Fire across the Pacific,AAR (now a yokel free zone)

[cantona2]

End of September 1942 SitReps. Scores finally moving into a more positive area, though my arse is still well and truly whipped. The Efate operation is about a week away and then ill put 50% of forces which are due an Oct 42 upgrade,a lot of them, on stand down. Upgrade them, then do the same with the other half.

The Myitkyina operstion is already underway. 3 brigades, two armoured regiments, one artillery regiment, one detachement of assault engineers and one corps HQ will aim to assault the town by mid October. A diversionary move by part of the Mandalay force towards Magwe and the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway will hopefully make LY move some forces to counter the move.

[cantona2]

Game hit by synch bug.

Shot down 5 Tojos with Hurris, pleased as Punch. Run the turn, 7 allied Air-Air losses to no Jap losses WTF!!!!!

Bloody synch bug  [:@]

[cantona2]

Synch bug gone.
 
As such the orders for Opeartion Sunrise have been given. The 1st Marine Division and the 32nd Infantry Division have begun boarding their designated transports. The decoy carrier force left port yesterday and will hope to lure out the Japanese forces that sunk the Enterpise. The assault engineers, artillery support and base units have already arrived and sit in the sun baked harbour. Overhead, B-24's head towards Efate delivering more and more tons of explosives on the battered garrison. As the task forces approach the long-legged LB-30's will target Noumea's airfield to keep the Betties, after months of recon only 8 show up on the intell, there quiet while the B-24's will hit Luganville's aerodromes to keep the fighters down. The B-17's will provide, along with carrier forces, close air support to the Efate landings. All in all the operations involve over 100 ships and 200 aircraft, certainly my biggest operation to date. Two waves of minesweeping craft will go in first along with ASW forces. Carrier fighters will cover the operation. A bombardment force will then initiate the assault followed by the troops hitting the beaches. 22 subs act as pickets to the north of Luganville and two Catalina groups are providing long range searches from two atoll airfields.
 
Any advice will be welcome as my only other amphibious assault at Tarawa went badly. This time i have plenty of CAP and he only has one base within range, and that base is under the range of my LBA. Should i also include the HQ that is prepping for the assault in the initial wave or can i leave them onboard, one hex out and still benefit from its bonus?

[Alfred]

Cantona2,
 
It is my understanding (thus I could be wrong) that you need the HQ (presumably it is one of those Amphibious Force ones which give a landing bonus) in the same hex but the HQ does not need to unload onto the beach to give the bonus.  Also IIRC, Efate is not an atoll, so you will not be forced to shock attack as you were on Tarawa.  Try to time the landing to commence during the night phase, thus maximising the number of men who hit the beach.
 
Alfred

[cantona2]

Thanks Alfred
 
Indeed, the HQ is the I Amphibious Corps.

[cantona2]

The Efate Operation, now known as Operation Solar has started. Troop ships and combat vessel have begun to sail to their mustering points. Liberators at Nandi will start hitting the airfields at Luganville. D-Day is estimated in 2 days.
 
Area of Operations

 
[font="times new roman"]Naval OOB[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Cover Force 1: CVE Copahee[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Cover Force 2: CVE Nassau[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Long Range Force 1: CV Yorktown[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      BB South Dakota[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      [/font][font="times new roman"]CA Salt Lake City[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      [/font][font="times new roman"]CA San Francisco[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CL Concord[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CL Honolulu[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CLAA Juneau[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Long Range Force 2: CV Wasp[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      BB North Carolina[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CA Quincy      [/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CLAA San Diego       [/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                      CLAA San Juan         [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Strike Force 1: BB Mississippi[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          [/font][font="times new roman"]CA Portland   [/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          CA Northhampton[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          CA New Orleans[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          CA Astoria         [/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          CL Achilles      [/font]
[font="times new roman"]                          CL Perth[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bombardment Force 1: BB Colorado[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                        BB Idaho[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                        CA Indianapolis[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                        CL Helena[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                                        CL Phoenix[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]39 Destroyers, Destroyer Mine Sweepers and Minesweepers on minesweeping,ASW patrols and escorting main task forces.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Ground OOB[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1st Marine Division[/font]
[font="times new roman"]32nd Infantry Division[/font]
[font="times new roman"]US I Amphibiuos Corps[/font]
[font="times new roman"]14th See Bees[/font]
[font="times new roman"]110th US Base Force[/font]
[font="times new roman"]32nd Naval Base Force[/font]
[font="times new roman"]148th US Artillery Battalion[/font]
 

[cantona2]

Pre D-Day Operations for Operation Solar.
 
