BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Looks like I'm going to the London office to do some work soon...any cockneys around for a beer around the 25-26th of April?
Still a tentative date, but these are the dates I got for now.

Hi, just spotted this post. I'm based in London and should be available around those dates. Feel free to PM me if you are going to be around and interested in some JFB-style chat over a warm English beer or two.

Walker84

[PzB74]

Rather quiet turns; nothing much to report for now as we head into July 42!
Testing out the Tojos and they're superior to the P-40 at least, much more superior than the Zero....

That's sounds kewl Walker! [:)]
Ash clouds are lifting and it looks like the trip is on unless thing changes.
Office is near Sheldon and Paddington station.

Will send you a PM tomorrow after checking forecasts.

[PzB74]

Back from London, splendid weather and a few enjoable pints with Richard in a pub in Paddington! [8D]

On the plane back from London I got into a talk with the guy sitting in the seat next to me; it turned out that his father was on the Jupiter during the battle for Java under command of Admiral Doorman; he was quite astonished that I knew all about the battle. His old man survived the sinking, got ashore on Java and was evacuated to Oz. Today he's 92 and still up and running!

Now that was another fascinating chance meeting [:)]

Not a lot to report from the game, getting closer to August 42 and I'm about to sail the KB home to upgrade the carriers and prepare for the long supremacy watch in the Central Pacific into mid 43!

Released 2 Army bomber units today and is preparing to send sizeable reinforcements to Burma and Oz to strike at Allied air and ground formations when they make their moves. 250 in Burma and 150 in Oz is the immediate goal; need a serious punch to take the sting out of Allied armor. Long range Oscars will make up the escort while Tojos provide CAP and striking power together with Navy Zeros and navy bombers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 31, 42

HMS Jupiter

[Cribtop]

Wow, what a cool conversation I bet that was!

[PzB74]

It was very fascinating; what's the odds of such a chance meeting.

Ok, we're into August 42 and the Allies should by now be over their weakest period.
Nevertheless, we still got another year before the US shipbuilding program starts to deliver.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 01, 42

Air Combat

I now need to make a stand to save the shattered units retreating from Geraldton. The units were forced to reatreat again
today but I've decided to do something I seldom do; use the KB in a ground support role.

The reason for this is threefold;
a) I want to save the units retreating towards Carnarvon
b) I want to save Carnarvon
c) I want to blunt Andy's armored units

By releasing the might of the KB against undefended armored units (we lost 0 ac in todays attack) we can stop the enemy armor cold and delay Andy's next offensives. By now the enemy is also within bombing range of the Japanese bases in Northern Oz and Carnarvon can provide CAP and sweep support.

Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 137
D3A1 Val x 124

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 14 damaged
D3A1 Val: 17 damaged

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (2 destroyed, 50 disabled)

Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 49,137

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 3589 troops, 41 guns, 415 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Defending force 5689 troops, 141 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 146
Allied adjusted assault: 78

Japanese adjusted defense: 13
Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1484 casualties reported
Squads: 60 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
255th Armoured Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
II./124th Infantry Battalion
6th Guards Division
40th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air support....

[Q-Ball]

WOW! In the small world category, my BARBER, here in Evanston, IL outside of Chicago, was a gunner's mate on HMS Vigilant in the Atlantic and Pacific (He is over 80 now). Go Figure! An RN Sailor in the US Midwest. He only works on Saturdays, I don't think he needs the money actually, just wants to hang with the guys. He is kind of sweet on my Mother-in-Law, who once dated George Hamilton and had 15 minutes of fame in the 1964 Election. Nice Guy, real English gentleman!

[PzB74]

That's great Q-Ball, I know were I would go for a shave - even with the risk of putting my neck on the line!-)
Within 10 years there will be virtually no WWII vets left....!

A little bit of a sitz krieg for the time being; the most intersting activity is still the KB trying to halt Andy's armored advance.

Again the massed bombers swept of the carriers; in all 18 enemy fighters were destroyed in A2A or in OPS trying to defend.
We lost only 1 Kate; enemy ground losses are not as great as could be expected from 250 ac though.

Tomorrow we nuke Geraldton with battleships. So we keep up the pressure to see if we can make Andy turn around.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 02, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 3
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-3 Wildcat (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 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
58th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (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 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 87
B5N2 Kate x 137
D3A1 Val x 124

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (5 destroyed, 27 disabled)

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
58th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Attack!

