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

[Speedysteve]

Mikhail - disagree in terms of Andy's errors contributed to the CV loss. Andy has no control of telling the model to cause 330+ Hellcats to fight better. No matter what anyone says that is a BS combat result.

[mikhail]

Speedy: But Andy counted on his CV too much. And this is the result. Of course i agree, that this Air combat its too wierd.

[bigbaba]

weak CAP or not..andys main mistake was to allow you to start a 8 hex strike with KB while his bombers were not in range to attack your carriers. let alone the fact that waingapoe is the wrong place for him to fight.

i am sure, if his bombers were in range thet results would be much more even and the allied could live with that. he did the big mistake. we know that in AE CAP is weaker and players should use their firepower more aggressive and offensiv because you can not count on your CAP to shoot down everything. best order for andy would be to close the range to your KB instead of staying on the same hex for more then 1 turn and allowing you to find the right range to strike while he is out of range for counterattack.

great work PzB! your management of the battle was great so far.

[viberpol]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
Stunning victory so far! I am extremely worried though by what this means in terms of a cry for future tweaking to whittle down the effectiveness of Japanese assets even more. [:D]

Exactly... [;)]
Didn't "they" remove range advantage of D4Ys in some data patch to conform whining AFBs? [;)]

[Speedysteve]

Don't mention whining viberpol....allied bombers hit diddly squat let alone the CAP waving the Japanese in [;)] I'm beginning to sound like a stuck record though so I'll leave here for now......

[PaxMondo]

Just my thoughts ....  not wanting to highjack PzB's AAR here or insult anyone ...
 
I've always held the opinion that CV fights in this era were crap shoots ... the ability for extended defense did not exist.  Current doctrine for defending CAG's is to start engagements from +200nm out.  The reason being that there is no belief that an effective local defense exists.  That's today.  In this era, why would it be different?
 
Hence we have PzB's result here contrasting with CF's.  In both cases you have relatively even fights coming together (neither side in either one was 2:1 or greater).  To me, that means its a coin toss.
 
As PzB states: abstract it.  A few of his flights were able to hide in clouds, the sun got in the defender's eyes, their radar had a glitch, they were re-fueling planes at the time of attack, they were in the process of changing CAP and they were bingo fuel, they got lucky (unlucky), they were re-fueling escorts and the lines would not disengage,  ...
 
Unless you beleive Midway was a completely orchestrated, fully controlled, pre-ordained result; you also have also have to allow for this result.  Else, how do you explain Midway?
 
Again, Just my thoughts.
 
PzB: congrats!  you were bold.  you made a move as you stated: this is likely the last time the IJN will be able to fight on even footing.  You brought more assets to the fight than Andy predicted you might.  You ignored diversions and focused on the right battle.
 
Me?  I would never have been able to see it so clearly and gamble like you did.  Great play.
 
[&o][&o][&o]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

By all means [;)]
After reading about the utter defeat of Japan in CT's AAR it's easy to see that things may have turned out very differently.
Some can be explained while other aspects are more difficult to grasp as you point out.

while I´m not a fan of results that need more abstraction than having a comet crashing on Earth destroying one sides fleet in port IMO what happened here is just the final highlight of a series of wrong decisions by Andy. I know Andy doesn´t like micro managing but the whole operation turns out to be easy prey for you (while I have been of complete different oppinion when his operation started - with the assumption he would play it out like I would do it, means using brute force of everything, instead he was doing it in an AI style [:(]). Not wanting to take away this big Japanese victory but I´m still [:(] for Andy´s play.

Even that my carrier engagement happened a couple of months later than this one, Andy should have either used a hammer for this operation or wait until he has got a hammer available. I was shaking my head when he landed only at one place, I was shaking my head when I saw dozens of aircraft destroyed on the ground every day, I was shaking my head when he didn´t even land enough eng units or no radar at all and I kept on shaking my head lately without even posting. Now these two turns as the highlight and my neck hurts from shaking head. Of course, with total destruction to his fleet while not being able to do anything in return also involves bad luck, but it still only is the highlight of pretty much doing everything wrong he could do. [:(]

I know Allied players aren´t really happy going up against enemy BB but it´s surely possible, especially as they´ve usually got at least three times more of them. Earlier in my game, I´ve defended Adak against enemy BB (including Yamato) and while sinking Ise and damaging another one, I´ve lost an old BB with another one damaged. Of course, if you take a level 4 airfield, without radar and not enough engineers to build it up to 8 in a moment, you can´t cover the BB or the rest of the fleet there so we´re back at the initial wrong decisions. I have been completely with PzJ Hortlund that grabbing area in the SRA dooms the Japanese (it´s late 43 after all and the Allied should have quite some toys to play with) but after day three or four after Andy´s troops landed I was more thinking about Galipoli than a succesful Allied AE operation.

