Historical AE. Cantona2 (A) vs Fletcher (J)

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 29th June 1942

Almost the end of the seventh month of war!!!

A very quiet turn with little action of note. The only notable action occurred over Katherine, where a small patrol from the 75th RAAF Squadron stumbled into a large enemy raid. No enemy planes were reported shot down and all our planes returned, albeitly with damage of several degrees.

The second startling action was when two F4F-4s from VF-6 intercepted a bombing raid over Arorae at extreme range. 21 G3M3's were spotted over the atoll and despite damaging several planes no enemy aircraft were seen to be shot down. Captain Murray nearly blew a gasket fuse as the presence of his carriers was meant to be secret.

SeeBee units on Arorae reported that the first initial fighter strip would be ready in roughly 48-72 hours. TF 263, carrying the 138th Base Force unit, was standing by to deliver its cargo to Arorae and the three Wildcat squadrons of the Enterprise, Yorktown and Saratoga were to cover the unloading of these support elements. The CVE Long Island has also just taken on board 25 P-39s of a USAAF Squadron at Christmas Island and these planes will be the first air units on Arorae. The CV Wasp has just left Pearl Harbour and will 'show' itself around Wake and Marcus Islands to carry out diversionary raids.



Much further to the North, the 42nd Construction Regiment has begun unloading on Amchitka Island to start to develop the facilities there. Adequate fighter cover is provided by the units at Adak, while RCN Corvettes cover the transports from any marauding enemy subs.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

The 9th Bomber Squadron (7th Bomber Group) has finally finished its field trials with the new LB--30 bomber. Its pilots flew the large bombers from Townsville to Noumea day before yesterday. The second leg of their journey to Christmas Island was completed yesterday and this afternoon the unit was officially stood down at San Diego. The new B-24 Liberator has been put into full production and frontline units will begin to receive the new heavy bomber as of next month. The pilots of the 9th report that the LB-30 boasted magnificent defensive armaments, indeed during its service out Townsville carrying out raids over New Guinea several enemy fighters were shot down by the gunners on the various stations on the bombers. The B-24 will phase out the B-17 as these are earmarked for service in Europe. That said, the remaining LB-30s will once again go into the field as they will replace the B-18s of the 394th Bomber Squadron and then rebase to Adak Island to assess how the plane responds in the extreme conditions of the Aleutians.

Japanese paratroopers that had dropped into Mengtze had been given a battering by the reinforced Chinese units in the city, but the stubborn paras would not give in. Heavy bombardments north of and in Sian, despite a lull around the frontlines to the south. Red Chinese units are moving to interdict the supply lines of the Japanese armour to the north of the city of Sian.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis End of June.

SS Silversides was able to sink a Japanese transport on a southerly heading near Aogashima. She attacked on the surface despite the proximity of Japanese airfields! SS Trout was also able to either sink or heavily damage a small patrol craft near Ponape.

A strategic oversight on my part (ie I didnt RTFM) has meant that several ships have started a conversion from AK to AKE, these are:

AK Dorothy Luckenbach at Brisbane
AK Anniston City at Suva
AK Admiral Chase at San Diego
AK Cynthia Olson at Sydney.

Initial reports indicate that it will take around 12 days for the conversions to be complete. AGs cannot rearm DC's on DD's no matter how much I press on the Replenish at Port button [:(]

Japanese airborne units at Mengtze have been totally wiped out providing a welcome boost to Chinese morale, further boosted by the arrival of two fresh Corps at Chungking.

Ground combat at Mengtze (68,50)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10132 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 478

Defending force 999 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 620

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 88 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
788 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
87th Chinese Corps
2nd Reserve Division

Defending units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1
2nd Raiding Rgt /1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Mengtze by attrition!!!

Score card for June



Top Pilots

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 1st July 1942

SeeBee units on Arorae report the completion of a basic coral fighter strip and as soon as the Base Force unloads Arorae will become operational. 70th Fighter Squadron (P-39D), currently aboard the CVE Long Island will rebase to Arorae once the Long Island is in range.

Arorae was also the scene of intensive air action. VMF-42 (Yorktown) was called into action three times as enemy fighters (A6M2) and bombers (G3M3) were engaged over Arorae and the ships of TF 263 carrying the 139th USA Base Force. An initial enemy fighter sweep was met by 19 F4F-4s and they were able to shoot down 1 Zero for one confirmed air to air kill. The second engagement quickly followed and 11 unescorted bombers came in from the direction of Tarawa. We speculate that the fighters that were to escort the bombers missed the rendevous point and as such the bombers, all 11 of them, proved to be easy prey for the Wildcats of VMF-42. The squadron accounted for 12 enemy planes for the loss of one fighter. It has been ordered to fly CAP over the carriers tomorrow while VMF-3 (Saratoga) will fly LRCAP over Arorae. TF 20 (Idaho and New Mexico) has been detached from the main body of ships and ordered to sail NNE. When it is close enough it will steam to Tarawa at full ahead and bombard the enemy's airstrip there. We hope the presence of our carriers at Arorae will prove a strong enough magnet for his LBA.



