Banana vs Erik the Viking

[EUBanana]

November 2nd.

There was another surface daylight battle at Milne Bay between my cruisers and a smaller Jap SAG containing a BB. The battle was indecisive (unfairly to the Japs I think given they brought a BB, though not hugely so). During the day though my CVs plastered the BBs. Luckily for them the Avengers were out of torps, but 10-20 1000lbers is going to mean lots of shipyard time for them.

But the battle has since wound down. My cruisers remain at MB, unloading continues apace. The ground combat is fairly even, tilted somewhat in my favour. I dont have enough force to crush him but thats very much 'yet'. I really can't see him taking the place. Betties have made various desultory attacks, some escorted, mostly unescorted. The new Beaufighter squadron at MB has really earned its keep, the heavy firepower of the Beau is very apparent when fighting bombers. Even more of a massacre than against P40s.

So the situation is stable, in my favour even. The Japs have been bloodied yet again. I'll be commencing Stage 1 of the grand offensive asap. My CVs are already en route to Noumea, when they arrive, we shall begin I feel. The SAG at MB still has enough ammo to support this new operation I feel, with fuel replenishment which I am now organising. Squadrons of naval bombers of various types at Port Moresby are being swapped out for heavy bombers again to suppress Rabaul.

[EUBanana]

We're loading up at Noumea for the Buka/Shortlands invasion.

The logistics are kinda tricky, as the LCUs I want to use are in two locations, Noumea and Lunga. Making matters worse yet is the fact that I want some USN engineers from Efate too!

It'll probably be the best part of a week at least before everything is rolling towards the enemy.

At Milne Bay an AP got hit by a 250kg bomb, which is bad as its got most of a brigade still aboard. That one bomb hit was probbaly more grievous than he knows. Still, its docked and debarknig rapidly so I think it'll be OK. An ASW TF is speeding to MB as well as his subs are everywhere.

[EUBanana]

November 6th, still organising the invasion. The Noumea group is ready now, all loaded up, but I've yet to take on the USMC at Lunga.

Still unloading at Milne Bay. Day after day Betties come in, dropping torpedoes, but no hits. I'm almost done unloading.

The Beaufighter VIC has proven itself to be the ultimate bomber stopper alright. I only posted a Beau squadron there very recently, they've already surpassed all the veteran P40 and Kittyhawks in kills. The number 2 Allied ace is a Beau pilot, and they've only been in action a couple of weeks.

It's amazing how much of this game is a constant battle to supply your forward bases. I just delivered 10k supply to Port Morebsy, and by the time the convoy got back to Townsville, the situation at PM is already critical again so they are taking another load!

[EUBanana]

November 7th, finally a bad day for the Allies at Milne Bay.  This time the Betty raids are better coordinated and the exhausted defenders are unable to hold them off.  In the morning 20 Betties break through the defences - CAs Chester and Salt Lake City and CLAA San Diego are all torpedoed and left on 40-60 floatation damage, they are going to be out for a long time.

On the plus side the only things not unloaded now are two 18 pounder guns and an engineering vehicle.  The cost seems quite heavy (half a dozen heavy cruisers badly damaged) but the Japs suffered far, far worse.

[EUBanana]

The fleet has reached Shortlands and begun landing.  It's going well enough though there is heavy fire from the coastal defences.  The marines are ashore, though!  And in sufficient force to take the base, I think.

USMC paras landed at Buka just to the north of Shortlands and took it without a fight.

Allied air have really done a number on Rabaul to keep it suppressed.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 14, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Shortlands at 109,131 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
90 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      CA Australia, Shell hits 10
      CA San Francisco
      CL Helena, Shell hits 6
 
Japanese ground losses:
      13 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
 
 
 
CA Australia firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
CA San Francisco firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
CL Helena firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Shortlands - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy, Shell hits 3
      CA Minneapolis
      AK Sterope, Shell hits 2
      AK Sculptor, Shell hits 7,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
Japanese ground losses:
      48 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      45 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
 
