yes, hard times for me indeed!
So I have to rely on "delights" of much smaller scale than back in those days 1942. As it occured last night, when a little surface battle at Gaviagamana ensued. Aside from the obvious results (one modern Allied DD sunk plus one heavily damaged, only slight damage to one of my DDs, the other DD and CL YUBARI just scratched and still well in the green) I cheer about the death of US Adm. Thomas Kinkaid who drowned in the murky waters of the Northern Heebrides.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/23/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
Allied Ships
PT 124
PT 120
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 28, on fire
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 3, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Beale, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hutchins, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
SC 750
SC 751
TK Suamico
TK Pecos
TK Cache
TK Millicoma, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
though it won´t help me anything, he was one of your better leaders...
In UV, you cast pearls before swine if you don´t pay attention to the damned & trappy automatic Admiral selection. For example: Any IJN TF of three or more ships is subjected to Tanaka Raizo as leader, but it would be more than a just misery to lose such a man on a hapless AP vessel - sinking from the fishes of a lone US submarine!
Tanaka is a smart guy indeed, so I´m used to employ him very rarely and with most caution possible.
As for your battle results you should take into consideration that the individual ship rating (combat and skipper values), perfomance figures and Radar will influence the dice roll too and not only the overall Commander of your TF. Of course I am aware that as the Japanese (especially later in the war) you won´t have the "grand selection" of ships you can freely chose from...
However, for surface TFs there are several other great Admirals in the IJN default list and some of the ship skippers (mostly CDR or CPT rank) are very capable too.
We have the end of April and the two remaining Inf regiments (the 238th and 239th) in Buna decided to give up the fighting. Now the south east of NG has become a peaceful place. Further in the north my troops have marched out of Wau only to find empty places left behind by the Japanes who are still located at Lae. Far further in the north I have detected signs of activity in Wewak. I have never dared to think about walking up the trail that far but, why not....
Meanwhile I get reports from PH that they are short on storage....for ships[8|]
Men of the 4th Australien enjoying themselves in the Buna jungle
While my advisory board in Washington is working on the overall strategy for the next moves I tried to contest a few certain places regarding the expected opposition. I was quite surprised that Woodlark island had no mines. Also no troops as it seems. But a lvl 4 airfield. This looks too juicy...obviously a trap...I have to be careful....
In the last couple of weeks, the Japanese navy occasionally shelled different bases in their reach.Evidence showed that only medium sized guns were involved but nevertheless a lot of aircraft got damaged on the ground at Gili Gili which was a boost for morale there. Therfore countermeasures were due. Yesterday they struck. A medium and a small size surface combat group tried to sneak into Gili Gili to do some damage. But this time they dicovered resistance. Finally the minefield that have been set up during the invasion and were extended the last weeks found their target. And not only one. Three ships got hit hard. Finally revenge for the dozens of mines I have already collected.
Now that was a good start. The explosions also worked as alarm signal and my Battlegroup lying in wait now jumped on the enemy still in disorder and completely unaware of things to come
CA Tone got immediately mauled by the 16inchers from BB Indiana. Two additional destroyers got sunk during the action and the remaining ships all got their share of US steel. On The downside CA Portland was heavily shelled by CA Atago and more then a dozen 8inchers and a torpedo turned her into a burning piece of scrapmetal. But nevertheless the intruders fled and no shot was fired at my precious aircraft shelters at GG.
To make it short: 1 CL and 2 DDs were allowed to leave to tell their tale. CA Portland unfortunately sunk without receiving any additional hit but damage was already mortal.
Unfortunately the weather prevented to make this desaster a complete desaster. My Bombers from GG could not fly. Not this day...
...but the next day. Several stragglers were reported between GG and Shortland. The closest ones were also hit by the scouting bombers. This could be the prelude to successful hunting....if there wasn´t the problem with the commanders target selection. He decided to take the nearest target. 70 B25 took of just to find debris in the open ocean. What a waste of fuel.[8|]
Point gap is just a few hundred points and about 7 month left to correct this.
Next targets are locked and preparations are on their way. There will be lots of action in June after two month of reorganisation.
Hi folks. Due to heavy work load I am pretty busy otherwise and I am sorry not to be able to post too much. Will try to increase activity for our PBEM AAR in the next time.
Frank did a fine job in keeping me on alert what his next move would aim for. Months May and early june went on quite "peaceful" with alot of reorg on both sides. Only occasional air attacks and rare ship losses were disturbing the silence.
Now he opened up kinda two-pronged offensive. Allied troops moved up from Wau to Lae, and its garrison has fallen last turn. This brought VPs on almost even level (IJ ~10190 Allies ~10350).
Further he landed some contingent at Rennell. I guess its meant as staging point for operations against the Southern Solomoms. Imperial Command is prepared for whatever will come...
