finally, Frank made his appearance at Espiritu Santo - this time bold. A decent invasion armada of SC, BB & Transport TFs dropped anchor at Luganville. Despite his desperate minesweeping efforts some of his ships hit these eggs. CL ACHILLES even two times. Meanwhile, the landings proceed... We´ll see the outcome soon.
This night I was able to sneak into PM harbour once again with a small cruiser force that had been in the area "accidentally"... My naval search indicated another supply run was about to enter Port Moresby, so I decided to get in with whatever on hand. Though the convoy was escorted by several DD & patrol craft, my small sentai was able to put them under. However, due to the turmoil between our warships I missed to sink more than one of his transports. Grrr! [:@] Anyway - another little success to gladden about.[8D]
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/10/42
Weather: Overcast
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 10,40
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo
Allied Ships
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Hull, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PG Moa, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
SC 644
SC 645
SC 705, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AK Etamin
AK Almaack
AK Adelong
AK Crater
AK Arided
AK Carina, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk right away after the battle)
AK Celeno
two Germans in the Pacific - Sc17
RE: Luganville
It is always the CLs that find the mines with 100% certainty. But first things first. The presence of mines was well aware to me as my invasion force was greeted by a lone ML when we entered Luganville harbor. It was decided not to use explosive shells as the ML was expected to sink simply due to the weight of shells that was raining down on it.
Beside three mines hitting two CLs and one an AP the unloading was uncontested so far.
After day two the enemy tried to find out what they are dealing with and got a clear answer:
Ground combat at Luganville
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 18250 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 20425 troops, 100 guns, 92 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1431
Guns lost 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 179
Guns lost 1
The unloading is still running and I think soon I will start with the attacks.
What concerns me is that I have left contact with KB. I know it is close by (It was again on vacation at Brisbane for AP hunting but without luck) and I´m prepared for an attack on my Invasion force at Lugganville, but knowing where it is is always something that makes me feel more comfortable. Stay tuned for the liberation of Luganville and route for the one who will bring the game to 43.
Beside three mines hitting two CLs and one an AP the unloading was uncontested so far.
After day two the enemy tried to find out what they are dealing with and got a clear answer:
Ground combat at Luganville
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 18250 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 20425 troops, 100 guns, 92 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1431
Guns lost 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 179
Guns lost 1
The unloading is still running and I think soon I will start with the attacks.
What concerns me is that I have left contact with KB. I know it is close by (It was again on vacation at Brisbane for AP hunting but without luck) and I´m prepared for an attack on my Invasion force at Lugganville, but knowing where it is is always something that makes me feel more comfortable. Stay tuned for the liberation of Luganville and route for the one who will bring the game to 43.
RE: Luganville
It is accomplished. The threat of Auto Victory has been banished this time.
On day three the intense minesweeping went on and one of the escorting destroyers, which was involved as well, found a mine the unpleasant way. Damage is mediocre and the ship will make it. KB was sighted about 300 miles of the coast but didn´t attack. A fortunate incident, as my local aircommander on Efate was only able to put few of my fighters on LRCAP. A first Attack of my ground troops showed promising results.
On day 4 of the Japanese defence collapsed even under light fire of the 1st marine Division. The regular bombing seems to have paid its stoll. KB was sighted about 210 miles off the coast but my Fleet has already returned to Efate. Beside this my minesweeping effort was rewarded with the report "Luganville harbor is now a mine free harbor."
Beside this my engineers are preatty busy. The airfield is already restored, just the harbor still looks quiet messy.
On Day 5 the KB is still abaout 240 Miles away. But this time it is accompinied with some SC TFs. Wonder what he is about? I would expect a few bombardments. My Groundtroops slash through the retreating enemy troops like a warm knive through butter. I think tomorrow this Division will be history.
On day three the intense minesweeping went on and one of the escorting destroyers, which was involved as well, found a mine the unpleasant way. Damage is mediocre and the ship will make it. KB was sighted about 300 miles of the coast but didn´t attack. A fortunate incident, as my local aircommander on Efate was only able to put few of my fighters on LRCAP. A first Attack of my ground troops showed promising results.
On day 4 of the Japanese defence collapsed even under light fire of the 1st marine Division. The regular bombing seems to have paid its stoll. KB was sighted about 210 miles off the coast but my Fleet has already returned to Efate. Beside this my minesweeping effort was rewarded with the report "Luganville harbor is now a mine free harbor."