CA Quincy firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
CA Minneapolis firing at 1st Naval Guard Unit
8cm 41YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Sterope at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy troops at 12,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Sculptor at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy guns at 12,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Shortlands
 
TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Shortlands, 109,131
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      398 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 88 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 135 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 39 (0 destroyed, 39 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 19 (0 destroyed, 19 disabled)
 
 
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 41 lost overboard during unload of 1st USMC/5th Rgt
10 troops of a US Cmbt Eng Sqd 41  lost overboard during unload of 1st USMC/1st Rgt
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st USMC/1st Rgt /4
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Shortlands - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
 
72 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
      CA Minneapolis
      DD Bache, Shell hits 2
      AK Murzim, Shell hits 7,  heavy fires
 
 
 
CA Quincy firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
CA Minneapolis firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
DD Bache firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Murzim at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy guns at 12,000 yards
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Shortlands  at 109,131
 
Japanese Ships
      SSX Ha-22, hits 4, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA Minneapolis
      LSI(L) Kanimlba
      AP Cambria
      AP Monrovia
      AP President Monroe
      AK Ara
      AK Rotanin
      AK Sculptor,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AK Murzim,  heavy fires
      DD Bache
      AM Dash
      AM Bobolink
      AM Herald
 
 
 
DD Bache fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Dash fails to find sub and abandons search
AM Bobolink fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Herald fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bache attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-22 forced to surface!
DD Bache firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 9
      A6M3 Zero x 17
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      B-17F Fortress x 7
      B-24D Liberator x 38
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
      B-24D Liberator: 12 damaged
 
 
 
Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 87
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
      10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
      10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       7 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet *
               Airfield Attack:  5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
      2 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 8
      A6M3 Zero x 17
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      B-25C Mitchell x 11
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
 
 
 
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 16000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3 Zero x 5
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 44
      TBF-1 Avenger x 14
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 23 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
 
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 35
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
      12 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 10000 feet *
       8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
      14 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
      12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
       5 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 15000 feet *
 
CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      5 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
               Airfield Attack:  1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
 
Allied aircraft
      TBF-1 Avenger x 15
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged
 
 
 
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 8
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Shortlands  at 109,131
 
Japanese Ships
      SSX Ha-37, hits 2,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
      CA Australia
      CA San Francisco
      CL Helena
      DD Bagley
      DD Stack
 
 
 
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
Large oil slick appears over area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Shortlands at 109,131 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      CA Australia
      CA San Francisco, Shell hits 3
      CL Helena
 
Japanese ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Port hits 1
 
CA Australia firing at Shortlands
CA San Francisco firing at Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
CL Helena firing at 1st Naval Guard Unit
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Shortlands
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft
 
14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      AK Murzim, Shell hits 2,  heavy fires
      CA Quincy
      AK Sterope
 
 
 
8cm 41YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Murzim at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy troops at 12,000 yards
8cm 41YT DP Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Sterope at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy troops at 12,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Coastal Battery engaging AK Murzim at 12,000 yards
CA Quincy fires to suppress enemy guns at 12,000 yards
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 4050 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121
 
Defending force 7916 troops, 182 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 256
 
Japanese ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    1st Naval Guard Unit
    82nd Naval Guard Unit
    Shortlands Coastal Gun Regiment
    R-Area Air Force
    3rd Naval Construction Battalion
 
Defending units:
    1st USMC/1st Regiment
    1st USMC/5th Regiment
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 7473 troops, 124 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 309
 
Defending force 8306 troops, 37 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 97
 
Japanese ground losses:
      81 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    1st Australian/3rd Brigade
    7th Australian/25th Brigade
    7th Australian Brigade
    101st RAAF Base Force
 
Defending units:
    2nd/4th Inf Regiment
    2nd/16th Inf Regiment
    17th Army
    3rd Mortar Battalion
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Buka (109,128)
 
Allied Shock attack
 
Attacking force 188 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17
 
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
 
Allied adjusted assault: 8
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
 
Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Buka !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
 
 

[EUBanana]

Only new development was an air attack at my transports at Buka, Val divebombers from Rabaul.  They were shot down by carrier air.