Intensive battles as well over Ndeni where VMF-111 and 72nd Fighter Sqaudron flying from Vanikoro tussled with Zeores. 4 enemy planes were reported shot down for two losses on our side.

HMS Jupiter was sunk by a submarine launched torpedo near Lifou as she was carrying out ASW patrols


Merry Christmas to all readaars and lurkaars!!!

[traskott]

And a happy new bombing !!!![8D]

[cantona2]

I hope so traskott

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 3rd July 1942

A second Japanese attack on Kweilin was thrown back with nearly 6.000 Japanese casualties. The terrain and fortifications, like at Sian, are favouring the defender. Three crack infantry Corps from the fulcrum of the defence of this most important of cities and the Generallisimo has ordered that Kweilin is not to fall to the enemy.

Further enemy attacks were also foiled over Arorae with VF-3 providing sterling cover for the landing forces. The Idaho and New Mexico battle group that had detached itself from the main body two days ago reported that it had approached to 180nm's to the south of Tarawa undetected and was preparing itself for a full speed, nocturnal run against the atoll to unleash its guns against Tarawa's airfield.



Meanwhile in factories across the United States, the latest heavy bomber starts to fly off the production lines along with a fighter that sports a revolutionary design.



Coming soon in a Pacific Theatre of Operations near you!

[traskott]

Oooooh... What a such interesting toys you have get this Christmas !!!! [:D][:D][:D]

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 4th July 1942


For the sailors on the Idaho, New Mexico and Minneapolis, it was the best 4th of July fireworks display ever. The main difference being that the pyrotechnics were coming from their 14 inch guns and instead of harmless colours, high explosive was falling on Japanese heads on the atoll of Tarawa.

Operation Independence was designed to support the landings on Arorae. The Navy's Wildcats were doing a sterling job over the Army troops reinforcing the SeeBees but Admiral Nimitz wanted to use his big guns to send the Japs a message. The Idaho and New Mexico had left the main body a few days ago and initially held a course ENE. They then turned into a NNW heading at medium speed to put themselves within range of Tarawa on the evening of the 3rd July. The two day journey was fraught with frayed nerves as eager spotters scoured the skies for a Jap flying boat or search plane.

As the sunset the boilers were lit to full capacity and full steam ahead to Tarawa was ordered. Surprise had been achieved and at approx 03:25 night became day as the New Mexico opened up with her main forward batteries. The most impressive fireworks display these men had ever seen was underway. The Idaho joined her battle sister in delivering a broadside fusillade on the main Japanese air strip on Tarawa. The heavy cruiser Minneapolis steamed closer leaving her bigger brethren to bombard from a longer range. She closed to 2,000 yards from the shore and along with her destroyer escorts opened fire with all armaments at point blank range. No defensive minefields were detected and no return fire from the shore was detected, though small arms fire did pepper the closest destroyer for no damage at all. Observers on the destroyers reported several larges explosions, one particular one suggested a hit on an ammo or bomb dump. Several shattered and burning airframes were also seen in the light cast by the flames engulfing the Japanese base. The shelling continued for an hour and half when the Captain ordered a cease fire and the turning off of all lights. A full speed course was set on a WSW heading. The desired aim was to put as much water between the task force and Tarawa as possible, though it was hoped that enough disruption had been caused to restrict any enemy retaliation.







BB Idaho steaming away from Tarawa, morning 5th July 1942. Photograph taken from the destroyer Anderson

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 5th July 1942

A turning point in the air battle in the Southern Gilberts. Strong enemy sweeps, carried out by A6M2s and A6M3s were beaten back from the skies over Arorae by a combined Navy and USAAF effort. 5 waves of enemy aircraft were beaten back in a 4.25:1 loss ratio.

P-39s of the 79th Fighter Squadron had flown off the decks of the CVE Long Island yesterday and 50% of their number were immediately ordered to fly CAP over the atoll, to join the Navy Wildcats that had been on station for a few days. The first warning came in early. 5 enemy bombers had been picked up by the carrier's radar. A strong early CAP was already up and though only one enemy plane was shot down, the other 4 withdrew back towards Tarawa.

