It was intentional! Cannonfodder (j) vs Arnhem (a)

[KenchiSulla]

There we go, my first PBEM and AAR in WITP:AE. I am very much excited about playing this Scenario 1 game as the Japanese. I got a feeling for the Japanese game vs the AI and something tells me a real man of flesh and blood will make my life miserable.

In this first post I want to give my opponent a chance to crash the party before I will write up my Strategy (ahum) and start the flood of battle reports.

Thank you for reading and your feedback on the game (not my writing, you probably guessed that English isn't my native tongue).

Cheers!

Fodder

[Arnhem44]

Patch 2 has revealed that I am clearly pro, search arcs for my patrol planes in the PH area have been intricately planned to extensively cover the sectors *facing* CONUS. I really think you should give up now in order to save everyone some time.

Looking forward to a good game, am processing turn 2 at the moment. I will see you on the battlefield good sir.

[NormS3]

Let the good times roll!

Good luck to ya both.

[KenchiSulla]

Grand Strategy (or at least an attempt at) [:D]

Burma

The 15th army will push slowly towards Moulmein and Rangoon. Cutting the Burma road is the main objective. We will capture as much ground as possible before digging in. I do not want to commit to many forces to this theatre. Fighter assets (KI43 and probably a Zero detachment) will be deployed to counter the AVG if I encounter them.

Singapore

As fast as possible. I will divert as many ground forces I can spare to secure Malaya. With Singapore secure I will be able to divert troops to speed up the capture of Sumatra and Java

East indies

Early landings on Sarawak and North Borneo, covered by a CVL and a cruiser taskforce. More landings will follow after the destruction of air forces in Singapore.

Philippines

Enough forces to force the allies to dig in around Bataan/Manilla/Clark. Isolate, decimate and destroy. Most of my land based zero's will stay here untill his FG are decimated. Nates will take over after that.

China

Limited expansion and establish a defensive perimeter from Hong Kong - Canton - Kukong - Changsa - Wuchang - Chengse. After this is accomplished I will see about garrison requirements and available supplies/troops.

PP will be paid to transfer some units from Manchuko. All in the spirit of "not gaming the game" though.

South Pacific

Rabaul! As soon as possible so I can start using it as a forward (submarine) base. PM and Noumea are also on my wish list.
Truk will be expanded to 7 to support our operations in the area.After the initial Hunting of ships near Philip. I will divert CL's and DD's to this area.

I will try and redeploy some IJN aircraft to this area as soon as possible. High chance I will encounter CV's here.

This is as far as I plan for now. There is no way of telling how fast I can accomplish these goals and time will be important for additional expansion.

KB

The carriers will cover our operations in the South Pacific after PH (and a Midway strike). If I feel cocky after initial fleet operations I will split it up and send a carrier division to cut off retreating forces from the DEI area.

BB

3 Additional BB's will deploy in the western theatre to assist in our operations there. Everything else will go to Truk.

[KenchiSulla]

Burma

The 15th army deployed to Bangkok. I will start to push on Moulmein. Planning to reinforce the IJA with some A6M fighters from the Philip.

SRA

Kota Bharu fell to an amphibous assault. The first regiment is moving down to Temulo with the ultimate goal to cut off slow movers from the north. I doubt I will be very succesfull but it will at least force Arnhem to make a decision.

Forces have moved in to secure the railroad line (Bangkok-Singora) so I can move in the Imp. Guards. A fighter umbrella covers the area, although it seems Arnhem withdrew his AF to Singapore. I will build up AF and move in base forces so I can start attacking Singapore as soon as possible.

I am moving in enough reinforcements (5 regiments and a battalion of combat engineers on top of the initial waves) to ensure a swift victory.

East indies
Miri invasion force is closing in. 3 CA and 3 DD's moved in from the Burma landing force as the PoW and Repulse are reported to operate in the area. I do not think he will risk them in a dash to save Sarawak though. He will probably deploy them to defend Java. I will see about capturing an advanced size 4 AF in the area (besides Singapore).

Philippines

Troops have landed at Aparri and Batan. The Vigan invasion force has been delayed by PT attacks. 6 PT's are sunk at the cost of one ML. I am not unhappy about this.

A6M2's and my navy bombers are securing A/S over Clark and Manilla. There was an accident with one of my G4M's group going in unescorted on Manilla on the opening day of the war (Silly me). One SS hit for the loss of 18 'bombers. Not worth it....

Legaspi and Davao invasion forces are closing in. Several cruisers and a CVL to the south of Davao are hunting down fleeing vessels.

China

Bombardement of Hong Kong from the air and land have started. This should be over soon... Two TB's intercepted fleeing AK's from Hong Kong. I sunk most and my TF is underway to replenish. No sign of the british Destroyers.

South Pacific

Small invasion forces are moving on Shortlands, Kavieng, Aitapi and Tulagi. Some base support and floatplanes will move in after.