Unloading continues at Shortlands, but the defenders seem rather better defended than I thought.  To that end the US cavalry + infantry rgt destined for Buka have been switched to land at Shortlands.  This isn't ideal as their prep is for Buka...

I also forgot the USN base force I promised to bring to Buka for av support!  This one I could recover from however, as I have ordered the Catalinas at Lunga to airlift the USMC Air Wing unit, or a fraction thereof, to Buka.  24 Marine Wildcats are now based there.

Shortlands get bombed and bombarded round the clock.  Sucks to be a Jap there alright.  However ammo is low so soon as these reinforcements are ashore I'm pulling the fleet back to Noumea for resupply and the marines will have to fend for themselves for a bit. 

[EUBanana]

November 17th now. The only Japs putting up resistance anywhere are the coastal batteries at Shortlands. They've beat up 3 or 4 transports and a PG now, at least some of which will sink on the way home.

...this in no way will impact the Allied offensive, though.

I've ordered my ships out of Shortlands, the unloading is now complete. The decision to send ill prepared cavalry and raiders to Shortlands resulted in them suffering 50% disablements on landing - preparation really does work, folks! However their presence is enough to tip the odds over to 2:1 in my favour. Today the forts were reduced to 1, so Shortlands should fall in a couple of days, certainly within a week.

The next wave of the offensive, aimed at Rabaul, is now beginning. BB Washington will be fixed up enough to contribute. The b24s at PM are having a rest, but they will begin work on the port at Rabaul from now on, which is presumably the CD guns there as it worked in WITP.

[EUBanana]

November 20th, we're starting to load up for the Rabaul assault.  Sealift ability is a problem.  Practically the entire Allied navy, every ship in the theatre, is going, and it's not enough to move all the LCUs I want.  Multiple trips will be needed.

Townsville is offering up two regiments of experienced and well prepared Australian troops, and two US arty units.  The Aussie commanders are both hand picked with the best on offer.

Noumea will be offering up two regiments of the Americal Division.  Their commanders have also been replaced with the best on offer. 2nd USMC division in its entirety will be going, but I'm not sure if I have adequate sealift to lift them all.  Possibly.  In any case the bulk of them will be going too.

If that proves inadequate there are plenty more, but the quality is quite poor.  We'll have to see what awaits us in Rabaul.  Recon suggests 8 units.

[EUBanana]

November 26th.

Shortlands is mine, Buka is mine, we're well esconced there with navy Wildcats over Buka.  Turns out I don't need to sweep him at all, as he's been attacking me daily with Zeroes and Lilies from Rabaul.  The navy Wildcats are working up about 2 to 1 in their favour against the Zeroes usually, the Lilies are entirely ineffective and just die (not as fragile as a Betty though it seems).

Been drenching Rabaul with bombs from Port Moresby.  Airfield attacks seem fairly ineffective as he's apparently evacced his airfarce.  Port bombing has hit CVE Unyo quite badly and plastered BB Yamato with 500lbers, but it doesn't hit the CD guns.  Trial and error and the new AE extra-informative combat reports tell me that ground attacks actually hit CD guns now, so I've been doing plenty of that. 

The monster amphib TF is loitering somewhere SE of Milne Bay.  25k troops embarked!  They are waiting a bit as two Colorado BBs arrived and are getting added to the TF.  Another force of cruisers and BB Washington is setting off today to shell Rabaul.

AE Pyro was torpedoed a couple of days ago at Lunga - not sunk, but on 60 flot, 39 major.  This is more serious than Erik can possibly know, as I was going to shuttle bombardment runs from Lunga to Rabaul, which is a lot shorter a run than Townsville to Rabaul...  So looks like Rabaul will only get a single bombardment before the landings. 

But there'll be another 4-5 days of bombing from Port Moresby before the landings I feel, so those CD guns should be nicely bruised by then regardless. 

The Japs at Milne Bay are totally out of supply, AV 0. Their mortar battalion evaporated today but there are still 10k Jap troops there, and weeding them out is going to take ages. I did a deliberate attack today, 600 Japs killed for 150 Aussies. Still, I suppose they aren't really doing any harm there.

