 43, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 4
BB Musashi
CA Atago
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Kawakaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Shirakumo
DD Amagiri, on fire
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
PT 109, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT 111
PT 112, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 114, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Musashi
CA Atago
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Kawakaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Shirakumo
DD Amagiri, on fire
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
PT 66, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT 67, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT 68
PT 152

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 107, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT 115
PT 123, Shell hits 49, and is sunk
PT 142

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Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47

Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 80

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Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 115

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Naval bombardment of Nevea, at 50,43

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 45

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 133
Port hits 2

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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40 (The reason for my attacks against Santa Cruz)

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 53

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet

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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 20

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12

Runway hits 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
13 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet

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[tocaff]

The problem facing the Allies at the moment is how do they station a combat force to counter the bombardment groups without getting clobbered by the Japanese LBA (Bettys) based at Lunga?  The USN doesn't have the firepower to deal with this onslaught and without naval air it's a truly daunting problem.  I do have a plan though and it'll probably work if I can just manage to hang on for a while.

[radar]

I'll look forward to seeing your plan develop. Hopefully it doesn't rely on PT boats. [:D]

[tocaff]

Nope PTs are nothing more than nusance and I've got bigger fish to fry if I can catch a break.

[decaro]

Your "nusance" did cause me to scuttle a CA; as in chess, the best defender is a cheap defender, and PTs are only worth one point.

[tocaff]

I knew that the loses I suffered were well worth the damage that I caused.  Now to get those PTs out to other bases too.  Why don't you hit some mines while you're at it?

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

...  Why don't you hit some mines while you're at it?

Unfortunately the IJN doesn't have DMS, just DDs for mine sweeping.

Mines and PTs form a formidible combination, but you also need naval air -- to punish any damaged ships attempting to limp away from the battle -- for the third leg of an effective defensive tripod; I've used all 3 to successfully hold the 'Canal from the IJ AI.

[tocaff]

Nah, against the rice paper ships of the IJN they sink on the way home or the damage just gets worse, unlike the Allies.  Naval air would be very nice to have though.  

[decaro]

More capital ship on PT action: Tocaff must be running out of mosquito boats, but their 20 mm Oerlikken pack a nasty punch!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 43,44

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Albacore


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 159, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
PT 167, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT 168, Shell hits 1, and is sunk


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 3
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 120, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT 122, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT 142, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT 146


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 7
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 64
PT 111, Shell hits 59, and is sunk
PT 115
PT 124, Shell hits 20, and is sunk


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Suzuya
CA Kako
CL Nagara
DD Kazegumo
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
PT 36, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
PT 38, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PT 44


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Naval bombardment of Nevea, at 50,43


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 47


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 12
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 3

[OG_Gleep]

Hey Joe, asked tocaff and Miller to post thier house rules and was wondering if you guys could do the same for your game.
 
Thanks.

[tocaff]

We have no house rules in this game.  See my post in Return of Miller the Killer.  You & I are of like mind and we have no problems with how we handle the game playing eachother.  Well that's not entirely true as Joe seems to have my # and regardless of what I do he clobbers my efforts.  Maybe he's a physic?

[decaro]

We have only a few guidelines, i.e., min ht 4Es is 11000, no one ship convoys (AKs, APs only) except if the vessel is damaged, and 3-6 PTs per squadron, otherwise the "nothing stupid" rule applies, which means exactly what it says.

With all our CVs either licking their wounds in port or sitting on the bottom, the game has come down to my IJN surface fleets and Todd's 4Es taking turns flattening each others' bases.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

...  Maybe he's a physic?

That's psychic, otherwise you make me sound like a suppository; anyway the answer is "no" on both counts.

However, just as in the Wizard of Oz, I have something Todd doesn't: a Navy Unit Commendation, which is all the more remarkable since I was never in the Navy!

But it's legit; go figure.

[tocaff]

Ooops, sorry!  This is what happens when you hurry and don't proof it.  Citations, yep Uncle Sam laid some of them on me too for dubious reasons and 0 value.

[decaro]

Action around the Santa Cruz Islands

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/31/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy


... Air attack on TF at 47,41

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta
BB Fuso

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
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... Ground combat at Nevea

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6623 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3550 troops, 0 guns, 15 vehicles


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 37

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What the report doesn't show are my fast transport losses from mines despite the presence of DDs/MSWs, but Nevea and its airfield will soon fall; then the Imperial forces will work their way down the chain and right into Lungaville.

[tocaff]

Nope...without knowing that this was happening I surrendered.  Sadly I had no naval air and what I was going to get was to late to help.  I also couldn't compete with the surface forces that Joe was throwing at me.  My advance, which was a crawl, was halted and turned with nothing for me to do.  Without air maybe an invasion of PM could work but then to keep it in supply would become a difficult task.  I also didn't want the long boring ground campaign in PNG as I've done that before and it's painful for both sides.

Joe surely has my # as everything I attempt he kills.