144th regiment bypassed Guam and is underway to Truk for resupply and then Rabaul! A cruiser force is rushing ahead.

KB

My intelligence service informs me that we sunk one BB (Maryland) and 2 DD's at Pearl Harbour. All the other BB's are reported as damaged. After PH I struck Midway. KB is moving to support the Rabaul operation. I will keep it intact for now.

Silent Service

My submarines are still moving into position. A DD was reported as attacked but no hits reported. I want to make Arnhem's life as miserable as possible while my SS's still have punch.

Arnhem is deploying his subs as well. Several attacks took place on troop transports and cargo ships but no casualties yet. I am getting reports of 5 (five!) US subs hitting mines of Bataan. I don't expect these reports to be accurate but perhaps I sunk one or two...

I am converting several AKL's to PB's. They will patrol the Japanese waters while most of my DD's will be on escort duty or surface operations. TB's will be converted to E's as soon as possible. My biggest fear is the cutting of my life line to soon to be Japanese East Indies!

[KenchiSulla]

Burma

Moved a group of A6M2's to Bangkok. They will start to sweep Moulmein and determine resistance in the area. They could reach Rangoon but I fear fatigue a bit so I will start slow (I have time).

SRA

Moved in several units of Oscar's and Lily's to Khota Bharu, along with base support. Bombing of groundtroops will start shortly.

I have strong forces moving in on Alor Star and a regiment on Temuloh. Plan is to move in the Imp. Guards to Temuloh once it falls and start to push down with 4 regiments and clear out the Area around Georgetown with forces above Temuloh. Planning amphibious landings at Kuantan and Mersing. 4th division will be transported to Bangkok and move by rail towards Singapore for the final push.

The BB TF is covering towards Singapore to test a reaction from his AF at Singapore. He seems to have 150 + aircraft at Singapore that will need to be destroyed somewhere this month [:D]


East indies

Miri falls and a invasion of Kuching is planned. A CVL has arrived in the area, as well as two additional BB's. Started to capture unoccupied bases in North Borneo.

Philippines

Continous air raids on Clark and Manilla. He seems to be emptying Manilla and focusing on Clark with a fallback on Bataan. His CAP is bleeding slowly.

Vigan, Aparri, Davao fall. Legaspi is about to. Follow up wave will not land at Legaspi but at Mauban.

My CVL and cruiser taskforce to the south of Philip. Sinks several Merchants and a tanker. I could have gotten more if I had patrolled further West.. Next campaign [:D]

China

Hong Kong fortress is reduced to 1 and will fall on december 13th or 14th. First action will be to sweep for mines.... 38 Div (?) will be transported to Philip to assist in the assault on Clark.

Chengch. falls. Troops are moving into position to capture the planned cities. It is scraping troops together because of the new garrison requirements (which I like!).

Arnhem is reinforcing Changsa and tries to cut the railroad at Sinyang. Recent experiences made me commit a division to the defence of Sinyang, so no problem there.

I will let him build up Changsa for a bit. Who needs it anyway..... Most important goal is to stabilise the front and create a healthy supply situation.

South Pacific

Shortlands, Kavieng, Aitapi and Tulagi fall. Preparing to occupy northern New Guineau with SNLF forces. Some base support and floatplanes will move in now. Assembled a support group of ships for Rabaul (AS, AR and AKE). 144th is moving on Rabaul. For now I only have a Cruiser task force for cover.

Created a small invasion force to capture Guam.

Several supply convoys are resupplying key bases in the South. I want to keep my momentum to cut deep into the USA - Australian traffic lane.

KB

KB split up after one of my subs spotted and attacked the Lexington 300 miles south of Johnston Island. the sub missed but I felt I had a small chance on intercepting her. If it fails i'll just retire the split force to Truk to resupply and reunite with the splinter force. Splinter force with 3 CV's without torpedos is moving on Truk to resupply and move towards Rabaul early.

Silent Service

Intense sub warfare. Losses are mounting ( I lost two AK's, two AKL's, a small TK and an AP (no troops) and several small support craft). I deployed a lot of A/C to ASW duty and intelligence indicates limited succes. A lot of his long range subs are moving towards Japan. Dutch submarines are operating of Khota Bharu. It will be a long war....

Japanese SS are closing in on planned positions. First succes stories can be told. I intend to keep track of losses inflicted by my submarines for fun and to learn which boats and commanders are effective for future campaigns.

I23 (B1/B2 class) CDR Kawakuko
I156 (KD3A/B class) CDR Shibata - expended torpedoes, resupplying at Saigon.

CM Kung Wo - I156
PC Formalhaut - I156
AP President Polk (reinforcements for Pearl?) - I23

[KenchiSulla]

Burma

Victoria point is taken. Moving a few battalions north from Malaya. 15th army slowly pushing forward. I will see when I can free up troops to speed up the advance.