[EUBanana]

There have been some delays. A flotilla of DDs buzzed Rabaul late November and promptly ran into mines. This meant that I had to hastily rejiggle things a bit to try and provide adequate minesweeping.

Thus later in November there were some comical encounters between a flotilla of Allied minesweepers and some Japanese ASW and transports in and around Rabaul, involving all sides declining to engage. The only air power involved were level bombing Betties from Truk who missed.

While this was going on air combat has raged over their heads. Wildcats from Buka are in constant action, day in day out, and are now over 90 kills in exchange for 20 losses - they are almost combat ineffective now, but they've trashed the IJ airforce. These are navy pilots, experience 80+, many in the high 90s, and they've been on the defensive mainly, all good for me.

It's now December 2nd and the Allied assault draws near, D-Day at Rabaul looks to be about 2 or 3 days out now. Another attempt was made by my DDs to sweep Rabaul today and got some results, finding and sinking 5 PBs on patrol beyond. Meanwhile Beaufighters and Mitchells have indulged in some low level naval attacks, where they've been trashing transports. Really, every example I've yet seen of low level bombing tells me it's much too effective. Remember, these Mitchell pilots have naval bombing and low altitude bombing skills of 10-30...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 02, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 107,126, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kenkon Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
PB Magan Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
PB Shosei Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Sozan Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
PB Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Takunan Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Laffey
DD Farenholt
DD Bagley
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Ellet
DD Lang
DD Stack, Shell hits 1



Reduced sighting due to 21% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 21% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 7,000 yards
PB Takunan Maru #2 sunk by DD Stack at 7,000 yards
DD Stack launches Torpedoes at PB Sozan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Stack launches Torpedoes at PB Shosei Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
PB Shonon Maru #15 sunk by DD Stack at 4,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Sozan Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages PB Magan Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Magan Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Lang engages PB Sozan Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Magan Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Farenholt engages PB Sozan Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Lang engages PB Shosei Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Magan Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Magan Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Laffey engages PB Magan Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Lang engages PB Sozan Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Lang engages PB Magan Maru at 4,000 yards
PB Magan Maru sunk by DD Ellet at 4,000 yards
DD Farenholt engages PB Sozan Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Shosei Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages PB Kenkon Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Sozan Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Laffey engages PB Sozan Maru at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
PB Sozan Maru sunk by DD Stack at 7,000 yards
DD Lang engages PB Shosei Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Ellet engages PB Kenkon Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Shosei Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Ellet engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
PB Shosei Maru sunk by DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
Mizuno, F. orders Japanese TF to disengage
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Laffey engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Kenkon Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Bagley engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Stack engages PB Kenkon Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
PB Kenkon Maru sunk by DD Stack at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near New Hanover Island at 104,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shinsoku Maru, Shell hits 3
xAKL Kashiwa Maru
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufighter VIC strafing at 100 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near New Hanover Island at 104,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Peking Maru
xAK Boston Maru, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell attacking from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

[EUBanana]

December 10th. Its taken 5 days to unload, 5 days under heavy fire as Erik throws everything at the Allies.

Fortunately that isn't much.

He moved his Betties and his torpedo ordnance to Wewak - smart move. Allied CAP was lacklustre, the P38s did not cover themselves with glory. Navy Wildcats did better, but the CVs, one hex away, were only able to bleed off 10-15 Wildcats over the landings. Not enough.

BB Maryland was immediately torpedoed three times, and is limping home. At 3 knots and 85 floatation damage, she's probably not going to make it.

BB Colorado was torpedoed twice over several days, left on 60 flot. However she stuck out at the landings and has been fighting heroically to cover the landings, as Erik through the kitchen sink at the attackers. She's seen it all, surface combat, air attacks, but most of her efforts were against the coastal guns which were effective, and fierce. She stuck it out till the last of the landings, somehow not sinking, until out of ammo. Now she's limping home too, but may well not make it.

A Jap carrier (Junyo I think) nosed around north of Rabaul, and was well positioned or just lucky, it got off attacks on the landing ground but her complement is weak - 6 Vals? They did very little, hitting one AP.

