It's the rematch! Me vs Erik yet again, Guadalcanal scenario, now with the patch. I'm Allied, again.
Opening moves from me are slightly bolder in that the Tulagi invasion is going ahead. Supplies are also en route from Sydney -> Noumea and Brisbane -> Port Moresby right from the get go.
4 x DM are mining Tassafaronga again, I think thats a very worthy opening move, even though Erik expects it I'm sure.
Newbie Erik is clearly no longer Newbie Erik as the action opens rather differently this time with some very high altitude Zero sweeps over Port Moresby. 2 Airacobras shot down, no Jap losses.
Should be a much better game. [:D]
Banana vs Viking - again!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
Marines are landing at Guadalcanal, shock attack has been ordered. We're going by the script so far here.
No Japanese targets of opportunity in the area aside from some sort of amphib or ASW TF of PCs and a PB - they were Dauntlessed, 'obliterated by direct hit'.
Elsewhere at Port Moresby theres plenty of Jap activity at Buna and Lae. Airacobras managed to plant a 500lb bomb into one xAK but the air losses today stand at 10 to 5 in his favour and their morale is in the bin.
First hint is that PM is the Japanese objective. A fairly tough nut but probably out of Lunga/Milne/Tulagi/Port Moresby, the only one really worth having IMO.
No Japanese targets of opportunity in the area aside from some sort of amphib or ASW TF of PCs and a PB - they were Dauntlessed, 'obliterated by direct hit'.
Elsewhere at Port Moresby theres plenty of Jap activity at Buna and Lae. Airacobras managed to plant a 500lb bomb into one xAK but the air losses today stand at 10 to 5 in his favour and their morale is in the bin.
First hint is that PM is the Japanese objective. A fairly tough nut but probably out of Lunga/Milne/Tulagi/Port Moresby, the only one really worth having IMO.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
August 15th
My AK began unloading at Port Moresby and was promptly attacked, 12 Zero + 12 Val. I did have the defences alerted - two Kittyhawk squadrons. End result was 4 Zeroes shot down for 1 Kittyhawk (Escorting fighters really do seem to suffer more than sweeping or CAPping fighters), one bomb hit on the xAK which sank at the end of the day, and a bomb hit on an escorting AM.
That sucks. First attempt of resupplying PM = fail.
At Lunga Marine wildcats are now settled in, a USN baseforce is in the process of being unloaded there with the CV force covering.
My AK began unloading at Port Moresby and was promptly attacked, 12 Zero + 12 Val. I did have the defences alerted - two Kittyhawk squadrons. End result was 4 Zeroes shot down for 1 Kittyhawk (Escorting fighters really do seem to suffer more than sweeping or CAPping fighters), one bomb hit on the xAK which sank at the end of the day, and a bomb hit on an escorting AM.
That sucks. First attempt of resupplying PM = fail.
At Lunga Marine wildcats are now settled in, a USN baseforce is in the process of being unloaded there with the CV force covering.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
August 16th - Enterprise gets torpedoed by a sub. [:@]
She's on 36 floatation damage, 30 of it major. She's going to be out for a while - assuming she makes it home. At 18 knots she's an easy sub target.
I ordered her to make for Luganville, its got a port 3, probably sufficient to stop her sinking at least, and I imagine the straight line between Lunga and Noumea is where the jackals circle...
She's on 36 floatation damage, 30 of it major. She's going to be out for a while - assuming she makes it home. At 18 knots she's an easy sub target.
I ordered her to make for Luganville, its got a port 3, probably sufficient to stop her sinking at least, and I imagine the straight line between Lunga and Noumea is where the jackals circle...
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
August 18th... three days of submarine induced murder on the high seas.
About 20 warships are scrambled from Noumea for a few days of max effort ASW while CV Enterprise limps to Luganville.
I-7 takes on two separate ASW TFs, sinking two AMs.
CV Enterprise despite heavy escort is attacked again, and torpedoed. She's now on 70 odd flot, about 50 of which is major. She's going to be out for months, if not the entire scenario, and is going to gunge up the shipyard at Sydney good and proper. She is, however, one day out of Luganville now.
An AK off of Sydney is attacked and torpedoed despite escort.