Andy of course got the "bad luck" to play someone like you that punishes every mistake and punishing five or six mistakes in a row ultimately leads to a disaster Andy is right into now. Kudos, well done PzB! [:)]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Unbelievable indeed Jahn [:'(]
Will also have to review all this tomorrow; I also hope Andy will get through this "disaster".
Allies will make losses good by mid 44 but the game will most likely run well into 46 now.

The next challenge will be to keep the KB intact for another year or more and if possible continue to blunt the Allied steam roller as it picks up speed.

..and now, bedtime! [:)]

the funny thing about this is the fact that as soon as Andy got another "medium" sized force together he will head right into the next disaster again, this PBEM is going to be one of the few that will see the the Allied surrendering sometime late in the war. [:D] In late 44 you will have more excellent aircraft (except 4E) than the Allied. [:D]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

... Andy should have either used a hammer for this operation or wait until he has got a hammer available. ...

+1

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
As PzB states: abstract it.  A few of his flights were able to hide in clouds, the sun got in the defender's eyes, their radar had a glitch, they were re-fueling planes at the time of attack, they were in the process of changing CAP and they were bingo fuel, they got lucky (unlucky), they were re-fueling escorts and the lines would not disengage,  ...

Unless you beleive Midway was a completely orchestrated, fully controlled, pre-ordained result; you also have also have to allow for this result.  Else, how do you explain Midway?

Again, Just my thoughts.

PzB: congrats!  you were bold.  you made a move as you stated: this is likely the last time the IJN will be able to fight on even footing.  You brought more assets to the fight than Andy predicted you might.  You ignored diversions and focused on the right battle.

Hmm....you're equating Midway to this battle with over 330 fighters on CAP + 100 ships with advanced (for the period) Radar + much more effective AA? [&:]

I really must stop posting here though as you say it is an AAR. Well done PzB for your part. I'll always say though this was a BS Combat result IMO. Best of luck with the rest fo the war but I doubt you'll need it. Andy will do VERY well to recover from this and personally he'll struggle to make a lot of headway by war's end.

[bigbaba]

whats the master plan now in the imperial HQ PzB?

massive reinforcement on waingapoe and retaking the base or just keep it closed and letting the allied to manage their own POW camp while KB is doing some needed AND well earned R&R with sake&gaishas in japan?[;)]

[PzB74]

Agai, thx for the support, input and discussion everyone [:)]

So many aspects and things to discuss in a battle like this and I guess everyone makes valid points.
AE Devs did indeed change the A2A engine to make CAP less waterproof. Human and technical FUBAR can lead to all kinds of disasters combined in the right circumstances.
It is indeed so that a strong CAP is no longer bullet proof roof...

Andy is not so easily put off and will of course continue the fight [&o]
All kudos to him! Guess the price on my head now went up again.

Andy also revealed that he had planned to land one another 1-2 bases near Waingapoe but that his invasion and fast transports went AWOL and cluttered up his plans.
Again, a string of mishaps can and will in the long run lead to disasters like this.

It's not always as easy to see things clearly from the other side of the fence; Pretty sure Andy didn't know that he landed smack in the centre of the SRA Defensive line.
Ref. my screen of the exact area being built into a fortified region a year ago.

I've stated from the beginning that Andy should have waited a few more months to get a bigger hammer and build up Northern Oz first.
Trying a coupe de maine is a valid and brave choice - but it may also turn out to be the wrong one.

Will get back to strategic and tactical observations in later posts!


This turn saw Andy evacuate his ships from Waingapoe and retreat his fleets back towards Northern Australia.
- I didn't want to push it in the face of heavy enemy LBA and CAP and kept the KB back; sending out small packet strikes and surface combat groups to finish the cripples.

Worked well enough and Imperial High Command confired the following sinkings today:

CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Breton, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CA Shropshire, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

An LST - LCT convoy near Waingapoe was also sunk and there are no more enemy ac or ships reported in the Allied base.

