two Germans in the Pacific - Sc17

[RGIJN]

I need to admit this accident... shame on me! And congrats to my opponent - Fuelli really knows how to cope with the Japanese onslaught! But I really did NOT notice Franks recon had detected my incoming FT already, "fog of war" may be? Unfortunately he managed to put up a superior surface fleet against. And dice rolls decided not to launch a long lance attack, thus my little enterprise was doomed from the beginning. However, this adventure still has a very sunny side for me... [:D]
So I don´t whine over this, there are more attractions on the sleeve... [;)]

[RGIJN]

besides the actual (recently rather quiet) action some bonfires occured. I was busy to mine virtually the entire Espiritu Santo area, and Frank is still busy to clear a way thru. Finally some of my eggs went off. Another of my opponenets already scarce escort assets struck a mine. A few turns before one of his pesky subs made an acquaintance with this little bonbons... [:D] Granted small successes I cheer about by now... but I like those micro-war events! [8D]

keep watch for anything looking like this:

[RGIJN]

With lots of eager surface units to my avail, I decided to interfere with these annoying minesweeping operations south of Luganville.[:-] Some days ago it turned out a destroyer would not be enough, so I commited " MOGAMI class cruisers to this task this time. A wise and successful choice. One of the escorting allied DDs already hit one of my bonbons [:D] before the actual battle ensued. I had split my TF into two branches for a double engagement. However the second part of the pincer (led by KUMANO) wasn´t effective as thought to be. [:(]



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/15/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat at 54,54

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Meredith, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
MSW Launceton
MSW Whyalla
MSW Skylark, Shell hits 1
MSW Starling, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 54,54

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
DD Oboro
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
MSW Launceton
MSW Whyalla, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Skylark
MSW Starling, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[fuelli]

I was asking for it. If you do things the same way again and again, the enemy will find away to interfere.

[RGIJN]

finally all these thousands of mines I laid (and I´m still laying[:D]) pay off - an allied PT group that went after some barges I´d send into the Espiritu Santo vicinity hit several minefields. However not only three PTs fell victim to the devils eggs, two of my barges maneuvered into death too...

Some of the mines seems pretty close to shore...




BOOM

[RGIJN]

last turns went rather silent, only disturbed by few bombing runs on my APs supplying the area. Attacks from PM are trickling and I suppose my opponent wants to preserve his supplies since transports became scarce. [:D]
Minesweeping in the NH vicinity has died too. Everything feels quite placid but we all know it´s a wrong feeling... [;)]

Time for some sketchy statistics

Dateline - End of September, 1942

VP spread ~ 2700 in japanese favour
Allied A/C losses - 750

Allied Ship losses:

2 CA
14 DD
12 escorts (PG/SC)
3 PT
3 MSW
1 APD
2 DM/DMS
3 SS
29 AP/AK

[bigbaba]

nice to have an update of your game. i wish me the same tranquility for my game..at least for some weeks.[;)]

a overall map of the situation would be nice, ralf.

[fuelli]

I think the statistics made by my enemy are a littlebit one sided. therefore I need to add some figures[:D]:

CV 1
BB 2
CA 1
CL 3
DD 16
Escort 1
MSW 3
ML 2
SS 11
AP 15

Japanese Ac losses : 535

Now I think the picture is more complete. Regarding PM I have to point out that in the last couple of turns my bombers successfully attacked transport TFs in the vicinity of Rabaul. As mentioned the situation is more or less calm right now. But I´m still waiting for the next move. There must be a next move I´m sure.
Overall situation is as follows:

Sub War fare:
since I have sunk nearly a dozen of his subs I haven´t seen much Sub activities anymore. This has a down side as I suspect his subs laying mines everywhere.

Which brings me directly to:

Mine warfare:

The propaganda of my enemy speaks the truth (Is it then propaganda anymore?) I find mines everywhere. Yesterday even one under my pillow. This is nasty.

PM

The Base is fully expanded and well supplied. I´m just working out future plans to use this to my advantage.
The air above PM is controlled by my fighters as good as it can be against Zeros right now. Whenever there is a fight above PM I can achieve at least 1:1,5 Fighter losses in air to air and together with the OP losses I get nearly 1:1. Nevertheless every time a AK gets hit by a torpedo and is out of action for a certain amount of time. But AKs are not my concern. Its the APs that really give me a hard time. I haven´t lost one since weeks (maybe because his subs are rendered useless) but the amount I have left is not enough to mount a real threat to any Japanese base.

[fuelli]

Now for the Solomons:

My appreciated Enemy has established a chain of bases which enables him to support Luganville from Shortland with barges. Theoretically[:D] The last time he tried my P39s completely destroyed this effort. Nevertheless there is much work ahead. Did I mention my lack of APs???