Subs are an odd thing, they kicked my ass in the opening days last time too, but then the tempo seemed to wear down. I'm just enduring the murderous phase again I guess. This time the RNZAF radar equipped Hudsons have been on ASW training from day 1, however, its going to take at least two months before they are halfway competent I think.
Some success in the air, his LB Val squadron at Lae zigged when it should have zagged and the Kittyhawks at PM blew the hell out of it during a raid, 11 a/c shot down, ie most of them. The Zeroes still score 4-1 in their favour though, and the Aussie Kittyhawks are top notch. The P40s and Airacobras who will be relieving them if they become combat ineffective are not...
About 20 warships are scrambled from Noumea for a few days of max effort ASW while CV Enterprise limps to Luganville.
I-7 takes on two separate ASW TFs, sinking two AMs.
CV Enterprise despite heavy escort is attacked again, and torpedoed. She's now on 70 odd flot, about 50 of which is major. She's going to be out for months, if not the entire scenario, and is going to gunge up the shipyard at Sydney good and proper. She is, however, one day out of Luganville now.
An AK off of Sydney is attacked and torpedoed despite escort.
Subs are an odd thing, they kicked my ass in the opening days last time too, but then the tempo seemed to wear down. I'm just enduring the murderous phase again I guess. This time the RNZAF radar equipped Hudsons have been on ASW training from day 1, however, its going to take at least two months before they are halfway competent I think.
Some success in the air, his LB Val squadron at Lae zigged when it should have zagged and the Kittyhawks at PM blew the hell out of it during a raid, 11 a/c shot down, ie most of them. The Zeroes still score 4-1 in their favour though, and the Aussie Kittyhawks are top notch. The P40s and Airacobras who will be relieving them if they become combat ineffective are not...
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
August 22nd.
Enterprise made it to Luganville, she's being patched up.
August 20th sees a Japanese naval bombardment of Port Moresby by 4 CAs. No real damage is done.
On the 21st he despite my expectations loiters and hits PM again. This is bad, because some APs are unloading, assuming he will have gone home. now joy. Half of the 1st Australian Corps HQ is killed - ah well, only support, plenty of that eh. [:'(] But the HQ isnt totally wiped out fortunately, some are unloaded.
On the 22nd his SAG diverts to sink an AKL carrying 1700 supply to PM.
All this happens under the noses of a B26 squadron. No attacks. Lucky him.
Theres a lot of unwanted attention at Port Moresby. To that end I've detached some of the Allied fleet to Townsville. Four CAs, the NZ CLs, CL Boise, and about 8 DDs are en route.
Enterprise made it to Luganville, she's being patched up.
August 20th sees a Japanese naval bombardment of Port Moresby by 4 CAs. No real damage is done.
On the 21st he despite my expectations loiters and hits PM again. This is bad, because some APs are unloading, assuming he will have gone home. now joy. Half of the 1st Australian Corps HQ is killed - ah well, only support, plenty of that eh. [:'(] But the HQ isnt totally wiped out fortunately, some are unloaded.
On the 22nd his SAG diverts to sink an AKL carrying 1700 supply to PM.
All this happens under the noses of a B26 squadron. No attacks. Lucky him.
Theres a lot of unwanted attention at Port Moresby. To that end I've detached some of the Allied fleet to Townsville. Four CAs, the NZ CLs, CL Boise, and about 8 DDs are en route.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
August 26th
Japanese subs have sank two xAKs off Australia in the last two days. Allied subs have managed to sink two old DDs off of Lae, though.
He's moved his torpedo ordnance to Lae - Betties raided resupply ships at Milne Bay today, no hits, though the Airacobras over Lae failed to even engage. Lae is being supplied by a Jap convoy but I can't muster the force to stop it. Buna has already been reinforced - for all I know ground units are headed over the Owen Stanleys (certainly some are moving Buna->PM).
This is bad. In two days an Australian elite brigade will be loading up at Townsville for Port Moresby, and I plan on sending a second soon as that run is done. I can only muster 10 Kittyhawks in all of New Guinea, and the Airacobras but they suck.
Clearly the situation in PNG is becoming quite critical already and I feel certain an invasion of PM is his objective. I've ordered Wasp and Saratoga to Townsville, along with much of the Allied fleet, such as it is. Lae is within B17 range of Port Moresby, so I've begun what I hope to be a long term suppression of his Betties there. Lae is a small airfield so they should be vulnerable hopefully.