[ol][*][font="times new roman"]Round the clock bombardment of Japanese positions on Efate.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Development of Nukufetau and Funafuti to base Catalinas there to narrow the unpatrolled area of sea.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]D-Day - 3 Start bombardment of Lunganville aerodromes. A6M3a's stationed there.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]D-Day - 2 Task Forces to leave Suva to marshalling points.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]D-Day - 1 Task Forces to approach target area.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Zero Hour -1 Minesweeping force to clear channel for Bombardment Force 1.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Zero Hour disembarkation on beaches to begin, 1st Marine Division and 148th Artillery Battalion with 32nd Naval Base Force to be landed in first wave.[/font][/ol]

[cantona2]

Orders to Commander 5th US Air Force, Nandi.

[font="Times New Roman"]1. All fighters to cover all Naval vessels within range. Particulary P-38 and F4-F types.
2. Liberators to hit Lugnaville and then LB-30's to hit Noumea.
3. Suva aircraft to continue daily bombardments of Efate area.
4. Daily recon photographs to be forwarded to higher HQ.
5. Search effort to be intensified with addition of short range bombers and dive bombers.
6. Coordination of transfer of units to Efate once in our posession must be coordinated.
7. Plan for above to be in place by D-Day+4 at the very latest.[/font]

[cantona2]

Orders to Covering Forces 1 and 2
 
[ol][*][font="times new roman"]Follow in on tail of Bombarment Force 1.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Set all fighters to CAP over the target area.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Fighters are to be stationed at different heights.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Only LBA threat can come from the West, intell suggest Nell or Betty type (no more than 12 plane formation).[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Expected carreir threat from North/North East.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Submarine picket lines will notify if enemy carriers are sighted.[/font][/ol]

[cantona2]

Orders to Long Range Forces.
 
[ol][*][font="times new roman"]Set 50% fighters to fly CAP over transports. 50% to cover carriers.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]All Avenger type aircraft to fly ASW patrols.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Dauntless bombers to assist USAAF bombers in reducing Efate positions.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Move to engage enemy carriers, if sighted.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]You are instructed NOT to expose your ships to unnecessary risk from enemy LBA.[/font]
[*][font="times new roman"]Your primary task is to safe guard the transports. The engaging of enemy carriers is only a priority once they are sighted and outside the range of LBA cover.[/font][/ol]

[cantona2]

Fingers crossed, we all know that no plan survives contact with the enemy but any thoughts on the above would be welcome.
Cheers!

[cantona2]

One more question, the minsweepers go in first followed by the bombardment force. what orders do i set for the BFTF. Do they follow the MSTF, ie set follow tf, or do they sail in after the MSW's but lose the cover of darkness?

[cantona2]

From the War Diary of US I Corps
 
9th October 1942
 
[font="times new roman"]Operation Solar ordered by SoPac Hq. Codeword Sunbolt issued to USAAF units at Nandi.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]VP-44 Nukufetau reports 1 Catalina destroyed during take-off accident. Pilot dead, 2 wounded.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]TF1135 reports engine trouble to transport carrying 32nd Infantry HQ company. Transports delayed by one day.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font=tahoma]10th October 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Invasion force at mustering point. Carriers will rendevous tomorrow after having to take deeper channel out of Suva.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]5th Air Force starts raids on Lugnaville, following units and losses.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]23rd   Bombardment (LB-30) No losses reported, all bombs dropped.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]319th Bombardment (B-24D) No losses reported, all bombs dropped.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]370th Bombardment (B-24D) 1 loss to Flak over target. 1 loss over sea due to flak damage. 11 bombers dropped bombs.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]404th Bombardment (B-24D) 2 landing accidents, 1 total loss. All bombs dropped.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]435th Bombardment (LB-30) No losses reported, all bombs dropped.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]A6M2's and A6M3's flying over target area, 3 of each model. Bomber box defence effective, no loss to air to air action. Recon photos provided by 41st Photo-Recon show damage to runway and hanger.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]VP-13, flying Coronados, report sighting (possible submarine), heading SW, 240 miles NW of mustering point. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Status of Operation Solar 10th October 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"][/font]
 