I need a little help; anyone that can help put together a list of sunk (probables) and damaged (light - medium - heavy) enemy ships?
I'll be working on the Jap casualty list.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 21, 43

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Memboro at 58,116

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
CL Glasgow
CLAA Atlanta
DD Schroeder
DD McKee

SS I-17 is sighted by escort
I-17 diving deep ....
DD Schroeder attacking submerged sub ....
DD McKee fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Schroeder fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Schroeder fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Schroeder attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-17 forced to surface!
DD McKee firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McKee firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McKee firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Memboro at 58,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Suffolk
CA Devonshire
DD Cony
DD Aaron Ward
DD Foote

SS I-27 is sighted by escort
I-27 diving deep ....
DD Aaron Ward attacking submerged sub ....
DD Foote fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aaron Ward attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Memboro at 58,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
CVE Breton

CVE Breton is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Memboro at 58,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire, heavy damage

CA Dorsetshire is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Dorsetshire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Waingapoe at 60,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-173 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Ah, had hoped to shoot those crippled CVs with our big guns [:'(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Memboro at 58,116, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Chokai
CL Kinu
DD Yugumo
DD Onami
DD Hamakaze
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton, heavy damage
CV Hornet, heavy damage
CA Northampton, heavy damage
CL Honolulu

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Escort TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Memboro at 58,116, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Chokai
CL Kinu
DD Yugumo
DD Onami
DD Hamakaze
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton, heavy damage
CV Hornet, heavy damage
CA Northampton, heavy damage
CL Honolulu

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Escort TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Memboro at 58,117, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Chokai
CL Kinu
DD Yugumo
DD Onami
DD Hamakaze
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Memboro at 59,118, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Chokai
CL Kinu
DD Yugumo
DD Onami
DD Hamakaze
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
CVE Breton, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

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

Air Combat

Allied 4Es attacked our ships all over the place today but scored no hits.
What they did was to wreck most of the KB's CAP; not by shooting down but by damaging our Zekes.
Only 20 4Es is enough, so advice numero uno; NEVER bring KB within range of strong enemy LBA.

We have a house rule allowing only specialized 4Es to perform skip bombing attacks; if not 100 Libs would have been
enough to wipe out the KB.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 65,114
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT-142, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-130, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-141
LST-354, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LST-353, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 85
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 80
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 78

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 2
P-40N1 Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
38 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
11 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
5 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
27 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
25 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
17 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet *
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 81
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 89
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

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

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
5 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
24 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
17 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet *
4 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
14 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 80
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 93

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
22 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
5 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
6 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
25 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet *
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
14 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 80
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 44

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
25 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet *
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
14 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 38,450 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 80
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
6 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
25 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet *
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
14 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 63,112
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hohuku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Komodo at 63,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Takunan Maru #2
SC Ch 26
SC Ch 16

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 161
A6M5b Zero x 12
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 115
A6M5b Zero x 11
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
B-24D Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CV Akagi

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 57,117
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 5

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
5 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 58,117
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 25
B6N1 Jill x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 55,120
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
SBD-5 Dauntless x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Toyotu Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 63,112
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Norway Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 65,114
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged

Allied Ships
LST-30, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-135, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-140, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-143, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-136, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-145, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-131, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-161, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-137, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-156, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-144, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-141, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-155

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
22 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 181
A6M5b Zero x 10
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 11
B-24J Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CV Taiho
CVE Kaiyo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Komodo at 63,111
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 3
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34
E Aotaka

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 11000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 11000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 11000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 94
A6M5b Zero x 6
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 63,112
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3

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

Japanese Ships
xAK Hohuku Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 58,117
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
D4Y1 Judy x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
3 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
475th FG/433rd FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 55,120
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
SBD-5 Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Toyotu Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Toyotu Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 69
A6M5b Zero x 4
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 62
A6M5b Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Memboro at 63,112
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Suyozai Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Denpasar at 55,114
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 50
A6M5b Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Chiyoda

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coupe de grace

[Cribtop]

The Decisive Battle. Admiral Togo would be proud.

[PzB74]

Indeed, Japs had plenty of Sho-Go plans but most were paper tigers [8|]

An overiew:

Losses, inventories and reinforcements

[PzB74]

Situation Map

I will now release elite pilots from land based navy air units to replace KB losses.
Will take 3-4 weeks to get everything back to 100% but I guess we shouldn't complain [;)]

Our capital ships also require much needed R&R; and yes the crews will be sent home for sake and geisha celebrations! [:D]

The question; Now what also needs to be looked into.
While we have gained another spell of carrier supremacy the Allies are still very much on the rise.

The Waingapoe sink hole needs to be cleared and now as the Fleet has done its job the Army will take over.
I recon it will be ca 3 weeks before an offensive can be started.