[PzB74]

More of the same: we punish enemy air over Oz and hit the armored spearheads hard again!
133 vehicles disabled or destroyed this turn. Will continue this and try to destroy enemy air power
at Geraldton. If Andy push on towards Carnarvon he will be facing a lot of steel from above.

Enemy destroyers at Perth; not worth our attention - English destroyers are almost impossible to get rid of.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 03, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
16 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 16 (9 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 86
B5N2 Kate x 136
D3A1 Val x 124

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 18 damaged
D3A1 Val: 26 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 100 (5 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
58th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Milman]

Does he still pursuit your troops in west Australia ? You can destroy hes units if this continues.

[PzB74]

Well yes, I think he's still in pursuit! Andy's got a vastly superior force moving towards Carnarvon and the massive tank units can attack and pursue their way forward.

So this is KB's chance to win a ground battle [:'(]

Good news today; slightly delayed the Uber Tokyo Express arrives at Geraldton and all ships are ordered to unload what they got! The results are astoundishing as Andy has crammed the base with fighters and bombers to support his drive north and to make a pot shot at the KB and other TF's nearby.

Between 150 and 188 enemy ac were reported destroyed on the ground today! [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 04, 42

Bombardments [:D]

Naval bombardment of Geraldton at 49,141

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 6 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 6 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 26 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 4 destroyed on ground
B-26B Marauder: 4 destroyed on ground
B-26 Marauder: 9 destroyed on ground
B-25B Mitchell: 5 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CA Furutaka
CA Takao
CL Isuzu
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio
DD Michishio

Allied ground losses: [:)]
599 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 71 destroyed, 77 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (15 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (12 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Airbase hits 35
Airbase supply hits 29
Runway hits 627

BB Hyuga firing at Geraldton
BB Yamashiro firing at Geraldton
BB Fuso firing at Geraldton
CA Furutaka firing at Geraldton
CA Takao firing at Geraldton
CL Isuzu firing at Geraldton
DD Minegumo firing at Geraldton
DD Yamagumo firing at Geraldton
DD Natsugumo firing at Geraldton
DD Arashio firing at Geraldton
DD Michishio firing at Geraldton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

No enemy CAP today...strange!
Army bombers soften up the defenders while the KB unleashes another massive strike.
- Still, vast numbers of enemy troops around; can we disrupt them enough to prevent them from reaching Carnarvon?
If they do the fleet will be waiting for them.


Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
16 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Motor Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Motor Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 86
B5N2 Kate x 136
D3A1 Val x 121

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 28 damaged

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (8 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 192nd Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duke Nukem visits Geraldton

Yo ho ho and a bottle of Jack!

[castor troy]

glad it´s also one of the devs who gets naval nuked all the time... [:'(]

[Rob Brennan UK]

SBD-3 Dauntless: 26 destroyed on ground

initially i thought 'ouch' as allies i always run short of these planes .. then saw the losses soar to 70 ! (FOW i imagine for the low estimate).. That'll hurt andy ! [&o]

Also clobbering the tank unts is paying off as your destroyed numbers are going up .. They really are vulnerable to air attack (as they should be imo) .

nice going PzB

[Cribtop]

Ban-f'n-zai!

Sadly, I was on the receiving end of such a nuke in my PBEM (1087 [X(] runway hits), but it only cost me 27-ish planes and one very closed airfield.

[PzB74]

Nice avatar Rob [:'(]

Yeah, Andy has increasingly turned to moving his CAG groups ashore.
- That can be painful if you're not as careful with them as when they're on their carriers!

The small victories we have won, whittling away enemy carrier strength, is invaluable.
Instead of having a strong reaction force at Pearl we're now able to dominate the seas around Oz as well as the Central
Pacific.

Andy is continuing to advance north towards Carnarvon; I'm going to turn the toaster to "crispy".
- Again we hit the ground troops hard; tomorrow we'll hit them even harder and as a bonus our troops seems to be able to mostly move out of the next hex.

One of the big advantages we have now is that the land expansion period is over; this is by far the most risky and dangerous for Japan. Andy had the advantage when we overstrecthed in Oz but now we are in balance and dominate the air and sea all over the map. Learned a lot from the last game against Andy; this time I'm going to make the outmost out of the situation.

I moved the Mini KB (2x Junyo, 3xCVL, 1xCS, 2xBB) towards the Central Pacific and slowly crept SSE of PH.
Today we found a convoy and hit it hard. I'm not afraid of the 1-2 carriers Andy may muster in PH.

The next 6 months will be fun [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 05, 42

Sub Attacks

Ah, dud....