Japanese subs have sank two xAKs off Australia in the last two days. Allied subs have managed to sink two old DDs off of Lae, though.
He's moved his torpedo ordnance to Lae - Betties raided resupply ships at Milne Bay today, no hits, though the Airacobras over Lae failed to even engage. Lae is being supplied by a Jap convoy but I can't muster the force to stop it. Buna has already been reinforced - for all I know ground units are headed over the Owen Stanleys (certainly some are moving Buna->PM).
This is bad. In two days an Australian elite brigade will be loading up at Townsville for Port Moresby, and I plan on sending a second soon as that run is done. I can only muster 10 Kittyhawks in all of New Guinea, and the Airacobras but they suck.
Clearly the situation in PNG is becoming quite critical already and I feel certain an invasion of PM is his objective. I've ordered Wasp and Saratoga to Townsville, along with much of the Allied fleet, such as it is. Lae is within B17 range of Port Moresby, so I've begun what I hope to be a long term suppression of his Betties there. Lae is a small airfield so they should be vulnerable hopefully.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 2nd
The transport of the 16th Aus Bde to PM I felt sufficiently important and precious to risk my two CVs, who provided escort. Unfortunately only xAPs were available and so the unloading took some time, Erik took the opportunity to hit them as they were unloading. CA Australia is left on 70 flot and be a sitting duck at 9 knots to the everpresent subs, CL Leander was sunk. The Japanese air crews were attritted some but not enough for my liking.
The arty is still aboard the transports, but I've decided to abandon the landing for now, and they will retreat, perhaps to return in a few days hence.
Milne Bay was also bombarded in the night, little damage done though.
Elsewhere at Lunga all is quiet, I've got an amphibious TF depositing engineers and baseforces theree, no attacks.
My immediate goal remains, to reinforce Port Moresby. I'm not even half way in this endeavour...
The transport of the 16th Aus Bde to PM I felt sufficiently important and precious to risk my two CVs, who provided escort. Unfortunately only xAPs were available and so the unloading took some time, Erik took the opportunity to hit them as they were unloading. CA Australia is left on 70 flot and be a sitting duck at 9 knots to the everpresent subs, CL Leander was sunk. The Japanese air crews were attritted some but not enough for my liking.
The arty is still aboard the transports, but I've decided to abandon the landing for now, and they will retreat, perhaps to return in a few days hence.
Milne Bay was also bombarded in the night, little damage done though.
Elsewhere at Lunga all is quiet, I've got an amphibious TF depositing engineers and baseforces theree, no attacks.
My immediate goal remains, to reinforce Port Moresby. I'm not even half way in this endeavour...
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RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 3rd. An important event today hence the unusually soon post.
CA Australia was torpedoed twice by subs and sank. Predictable.
But the important thing was he unleashed his Betties and his Vals, and they ran right into my CVs as they returned to PM in a classic CAP trap. A single Betty broke through the CAP to make a torpedo run on a CA but it missed. His own CVs had pulled back so didn't feature.
So the day was a major victory in the air, 27 Japanese shot down for 0 Allies. No Japanese ships sunk but the loss of so many pilots (for the fighting took place over Allied TFs) is surely significant.
CA Australia was torpedoed twice by subs and sank. Predictable.
But the important thing was he unleashed his Betties and his Vals, and they ran right into my CVs as they returned to PM in a classic CAP trap. A single Betty broke through the CAP to make a torpedo run on a CA but it missed. His own CVs had pulled back so didn't feature.
So the day was a major victory in the air, 27 Japanese shot down for 0 Allies. No Japanese ships sunk but the loss of so many pilots (for the fighting took place over Allied TFs) is surely significant.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
Ouch, Erik's first mistake since the beginning of the new game... He's got spirit, train him 2 or 3 times like that and he'll kick some veteran ass all over the board.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
ORIGINAL: Fishbed
Ouch, Erik's first mistake since the beginning of the new game... He's got spirit, train him 2 or 3 times like that and he'll kick some veteran ass all over the board.
I think he deserved better success than he got with his torp ordnance at Lae, he had some bad luck there I think.
He really needs to take PM I think, and he has a good chance of doing so as matters stand right now I believe. If he manages that thats a major victory - having played briefly as the Japs in this scenario I do think the Allies hold the cards pretty much, it's a real challenge as the Japanese player.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 6th.