SRA

The 3rd air division attacks ground troops near Kuantan and Mersing. Arnhem abandons positions in the North and withdraws toward Singapore. I just advance as quickly as possible, taking bases along the way. I will invade Kuantan (forward airbase so I can start sweeping Singapore with A6M2's). Mersing will be attacked from the sea once I can reduce the threat from the RAF.

East indies

Invasion forces are closing on Kuching and Sinkawang. I now have 4 BB's in the area covering my troops. BC Repulse took two torpedo's so the best he can do right now is a BB, CA and several CL's and DD's.

Air attacks from Singapore do not do any damage.

Philippines

More and more Japanese troop set foot on Philip. Arnhem still has about 21 P40E's operational so I will keep at it. Manilla will fall soon as I have landed troops at Maubau and he emptied the city, focussing defense on Clark and Bataan. Bombers attack Clark and Bataan AF and ground forces daily.

Japanese marines to land at Puorto Princessa and Taytay. Better put those marines to work while I neutralise Singapore.

One or two PT's are sunk. Looks like he is giving up on trying to defend Philip. at sea (except for submarines).

China

Hong Kong fortress falls. I took some more casualties then I would have liked but now it is time to sweep it for mines and put the city to work.

China is slow. I will try to eject the Chinese from Sinyang and keep on bashing the Chinese back and establish a perimeter I can defend.

An squadron AVG is sighted over Changsa.

South Pacific

144th is hexes away from Rabaul. Two small Battleship TF's take position to cover against any allied attempt to intercept.

The big cruiser taskforce is suprised by an Australian cruiser force (Canberra and Perth) and looses the CA Furutaka for CA Canberra. A heavy price to pay. The following day the remaining ships attempt to intercept the Perth but the commander crosses the T again and puts a torpedo into CA Kako. I decide the retreat the force, rearm and lick my wounds.

Guam is invaded but does not fall yet. Several Gilbert Islands are occupied, including Ocean and Nauru. A small force approaches Baker Island.

I am still wondering which troops I can free up to assist in the South. I think I would need at least a division if I want to cut deep. Perhaps I will free up some troops in Manchuko.

KB

Splinter force arrives at Truk to resupply and refuel. The Soryu, Zuikaku and Akagi try to intercept the Lexington but fail. They do manage to sink xAP President Coolidge and the CA Louisville of Johnston Island. On their way now to Truk.

Silent Service

Lost several escorts to the S-boat carnage off Luzon. Hope this will get better after the new patch because at this rate I wont have any escorts left in '43.

US subs are taking position around the home islands, shadowed by my ASW air assets and taskforces. Managed to damage a few, one reported as sunk. Unsure how accurate intel is on her.

I23 (B1/B2 class) CDR Kawakuko
I156 (KD3A/B class) CDR Shibata - expended torpedoes, resupplying at Saigon.
I166 (KD5 class) CDR Nojima
I169 (KD6A class) CDR Masuyama
I165 ( ) CDR - depthcharged, damaged repairing at Saigon

CM Kung Wo - I156
PC Formalhaut - I156
AP President Polk (reinforcements for Pearl?) - I23
TK Augustina - I166
DMS Southard - I169
BC Repulse (damaged, 2 torps) - I-165

[KenchiSulla]

Burma

Tavoy is taken. 15th army is moving on Moulmein. Zero's and oscars control sky above southern Burma for now. Moved a few battalions and base forces to Chiang Mai and Rahaeng. Once I get the AF's there operational I will use it to gain AS above northern Burma.

SRA

Rear guard fight NE of Temuloh. Fight in northern Malaya is onesided as Arnhem withdraws his forces. Troops and baseforces land at Kuantan. I deploy Oscars at Kuantan and will start sweeping Singapore from the north. 2/3's of a division are nearing Mersing for amphibious landings. Zero fighters (moved a group from the Philip.) and oscars are well in range and will provide cover.

East indies

North Borneo and Sarawak are mostly liberated. Singkawang is taken in a daring assault. Arnhem attempts to intercept the landing force with Force Z but runs into my cover TF (BB's, cruisers, destroyers). I sink a light cruiser and a destroyer and damage several other ships for no ships lost, a BB badly damaged (Ise, she made it to port and is repairing system damage. She'll be moved to Hong Kong soon for flood damage repairs) and a DD slightly damaged. Force Z retreats and I consider this a tactical victory. Navy fighters are deployed at Sinkawang and will start to sweep Singapore.

Philippines

Manilla is taken without a fight. Bataan and Clark airfield are turned into strongpoints. I take some heavy tank losses when 4 regiments arrive at Clark early and get hammered.

65th brigade reinforces and I start the siege of Clark.

