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

[witpqs]

It's true. Read about it in Shattered Sword.

[PzB74]

Read it in a book, have to review my library to find it [;)]

According to this source: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/USS ... IJO-1.html
40 pilots were saved from the Kaga (50%).

It would be logical that those not killed in the air or during the bombing attacks would be evacuated ASAP.

[PzB74]

A most interesting turn!
We harass Perth, sinking a dozen enemy ships and bomarding the city and airfields.

In the Central Pacific a picket destroyer and patrol boat is sunk by enemy CAG.
The Mini KB is pulling away though and reinforcement Zero's landed on the Junyo.
We now got something like 50 fighers on the 2 remaining carriers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 13, 42

Surface Combat

A prolonged engagement between crack British and Jap combatants.
Our superior force sends the enemy fleeing after sinking a large destroyer and putting 2 others on fire.

This was the Perth guard force; removing it opened the way to the other ships in port and for our bombardment group!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CL Naka
CL Natori, Shell hits 2
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Stuart, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Express
DD Norman, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Paladin, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 9,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CA Atago launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Norman at 9,000 yards
CA Takao launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Norman at 9,000 yards
CL Natori launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Norman at 9,000 yards
CL Naka launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Norman at 9,000 yards
DD Uzuki launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Norman at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Paladin at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Paladin at 2,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Uzuki at 2,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Norman at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Mochizuki at 2,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Paladin at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Paladin at 5,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
DD Express engages CL Natori at 5,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Paladin sunk by DD Mochizuki at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 5,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Express at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 8,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yayoi at 8,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Express at 8,000 yards
Harrington U. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Uzuki at 9,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Uzuki at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Yayoi at 9,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Express at 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Stuart at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Stuart at 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Yayoi at 11,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Mochizuki at 11,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Norman at 10,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Uzuki at 10,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Norman at 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Mochizuki at 10,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Norman at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 9,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Express at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Yayoi at 9,000 yards
CL Naka engages DD Norman at 9,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Norman at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Norman at 12,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Norman at 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Mikazuki at 12,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Norman at 12,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Uzuki at 12,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Express at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 pesky PT boats put a torp into the Atago. They're sunk and the cruiser returns to base with
some 24 sys and some float damage. Nothing critical.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Torpedo hits 1
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
PT-43, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-45, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
PT-45 sunk by DD Mochizuki at 2,000 yards
PT-43 engages CA Atago at 2,000 yards
PT-43 sunk by DD Yayoi at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A nice prize; 6 merchantmen sent to the bottom!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
xAK Egra, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAK El Madina, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Jalabala, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
xAK Jalaputra, Shell hits 37, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Jalarashmi, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Jalavihar, Shell hits 56, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bombardment group nails a DE and a tanker!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Furutaka
CL Isuzu
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
TK Ferncastle, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Jumna, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continued engagements to finish of the fleeing destroyers and the Express is sunk while the Stuar is finished by a sub.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD Express, Shell hits 2, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD Express, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 7% moonlight: 6,000 yards

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD Express, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 7% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Then the heavy goes in and bombards Perth. Results were ok, not great but we close the place and destroy
25 ac on the ground, including 5 new recon P-38's.

2 battleships engage Freemantle Fort and are met by a hailstorm of buck shot!
The Hyuga takes 102 hits and suffers 22 sys damage. All fires out at daybreak.

Naval bombardment of Perth at 49,147 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 4 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground

354 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 102, heavy fires
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso, Shell hits 7
BB Haruna
CA Furutaka
CL Isuzu

Allied ground losses:
443 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 45
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 245

BB Hyuga firing at Freemantle Fortress
BB Yamashiro firing at Perth
BB Fuso firing at Freemantle Fortress
BB Haruna firing at Perth
CA Furutaka firing at Perth
CL Isuzu firing at Perth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

A sub finish of the Stuart, adding to the tally!

Sub attack near Perth at 49,147

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
DD Stuart, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Express

SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Stuart
I-19 bottoming out ....
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We sweep and attack shipping at Akyab. Very good performance by the Oscars today.
13-2 in A2A losses!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Allied Ships
PG Moresby, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Allied air power from Perth and north so we continue to harass the Allied troops now retreating south.

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

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 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 36 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

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

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy carriers are still moving south by east; now ESE of Christmas Island.
Our pickets were sunk; the destroyer had been dispatched on a direct RTB as it was low on fuel.
The ships that went further south got away cleanly.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Eiao at 194,146
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Nenohi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island at 188,140
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Santos Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

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

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
8 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 detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Toowoomba, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Continue to clean up....