Pressure is quite intense on Port Moresby now. The APs were mostly unloaded so that Aussie Bde that was aboard them is now pretty much ashore minus half a dozen guns.
Port Moresby now has about 270 AV of troops - he's got almost 600 AV coming down the trails. I have another Bde of 130 AV or so ready to load at Townsville, I ordered up some APs from Noumea for more rapid reloading. However even assuming I get enough warm bodies in Port Moresby, the place is down to 3000 odd supply and he's got the place pretty much sewn up with his carriers occasionally sortieing from Rabaul.
I've put a whole bunch of submarines in his favourite CV loitering spot north of Gasmata. Unfortunately there's going to be about a week to go before I can upgrade to my first P40s... CV Enterprise is getting ready to sail to Sydney from Noumea, when she arrives I'm going to debark her air complement and send them to Port Moresby, but that's going to take probably the best part of a week and a half.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
B5N1 Kate x 23
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
DD Lang, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Asphalion, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Diomed, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
12 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet *
CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqd RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
No.76 Sqd RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
Ground combat at 99,130
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14824 troops, 142 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 520
Defending force 2591 troops, 33 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 105
Japanese adjusted assault: 325
Allied adjusted defense: 40
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Allied ground losses:
948 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:...
Yokoyama Tai ...
15th Engineer Regiment...
Yokosuka 5th SNLF...
4th Naval Guard Unit...
Kure 5th SNLF...
Sasebo 5th SNLF...
144th Infantry Regiment...
8th Naval Guard Unit...
Horii Group ...
I/55 Mtn Gun Rgt ...
...
Defending units:...
30th Australian Brigade...
Pressure is quite intense on Port Moresby now. The APs were mostly unloaded so that Aussie Bde that was aboard them is now pretty much ashore minus half a dozen guns.
Port Moresby now has about 270 AV of troops - he's got almost 600 AV coming down the trails. I have another Bde of 130 AV or so ready to load at Townsville, I ordered up some APs from Noumea for more rapid reloading. However even assuming I get enough warm bodies in Port Moresby, the place is down to 3000 odd supply and he's got the place pretty much sewn up with his carriers occasionally sortieing from Rabaul.
I've put a whole bunch of submarines in his favourite CV loitering spot north of Gasmata. Unfortunately there's going to be about a week to go before I can upgrade to my first P40s... CV Enterprise is getting ready to sail to Sydney from Noumea, when she arrives I'm going to debark her air complement and send them to Port Moresby, but that's going to take probably the best part of a week and a half.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 15th
I did a second run and deposited a second elite Aussie Bde at PM with the APs from Noumea. This went off without a hitch, supply and troops were put ashore rapidly without loss. APs over xAPs make a huge difference.
I've done an assessment of the losses suffered in reinforcing and supplying PM, and they are heavy indeed. 16 Allied ships have been sunk near Port Moresby now, up to and including CA Australia. Most however were xAPs, and so of rather limited value.
Bombing has switched from Lae to the troops coming over the Owen Stanleys. Casualties are of the order of 200 Japs a day - nice. PM has about 400 AV, and level 2 forts, well on the way to level 3 forts. I'll need yet more supply, of course, but on 5500 odd supply right now they have enough to tide them over for a bit. I'm confident that PM will not fall, though it's going to be hairy for a while.
It's now Eriks turn to bring in supply. His CVs are currently at Buna, along with a transport TF. I would sortie my carriers but they are in Townsville mostly out of gas - the TK sent from Sydney to refuel them was sunk en route by a submarine. [:@] Typical. Some AOs are en route but it'll be a couple of days and by then the Japs will have slipped away probably. Marauders and Airacobras attacked his CVs, the Marauders at low level - no hits scored though, and the Airacobras and Kittyhawks suffered horribly in so doing. I don't really have the ability to interdict his own supply runs in any way beyond CVs. USS Wahoo had a go but dud torpedoes, usual story.
The air war is going his way at the moment, but not for much longer I think. There has been a training program running for some time in skip bombing - basically all my fighter-bomber and most of my medium bomber squadrons have been training in this since scenario start. Some of the Beaufighter VIC and Wirraway squadrons are now up to low level naval bombing skills of around 45. By the time they get deployed they should be around 50 odd, which I hope is competent enough to score hits. This should happen in about a month, by which time I should have a fair few somewhat trained Beaufighters and Mitchells ready to roll on his shipping from PM. Hopefully the Kittyhawks will be replaced by far superior Spitfires fairly soon too, and P40Es are starting to arrive in numbers.
