Downfall PBEM - Cruft vs. Fallschirmjaeger (no FJ pls)

[Mynok]

Ibuki sank from one 500lb bomb hit? Did you have a magazine explosion or something?

[Captain Cruft]

It was two hits. No magazine explosion, just unlucky I guess.

Note: The CAP was exhausted by B-24s prior to this.

--------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kure Island at 163,78

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M8 Zero x 2
     A7M2 Sam x 1



Allied aircraft
     B-17G Fortress x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
     B-17G Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
     CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     CV Junyo
     CVL Ibuki, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
     13 x B-17G Fortress bombing from 1000 feet *
              Naval Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ibuki-1 with A7M2 Sam (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     1 plane(s) intercepting now.
     Group patrol altitude is 15000
     Raid is overhead
Junyo-1 with A6M8 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     1 plane(s) intercepting now.
     Group patrol altitude is 15000
     Raid is overhead
Ryuho-1 with A6M8 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     1 plane(s) intercepting now.
     Group patrol altitude is 15000
     Raid is overhead

[Captain Cruft]

Turn 17 - September 17 1945

FJ found my secret night-bombing Frances base on the Chinese coast - Amoy. He sent over a bunch of fighters on sweeps presumably as a preliminary to bombing the crap out of the place.

Well, unfortunately for them they ran into a squadron of J7W1 Shindens flown by some good guys, ably assisted by another elite squadron sporting the N1K5 George.

It was a massacre ... Hellcats, F4U-1A Corsairs and P-51D Mustangs were removed from the sky in droves.

Being a numpty I was too pleased at the time to take any piccies, however here is the combat report:

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Afternoon Air attack on Amoy , at 83,61
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      J7W1 Shinden x 17
      N1K5-J George x 18
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      F6F-5 Hellcat x 31
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      J7W1 Shinden: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F6F-5 Hellcat: 10 destroyed
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K5-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 30 minutes
Yamada Det S-1 with J7W1 Shinden (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 12 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Amoy , at 83,61
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      J7W1 Shinden x 16
      N1K5-J George x 17
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      F4U-1A Corsair x 15
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4U-1A Corsair: 5 destroyed
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K5-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
      6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 31000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Yamada Det S-1 with J7W1 Shinden (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
      4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 27000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
 
 
 
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Afternoon Air attack on Amoy , at 83,61
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      J7W1 Shinden x 12
      N1K5-J George x 11
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      P-51D Mustang x 16
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-51D Mustang: 5 destroyed
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with J7W1 Shinden (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) intercepting now.
      6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 32000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
S-901 Hikotai with N1K5-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
      6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 31000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

Turn 19 - September 19 1945

Yet another Type 91 was delivered into a CVE overnight. That's 7 now, at a cost of 35 P1Y2 Frances. I'm not sure how many the US (and Brits) have of these, but I'm going to guess it's around 100. So, at this superb exchange rate I may be able to eradicate them within about 30 weeks.

Yeah right.

The problem (for him) is that he is using the CVEs standalone as if they were fleet CVs. I doubt if the Frances would have achieved anything at all if there had been CVs with their flak and night fighters present in the same hex.

Other than that the Yellow Sea blockade seems to be lifting. I'm not going to chance my arm yet at making a crossing though, despite there being several bazillion units now waiting at Shanghai.

Most interestingly, a couple of TFs are now making their way eastwards from Okinawa, skirting the Home Islands to destinations unknown. I am going to try some night/kami attacks, and have also moved some other air units eastward just in case, but unless and until it becomes clear where they're going I will hold back on the kitchen sink.

[Captain Cruft]

Air losses to date.

Amazing that the Hellcat is at the top of the leader board.

[Captain Cruft]

Top pilots.

[Captain Cruft]

Shanghai.

[Captain Cruft]

Industry.

Note: Most of the planes in the pool are useless except for training.

[Captain Cruft]

Turn 20 - September 20 1945

First serious kamikaze attack ...

Not a bad result considering that the fighters were second and third line, and mostly flown by numpties. It's just a matter of overwhelming the defence with numbers. That said, there were two other attacks which did absolutely nothing, including one with Betty-launched Ohkas, which I had high hopes for. Even though 26 bombers managed to launch their missiles, there were no hits whatsover.