Sub attack near Sydney at 90,167

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DD Helm

SS RO-60 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Russell
RO-60 bottoming out ....
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 86
B5N2 Kate x 135
D3A1 Val x 116

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 17 damaged
D3A1 Val: 33 damaged

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 43 (3 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/9th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Cromer

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 188,124
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N1 Kate x 12
B5N2 Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gregory
APD McKean
KV Nigella
AM Turkey, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 188,124
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N1 Kate x 18
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Boggs
APD McKean, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Perry, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Poelau Laut, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
APD Stringham, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Little
KV Aster, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Colhoun, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AG Arctic, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Skagerak
DD La Triomphant, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surprise, surprise!

[Nemo121]

Strategically what are you attempting to achieve over the next year?

It seems you wanted to pin him back, force him into raidable SLOCs, raid him, draw his shipping out under unfavourable odds and attrition it at favourable odds to yourself all the while using the delay you gain to bolster your defensive lines. That's a solid strategy but I'm just wondering if there are any wrinkles I'm missing?


Have you considered a KB raid on CONUSA sometime ( or whatever "safe" port he decides to withdraw his CVs to following events around Oz) ? If he neglects to have a hundreds fighters on CAP you might achieve something rather worthwhile... Why mightn't he have the fighters on CAP? A lot of players just put everything in CONUSA to train...

[PzB74]

Yes I have Nemo; but the KB has been very busy over the last 9 months.
- Now it is tied up in NW Oz and has to help turn back the Allied armored thrust.
When this task is completed a long due overhaul in the HI is scheduled in order to upgrade and prepare for the late 42 - early 43 battles.

By October-November 42 it will be a tad too late for a major strike on the US West Coast.
So we're pretty much following the strategy you so correctly outlined above; the Mini KB will harass the Central Pacific until the KB returns. When this happens I will re-evaluate and decide on the next moves depending on how the situation has developed.

Andy is rock solid in when on the offensive but a tad sloppy with the micro management; Applying a Japanese verion of the Chinese "Death by a thousand cuts" approach if you'd like.

[Nemo121]

Yes, at the risk of being accused of engaging in personal attacks I'll agree with your assessment.

I think that strategically Andy is good- cautious but good and once he gets rolling you'll find it hard to stop him as his style is very much suited to an Allied materielschlacht approach.

Where he makes mistakes is the micro-management, as you say. His SLOCs are likely to be poorly patrolled, his convoys composed of a mix of speeds - fast vessels with slow, 16 knot APs with 10 knot APs ( which increases the length of time the 16 knotters are at risk unnecessarily ) etc. Short, sharp ripostes along the front will bring disproportionate results a Andy excels at solving problems which require a hammer but sometimes forgets to pack a tweezers for delicate work, with the end result that when delicate work is required all he can do is bring a slow, heavy hammer to bear which will anihilate the problem if it hits but is really too slow to reliably hit the target.

That was my conclusion from the 1944 phase of your game with him in WITP.

Overall though he's a damned tough opponent and a good guy. Certainly in the top 20 on the forum in terms of effectiveness IMO.

[PzB74]

Some truth in that analysis Nemo, but it's always dangeours to generalise!
Me and Andy are well match when all comes to all I think; playing Allies requires somewhat different skills than playing Japan.

Today was a very interesting day; and a not too good day for the Empire as Andy gets some payback [:'(]
- Andy mustered his Pacific fleet and sailed south to fight it out with the Mini KB.
Honestly I didn't expect him to do so as I thought he only had the Enterprise operational.
(Hornet torpedoed, Yorktown nuked, Saratoga and Lexington withdrawn from Perth together with a UK carrier).

The KB with 2xJunyo's, 3xCVL, 1xCS, 2xBB, 2xCA and 5xDD met multiple enemy TFs escorting the Enterprise, HMS Illustrious and CVE Long Island (no more carrier identified; is the Wasp in thatre by August 42? - don't think so).

The Mini KB is commanded by Nagumo and fielded some 240 strike ac + float planes and fighters.
Advantages:
+ crack air crews
Disadvantages:
- few torpedo missions remaining

I have increased the size of all CAG units; this had one unforseen disadvantage; the number of torpedo missions were not increased and after striking the convoy yesterday we had expended most of the torpedo missions aboard the light carriers.

The second big disadvantage:
The enemy fleets were in a t-storm hex while Mini KB was in a heavily clouded hex.
- This gave the enemy dive bombers the advantage and they scored eagerly.

