West Wind, Clear - Rybka (J) vs. Skipjack (A)

[Skipjack_]

Some Updates: 5/30/43:  Allies storm ashore at Port Morseby and take the base, 4 MCS sunk by Jap LBA but otherwise no significant losses.

[Skipjack_]

Early June 43:  U.S. Marines and AUS Infantry + Engineers land at Tagula Island and take the base.  Meanwhile, U.S. sends BBs to cover Port Moresby but the Intel was incorrect; Yamato and other Jap BBs bombard Milne Bay followed by several Divisional landings; fortunately 3 U.S. Divisions hold on to the base.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Skipjack_

  Meanwhile, U.S. sends BBs to cover Port Moresby but the Intel was incorrect; Yamato and other Jap BBs bombard Milne Bay followed by several Divisional landings;

Rats! There could have been a delicious surface battle . . .

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Rats! There could have been a delicious surface battle . . .

My thoughts exactly. But with both sides sporting repaired BBs and the Allies on the counter-attack, their will be more opportunities for surface combat soon [:)]

[Skipjack_]

6/20/43:

In air battles over Lae, allies strike to suppress enemy air, but the allies do take some losses - the Shoki has appeared.   Over Madang, Hudsons and Lightnings sink a DD, 2 APs and radio intel reports Adm Nishimura was killed.  His remains were transported to Tokyo and the Palace is preparing funeral for this popular hero.

On the other side of the war, Gen. Mutaguchi was found alive in Burma´s jungle. His staff was destroyed in the inaccurate night bombardment last year and he was considered to be dead. Fortunately, he only got lost in the chaos and darkness. Now, he is in a good condition and prepared for another battle. What is a year in the jungle for a Japanese General.

Losses (Jap/Allied)
Squads  18/7
AFVs     30/0
Guns      20/8
Aircraft 217/146
Ships      4/0

[Skipjack_]

7/4/43:   The AUS 1st Armoured Bde is refitted with new equipment - Deep-wading Shermans, Duplex Drive and Tank Dozers.  Armed with these "Funnies", they join a New Zealand Bde and storm ashore at Nauru, where the Armored support makes all the difference.

[Skipjack_]

7/11/43:  Nauru: SIGINT indicates IJN TFs headed for Nauru, the South Pacific Fleet is sent in response.  However lookouts and search planes can find nothing.
Rennell Island:  Significant numbers of new fighters have been encountered here - allies designate them Jack and Tojo.  The newly arrived 348th and 80th squadrons are sent to counter them.

Santa Cruz:  Transports return from Nauru but Betties from Guadalcanal claim an APA.

Cairns: Adm Phillips arrives with a bombardment TF to pound enemy ground units - and finds virtually nothing to shoot at. Other than radio operators and snipers, the place is deserted. "Wire this message to our forces south of Cairns" states the Admiral as he lowers his binoculars. "Extract Digit."

Milne Bay - amid the normal preparations for airfield strikes on Lae, reports come in from PBYs - task forces approaching!  Beaufighters are armed with Torpedoes and join F4Us in naval interdiction.  SBDs attack from Tagula - they claim a Kuma CL and damage a Kongo BB from the SCTF, and several more DD/AP/MCS.  After striking the SCTF and 3 transport TFs, warnings are passed to Rennell and Santa Cruz.

The first P47s committed to the Pacific Theater quickly find themselves in the center of the fight - and acquit themselves well - getting a big hit on Yamato.  Requests are quickly sent home for a lot more of them.

The only IJN ships that get close to Nauru is KB - and only P38Js from Rennell can reach them.  They duel with A6Ms and do not make any attacks.

Loses (Jap/Allied)
Guns      0/8
Aircraft  371/270
Ships     14/1

[Capt. Harlock]

The first P47s committed to the Pacific Theater quickly find themselves in the center of the fight - and acquit themselves well - getting a big hit on Yamato. Requests are quickly sent home for a lot more of them.