Ground combat at 77,57

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 17682 troops, 142 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Defending force 6078 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 201
Japanese adjusted assault: 460

Allied adjusted defense: 187
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2266 casualties reported
Squads: 83 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
104th Division

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Battle Collage

Todays tally:

Air: 36 Allied - 6 Jap ac
Sea:
1 Jap destroyer and 1 patrol boat.
Allies: 3 destroyers, 1 DE, 1 PG, 1 AM, 1 TK, 6 AK, 2 PT boats.

1 Jap cruiser and 1 battleship moderately damaged by CD fire and a torpedo strike.

[CapAndGown]

How is it that you are able to just waltz into his harbors without some kind of reaction? Is he not spotting your TFs? Spotting you but not reacting by getting his ships out of harm's way? I don't get it. [&:]

[PzB74]

Have to ask Andy...
- I was spotted outside Perth but no attacks from 8 hexes.
Think I destroyed most LBA when I hit Geraldton earlier on.

The 4 Brit destroyers was indeed a paltry defense force.
I had expected him to flee head over heels.

[Milman]

I realy don't understand why ppl dont send navy out of town which have enemy CV TF close by. Or at least in harobur.

[PzB74]

There is no CV TF anywhere near Perth. I know Andy doesn't have any CV's in the area and can operate with impunity if I manage to suppress his LBA.

[Milman]

I mean on your CV TF. Your cv was 1 day sail from Perth for several days and he continues to use port in Perth.

[inqistor]

Hi PzB

I have noticed, that Aircraft losses are pretty close for both sides. I understand, that Japan have horrible operational, but since you regularly destroy lots of Allied planes on ground, I find only two explanations:
-either this is FOW, and Allied losses are much heavier
-or Allies are already better in Air-to-Air combat (almost impossible, they would need now, like 3:1 already, and I don't see their advantage in reports)

So, could you specify exactly, what is whole campaign Air-2-Air current ratio?

[PzB74]

Will be a break for a few days; on my way to Germany for the annual boys trip

Milman; with no carriers to support him Andy didn't have many places to hide his remaining ships when KB arrived.
He moved in a lot of LBA only to see me torch em all in Geraldton! Perth is a key hub for shipping to and from Oz and India - Africa, will always be a convoy coming or going.

Iniqistor: A2A see a slightly better than 2-1 odds for Japan by 08-42 (1300 kills to 600 losses).
Ops losses is something like 800 Allies to 1100 Japs.

Back in a week or so!

[PzB74]

Finally a turn; busy days in May. Turns will be unregular out this week at least.

Andy is still intent on pursuit in the Central Pacific. No sign of his carriers this turn; we got a lot of ocean to play around with
and I've divided the replenishment fleet to have multiple options even if full speed is required. With a little luck we should be able to stay out of trouble.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 14, 42

Bombardments

We give Geraldton a goodbye salvo from our cruisers.

Naval bombardment of Geraldton at 49,141

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Natori
CL Naka
DD Mikazuki
DD Uzuki
DD Yayoi

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

Runway hits 5
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 2

CA Takao firing at 1st Motor Brigade
CL Natori firing at Geraldton
CL Naka firing at Geraldton
DD Mikazuki firing at Geraldton
DD Uzuki firing at Geraldton
DD Yayoi firing at Geraldton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Last attack on retreating Allied troops as they move out of range for our medium bombers.
Hopefully we've given em a fair battering! Air and sea power saved Carnarvon, that's for sure.
- Interesting how this battle has raged back and forth.

Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

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

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visited the Wilhelm Bauer type XXI submarine in Bremerhafen port!
- This is the only surviving type XXI boat in the world. In May 45 it was scuttled and stayed 12 years under water until raised and put into service
with the Bundesmarine until 1970 as a test boat.

It truly revolutionized submarine warfare; can stay submerged for 48 hours on slow speed, max speed of 17-18 knots submerged and 16 surfaced.
Half the boat is batteries. 6 forward firing torpedo tubes. Only surface armament is 2x2 20mm flak guns in turrets on the conning tower.

[PzB74]

Another shot;

[LoBaron]

Wow great shots PzB!

[Cribtop]

Isn't the Type XXI the boat that was fuel cell powered and arguably the first true submarine (as opposed to submersible torpedo boat)? She sure is pretty.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Isn't the Type XXI the boat that was fuel cell powered and arguably the first true submarine (as opposed to submersible torpedo boat)? She sure is pretty.

The XXI was the daddy of all post war diesel designs, especially the Soviet post war sub fleet (forget the class name .. Echo ? ). I had no idea there was even 1 left in the world. amazing to see one in RL PzB lucky man you [;)].

