Guadalcanal: Road to Legend (M&M vs Arnhem) Jpn Side

[MikeS4269]

It was with a heavy heart that I was left with the responsibility to press the "End Orders Phase" button for our team. I got this turn at noon, I did my tweaks to it, and I sent it off to Michael, and he did his major movements, and then he sent it back to me - for a final check. Knowing this will be a key moment for Team Japan, I felt like I had lead fingers as I pressed the final go button.

For better or for worse, the die is cast. I shall be at the shrine until the results are back.

I have drafted a letter just in case things turn for the worse...

[MikeS4269]

Game Over [:(]

It's all over. Worst turn in history. My answer to the Emperor. Banzai!

[MichaelU]

Yep, I will shortly be disembowelling myself as well.

[MichaelU]

Given the lateness of the day, elegant posts will come later. But suffice it to say that our beutifully coordinated carrier strike absolutely smashes the Hornet. Then his planes come over in multiple waves, and by the end all that is left of the Shokaku, Zukaku and Ryujo is a floating pool of oil. It was going so well up to this point, but now it is over. PM without carrier cover is not going to happen.

[Arnhem44]

Dang, you guys write a very engaging AAR, mine looks like a report on turbine engine blades in comparison. It's getting a little late so I'll get more into it tomorrow but good game guys, am kinda sorry it ended up so one sided.

[Cribtop]

lb4269, best hare kiri image ever! Was weather a factor in the CV battle?

Arnhem, congrats on your victory. A great game for one so short.

Your readers demand a RE-MATCH!

[MichaelU]

Weather may have been a slight factor, as we didn't see any Bettys launch from Rabaul, which was a tad disappointing. I don't have great faith in the Betty, but it would have been nice to get in a coordinated strike with all our carriers and LBA at the same time.

I think the main factor is that he has four carriers, all carrying 80+ aircraft, whereas we have two carriers with 70+ and one with 40+. So you're talking 320 aircraft to 180, or almost 2-1. The first wave did some damage, but it was all the subsequent waves that finished us off.

The difficulty for the Japanese is that they have to attack, and attack hard, at a time when they can't guarantee air superiority. Using xAKs to carry the bulk of their troops. If you're concerned about incoming air, you want to unload quickly and not be sitting in an old tub that turns into a pile of floating rust from one bomb hit and requires row boats to get ashore.

Since it was such an action packed turn, I'll just post the interesting bits of the combat report.

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Sub attack near Deboyne Islands at 101,139

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD McCalla



SS I-168 launches 8 torpedoes at BB Washington
I-168 diving deep ....
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 101,139

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
B5N1 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 15
D3A2 Val x 50



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed, 19 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hutchins, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Benham
DD Shaw
CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Quincy, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Gregory, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Case, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Farenholt



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
10 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
18 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
10 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
14 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
14 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
11 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hutchins
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Quincy


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 56
SBD-3 Dauntless x 35
TBF-1 Avenger x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CA Chikuma
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Harusame



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

CAP engaged:
2nd Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Tainan Ku S-2 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
CV Zuikaku, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
5 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
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
2nd Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chikuma
DD Yayoi
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
8 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
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
2nd Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (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 35 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter IC x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter IC: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
DD Uranami, Shell hits 6
CA Maya
CA Atago, Shell hits 4
BB Kirishima
CA Chokai



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x Beaufighter IC bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Tone


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
TBF-1 Avenger x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
E Matsukaze
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chikuma
CS Chitose, on fire
CA Tone, on fire, heavy damage
E Yunagi
E Asanagi



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet *
5 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
2nd Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-2 with A6M2 Zero (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 17 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Atago
BB Kirishima



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


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[krupp_88mm]

wow only 20 planes on cap, kind of embarrassing that unescorted raids sunk you, the emperor demands you take your life!