[font="times new roman"][/font] 

[cantona2]

War Diary US I Corps

12th October 1942
 
[font="times new roman"]Minesweeping operations in Efate have begun. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Two enemy submarines attacked, one confirmed sunk in Efate approaches. Heavy submarine presence detected. Coronados's of VP-13 confirm a bomb hit on submarine in shallow water around Efate.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Bombardment Force 1 bombarded port facilities and Japanese shore defences on Efate. [/font][font="times new roman"]4 plane Betty strike caused no damage or hits, 3 reported shot down by Flak. Carrier fighters within LRCAP range tomorrow. Still no sighting of Japanese surface ships.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Courtmarial ordered by officer commanding Strike Force 1. Mislaid orders brought ships within range of Noumea based air. Mississppi hit with one torpedo, light damage, but CL Achilles lagging behind. (ie cocked up by not changing retirement allowed and having sydney as home port).[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]First troop transports hitting beach tomorrow.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]5th US Air Force reports destruction of Val, Emily and Zero aircraft on Lunganville aerodrome. Photo recon confirms wrecks and damage to airfield and fuel stocks.[/font]

[cantona2]

War Diary US I Corps

13th Ocotber 1942
 
[font="times new roman"]D-Day, elements of 145th US Artillery Battalion and 32nd Naval Base Force landed. 32nd Division and 1st Marine Division have begun landing on Efate. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Second Japanese submarine sunk in Efate waters. Three more contacts made with Japanese submarines in surrounding waters. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]CV Yorktown launches SDB attacks on known Japanese positions on Efate. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Betty bombers hit transports in the morning due to lack of CAP over landing sites, following damage reports received:[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]AK San Gabriel sunk, 200 men from 32nd Naval Base Force drowned.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]AP Empress of Australia, one torpedo, hit light damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]APD Colhoun sunk. Empty.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]APD Manley, heavy damage from multiple torpedo hit. Empty.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]AK Steel Navigator, one torpedo hit, light damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]AP Barnett, one torpedo hit, light damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]AK Trieste sunk. Empty.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]AK J.L. Lunckenbach, one torpedo hit, light damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]4 enemy aircraft confirmed destroyed over target area to no loss of our own.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]5th US airforce continues Operation Sunbolt, no confirmed aircraft destroyed but hangers and runway left burning.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Codename Sunray issued to 23rd Bombardment (LB-30) and 435th Bombardment (LB-30). Orders to bomb Noumea aerodrome.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Operation Solar D-Day 13th October 1942.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 

[cantona2]

Meanwhile in Central and Northern Australia Allied Forces close in on the desert town of Tennant Creek.

[cantona2]

CV Yorktown sunk by an overwhelming KB strike, officially I'm the worst WitP player on the boards. Cant organise a carrier/cap for love nor money.
 
Still landings carried on unmolested with over 80% of assault forces landed. Will post a bit more later on when im not so depressed [:(][:'(]

[cantona2]

War Diary US I Corps

14th October 1942

[font="times new roman"]D-Day +1.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1st Marine and 32nd Infantry Divisions successfully unloaded on Efate. Most of 110th, 32nd Base Forces and 14th Naval Construction Engineers also landed to consolidate bridgehead made by 145th Artillery Battalion yesterday.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]CV Yorktown sunk by a Japanese Carrier attack of overwhelming proportions. 65% of its aircraft are saved but massive loss of life. CVE Copahee also heavily damaged but was able to put its fighters along with those of the Nassau's and the Wasp's in the air. Nassau will cover the last of the landings while Wasp and Copahee retire Westwards.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]VP-13 spots a battle group approaching from the South West. Strike Force 1 moved to intercept and a replenished Bombarbment Force 1, now renamed Strike Force 2, move to intercept in a night action, before retiring under the umbrella of long range fighter groups at Nandi.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]US 5th Air Force has ordered 50% of all Liberators on Naval strike orders as Japanese carrier's are heading south-west and have come in range. [/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 

Operation Solar D-Day+1

[cantona2]

Here are the buggers responsible [:@]

[cantona2]

The situation on Efate. The 145th Art Battalion will lend its guns to a two pronged assault by the 32nd Infantry on the left and the 1st Marine on the right. The 14th See Bees will be in reserve while the two Base Forces coordinate the landing of supplies.