Beside this my engineers are preatty busy. The airfield is already restored, just the harbor still looks quiet messy.
On Day 5 the KB is still abaout 240 Miles away. But this time it is accompinied with some SC TFs. Wonder what he is about? I would expect a few bombardments. My Groundtroops slash through the retreating enemy troops like a warm knive through butter. I think tomorrow this Division will be history.
Secret revealed
By the way, my scouts have taken a few shots of Truk (which will be my final destination of course [8|]) The picture below reveals the secret of the thousand mines I found in and around Luganville.....[X(]
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RE: Secret revelaed
congratulation on the expected liberation of luganville, fuelli.
i realy would like to know, if "ralf san" will continue the game and try to win by VP?
personaly, i dont like auto victory focused games, since they are unrealistic...not that i fear japanese AV attempts (i repulsed japanese attacks even with the midway carriers at luganville and townsville), but i like to play a long scenario and not one, in which the opponent gives up just few months (play time) after starting the game.
thats also the reason why i was moped as my opponent stopped our game suddenly...all this preprations until march 1943 were a waste of time..all this 40.000 troops at irau and lunga..all this 5500 mines at both bases for nothing...
i realy would like to know, if "ralf san" will continue the game and try to win by VP?
personaly, i dont like auto victory focused games, since they are unrealistic...not that i fear japanese AV attempts (i repulsed japanese attacks even with the midway carriers at luganville and townsville), but i like to play a long scenario and not one, in which the opponent gives up just few months (play time) after starting the game.
thats also the reason why i was moped as my opponent stopped our game suddenly...all this preprations until march 1943 were a waste of time..all this 40.000 troops at irau and lunga..all this 5500 mines at both bases for nothing...
RE: Secret revelaed
I can not see a reason for my opponent to stop the game right now. The Luganville adventure has cost him one division but that´s it. His Navy is intact (only lost one CV and two BBs)and he still has plenty of ground troops to threaten me anywhere. I have most of my carriers in the shipyard therefore I have to act very cautious. And as I already stated several times, my lifting capacity got significantly reduced early on in the game. Mounting the necessary punch for a big invasion like in Lunga will be a difficult task for me. I think this game is still completely open.
Basically I´m not a fan of autovictory as well. Usually it means the game stops in Jan 43 because the Allies loose or the Japanese have commited all their forces and failed. But this is not the case in this game.
Basically I´m not a fan of autovictory as well. Usually it means the game stops in Jan 43 because the Allies loose or the Japanese have commited all their forces and failed. But this is not the case in this game.
RE: Secret revelaed
As already said before, my "Luganville adventure" is over now. Frank´s timing for his invasion was near perfect, since my fleet assets were busy elsewhere... Though I still tried to interfere, I wasn´t able to get into range soon enough to make any impact.
Now as the colours of our map has changed once again, it´s time to set "kaziya bakudan T38" battle plan in motion. Preliminary preparations are done already... Just awaiting the get go...
As Fuelli already feared, his SS (the GREENLING) has sunk finally, killed from the terrible blow delivered by my barge with its 25mm SuperGun [:D]
Now as the colours of our map has changed once again, it´s time to set "kaziya bakudan T38" battle plan in motion. Preliminary preparations are done already... Just awaiting the get go...
As Fuelli already feared, his SS (the GREENLING) has sunk finally, killed from the terrible blow delivered by my barge with its 25mm SuperGun [:D]
RE: Secret revelaed
ORIGINAL: bigbaba
i realy would like to know, if "ralf san" will continue the game and try to win by VP?
Of course I will continue this war, to culminate in a glorious victory for our beloved Emperor!!! [:)]
RE: Secret revelaed
The last time my intel reports that the enemy is up to a certain "operation" my CVs got clubbered in Brisbane. Somehow I do not feel comfortable...
