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

[Hortlund]

Disasterous day today. I lost over 100 Tojos in A2A against Corsairs and P38s over Lauterm. Worst part is that I lost close to 80 pilots aswell. I can ill afford that. Those losses are just...staggering.

Im pulling all my fighters off Timor, and after the resupply convoy to Thursday Island has finished unloading, Im pulling back my fighters from there too. I cannot compete with the Corsairs, and I already know that I cant shoot down the heavy bombers. Im pulling my fighters off frontline duty for now. Perhaps I'll return in 44 with new models, because this just wont work. My Tojo pilots were not super-aces, but they had experience in the 70s. If they cannot deal with the Corsairs despite outnumbering them, then what am I to expect from my 60-exp pilots? Or the ones with even worse experience than that.

Today was a real shock. I must now rely on groundunits only to defend bases closer than 6 hexes from the enemy.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/01/43

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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 119

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 93

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 57 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 14 destroyed, 34 damaged

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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 70
B-25C Mitchell x 171

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 51 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
457 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 157

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
30 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
34 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21000 feet
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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
23 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 26000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 26000 feet

[Hortlund]

Some payback today. I was really lucky to see my minelayers all survive a huge B17strike. Point taken, the MLs are heading back to port instead of to Thursday Island.

I have just about unloaded the 18th Division and now Im waiting for the supplies to unload. The 1st Tank Div is still enroute from Sorong, she should arrive in a couple of days. Im planning to keep the KB and the surface combat TF there to protect the cargo ships. After that, I dont think he will want to attack Thursday Island for a while.

On the other hand, perhaps I have tilted the balance too much here, I want to make him pay for his advance, I dont want him to swich avenue of attack to Timor instead. Perhaps I need to reinforce Timor now aswell. Shit, Im running out of troops. Im bringing one division from Kwangtung to Gilli Gilli, perhaps I should move it to Timor instead?

The carrier strike is my Zuikaku-force (3 CVs) that is south of Gilli Gilli. I wanted to have them there in case he came out to play with his carriers. If he had moved on the KB I would have used these three CVs to ambush his CVs from two directions.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/02/43

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ASW attack near Thursday Island at 49,90

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome
DD Akatsuki
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Suzukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Takanami
DD Akizuki

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 2

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ASW attack near Thursday Island at 49,90

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome
DD Akatsuki
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 3

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Sub attack at 54,94

Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Runner

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Sub attack at 57,54

Japanese Ships
TK Kaijo Maru
PC Ch 10
PG Hayakafuku Maru
MSW W.17

Allied Ships
SS Pompon

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Day Air attack on Kiska Island , at 92,35


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBF Avenger x 14
Wellington III x 16
PV-1 Ventura x 11
PB4Y Liberator x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
12 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger bombing at 14000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 11000 feet
3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 11000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 42,78


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19
B-17E Fortress x 43


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
ML Ishizaki
ML Shirakami
ML Kamome
ML Saishu
ML Hirashima
ML Naryu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 50,108

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 27
A6M3a Zero x 15
B5N Kate x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 8 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD Anderson
DD Hughes, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edwards, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hammann, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Meade, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 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 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
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
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Day Air attack on TF at 50,108

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 17
A6M3a Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 4 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Hammann, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hughes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gansevoort
DD Edwards, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Anderson

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 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 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

[Hortlund]

What sort of crap is this? 30 Tojos vs 4 B17s, then 19 vs 4 B24s and I dont shoot down a single bomber? Not only that, they get through to bomb the target aswell?

Ok, so I cant stop his bombers even when my fighters outnumber him 4-1 or 7-1? Wtf...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/08/43

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Day Air attack on TF at 42,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK India Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PV-1 Ventura bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Nittatsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 39,74

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Shozan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet

[Hortlund]

Heh, old castor must be really frustrated that he cant touch my carriers with his land based air from Darwin. Ive got pretty much the entire Japanese airforce in this area right now capping the TFs. He hit the Yamato TF (diversion coming down from Ambonia) for no damage, and today he just launched two small strikes that were wiped out by the TF CAP of over 250 fighters.

In his desperation, he sends out his PTs to try a mid-ocean incercept. I thought we had houserules against that, but apparently this target was too important. He failed though, apparently he didnt expect my carriers to move that far this turn.

He really seem frustrated. He had set a trap for the KB with his entire CV force hovering south of Gilli Gilli, waiting for the return of my carriers no doubt. But instead of facing his CVs on his terms I chose to withdraw north under heavy fighter cover. This must have annoyed him mightily. He thinks too highly of his LBA.

[ny59giants]

I'm playing CHS 158c (Nik Mod) as the Allies. Not until the arrival of Jack's did my B-17/24 suffer serious a2a losses (most were by flak and op losses).

[Hortlund]

This is what the CAP over KB looks like right now. I must say Im pretty impressed myself, especially since there are only 4 CVs and 4 CVLs in this version of the KB. 3 CVs are at Truk and one in Japan.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/43

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Day Air attack on TF at 41,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 61
A6M3a Zero x 198
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 123

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I'm playing CHS 158c (Nik Mod) as the Allies. Not until the arrival of Jack's did my B-17/24 suffer serious a2a losses (most were by flak and op losses).