[fuelli]

And last but not Least the New Hebrides, the situation is as follows:
One Division is stationed at the AV Base Luganville. Since they have landed there, no Supplies have been landed there(at least none that I know of). My 2E Bombers and my SBDs have bombed the base to 100% damage (Airfield and Port). Of course they gained ALOT of experience in doing so[8D]. The dotbase in the north is a different story: After the Japanese division defeated my troops in Luganville they retreated north. They were just the remaining´s of the troops that got evacuated prior to the invasion. Now there are two Japanese naval Garrisons that try to dislodge the second line troops but failed up to now. Not a problem for me as these troops are also a nice training ground for my AC at Efate.

[fuelli]

The last turns saw steady action in the PM and Luganville area. First a transport TF at Nevea was attacked by B25s and B26s out of Efate with notable success. 3 APs reported sunk so far.
In PM my B17s are threatening enemy shipping all around the place. Several hits on APs, DDs a CL and a CS were scored. Unfortunatley a bombardment TF that smashed a FTF in PM got away unscratched. The airwar over PM is developing in my favour. The last attack by Bettys and Nells resulted in more then 60 AC downed (about 40 fighters and 20 bombers) without any hit on my transport TF. I lost about 35 Fighters myself. A trade I would like to make anytime.
Finally enemy subs showed up again and sunk an AK of Townsville. It got shelled by the escorting destroyer and several hits were reported but is not confirmed sunk yet. Another sub was hit by scouting planes of Luganville.
I´m a littlebit concerned about my OP losses in the last couple of turns. Even in good weather and with low fatique my SBD on Naval search seem to be affected heavily.

[bigbaba]

aye, the OP loses are sometimes extremly high. i lost 48! zeros and oscars flying LRCAP from lae and rabaul over a TF, which was unloading at lae.

but beside that, great success, frank...espacialy the air battle over PM.[&o]

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: fuelli
Finally enemy subs showed up again and sunk an AK of Townsville. It got shelled by the escorting destroyer and several hits were reported but is not confirmed sunk yet. Another sub was hit by scouting planes of Luganville.

This sub won´t sink, it just made port with 41 sys. You´ll miss that boat much I think...[;)]

[fuelli]

Not THAT much I think[8D]

[RGIJN]

As Frank already pointed out - there was another slaughter in the PM vicinity. First I was cheering about the crushing victory of my BBTF. But the morning brought severe headaches then... The local AirOps Commander at Vunakanau & Lakunai airtsrips in Rabaul´s hills scrambled together some 44 Zeros to escort torpedo-loaden Betties & Nells beyond the Owen-Stanley-Range to Port Moresby. Obviously this was much too less to push aside a 120-odd strong CAP over the target destination. And my bombers sold themselves for absolutely nothing!
Not even a single fish made it into the allied freighter hulls assembled in the harbour. I was thundering mad about that...

At least I caught these APDs... What a minuscule relief!





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/29/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 4
CA Takao
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Makigumo
DD Asashio
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
APD Manley, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Gregory, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Little
APD McKean, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Stringham, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 23


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Arizona Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
G4M1 Betty x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
P-39D Airacobra x 30
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 14 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 15 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged

1LT D. Meuten of 8th FS is credited with kill number 4

FLT F.Chadwick of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is KILLED

Allied Ships
DD Hull
AK Carina
AK Etamin

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 228th Regiment, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 58


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 140


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lae at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-17E Fortress x 21

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2
DD Takanami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 53

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
D3A Val x 16
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
P-39D Airacobra x 26
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 5 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 6 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 9 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 4 damaged

LTJG S.Ohara of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G3M Nell x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40E Kittyhawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 6 destroyed
G3M Nell x 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed

PO2 F.Nishiura of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
AK Etamin
PG Moa
AK Arided

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[YUP]

Will there be any Graffics

[RGIJN]

who says a barge is an easy prey??? Look at this! According to my intel this sub is out of commission at least for some time... must be "The golden shot" into the periscope [:D]




Sub attack at 18,43

Japanese Ships
AG 365, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Greenling, Shell hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bigbaba]

or thrugh a torpedo tube into the boat.[:D]

[fuelli]

I can confirm that this ONE 25mm shell completely destroyed the sub. It did not sink yet but its unlikely that it will make it to port. ONE SINGLE 25mm SHELL! You´ve got to love dice rolls[:D]

[RGIJN]

yeah, I like the armament of my barges... obviously sufficient to retaliate these sassy sub attacks [8D]