Major Surface Battle in Iron bottom Sound.

[Drex]

I've only had UV for 5 days and am slowly working my way through the scenarios. I am now in "Four weeks of Hell" and this is the first scenario since The Coral Sea that I've had some capital ships to work with(I'm playing Allies). It doesn't take long for the Japanese to start sending in bombardment fleets down the slot to raise hell with my Marines at Lunga. These bombardments seem to have 2 BBs in them, or so the Coastwatchers tell me. I decide to send a heavy surface combat fleet( Admiral Lee commanding) consisting of 2BBs, 2 CAs, 2CLAAs,CL and 8 DDs to Lunga to stop these incursions. On the first night my fleet arrives at Lunga it encounters the Japanese Bombardment Fleet of 2 BBs, 3CAs, CL and 9 DDs. I was fearful of the night fighting ability of the Japanese and especially of their DDs with their fearsome torpedoes at first but soon the leadership of Admiral Lee soon shown through. The US Fleet got the first shot off so suprise must have been achieved. Salvos commenced at 5000 yards and when it was over BB Hiei was sunk, BB Kongo was damaged, CL Nagara was heavily damaged, DDs Yagumo and Akigumo were sunk, 2 CAs and 2 DDs were damaged and on fire. My losses amounted to one DD and CLAA sunk, 2CAs, 1 CL, 1 CLAA and 1 DD damaged. Truly a tactical victory.
But before I could clear my decks and head for home, another enemy fleet shows up with 2BBs and 10 DDs! Evidently the enemy was sending in tandem bombardment fleets. My coastwatchers should be shot for not telling me about this.
My BBs had been hit in the previous encounter but the damage was superficial. Admiral Lee opened up immediately upon BB Haruna at 4000 yds and soon had her in a mass of flames. BB Kirirshima was next and after 6 hits by 16" shells she was out of the battle. My damaged CAs still had their main turrets operating and were able to keep the destroyers away damaging 5 and sinking one. My only losses were the CA San Francisco who received a torpedo that finally did her in, a damaged CLAA Juneau & CL Helena and one heavily damaged DD Gwin who finally sank after the battle.
I was thoroughly exhilarated by the outcome and had to relate it. Although it was I who had been as suprised as the enemy I think it demonstrated that the US can fight at night if it has to.

[Erik Rutins]

Nice report, Drex. As a side note, I think Chin Lee has to be about my favorite of the surface combat TF commanders. I've had consistently good results with him in a variety of situations. Good call putting him in charge.

Regards,

- Erik

[Drex]

Thanks Eric. I have been reading the UV threads religiously prior to ordering my game and remembered that either Lee or Spruance would be good surface commanders ( although Spruance could run carriers too). Still I didn't know how a night battle would turn out because earlier reports from others weren't that encouraging. If I'd known that I would be facing 4 BBs -albiet 2 at a time- I probably would have chickened out. But all's well that ends well and I really love this game! any how on with the war.