Yeah, Ive noticed that too. And considering just how bad my fighters did against his corsairs, Im going to pull all of my Zero units off the line after the KB has escaped. Im thinking about putting the entire fleet and all my Zeros in Japan. There they will haunt his every move, he will constantly fear their arrival, and he will constantly be forced to put up huge protection for all his advances. Then, in 1944, I might use them again.

I have stocked the forward bases with combat units, I really dont think I should add more to the first defensive line since Ive got pretty decent defences now, around 1000 AV at the likely attack-spots (Lautem and Thursday Island) and 600 at the neighbouring bases. That should be enough for now.

[Hortlund]

Hm, somethings up. Now hes brought his carriers back to Thursday Island. Is this the beginning of the invasion?

[Hortlund]

Nope, they sailed past Thursday Island and seem to be heading to Darwin now. Ive been looking for AKs or APs among them, but no such thing.

So, is this an indication of a switch in attack axis? Im sending troop transports to Noumea to pull out my troops from Luganville and Noumea and instead use them in the lower NEI.

[Hortlund]

The KB made it out of harms way. At one point I had fighters from five airfields flying LRCAP over the carriers, I guess that proved too much for the bombers to dare launch against. I wonder what would have happened if he had launched 200 4Es against 400 fighters.

[witpqs]

Maybe his carriers were just chasing KB?

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Maybe his carriers were just chasing KB?

No, I think he was trying to draw out my airforce before his upcoming invasion. I think he sailed his CVs into the waters there to try to get me to put all my Bettys on naval attack. His CVs were probably heavily capped by P38s.

I believe his invasion cannot be too far off now. And before he commits, he want to decimate my airforce as much as possible. I decided not to take the bait.

Right now his CVs are at Cairns refuelling and rearming no doubt. I strongly suspect that when they leave port, they will be escorting the invasion TF. I dont know where he will strike however. Its going to be Gilli Gilli, Port Moresby or Thursday Island. My money is on Thursday Island.

[Hortlund]

Well, something has left port. Cant say what it is, my recon is useless and tells me its a TF consisting of AP AP SS SS BB CA

[Hortlund]

Here is an image of what the allied invasion force looks like right now.

[Hortlund]

Well, it came at last. The first allied Invasion. Target: Kai.

[Hortlund]

This of cource changes everything. There will be no battles for southern New Guniea, Guadalcanal, Tarawa. He is aiming to strike directly into the heart of the NEI.

I have ordered a massive transport fleet and the KB to Truk. I will move in and lift out all the forces from Thursday Island, Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli...all in all over 2000 AVs. These units have to be moved into the defensive line Ambonia-Kuching-Timor.

I am somewhat dissapointed at this approach by Castor, it would have been much more fun to fight for the islands in the pacific and in NG, but if this is how he wants it, this is how we will have to play.

I have not committed anything to the defence of Kai. As you can see, the defending forces were just a symbolic force. Problem is I have been reinforcing Thursday Island and Port Moresby instead of this area. Which means I have only 200-500 AV at the bases here right now. Ambonia and Lautem are the anchor points with 600 and 1000 AV respectively, but Sorong, Bulla, Kuching only has 3-400.

[Hortlund]

I suppose it is worth noticing how his invasion force looks like. Here we have something that can only be described as a blitzkrieg invasion.  

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

This of cource changes everything. There will be no battles for southern New Guniea, Guadalcanal, Tarawa. He is aiming to strike directly into the heart of the NEI.

I have ordered a massive transport fleet and the KB to Truk. I will move in and lift out all the forces from Thursday Island, Port Moresby and Gilli Gilli...all in all over 2000 AVs. These units have to be moved into the defensive line Ambonia-Kuching-Timor.

I am somewhat dissapointed at this approach by Castor, it would have been much more fun to fight for the islands in the pacific and in NG, but if this is how he wants it, this is how we will have to play.

I have not committed anything to the defence of Kai. As you can see, the defending forces were just a symbolic force. Problem is I have been reinforcing Thursday Island and Port Moresby instead of this area. Which means I have only 200-500 AV at the bases here right now. Ambonia and Lautem are the anchor points with 600 and 1000 AV respectively, but Sorong, Bulla, Kuching only has 3-400.

Hm, seems that Castor managed a nasty surprise here. Good play on his part but he'll need another good airfield to unbalance you in W. NG and Aru Island is only buildable up to AF level 3.

Anyway, it would have been quite foolish by him to attack you where you're strong, probably not much fun for him, only for you.

[ny59giants]

There will be no battles for southern New Guniea, Guadalcanal, Tarawa. He is aiming to strike directly into the heart of the NEI.

While those were taken historically, they have no economic value. Thus, you don't have to defend them as strongly. Remember that Castor has played the Japanese before and knows that the DEI/SRA has to be defended by the Japanese. He will try to keep his invasions close enough to be covered by P-38s and when possible by Corsairs and the soon to be arriving P-47s. After seeing the results of a2a against his Corsairs, he knows you don't want to go against them anytime soon. [:D]

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

I suppose it is worth noticing how his invasion force looks like. Here we have something that can only be described as a blitzkrieg invasion.

Yes, his assault force shows a strange composition. Looks like one of his invasion TF's (carrying some infantry) did not unload. Too many tanks in every case.