EDIT .. apparently it was the Zulu Class :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zulu_class_submarine. also the Whiskey class attack boats. Just discovered that France had one operational untill 1967 (just shows how advanced they really were)

Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_XXI_U-boat

[PzB74]

Yep, it was a revolution more than an evolution. Some 190 boats were being readied by the end of the war.
The battle for the Atlantic could have entered a new and deadly phase.

Here's another shot;

[PzB74]

Here's U-434, a Russian Tango class from 1976 that can be found in Hamburg.
- This boat looks very similar to the XXI type, only bigger. The bow planes for example can be retracted exactly as on Wilhelm Bauer.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Finally a turn; busy days in May. Turns will be unregular out this week at least.

Andy is still intent on pursuit in the Central Pacific. No sign of his carriers this turn; we got a lot of ocean to play around with
and I've divided the replenishment fleet to have multiple options even if full speed is required. With a little luck we should be able to stay out of trouble.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 14, 42

Bombardments

We give Geraldton a goodbye salvo from our cruisers.

Naval bombardment of Geraldton at 49,141

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Natori
CL Naka
DD Mikazuki
DD Uzuki
DD Yayoi

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

Runway hits 5
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 2

CA Takao firing at 1st Motor Brigade
CL Natori firing at Geraldton
CL Naka firing at Geraldton
DD Mikazuki firing at Geraldton
DD Uzuki firing at Geraldton
DD Yayoi firing at Geraldton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Last attack on retreating Allied troops as they move out of range for our medium bombers.
Hopefully we've given em a fair battering! Air and sea power saved Carnarvon, that's for sure.
- Interesting how this battle has raged back and forth.

Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 49,137
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

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

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visited the Wilhelm Bauer type XXI submarine in Bremerhafen port!
- This is the only surviving type XXI boat in the world. In May 45 it was scuttled and stayed 12 years under water until raised and put into service
with the Bundesmarine until 1970 as a test boat.

It truly revolutionized submarine warfare; can stay submerged for 48 hours on slow speed, max speed of 17-18 knots submerged and 16 surfaced.
Half the boat is batteries. 6 forward firing torpedo tubes. Only surface armament is 2x2 20mm flak guns in turrets on the conning tower.

Nice. Boy would I love to see her myself. My understanding is that a lot of the piping for the sub was outside of the pressure hull. A serious design flaw. Still revolutionary.

BTW, your bombers are not doing significant damage to the Allied armor. My allied tanks seem to take very little damage from any sort of Japanese bombs. You are knocking out support units though which has some effect. Just not killing tanks.

[PzB74]

Had planned to see the U-995 as well, a Type VII. Thought it was in Hamburg but discovered somewhat late that it's actually in Kiel!
The U-995 was in service from 43-45 in the arctic. After the war it was taken over by the Norwegian Navy and kept in service for quite some time.
- Later on it was sold for 1$ to Germany and the boat is now laid up in splendid condition.

Hamburg: the U-995, the U-boat Memorial

Tomorrow it's back to reality again after 2 weeks with days of, travelling and family visiting.
Turn rate will probably continue to be rather slow as the weather is greaT! [8D]

Yeah, I know that damage isn't to serious but it was obviously enough to make Andy turn his men around.
Hopefully he's low on some types of tanks and machines.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 15, 42

Air Combat

Today's major event was a combined sweep and bombing attack against Akyba.
Our Tojo's performed well but the bombers attacking in poor weather achieved little.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 45th Indian Brigade, at 54,45 (Akyab)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (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 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sorong Det. Base Force, at 49,132
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 8 damaged


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 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 Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 67
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 28
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Still quiet; the Mini KB is almost ready to refuel form replenishment tankers.

We bomb and harass targets in Oz and Burma; Andy is no doubt building his strength for his coming offensive - towards the end of the year?
The question is how long we shall retain a strong presence in Oz. No doubt we delay Andy's offensives towards New Guinea, Solomons, Timor etc by holding Oz.
We just have to ensure that we don't loose too much doing so. The pay off is partly the fact that we have to fight a lot of units that are tied to Oz.

Our only major ground reinforcements over the coming months is a series of 120 AV garrison units. Will place them in strategic bases to form the nucleus of island garrisons.
Will have to complement these with troops from Oz when the time comes to leave.

Recon indicates that an Oz offensive will be launched out of Bundaberg towards Townsville and the coast.
- Should be able to notice if Andy sends a major force towards Alice Springs.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 16, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 63 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Haiyang, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Chaksang

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,138
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 67
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

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


Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 36

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Dumra, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------