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Aogashima at 112,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 71
A6M5 Zero x 36
A6M8 Zero x 18
D4Y4 Judy x 18
N1K1-J George x 24
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 30
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 35
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 14
Ki-84b Frank x 18



Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 67
F6F-5 Hellcat x 92
F8F-1 Bearcat x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 18 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 3 destroyed
D4Y4 Judy: 9 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVL Independence
CV Boxer
CV Intrepid
CV Essex
CV Randolph



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M2 Sen Baku flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x A6M2 Sen Baku flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VBF-10 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-12 with F8F-1 Bearcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VBF-12 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-93 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VBF-93 with F4U-1D Corsair (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VF-27 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

Meanwhile, over at torpedo alley off the Chinese coast, the IJA had a fairly stunning result with a daytime attack.

That's 11 CVEs out of action now.


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Swatow at 82,64
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 25
      Ki-84a Frank x 129
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
      F4U-4 Corsair x 62
      F8F-1 Bearcat x 16
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
      Ki-84a Frank: 6 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
      F4U-4 Corsair: 2 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CVE Santee, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
      CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 1
      CVE Suwannee
      CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 1
      CVE Altamaha, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       4 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       7 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
      10 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
 
CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-35 with F4U-4 Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 23000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-37 with F8F-1 Bearcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 18000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 18000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VRF-1F with F4U-4 Corsair (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 7 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VRF-2F with F4U-4 Corsair (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 6 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) intercepting now.
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

[Captain Cruft]

Turn 21 - September 21 1945

This was another fun turn.

First off, it looks like the Brits have taken over Shanghai guard duty, forming a close blockade that Nelson would have been proud of.

[Captain Cruft]

Secondly, more night torpedo attacks went in, with good results. These were triggered by radar-equipped Mavises on night naval search.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betties put a torp into the already damaged Cabot ...

Night Air attack on TF, near Aogashima at 115,68

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
     B6N2a Jill x 6
     G4M3a Betty x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
     B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
     G4M3a Betty: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
     CV Boxer
     CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     CV Intrepid
     CVL Independence
     CV Essex
     CV Randolph



Aircraft Attacking:
      6 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
              Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
     28 x G4M3a Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
              Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then, the Jills get into the action and take the honours for being the first to deliver ordnance into an actual fleet CV. Though it didn't look like it did much damage.

Night Air attack on TF, near Aogashima at 115,68

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
     B6N2a Jill x 40


Japanese aircraft losses
     B6N2a Jill: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
     CV Randolph
     CV Essex, Torpedo hits 1
     CV Boxer
     CVL Independence
     CV Intrepid



Aircraft Attacking:
     37 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
              Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

Banzai! - Sakai K. in a B6N2a Jill willing to die for the Emperor

Banzai! - Maki K. in a B6N2a Jill willing to die for the Emperor

[Captain Cruft]

Then thirdly, the "KB" hit paydirt again on its "West Coast blockade" mission.


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Coal Harbour at 192,70
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M8 Zero x 36
      B7A2 Grace x 26
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B7A2 Grace: 3 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      APA Harry Lee, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      LSI(L) Glenartney, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires
      xAP Weltevreden, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DE James E. Craig, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
      LSI(M) Prince Henry, Bomb hits 4,  heavy fires
      LSI(L) Empire Halberd, Bomb hits 6,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DE Coolbaugh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      LSI(L) Glenorchy, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      125 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x B7A2 Grace bombing from 7000 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x B7A2 Grace bombing from 7000 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LSI(L) Glenartney

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Coal Harbour at 192,70
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M8 Zero x 60
      B7A2 Grace x 45
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B7A2 Grace: 2 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      xAP Dunera, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      xAP Hong Siang
      xAP Empress ' Scotland, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
      LSI(L) Brisbane Star, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DE Barber
      xAP Kota Inten, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      LSI(L) Glengyle, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DE Damon M. Cummings
      xAP Bloemfontein, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DE Paul G. Baker, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      LSI(L) Denbighshire, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      76 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 29 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 31 (9 destroyed, 22 disabled)
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       7 x B7A2 Grace bombing from 7000 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       7 x B7A2 Grace bombing from 7000 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       7 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Empress ' Scotland
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LSI(L) Denbighshire

[Captain Cruft]

Sitrep offshore Tokyo.

The three CV TFs have taken up positions as below. Perhaps he is going for the "stepping stone" islands which lead to Yokohama, starting with Aogashima? These islands can all be built to level 7 or 8 airfields. We shall see ...

[Cribtop]

That would certainly be the direct approach!

[Alikchi2]

I hope you are continuing this! Thanks for the welcome [8D]

[Captain Cruft]

FJ has disappeared ...

[Alikchi2]

Oh dear [:(]

[Puhis]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

FJ has disappeared ...

Same here... [&:]

I'm still waiting my grand campaing 2nd turn. I've been waiting over 4 weeks now...
EDIT: Actually, over 5 weeks...

Maybe I should not wait anymore? [:D]