RE: Secret revelaed
recently Eleventh AirFleet made a visit over PM... with remarkable results. Well over forty Wildcats were destroyed, along with some other A/C. My own losses were acceptable this time, counting less than the half of those of the Allies. Yummy[8D] Recon tells that there is alot of meat for me now in town... [:D]
See the combat report for the particular air battle.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/18/42
Weather: Clear
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 6
Hudson x 10
Beaufort x 3
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 69
A-20B Havoc x 10
no losses
Runway hits 8
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
1 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 damaged
LTJG S.Ohara of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 6
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Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
B-17E Fortress x 30
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 77
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged
LTJG S.Ohara of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 7
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80
A6M3 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 93
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 9 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 8 damaged
LTJG A.Nishiura of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 86
Airbase hits 15
Runway hits 56
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
17 x G4M1 Betty at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See the combat report for the particular air battle.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/18/42
Weather: Clear
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 6
Hudson x 10
Beaufort x 3
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 69
A-20B Havoc x 10
no losses
Runway hits 8
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
1 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 damaged
LTJG S.Ohara of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 6
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Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
B-17E Fortress x 30
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 77
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged
LTJG S.Ohara of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80
A6M3 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 93
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 9 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 8 damaged
LTJG A.Nishiura of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 86
Airbase hits 15
Runway hits 56
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
17 x G4M1 Betty at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 8000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RE: Secret revelaed
now that was a air attack of the wild samurai horde..100 men, better then 1000.[;)]
RE: Secret revelaed
That wasn´t a glory day. A team of experts was send to PM to evaluate the informations gained by onboard cameras and to adjust CAP settings adequatly. Beside this, the complaints by the fighter pilots regarding the advantages of the Zero will soon be answered...[8D]
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Another Secret revelaed
My codebreakers just informed me that the oncoming japanese campaign will have something to do with a "smith bomb"......NOW I really have a clue..[&:]
RE: Another Secret revelaed
it´s that easy! since the appointed operation is born in my weird brain and I´m an artwork-blacksmith the thing got called that way... But the nomination came from Adm. Yonai Mitsumasa back in home waters when he bred over the final details of our battle plan... [8D]
(its me on the blacksmith's fire)
(its me on the blacksmith's fire)
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RE: Another Secret revelaed
so, as you can see the fire 
I am used to handle - be careful when trying to cope with it... [:D]
I am used to handle - be careful when trying to cope with it... [:D]RE: Another Secret revelaed
Did I get it right: You will throw yourselfe as bomb on...lets say Noumea?[:D]
RE: Another Secret revelaed
it seems you can´t wait to find out what "kaziya bakudan T38" has on its sleeve...[:D] Maybe it´s just simple propaganda, maybe it´s (y)our doom... 
Try out the next turn I just sent, perhaps it will be in there?!? [;)]
Try out the next turn I just sent, perhaps it will be in there?!? [;)]
RE: Secret revelaed
ORIGINAL: fuelli
complaints by the fighter pilots regarding the advantages of the Zero will soon be answered...[8D]
Oh that´s nice! We´re just proving the next upgrade for the good old Betty - will forward you some free intel out of my secret labs... [;)] They call this behemoth G16M "Sibley"
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RE: Secret revelaed
damns, the sowjets have stolen the blueprint of your new bomber, ralf.[:D]
RE: Secret revelaed
The survey of the battleffotage over PM already bears some fruit. The usual happened: A Supply run into PM and the next day Bettys show up escorted by over 100 Zeros. Number Cap Fighters was equal and the result was 1:1,5 fighter shoot down. Taking into account that a few P39 and P400 were involved I´m very satisfied with the result. Unfortunately three fishes found their target and one AK needs some rest and repair while a destroyer got hit hard.
Together with the OP losses the Japanese again paid a heavy toll for little gain.
Beside this I was also very successful in hunting down subs. Two subs were hit by scouting planes while a third one was caught laying mines off Luganville. First a CA found a mine and then the escorting destroyers found the sub. Depth charges were delivered with an unknown result.
During the day my scouting planes sighted yet another SC TF herading for PM. Another bombardment will occur into the next 24 hours. My bombers are on alert. Maybe we can plant a few 500lbs on a CA. That would be nice.
Together with the OP losses the Japanese again paid a heavy toll for little gain.
Beside this I was also very successful in hunting down subs. Two subs were hit by scouting planes while a third one was caught laying mines off Luganville. First a CA found a mine and then the escorting destroyers found the sub. Depth charges were delivered with an unknown result.
During the day my scouting planes sighted yet another SC TF herading for PM. Another bombardment will occur into the next 24 hours. My bombers are on alert. Maybe we can plant a few 500lbs on a CA. That would be nice.
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