A second larger wave was soon detected and our CAP tussled with an escorted raid. This time a mixture of A6M variants escorted 5 B5N2s. The bombers got through and as in previous days once again targeted the destroyers rather than the larger transports. 8 enemy fighters were lost in exchange for 2 Navy Wildcats. A second unescorted attack by G3M3s met the same fate as its earlier counterpart. The last enemy attack was comprised of an 8 strong plane sweep by A6M2s. Once again the CAP provided sterling support and all 8 enemy fighters were shot down before they even came in sight of the island. 70th Fighter Squadron performed admirably considering it was its first combat operation after having spent 8 weeks training for precisely this type of action in the skies over Christmas Island. By days end its pilots had been officially credited with 8 of the enemy planes shot down.

Landing operations are almost complete with the last of the supplies being lifted off the transports. A second wave of landings is carrying a Marine Defence Battalion and an AA unit. Once these are on land the carriers will withdraw back to Pearl via Tarawa to rearm, refuel and grant its fighter pilots some well earned R n R. CV Wasp will also carry out its diversionary raids on Wake Island tomorrow, just to give the Japs something else to think about!

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

A third Japanese attack on Kweilin was repulsed, once again with heavy losses. A fresh infantry corps is marching to reinforce the city while some of the tired units will withdraw to the North to recover.

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 26924 troops, 531 guns, 257 vehicles, Assault Value = 955
 
Defending force 42253 troops, 341 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1269
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 366
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1979
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 1)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      3135 casualties reported
         Squads: 65 destroyed, 81 disabled
         Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 110 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
      Vehicles lost 32 (10 destroyed, 22 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      449 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 27 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 54 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Modern fighter planes are also trickling into China via the Ledo-Chengtu air link. They arrive crated at Karachi, railed to Ledo and carried over the hump by C-47s. The 32nd Fighter Squadron of the CAF has been the first unit equipped with the  P-66 Vanguard fighter.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 6th July 1942

A day of intensive action characterized by the total air superiority the Japanese have over China. Numerous bomber raids went in without a single fighter escort!

Further south things were much better for the Allied cause.

The first encouraging reports came in from the SS Wahoo, part of a four submarine pack patrolling around Truk and the Bonin Islands. Her captain reported the sinking of a 6,000 ton freighter that appeared to have been carrying fuel. The ship had three escorts but they were not able to interfere with the submarine's two attacks, scoring two torpedo hits.



Further good news came from VII Bomber Command on Luganville. For the first time a coordinated B-17 strike hit the enemy base on Munda in a daylight raid. Twin engined heavy fighters were in the air as usual and though they shot down 4 B-17s, gunners on the bombers accounted for two air-air kills. The real damage, however was done on the ground. Intercepts of Japanese radio traffic suggests 13 planes destroyed on the ground, with substantial damage inflicted to the landing strips and supply dumps. The enemy's attention was firmly fixed on his raids on Ndeni and it seems we may have surprised him somewhat.



CV Wasp also carried out its programmed raid on Wake Island. Every single bomber, including the operational debut of the TBF-1 Avenger, took off from the Wasp's flight deck escorted by 11 F4F-4's. The fighters were surprised to find a CAP of A6M2's over Wake as all prior indications had been that no planes had been stationed there. Nevertheless the fighters got the bombers through while also shooting down two enemy planes for no loss. The Dauntless's had been tasked with attacking Wake's airstrip, recording several hits on the landing strip and installations. The Avengers were tasked with a level bombing attack on the enemy's port and docking installations. Port raid recon suggests that the Avenger did not perform well as a level bomber, though this has not worried the high command unduly as the Avengers role will be as a ship killer.



SBD-3 Dauntless of VS-72 over Wake Island

[cantona2]

Couple of quiet turns. So I am going to show a map of my main carrier ops so far.




1: Enterprise and Saratoga attack and sink convoys heading to Port Moresby.
2: Formidable sunk by KB during attack on Japanese invasion of Andamans.
3: Lexington escorts delivery of P-39s to Australia and Noumea. Hit by one sub torpedo.
4: Yorktown and Hornet escort landings at Vanikoro and Ndeni. Hornet hit by three sub torpedoes, sinks at Lugnanville consumed by fire.
5: Lexington hit by two sub torpedoes. Retires to Pago-Pago for emergency repairs before heading back to Pearl.
6: Yorktown, Enterprise and Saratoga escort landings on Arorae, Japanese air power in Southern Gilberts defeated.
7: Wasp raids Wake Island to act as diversion for Arorae opeartions.
8: Wasp about to launch raid on Marcus Island.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 11th July 1942

CV Wasp carried out its planned raid on Marcus Island. No enemy planes were observed on CAP, like on Wake Island, nor any seen on the ground. Port and air installations were hit with post raid recon showing moderate damage to each. The main force of USN carriers is moving north from Arorae to cover a landing by the 4th SeeBees on Tabiteuea to further develop the base there. Air cover over Arorae has been passed over to the USAAF. A marine defence battalion and an AA unit are currently unloading there. Once the 4th SeeBees have landed the carriers will launch sweeps and raids over Tarawa before heading home. Once at Pearl all four carriers will be reorganized into two CARDIVS, pending the repair of the Lexington, slowly making her way to the repair yards at Los Angeles.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 15th July 1942