A small dutch cruiser/destroyer taskforces sneak past my defenses and sink a transport group near Puorto Princessa. Several surface groups move to intercept as I do not see a valid line of retreat for Arnhems vessels..

China

China is troubling me. Arnhem took up positions at Sinyang. I tried to drive him from it but he gets good bonus from the ground he fights at. I am moving more reinforcements from the north to stabilise the region.

He also drove me from Ichang. Aprox 200.000 chinese troop make a stand in the central area. I think I made the right decision to consolidate and defend in China. After Burma is occupied I will see about squeezing more out of the area.

South Pacific

Baker Island is taken as are several smaller island in the Gilbert chain. A SNLF force approaches Canton.

Rabaul is taken. Arnhem gets bad intel and thinks a carrier is patrolling south of Rabaul. He runs into two battleships and a light cruiser with a cruiser force. Allied losses are heavy (2-3 CA/CL's sunk and Le Triomphant goes down as well). I also put two torpedoes on a withdrawing light cruiser (Leander) SE of Moresby.

I move two regiments (prepped for Singapore) towards Truk. They will be my invasion troops for planned conquests.

KB

KB is still split. 3 carriers replenished and refilled their CAG's and are now patrolling near Rabaul.

Silent Service

I have several merchants and transports damaged or sunk by Arnhem's subs. Especially the loss of AP type vessels worries me. Found and depthcharged KIX of Sinkawang. Forced it to surface and shelled it untill it sank. First confirmed ASW succes.

My own silent service are slowly racking up tonnage. Several boats miss salvo's on AP and AK class vessels but some smaller dutch AP's are sunk. The CL Leander is the first cruiser sunk by submarines. She was damaged by one of my TF's off Rabaul and got ambushed while limping home (SE of Port Moresby).

BC Repulse shows up attempting to intercept the Sinkawang invasion forces so she was not as badly damaged as I hoped. I am interested in the story behind that one.

I23 (B1/B2) CDR Kawakuko
I156 (KD3A/B) CDR Shibata
I166 (KD5) CDR Nojima
I169 (KD6A) CDR Masuyama
I165 (KD5) CDR Handa - depthcharged, damaged repairing at Saigon
I15 (B1/B2) CDR Ikeda
I162 (KD4) CDR Nagaiski
I170 (KD6A) CDR Abe

CM Kung Wo - I156
PC Formalhaut - I156
AP President Polk - I23
TK Augustina - I166
DMS Southard - I169
BC Repulse (damaged, 2 torps) - I-165
DD Helm I15
xAP van Rees - I162
xAP van Imhoff - I166
xAP van Landsberge - I166
CL Leander - I170

[KenchiSulla]

Time for a (long overdue) update. I have made several screenshots to try and clarify my situation at this moment.

I am not planning on expanding much further. There are several islands I want to occupy to increase my buffer zone but this is an area I can (for now) defend.



Red is the virtual front line, yellow are spots I will concentrate my defense. Sumatra is a beast though. How do you guys defend it?



Statistics. My plane pools are full (except patrol and transport aircraft) so have been working on organising my industry for upgrades and saving up HI. Have been R&Ding the "Frank", "Sam", "Jill" and "Judy" planes. Most of my arms factories have been shut down.

Shipbuilding: Rushing TKs and CVs. Shinano is on hold.



This is at this moment my most vulnerable area. Heavy tanker traffic here. A few turns ago Arnhem raided the area and succeeded in sinking 3 8000 capacity tankers. I was able to take out illustrious, a DD and a CL (lost one DD) but it is an area of concern.



Digging in in New Caledonia. It is pretty well defended. I am worried about the distance between Noumea and Rabaul though. Working on defenses along the perimeter. I have been raiding with CL/DD TFs in direction of New Zealand and towards Australia. I caught a troop convoy a few turns ago and managed to sink 2/3 of the transports and a DD for no losses (heavy losses to base forces according to CR).

One CV fight so far, I was stupid enough to let him close to torpedo range.... somehow I figured he would turn and run the moment I detected his Truk raid but he didnt....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
B5N2 Kate x 95
D3A1 Val x 64



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 41 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Conyngham
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, and is sunk
CL Helena
DD Downes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Clark
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 1
DD Tucker
CL Nashville
DD Mustin



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
22 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Downes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Portland


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 118,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84
SBD-3 Dauntless x 110
TBD-1 Devastator x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Ise
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 2
DD Ikazuchi
CA Tone, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chikuma
DD Kagero
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese BB
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sazanami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hiei

I have several BBs and Akagi, Soryu in shipyards. Soryu will be ready in 3 weeks but the Akagi will be out for at least 2 months. I have been raiding to keep Arnhem on alert and am trying to hide my current vulnerability. I do believe he knows I have 4 carriers out of action but I guess he is content for now. He lost around 150 aircraft with Yorktown and Enterprise and I believe that hurts him...