The ground battle is going my way. I have 2:1 in infantry and 3 to 1 in guns, thanks to bringing the US artillery units along. The bombardments are devastatating, 400 casualty turns. I brought engineers too, so far Rabauls forts have been reduced from 3 to 2.

Rabaul will clearly fall.

At Torokina most of 1st USMC Division is mopping up. The naval guard unit banzai charged today, and was wiped out, so all the Japs on/around Shortlands are now dead or POWs.

I'm ordering the ships back from Rabaul. They need ammo (and the fleet needs to return to Sydney/Noumea for that, so a long way). I think sufficient force and supply has been landed to take Rabaul though, looks like my militia followup won't be necessary, my battlehardened formations can handle it.

I think with the fall of Rabaul we will presumably wind this game up. It's been a learning experience for Erik I think, certainly the defence of Rabaul has been conducted much better than the earlier actions I think. Specially with where he put the carrier... If it was 4 CVs not 1 depleted CV that could have really hurt.

[Fishbed]

You played the Guad scenario against a human opponent, and you end up conquering the whole Solomons chain and New Britain in 4 month... Ok...

(make a note somewhere in his head: ok there's a new pimp in town...)

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

You played the Guad scenario against a human opponent, and you end up conquering the whole Solomons chain and New Britain in 4 month... Ok...

(make a note somewhere in his head: ok there's a new pimp in town...)

Haha.

It's Erik's first ever game, he never even played the AI before this. So I wouldn't read too much into it. He's been tossed into the deep end.


Been a long time since the last update, its now December 24th. Reason being its been a long, dull slog this last two weeks.

Everything hinges around Rabaul. It began with forts 3 - in this time I have reduced them to forts 1. Cost to the Allies has been fairly minor, I'd guess 2000 casualties. Cost to the Japs has been greater - I'd guess 4000 or so casualties.

For laughs I sent in a 10 DD flotilla on max react to the seas north of Rabaul, where they bounced around like a ball in a pinball machine. One day saw half a dozen surface encounters, and not in one hex either, all over the place. End result was that my DDs were massacred in exchange for almost nothing, the only real success was a torpedo hit on BB Kongo in a night engagement. I think reaction definitely works - a little too well, I suspect...

The torpedoing of my AE at Lunga has basically crippled my surface navy - the nearest safe base they can rearm at is Townsville, and the BBs need Sydney - a very long way from the action. I have no airbases in Dauntless range of Rabaul - Shortlands is useful as a forward PT base (I do have PTs there, they've not found anything yet tho) and for basing fighters but is no good for closing a fist around Rabauls windpipe. It's clear to me that if I am to succeed in the ground campaign there I am not only going to have to land more troops, but I'm going to have to shut Rabaul down completely or near completely, which in my present situation I cannot do.

To that end plans are being hatched. Two Aussie brigades, veterans of Milne Bay, are being prepped for Kavieng. The US will provide baseforces. Recon suggests Kavieng is empty, and its a level 2 airfield so my Dauntlesses there can range over Rabaul and shut down shipping completely.

Shipping is an issue, but I hope to set off in about 10 or so days. 3 CVs and 4 CVEs will provide plenty of cover.

[EUBanana]

We're fighting American style at Rabaul - with artillery kicking the crap out of him. Firepower is the new black.

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

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14617 troops, 539 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 774

Defending force 23399 troops, 175 guns, 244 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Japanese ground losses:
822 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)



Assaulting units:
2nd USMC/6th Regiment
Americal/182nd Inf Regiment
2nd USMC/8th Regiment
6th Australian/16th Brigade
Americal/164th Inf Regiment
2nd USMC/1st Engineer Regiment
7th Australian/21st Brigade
32nd/126th Fld Art Regiment
32nd/121st Fld Art Regiment
72nd USA Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd/29th Inf Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
38th/230th Inf Regiment
8th Naval Guard Unit
Det - Kure 3rd SNLF
35th/Kuma Battalion
Rabaul Coastal Gun Regiment
10th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Fleet
8th Area Army
8th Base Force