USN raids on the Japanese held atoll of Tarawa resulted in a mix bag of results. The cruiser Helena and her attendant destroyers carried a high speed nocturnal raid after sniping submarines around the atoll reported a large number of contacts with high speed transports. Obviously then enemy was transferring men and material to the atoll at high speed using the cover of darkness. Admiral Nimitz has ordered the Helena to sortie from Arorae where she was carrying out over watch duties. She left late on the 14th July and arrived at Tarawa in the early hours of the 15th. She immediately surprised two enemy transports that were seen to be unloading troops. The searchlights on the destroyers lit up the target for the main batteries on the Helena. Both Japanese ships made to steam away but one appeared to have been berthed at the unloading quay and was sunk. This ship seemed to be carrying troops as a large number of bodies were seen floating on the sea by the destroyers firing at close range.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 136,128, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Chitose Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 46, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen
DD Dunlap
DD Balch
DD Kilty

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

A second Japanese convoy was also attacked as it sailed into Tarawa. The unescorted ships were mercilessly set upon by the USN warships and were promptly sunk to the bottom. The destroyer Kilty suffered minor damage after being hit by one enemy gun.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 136,128, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kaikei Maru, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
PB Kaiun Maru, Shell hits 39, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Helena
DD Monssen
DD Dunlap
DD Balch
DD Kilty, Shell hits 1, on fire

The carrier element of the operation however was thwarted by the weather. A scheduled sweep of Tarawa's skies by F4F-4's could not leave the decks of the Saratoga due to the heavy rain swells in the area. Likewise SBD-3s could not attack the many sightings of Japanese transports to the North and West of Tarawa nor could the programmed attack on Tarawa's airfields take place in the afternoon as the rain intensified. A Dauntless of VS-6 however reported a hit on a Japanese ship steaming NW away from Tarawa. All carriers had made a new course to the SE by sunset with a view to get them out of the range of Japanese LBA and setting a course to Pearl. All in all a very successful operation around Arorae and Tarawa with minimal loss suffered and moderate losses in ships and planes inflicted on the enemy

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 17th July 1942

USN Carriers are approaching the area around Baker Island before making a course for Pearl Harbour. CV Wasp is nearing French Frigate Shoals. Once at Pearl, two CARDIVs will be formed and Devastator units will be upgraded to TBF-1 Avengers. Both CARDIVs will then make a course for the South Seas where the long awaited counter in the Solomons will come, linked to an Australian move to recaputre Horn Island and a landing on Merauke.

USAAF and Marine Air Force units were able to maul Japanese fighter units over Ndeni. In fights that lasted all day long 13 A6M2s were shot down for the loss of 1 F4F-3A and 2 P-40Es. It seems that the B-17 raids from Luganville have forced the Japanese to redeploy some of their fighter units from escort to base defence. It was a similarly good day for the CAF. Its fighters were able to shoot down 9 unescorted bombers to the west of Hengyang. Likewise ground units repulsed a Japanese assault on the Hengyang-Kweilin railway. Much further to the West, the first unit of the newly created China Air Task Force is approaching Karachi. Its Mitchell B-25 bombers will soon be operating in China. Hopefully Japanese air supremacy over China will soon be contested!

[cantona2]

Performance of CAF pilots, leading Allied Ace is Chinese!

[traskott]

How is it possible ??? Although is possible have a decent pool of Chinese pilots via in-map training, the replacement rate of the airframes is....well... bad, to say at least...

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: traskott

How is it possible ??? Although is possible have a decent pool of Chinese pilots via in-map training, the replacement rate of the airframes is....well... bad, to say at least...

At first, with the support of the AVG that attack and sweep the Nates, it is possible with luck and skill to get the I-15's and I-16's among the Japanese bombers, especially the light and Anns and Sonias deployed in China. I was able to clock up high kills like this. Unfortunately once the AVG goes and once the Japanese wrap up ops in the PI's and the SRA, he can choose to move better quality planes to China as Ramon has done and in the war of attrition in the air China suffers. However, Ramon has opted to make China a major theatre of war and as such there has been a LOT of action in the air. I have several sqaudrons with 0 planes and the two P-66 units only have three birds each. That said two units of the USAAF flying P-40s will fly into China from their training bases in Burma. Hopefully they can provide enough cover for he CAF to recover and rebuild. As you can see in the screenie there are several well trained and experienced pilots that can contribute to the war effort in the skies over China.

[cantona2]

As an aside can someone explain why some of the squadron names in the screenie above are in different colours?

Thanks