How many AV do you think we need to defeat an 1800 AV strong garrison?
I don't think there are many forts, battle damage has most likely kept construction at a standstill; 1-2 levels maybe.
- My plan is to start the offensive when we have 2 HQs and ca 4000 AV in place; combined with air and sea bombardments we should be able to slowly reduce the place.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: PzB
The question; Now what also needs to be looked into.
While we have gained another spell of carrier supremacy the Allies are still very much on the rise.

I doubt that [;)]

They'll be status quo/local Japanese advantage for the next 9 months at least IMO! You'll have a CV advantage, production advantage, established defensive lines, good LOC etc! You'll comfortably wipe out W now. Keep it supressed with your air, bombard to death bring in 5 more divisions if needed. You'll have plenty of time to then move those divisions back to their defensive locations etc!

[PzB74]

Well, with the game going into mid 46 there's still plenty of time! [:)]

This turn we continued "clean up" activities!

As mentioned; the Princeton was still not accounted for. Not so anymore!
We also got a large light cruiser near Port Hedland.

Near PM low flying Jills torched 2 cargo ships loaded with fuel.
The most spectacular results were achieved by our bombardment groups; both sea and air!

150 enemy ac destroyed at Waingapo and I'm positive the place is closed!
Only 160 out of 600 lost Hellcats were lost in A2A combat.
214 T-bolts also destroyed by now...can't be many left.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 22, 43

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Memboro at 59,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

CVL Princeton is sighted by SS I-1
SS I-1 launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Princeton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kangean at 59,103

Japanese Ships
PB Fumi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Bisan Maru #3
PB Tamo Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS KXI

SS KXI launches 2 torpedoes at PB Fumi Maru
PB Tamo Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tamo Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tamo Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tamo Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tamo Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Hedland at 58,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

CL Honolulu is sighted by SS I-11
SS I-11 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Hedland at 58,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

SS I-11 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 8 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed on ground
B-339-23 (PR): 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground

36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Chokai
CL Kinu
DD Tadeyame
DD Suruyame
DD Hamakaze
DD Onami
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (12 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 48
Port hits 16
Port supply hits 3

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at Waingapoe
BB Kirishima firing at Waingapoe
E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Haruna
BB Haruna firing at 33rd Infantry Division
BB Kongo firing at Waingapoe
E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Chokai
CA Chokai firing at 15th Marine Defense Battalion
15th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Chokai
CL Kinu firing at 15th Marine Defense Battalion
15th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Kinu
DD Tadeyame firing at 2nd Australian/A Division
DD Suruyame firing at Waingapoe
DD Hamakaze firing at 11th (East African) Division
DD Onami firing at 11th (East African) Division
DD Yugumo firing at 11th (East African) Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 62,118
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 62,118
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
LCT-138, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-155, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 91
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 63

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
23 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
11 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
18 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
18 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
4 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 84

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
17 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
4 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 9000 feet
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Komodo at 63,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Yodozo Maru
E Aotaka
SC Ch 26

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,130
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Mount McKinley, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Peter Kerr, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Mount McKinley
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Peter Kerr
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 33
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 74
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 21 destroyed on ground
P-40N1 Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 6 destroyed on ground
A-36 Mustang: 3 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 81

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 29
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 19

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A fast transport just picked up 50 men from the garrison; I hate loosing LCUs.

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 446 troops, 0 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
Defending force 356 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 10

Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th NZ Bde /2

Defending units:
II/81st Naval Guard Unit
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Reaper is still not done....

[PzB74]

Some more statistics....

We have now sunk the Hornet twice!
- The sea battle is now all but over; a few more cripples may still be sunk but that's about it.

Lexington and Warspite are most likely missing from the sunk list!
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Warspite took 3 torps, so she may have made it home but not the Lex.

Looking forward to a quiet period now[:)]

[inqistor]

Well, I do not understand, why you did not send few hundred men to Luganville. They would easily hold the place.

I had Lexington eat 5 bombs, and she is still operational, so I would not be so sure, with only 1 torpedo hit.

Anyway, some points:
HELLCATs were in battle for, like two weeks, and they lost over 300 planes previously, so their morale was probably not that great.
Allied CVs have sent several strikes earlier, and they had trouble with hitting fast ships, so pilots was not that experienced either.
CVs were operating for 2-3 weeks, with only stops for refueling, so planes were probably not sent to land (I am not sure, how frame fatigue influence behaviour)
It is pretty clear, that Allied CVTFs were too large. I would even guess, that during first strike they were in TFs of over 20 ships.
Lack of BBs, during first strike only ONE reported, also during second strike, and during surface engagements.