Also; yesterday the Mini KB ran into 2 enemy cargo ships and the entire composition and position was revealed to Andy.

See below for details; summary at the end of the report with screen.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 07, 42

Surface Combat

Instead of attacking with LBA 2 destroyers dispatched the small Akyab convoy.
Good moves cause recon indicates 50+ Allied fighters there today!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,45, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Katsutade
DD Tachekaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Benkalis, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAKL Benkoelen, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAKL Duijmar van Twist, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AM Cromer, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub-ASW Attacks

Sub attack near Lahaina at 195,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
xAK Am. Press, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
KV Vancouver
PC Tiger
TK H. M. Storey
TK Gulfbreeze
TK Alfred Clegg
xAK Echunga
xAK Wind Rush
xAK Am. Packer
xAK Hollywood
xAK Admiral Wiley
xAK Mormacrio
xAK Maliko
xAK Steel Exporter
xAK Sagadahoc
xAK Ohioan
xAK Californian
xAKL Island Mail
xAKL Kailua
DD Clark
DD Caldwell

SS I-9 launches 5 torpedoes at xAK Am. Press
I-9 diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seawolf is hit badly!

ASW attack near Umboi Island at 100,125
Japanese Ships
SC Ch 30
E Tomozuru
E Yomogi

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Ground based ac continues to hit the enemy in Oz as the KB withdraws to replenish.
- Important events are taking place in the Central Pacific....

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CARRIER BATTLE!

Notice how our bombers attack in thunderstorms while Allied bombers attack in heavy clouds.
- I think this was one of the decisive factors in this battle.

The opposing forces were very evenly matched in air power;
In the first strike we fielded 75 bombers and 65 fighters vs 72 bombers and 37 enemy fighters.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
B5N1 Kate x 20
B5N2 Kate x 19
D3A1 Val x 36

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 1
CL Sumatra

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,123
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Shoho
CV Junyo
DD Yugure

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 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
4 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

CAP engaged:
Yokohama Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Tone-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Aoba-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Long Island

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
B5N1 Kate x 5
B5N2 Kate x 7
D3A1 Val x 12

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CV Enterprise

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (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 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,123
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
F1M2 Pete x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 56
TBF-1 Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 29 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3
DD Ariake, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Shoho
DD Nenohi

CAP engaged:
Yokohama Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Tone-1 with F1M2 Pete (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 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Aoba-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Ariake
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mini KB in trouble

The good news: The HMS Illustrious suffered 3 torpedo and 1 bomb hits; ammo storage explosion.
Hopefully she is done for. The Long Island was hit by a bomb. That's it.

On our own side the story is worse; the dive bombers had a field day flying only 2 hexes to the target.

Carrier Hiyo is a flaming wreck and is doomed.
2 light carriers are also doomed while a third is heavily damaged and need more than luck to survive.
1 destroyer is sunk

The Junyo surprisingly enough is fairly fit after taking 2x1000 hits.
Both escorting battleships are also OK despite numerous bomb hits + a torpedo.
One light carrier is undamaged.

We therefore have to flee the battlefield!
If we get away we will exchange the Hiyo, 2 light carriers and a destroyer for the HMS Illustrious.
Not a good exchange. The gods of war were not with us today [&o]

[PzB74]

Guys; I need your help!

Haven't completed the turn and only sent the combat replay back to Andy because I need answer to one question first.
See picture below.

The airgroups of our crippled carriers have the majority of their pilots intact but I expect the carriers to be sunk soon if I don't scuttle them. Since I can't transfer the air groups I wish to save the pilots. At Midway the Japs evacuated most of the pilots from the carriers.

What happens with my jocks if their carriers sink, will the be lost?
What if I scuttle their ships - will the result be the same?

I've found one alternative; I can order the pilots rotated to the Home Islands for 180 days.
- Is this what I should do? (I would consider this as evacuation to fleet, then long trip back to Home Islands, R&R and then into the reserve pool.

[Cribtop]

Yikes! I don't know what would happen if CVs are scuttled but given the "Lt so and so rescued" messages I've seen when ships are sunk I can only assume that there is a check for pilot fatalities when the ship goes down (similar to checks on the captains of sinking ships). If that is the case, you're better of rotating them home, as I doubt the check is any different from a scuttle than an outright sinking (although arguably it should be as rescues are more viable from a scuttle IRL).

You could set up a quick test - start a new game, scuttle a CV in KB and see what happens to the pilots.

I assume you've already tried to transfer them to group & then general reserve?