The only IJN ships that get close to Nauru is KB - and only P38Js from Rennell can reach them.

Bravo Thunderbolts! They're my favorite Allied fighters for all-around versatility.

You have P-38J's already on line in July '43? The random arrival gods have been kind to you.[;)]

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

You have P-38J's already on line in July '43? The random arrival gods have been kind to you.[;)]

I received the 80th Fighter Group (P38Js) and the 348th Fighter Group (P47Ds) some weeks ago - after shipping them via freighter to Oahu, I moved them week by week south until they were in the New Hebrides. I could have waited until factories were producing replacements, but I was having a tough time with Tojos and Jacks in the lower Solomons, so I thought I would throw them into Rennell to see what they could do. It just so happened that the IJN TFs came at me that turn (Rybka and I both thought they would move though the central pacific towards Nauru, but they took a detour through the Coral Sea), I was fortunate that they were fighter-bomber types so they could engage the Jap TFs without CAP. Both groups have now been withdrawn - the 348th to retrain after receiving replacements, the 80th is down to 12 serviceable aircraft and with no replacements will be on rear area duty for a while. I was glad they got a chance to fight instead of waiting months for replacement aircraft to be available.

[Rybka]

It was the horrible turn. I sent transport TFs and SCTF from 3 bases (i.a. from Wewak and Rabaul) against Naru, but all made towards Milne Bay and then southwards. Finally, after a long trip full of air attacks, they ended between Rennell Is. and Santa Cruz. I don´t see why they chose this paths, even ships form Rabaul. Only KB could reach Naru (from Bougainville), but didn´t attack and was repeled after numerous air raids from Naru and Rennell Island.

[Skipjack_]

Early August:  Allies decide to bypass Tarawa and invade Makin Island.   After taking the island and landing supplies and reinforcements, a CV TF commanded by Adm Mitscher is left to keep an eye on the IJN in the Solomons, and protect Nauru and Makin.   Adm Phillips commands a mixed British/U.S./Australian SCTF for additional cover.

8/15/43:  Mitscher reacts to an MCS TF approaching Rabaul - Reaction range was set to 10, when am I going to learn [8|].  The reaction move puts the U.S. CVs in the Shortlands, the same place KB has been hanging out for the past several months.   In a massive stroke of luck, most of the Japanense LBA are either withdrawn or training, U.S. CVs manage to sink a CVE while the Princeton withstands several bomb hits, thanks to excellent damage control.

[Skipjack_]

8/22/43:  Japanese Carriers strike at Mitscher's TF before it can escape - reminiscent of the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, a CVL begins the combat to draw the first strike, this time it is the Shoho.  It's small complement cannot penetrate U.S. CAP, and the counterstrike scratches one flattop.

[Skipjack_]

Then main KB hits, and this time draws blood - the Saratoga is damaged, and the Princeton takes a near-fatal Torpedo strike.  South Pacific command holds it's breath to see if it can make it back to port.

Overall, this could have been a lot worse, Mitscher sank a CVL and a CVE, and (hopefully) will get all of his ships back to port for repairs.  It certainly added some excitement [:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

Overall, this could have been a lot worse, Mitscher sank a CVL and a CVE, and (hopefully) will get all of his ships back to port for repairs. It certainly added some excitement

Tsk, tsk. By August '43 the USN should be dominant -- or it would be if it weren't for those late-arriving Hellcats!

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Tsk, tsk. By August '43 the USN should be dominant -- or it would be if it weren't for those late-arriving Hellcats!