As Fuelli stated already - I think the next weeks will get hot[8D]
Unfortunately my hidden secret base at Rennel was discovered by the Japanese prior its completion. Soon after an intense competition about who can bring in more troops started. I won the contest and was able to throw about 4K Japanese infantry back into the sea. Soon my Engineers will have completed their task (They are far behind schedule)
and then the Solomons will never be the same again.....
alot of activity is centered around Rennell Isl now. While Frank is roaming the seas southeast of this tiny piece of soil, I brought down major tools of the IJN. My opponent is pretty reluctant in closing in as I am, so we are rather fumbling around each other than battling... His 4Es were not too busy in striking my convois and some japanese APs & TKs suffered heavy damage.
but last night two heavy bombardment groups of mine ran into several allied fleets. I guess two allied FT TFs and one screening battlegroup. Of course this led us into a crazy free-for-all...[X(]
Able Admirals and well experienced crews enabled the victory for the Nihon Kaigun, at least this time. Most of the enemy TFs were completely annihilated, and alot their ships sunk last night. BB SoDak is amongst the wrecks of DDs, Cruisers and express transport vessels on the ocean... Further his FT lost some troops at sea too. The IJN is missing just one CA and one DD so far.
No real Air battle between our carrier groups, some foolish IJN & IJA fliers (almost all land based) tried to get thru just to meet death. But IJN fleet air arm made short work of the cripples still afloat. At least something I can expect to work out properly with good ol´ KB [;)]
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/04/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 5, on fire
BB Yamato, Shell hits 6
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Takanami, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 2
DD Onami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hayanami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akebono
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 5
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 2
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholson, Shell hits 35, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Sims
DD Walke, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Lamson, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Worden, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 3
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 1
BB Musashi
CA Maya, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Takanami, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 1
DD Onami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hayanami, on fire
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akebono
DD Sazanami, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Ammen, Shell hits 1
DD Russell, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Smith, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DD Preston, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
APD Dent, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Crosby
APD Sands, Shell hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Agano
DD Makinami
DD Kiyonami
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Murasame
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
DD Harusame
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans, and is sunk
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Honolulu
DD Sims
DD Walke, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Worden, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monaghan
DMS Hopkins, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Agano
DD Makinami
DD Kiyonami
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Harusame
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
AV Ballard, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AV McFarland
AV Thornton, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AV Tangier, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 342
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 7
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CL Agano
DD Makinami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Tanikaze
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Harusame
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
DD Ammen, Shell hits 205, and is sunk
DD Russell, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
APD Dent, and is sunk
APD Crosby, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Sands, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
CL Agano, Shell hits 1
DD Makinami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze, on fire
DD Tanikaze
DD Murasame
DD Samidare
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims, Shell hits 2
DD Walke, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Worden, and is sunk
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS Hopkins, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 39,46
Japanese Ships
SS I-15
Allied Ships
AV McFarland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 49
TBF Avenger x 15
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Takanami, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 17
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 13
TBF Avenger x 18
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 93
B5N Kate x 78
E13A1 Jake x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 24, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M3 Zero x 3
D4Y Judy x 19
B5N Kate x 30
G4M1 Betty x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 6
Ki-48 Lily x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 20
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x Ki-48 Lily at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 7000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 26
B5N Kate x 18
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 7
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,44
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
TBF Avenger x 14
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,48
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 3 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monaghan, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,48
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, on fire, heavy damage
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,49
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 27
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 55
Beaufighter VIC x 10
P-38G Lightning x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 17 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
LCDR P. Torrey of VF-9 is credited with kill number 4
LCDR P. Torrey of VF-9 bails out and is CAPTURED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,49
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
G4M1 Betty x 9
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
Beaufighter VIC x 4
P-38G Lightning x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 12 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
1LT D.Campbell of 67th FS is credited with kill number 7
LCDR B.Bando of F1/6th Daitai is KILLED
Allied Ships
AO Tippecanoe
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
It is worth noting that the Yamato and Musashi, when they were designed and laid down in the late 30's, were considered completely unsinkable by the standards of the day. And, to be fair, they probably were. The Musashi took at least 20 torpedo hits and the same amount of bombs before it finally succombed at the Battle of Leyte Gulf - an impressive damage absorbtion by anyones standards.
Contrast this with the British super-dreadnought the Barham, one of the Queen Elizabeth class of battleships. Although laid down before WWI, it was considered one of the most well-armoured and protected ships of the fleet over twenty years later. Three torpedo's from a U-boat (my father was travelling in the convoy at the time, and actually watched it go down and helped fish out survivors) caused it to first capsize and then explode very spectacularly.
And as for HMS Prince of Wales, which was Churchill's favourite and considered also one of the best armed and protected ships, especially against air attack, best not to go there at all... [:(]
A black day for the USN. The enemy showed awesome skill and bravery nevertheless the USN sailors fought well even by the impressive sight of the two big units. The losses are hurting: 1BB 2CAs with a third one mortally wounded a CL and about a dozen DDs plus several APDs and AVs. I hope this will trigger some reinforcements from PH.