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

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 156 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 342

Defending force 22927 troops, 663 guns, 88 vehicles, Assault Value = 774



Assaulting units:
8th Naval Guard Unit
35th/Kuma Battalion
Det - Kure 3rd SNLF
2nd/29th Inf Regiment
38th/230th Inf Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
Rabaul Coastal Gun Regiment
10th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Area Army
8th Fleet
8th Base Force

Defending units:
2nd USMC/6th Regiment
Americal/182nd Inf Regiment
Americal/164th Inf Regiment
6th Australian/16th Brigade
2nd USMC/1st Engineer Regiment
2nd USMC/8th Regiment
7th Australian/21st Brigade
32nd/126th Fld Art Regiment
32nd/121st Fld Art Regiment
72nd USA Field Artillery Regiment


Tempted to ship over a few more US field artillery regiments, theres half a dozen at Noumea doing not very much. [;)]

[EUBanana]

Last day of 1942.

Recon of Kavieng suggests many Japs. 5 units. Theres also a lot of Jap activity around the place, so I suspect reinforcement may be going on. I've done a lot of recon and some bombing of Kavieng, and I told the Viking that plans were afoot, so I suspect the hornets nest has been stirred up a bit there.

I would say that its capture, therefore, would require at least a division to have a chance of success, and more likely a division or a division and a half. I have two experienced but somewhat worn brigades to spare - I'm not prepared to divert units preparing for Rabaul to this venture. Therefore, I'm calling it off, I just don't have the force.

Instead I am choosing to send some of the reinforcements I had already slated to Rabaul. This has an advantage in that I have plenty of units already well prepared for Rabaul, and Rabaul has been thoroughly softened up. To that end two Aussie brigades - experience around 50, not the best but not the worst by any means - are being loaded up at Townsville, along with yet another arty unit (I like arty [:D]) to be shipped to Rabaul. Practically the entire Allied navy is going, at least all the heavy units.

Kavieng is being bombed in preparation as Wewak is fairly well suppressed I think and he still is operating quite a few Vals (Miss Betty is dead pretty much).

A Brooklyn cruiser + DDs (Nashville I think, from memory) was moved up to Lunga a while ago with the aim of raiding. I've ordered Nashville to hit Kavieng and see if I can set the cat among the pigeons there.

[EUBanana]

January 2nd 1943.

USS Growler rang in the new year on the 1st by sinking 3 AKLs in one day - same convoy, unescorted, surface attacks each time.

The torpedoes work now. [;)]

Those 2 Aussie Bdes have been landed at Rabaul without any trouble. AV is now 900 to 300. His ships caned it out of Kavieng before I arrived, a single Allied DD was torpedoed by a Jap sub and sunk, aside from that, no losses. Shock attack ordered, hopefully Rabaul will be mine veeeery soon.

My heavy bombers have been kicking the crap out of Kavieng's airfield, which is proving to be an extremely profitable target, the best yet in fact. He's lost over 50 aircraft on the ground in 3 days.

[EUBanana]

January 4th 1943.

CV Hiyo and CVL Ryuho make an appearance at max range NE of Rabaul. Unfortunately out of Val range it looks like.

My 3x fleet CVs waste 'em, and BB Kongo as well, without suffering any damage beyond 15 or so Dauntlesses - the puny counterstrike of 15 escorted Kates get wasted by the CAP.

Then in the ground action, Rabaul falls.

In terms of capital ships the USN has lost one - CV Enterprise.

The Japanese on the other hand have lost 5 BBs (including Yamato), 3 CVLs and 5 CVs - ie all of them. Ouch.

With the fall of the last major attainable objective (Truk isn't getting invaded) we're calling it a day. Pax Americana reigns in the South Pacific. We're having another game though, and this time Erik knows what he's doing. [;)]

[EUBanana]

Final tally

[EUBanana]

Capital ship losses in order of date sunk.

[EUBanana]

Heh, those screenies above are laden with bullshit apparently.

Erik sent over some copies of what his screen says, which paint a rather different story...