CV Enterprise is limping from Noumea to Sydney with heavy ASW escort (many DDs and SCs, and a 4 DD ASW TF tagging along as well!). This is attempt #2. Attempt #1 happened a week ago but she sprang a leak a few days out from Noumea and had to hightail it back. She's on 40 sys and 59 major flot, I think she's out of the scenario, but I plan on debarking her Wildcats and Dauntlesses to PM, where they will provide much needed teeth.
I did a second run and deposited a second elite Aussie Bde at PM with the APs from Noumea. This went off without a hitch, supply and troops were put ashore rapidly without loss. APs over xAPs make a huge difference.
I've done an assessment of the losses suffered in reinforcing and supplying PM, and they are heavy indeed. 16 Allied ships have been sunk near Port Moresby now, up to and including CA Australia. Most however were xAPs, and so of rather limited value.
Bombing has switched from Lae to the troops coming over the Owen Stanleys. Casualties are of the order of 200 Japs a day - nice. PM has about 400 AV, and level 2 forts, well on the way to level 3 forts. I'll need yet more supply, of course, but on 5500 odd supply right now they have enough to tide them over for a bit. I'm confident that PM will not fall, though it's going to be hairy for a while.
It's now Eriks turn to bring in supply. His CVs are currently at Buna, along with a transport TF. I would sortie my carriers but they are in Townsville mostly out of gas - the TK sent from Sydney to refuel them was sunk en route by a submarine. [:@] Typical. Some AOs are en route but it'll be a couple of days and by then the Japs will have slipped away probably. Marauders and Airacobras attacked his CVs, the Marauders at low level - no hits scored though, and the Airacobras and Kittyhawks suffered horribly in so doing. I don't really have the ability to interdict his own supply runs in any way beyond CVs. USS Wahoo had a go but dud torpedoes, usual story.
The air war is going his way at the moment, but not for much longer I think. There has been a training program running for some time in skip bombing - basically all my fighter-bomber and most of my medium bomber squadrons have been training in this since scenario start. Some of the Beaufighter VIC and Wirraway squadrons are now up to low level naval bombing skills of around 45. By the time they get deployed they should be around 50 odd, which I hope is competent enough to score hits. This should happen in about a month, by which time I should have a fair few somewhat trained Beaufighters and Mitchells ready to roll on his shipping from PM. Hopefully the Kittyhawks will be replaced by far superior Spitfires fairly soon too, and P40Es are starting to arrive in numbers.
CV Enterprise is limping from Noumea to Sydney with heavy ASW escort (many DDs and SCs, and a 4 DD ASW TF tagging along as well!). This is attempt #2. Attempt #1 happened a week ago but she sprang a leak a few days out from Noumea and had to hightail it back. She's on 40 sys and 59 major flot, I think she's out of the scenario, but I plan on debarking her Wildcats and Dauntlesses to PM, where they will provide much needed teeth.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
P40Es have been in action around Port Moresby and Buna, achieving the historic kill ratio of roughly 1:1 against Zeroes...
...Ok I lied, half a months production gone in a day for not one kill.
I see the JFB incessant Zero whining must have been heeded. [8|]
(Erik nudged me into making this post, he found all the Zero whining kinda amusing. [:'(])
It's not all bad though, I still think skip bombing is maybe too good - half a dozen B17s raided his ships at Buna and scored a couple of 500lb hits on transports, not bad given they flew all the way from Townsville and their low level naval bombing skills are about 20.
...Ok I lied, half a months production gone in a day for not one kill.
I see the JFB incessant Zero whining must have been heeded. [8|]
(Erik nudged me into making this post, he found all the Zero whining kinda amusing. [:'(])
It's not all bad though, I still think skip bombing is maybe too good - half a dozen B17s raided his ships at Buna and scored a couple of 500lb hits on transports, not bad given they flew all the way from Townsville and their low level naval bombing skills are about 20.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 22nd
Recon suggests he now has 35,000 troops at Buna and in the Owen Stanleys hex.
Wow. Thats a lot of troops!