But overall PzB achieved better results, that anyone could dream of [8D]

And, lets do not forget, that week earlier, that was Japan planes, which got slaughtered over Waingapoe.


Now, it would be useful, to pay visit in NW Australia ports, and finish cripples. Probably with bombardment TFs.
Also, there is quite lots of destroyed squads reported, during bombardment. It seems, that critical mass of disabled squads have already beed achieved. Probing attack may get 1:1.

Without CVs Port Moresby seems the best bet for Allies. Or Burma, again.

[PzB74]

I did; 500 actually [;)]
Luganville was a diversion and it has played its role.
Don't have the logistics to support a larger operation south of Guadalcanal.

This is what Andy said about his pilots:
"Every pilot in all my Sqns were the best I had I emptied training command for both fighter and bomber pilots"

I also think Andy had more balanced TFs than I did; because of having so few escorts after fighting at Waingapo I usually
have 4-6 carriers in each TF.

We also lost 60 of our KB pilots over Darwin, but overall our pilots were well rested.
You sure you want to advice me to send KB and fleets within 8 hexes of Northern Oz ports so I can be hit by 300 LBA and 4Es Inq? [:'(]

Hm, 8x500kg bombs and a torpedo with fuel storage explosion is usually enough to sink even a large fleet carrier.
We would have sighted it if it limped back towards base!

Yes, that's true; but going for PM means reverting to a Solomons - NG campaign starting in early 44.
Not sure Andy is very keen on this.

This turn we got the last of the cripples (I think) - a heavy cruiser.
Another 50 ac were burnt at Waingapoe; wonder how many carrier ac that emergency landed there!!?

Been a lot of talk and discussions to the outcome of this and similar battles.
All I want to add to this is that there is no single reason;

Yes, you can blame it on poor planning, a broken game engine, back luck, good play by the opponent etc etc.
The truth is that the end outcome is the sum of all these factors which can influence both ways.
The Waingapoe campaign was like winning in the lotteries; everything worked to our advantage.

When I asked Andy why he didn't retreat after the first 8 hex strike he said he was to shocked to believe that
it possibly could go any worse. So he stayed around against his own better judgement and reinforced a poor start.
If Andy had followed his own advice and waited 24 hours before playing the turn and asking his supporters for advice
(which I constantly do!) things could have played out very differently.

The "broken" and "skewed" results so many talk about can mostly be explained by deliberate changes made by the devs to the air combat engine.
Andy is part of the dev team, I'm not. So don't blame it on me [:-] [8|]

The 8 hex max strike range for Japan vs 7 hex for Allies is also an advantage given to Japan by the devs.
In real life Japan launched long range strikes in the Marianas that supports this; maybe it's too much of an advantage in AE but this is what we have to deal with.

I've had many carrier battles were Jap carriers refused to launch ac or behaved oddly.
This has cost me 1-2-3 carriers and I know that one day Murphy will hit me with all his might.

You know how many carrier ac Andy had on his fleets?
1200... I doubted he had more than 800 but he brought his CVEs which I thought were left at home.
So I recklessly challenged 1200 with 800 and fewer ships and came out on top!

At times it's best not knowing what you're really up against [:)]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 23, 43

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Broome at 58,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

CA Northampton is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 183,102

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 6

Allied Ships
AVD Half Moon
TK D.G. Scofield
LCI-448
LCI-447
LCI-446
LCI-435
xAK Thomas M. Cooley
xAK Stanford Newel
xAK Philip Doddridge
xAK Marina Raskova
xAK Joseph K. Toole
xAK John H. Rosseter
xAK James Oliver
xAK Irving M. Scott
xAK Henry Durant
xAK George W. Julian
xAK Felix Hathaway
xAK Overseas Lena
DD Abner Read
DD Hoel
SC PC-785

SS RO-68 is sighted by escort
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bima at 62,108

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Hiei
CA Atago
DD Shiranui
DD Akizuki
DD Tachekaze
DD Uzuki
DD Oboro
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 4, heavy damage

SS KXI is sighted by escort
KXI diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Komodo at 63,111

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34
SC Ch 32

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge, hits 14

SS Muskallunge is located by SC Ch 34
Muskallunge bottoming out ....
SC Ch 34 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 32 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 34 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 34 is out of ASW ammo
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 34 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 67
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 21

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 58

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 20

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Ground Combat

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 446 troops, 0 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
Defending force 310 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Allied adjusted assault: 9
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th NZ Bde /2

Defending units:
II/81st Naval Guard Unit
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Last victims