No doubt, it has been agonizing waiting for the Ironworks to get the F6Fs rolling. Soon they will start appearing in the pools - then Operation Domination can begin [8D]

[Skipjack_]

9/5/43:  Central Pacific Fleet launches it's long planned assault on Wake Island - now that F6Fs are (finally!) available. CV cover is provided by the a) Essex, B.H. Richard and Belleau Wood and b) Cabot, Hornet and Cowpens.  Surface Combat TF includes South Dakota, Indiana and North Carolina (plus CAs and Dutch/Omaha CLs), Bombardment provided by Mississippi, Arizona and Pennsylvania plus U.S. CAs and British CLs. The 7th U.S. Inf Div arrives from Kauai and storms ashore - despite fighting bravely, they fail to move inland until the 2nd Marine division lands and flanks the enemy positions. Combat is quickly wrapped up and Wake falls. Phase I of Operation Domination is complete. [8D]

[Capt. Harlock]

The 7th U.S. Inf Div arrives from Kauai and storms ashore - despite fighting bravely, they fail to move inland until the 2nd Marine division lands and flanks the enemy positions. Combat is quickly wrapped up and Wake falls.

Ouch -- from what I see, the 7th will need to do a lot of recruiting, and quite possibly some training.

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Ouch -- from what I see, the 7th will need to do a lot of recruiting, and quite possibly some training.

Yes, a lot of both can be expected for this unit over the next few months [;)]

9/12/43:  Central Pacific TFs are replenished, then head for Eniwetok - Intelligence inidicates it is lightly defended.  Adm Turner's force (which failed to reach Wake) is diverted and becomes the lead landing force in the return to the Marshalls.   Eniwetok's battalion surrenders quickly to the U.S. Army Rgt and AUS Armoured Bde that storm ashore.

Meanwhile transports trying to bring fuel and supplies to Wake are turned back by multiple waves of G4Ms from Kwajalein, Marcus, etc. Around 5-7 MCS/TK sunk. [:(]  U.S. CVs have orders to return to Midway, but they wind up going south of Kwajelein and far from their support ships - Adm Nimitz is not pleased. He wires the message:  "Where is TF51?  the world wonders ...".

9/19/43:  U.S. CVs regroup and cover supplies to Wake Island.  Over 100 Jap bombers shot down by F6Fs [8D].   Gen. Messervy has received reinforcements - the 1st Marine Div is added to Australian and Indian forces at Cloncurry. The combined coalition force launches "Operation Desert Storm" and take the base [:)].  Meanwhile the South Pacific command conducts a reconnaissance-in-force of Guadalcanal and learn it's defenders (6th Inf Div + 2 Bdes) seem determined to hold on.

[Skipjack_]

9/26/43:  G4Ms intended to hit the Allied TFs leaving Guadalcanal strike Milne Bay instead - 11 fighters and 84 bombers shot down, allies lose 12 aircraft, 4 on the ground [8D].  Wake: Allies bring supplies but G4Ms strike from Kwajalien and sink 1 CVE, heavily damaging another.   Supplies do get through, however, allowing Goonie Birds to deliver some forward to Eniwetok - where they are a welcome sight [:D] Units in Port Moresby try an ill-advised attack to drive off the Japanese, one of those situations where graduated attack levels would be nice [:(]

Losses (Japan/Allied)
Squads 86 / 157
AFVs 19 / 29
Guns 116 / 29
AC 445 / 147

10/3/43: Supplies escorted in to Eniwetok - 1 TF from Nauru fails to make as it dodges strikes from Kwajelien, but no significant damage. The ground war in Cloncurry continues with heavy losses on both sides.


Losses (Japan/Allied)
Squads 275 / 284
AFVs 36 / 14
Guns 109 / 31
AC 128 / 48

[Skipjack_]

10/10/43:  Central Pacific lands the 3rd Marine Division on Maleolap and retakes it from the Jap Bn defending ... at the same time the 2nd Marine Division lands on Wotjie and encounters tougher resistance, but is able to take the base with odds 4

South Pacific:  Divisions are scraped up from Rennell Is, Santa Cruz and Espiritu to launch an all-out attack on Guadalcanal - British BBs bombard (plus the Oklahoma) - CVs Lexington, Saratoga and 2CVL provide air cover.  LCUs land in 4 waves, but is takes additional supplies and an end-of-turn combat to wrest the base from the determined Jap defenders - the airbase falls (odds 8 - just enough [8D]).