I've reinforced PM again so the entire 6th Division is over there now. It looks fairly solid now I think, but it's still going to be touch and go. I'd like to get some artillery over there as well, so the 41st/146s Field Artillery regiment (has about 18 guns and 18 mortars) is going as well.
I'm starting to eye up Buna as this mass of troops heads over the mountains. I don't have enough PPs to free up any more units, but in readiness I've ordered the rebuilt 7th Australian Division (another 75 exp extremely capable unit) to prepare for Buna. Surely an operation fraught with extreme peril with his CVs around.
Recon suggests he now has 35,000 troops at Buna and in the Owen Stanleys hex.
Wow. Thats a lot of troops!
I've reinforced PM again so the entire 6th Division is over there now. It looks fairly solid now I think, but it's still going to be touch and go. I'd like to get some artillery over there as well, so the 41st/146s Field Artillery regiment (has about 18 guns and 18 mortars) is going as well.
I'm starting to eye up Buna as this mass of troops heads over the mountains. I don't have enough PPs to free up any more units, but in readiness I've ordered the rebuilt 7th Australian Division (another 75 exp extremely capable unit) to prepare for Buna. Surely an operation fraught with extreme peril with his CVs around.
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anarchyintheuk
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RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
I don't know how historically you like to play (i.e. keeping theatres separate), but the USMC raider units make excellent fast reaction forces. Iirc pbys can reach MB from Lunga, maybe even PM.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk
I don't know how historically you like to play (i.e. keeping theatres separate), but the USMC raider units make excellent fast reaction forces. Iirc pbys can reach MB from Lunga, maybe even PM.
They can, but the Buna-PM line has way too many Jap troops for a lone unit of raiders to be much use. I think any McArthur style attacks at the rear would have to be in divisional strength, at a minimum.
Might be useful to have every warm body there when Port Moresby is under siege, I'm not sure how that'll work out. We'll have to see if I literally need everyone, but yeah, good suggestion for when that day comes.
I have been pondering taking to the offensive in the Solomons with raiders and paras but there is simply nothing worth taking. No airfields. And with his CV force intact and my naturally defensive mindset it doesn't seem very useful.
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anarchyintheuk
- Posts: 3958
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 7:08 pm
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RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
Trying to supply that mass of troops is going to be difficult for him. You have a good body of troops and hopefully you can get to 4 on the forts before he's there. If he gets scattered entering the PM hex you can always hit him with a quick counterattack using ground support from your heavies in Townsville and whatever p39s in PM. Do bombardment tfs against enemy troops work in your own base hex? Can't remember. Unfortunately for you the opposite is true. 4 Kongos would ruin your day. The corner around MB is usually a blind spot for recon.
The PM situation makes for a good, tense aar.
The PM situation makes for a good, tense aar.
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anarchyintheuk
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RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
ORIGINAL: EUBanana
I have been pondering taking to the offensive in the Solomons with raiders and paras but there is simply nothing worth taking. No airfields. And with his CV force intact and my naturally defensive mindset it doesn't seem very useful.
Whoever designed the scenario is concentrated evil. So many bases so little that can be built. The former UV stepping stones Russel Island and Munda/Vella are absolutely useless.
RE: Banana vs Viking - again!
September 28th
No change in the situation at Port Moresby. some Jap DDs were nosing around NE of Lae, possibly escorting an AK? They were bombed by B26s, no hits.
He's been evacuating Tassafaronga which is under siege by my Marines. Today a DD hit a mine, slowed down the fast transport TF, and so in the morning two DDs were nuked by Dauntlesses. Erik admitted he's had a dozen evacuation runs to Tass already without any problem.
So CL Helena and two DDs are being dispatched to lurk off of Tass. No point in sieging him and taking the place if I'm going to have to whack-a-mole the same troops somewhere else...
No change in the situation at Port Moresby. some Jap DDs were nosing around NE of Lae, possibly escorting an AK? They were bombed by B26s, no hits.
He's been evacuating Tassafaronga which is under siege by my Marines. Today a DD hit a mine, slowed down the fast transport TF, and so in the morning two DDs were nuked by Dauntlesses. Erik admitted he's had a dozen evacuation runs to Tass already without any problem.
So CL Helena and two DDs are being dispatched to lurk off of Tass. No point in sieging him and taking the place if I'm going to have to whack-a-mole the same troops somewhere else...