Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

Capt. Harlock · Post by **Capt. Harlock** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:50 pm

Allied battle fleets would be made to pay a price for intervention.

Rats! I do love the surface scraps you've been able to pull off.

What's the latest on the invasion of Australia? (Is the reserve Kangaroo Corps hopping to the scene?[:D])

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:28 pm

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Allied battle fleets would be made to pay a price for intervention.

Rats! I do love the surface scraps you've been able to pull off.

What's the latest on the invasion of Australia? (Is the reserve Kangaroo Corps hopping to the scene?[:D])

[:D]

Well, I've long been moving units into place to support an orderly withdrawal from NW Australia (aka Darwin, et al) and to form the basis of thwarting any deep thrust from that area. This Normanton move, I'll mostly contain for now. If I send too much there to expel the buggers those forces will be a long travel from anywhere else. EHQ might have designs on the northern part of the east coast. It could be just that the Empire is putting armored units ashore to get behind Darwin area forces for when a significant landing pushes them back. I continue to prepare the lines of withdrawal, though, so the Imperial forces would be the ones getting cut off.

If Normanton is part of a move on the northeast coast of Australia then it's partly a distraction and partly a flanking maneuver. The real show would come with a landing in force somewhere on the east coast itself. Of course no matter what the strategy, Normanton could give EHQ a forward aerial recon base.

Two regiments of the Americal Division arrive tomorrow, and the third arrives by ship in perhaps ten days. Today several American units arrived, mostly also for South Pacific (as is Americal), but they will defend Australia as needed. They include an armored unit, AA, artillery, and two base engineering units. Those two are heading to Alice Springs where building will shortly change from fortifications to the airfield. All the other bases in NW Australia have built only fortifications so that the Empire will have to build it's own airfields. Each base on the line of withdrawal also has a small armored unit, some have troops, extra base support (from the Philippines), and fighters (no fighters at the dot base Fenton); all designed to defeat any para assault.

The USA air units for II Fighter and V Bomber have been arriving steadily. All the V Bomber B-17s are back from Java (save two trying to make repairs under fire). All air units except searchers and the forward deployed are training furiously.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:22 am

Resistance

1942-02-25

New Hanover Island, Tang-Shan, and Tjepoe fell today. Denpasar is still holding on. A small Imperial convoy was seen off the west coast of mid-Sumatra.

The aerial pounding of Java's runways and other facilities continues. An S-boat took some revenge near Denpasar:

xAK Hokumai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

A Filipino PT boat scored even closer to Denpasar, exceeding the performance of the entire Allied PT squadrons in the Philippines.

xAK Hokumai Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1

That maru must be hurting.

The Allied army makes good time in Burma, and has been ably aided by the Allied air forces every step of the way. It's been a tough slog, but the Allies are doing well having punished the Imperial bombers several times. This day was exceptional.
From Tracker:

PO McAlister, B.A. (No.605 Sqn RAF); Ace in a Day 5 kills; stationed at Toungoo

Even though the bombers got through to hit troops lightly, here was the big one of the day:

Morning Air attack on 44th Indian Brigade, at 56,51 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 5
Ki-30 Ann x 15
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 7 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

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

I don't know who got the kills today, but there are three squadrons of Hurricanes and one P-39. All are killers. By plane model their total kills now are: Hurricane IIa: 19 kills, Hurricane IIb: 17 kills, Hurricane IIb: 7 kills, P-39D: 37 kills. They are LRCAPing at stacked altitudes. Distance has ranged from 1 to 3 hexes.

The graphic shows todays air losses, with the obligatory FOW.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:25 pm

Java Airlines Cancels All Flights

1942-02-26

Mussau Island, Malang, Denpasar, Tung-Yang and fell today. Due to damage, there are no airfields on Java capable of launching strikes. This is the first time that the Empire has achieved this, although it seems it might have been done earlier had it been an objective.

The withdrawal in Burma is still a near thing, with Imperial units in hex with the last Bde still on its way to Toungoo. There were no bombing raids today. Every day longer that it takes the Empire to get bombers back on line in Burma is a blessing.

Capt. Harlock · Post by **Capt. Harlock** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:32 pm

I don't know who got the kills today, but there are three squadrons of Hurricanes and one P-39. All are killers. By plane model their total kills now are: Hurricane IIa: 19 kills, Hurricane IIb: 17 kills, Hurricane IIb: 7 kills, P-39D: 37 kills.

Way better than the historical results. I've always had a fondness for the P-39; it wasn't much of a dog-fighter, but then, it wasn't supposed to be.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Thu May 12, 2011 6:32 pm

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

I don't know who got the kills today, but there are three squadrons of Hurricanes and one P-39. All are killers. By plane model their total kills now are: Hurricane IIa: 19 kills, Hurricane IIb: 17 kills, Hurricane IIb: 7 kills, P-39D: 37 kills.

Way better than the historical results. I've always had a fondness for the P-39; it wasn't much of a dog-fighter, but then, it wasn't supposed to be.

Ah, but IRL they didn't have the same circumstances! [:D]

All the pilots in the squadron have a minimum of 70 Air skill (I replaced everybody with less). They are working closely with three good British squadrons (probably more Exp but less Air skill overall). All four are LRCAPing fairly close to home base and at various altitudes. The sweeps have sometimes hurt, but most are handled OK by the British who are flying higher. Mostly the fighter opposition seems to have been Oscars and Nates, with just a handful of Tojos that sweep.

I can't say definitively from watching the replays, but I think most of the P-39D kills have been of the bombers. So, the Hurricanes handle the dogfighting and the P-39's use that big armament to get the bombers! And while all the raids have been contested with some shoot-downs, I think the worst damage has been done in two or three big fur-balls where they caught the bombers with no escort or a small escort which was then overwhelmed.

So, in other words I am managing this air battle to maximize the protection of the troops, or the cost to the bombers will be high when they press on. I should point out that the P-39D squadron is AVG and some kills of the 37 came with that early model P-40, H-something it's called? I pulled them back when they got worn down, upgraded the planes, and brought in all trained pilots. I do think most of the 37 kills are against bombers once they got into the current scenario. That is ending now as the fighters begin to pull back ahead of the troops.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:22 pm

Arrivals

1942-02-27

Ku-shih fell today. Benkoelen and Fergusson Island were invaded. Weather kept the Allied bombers from flying in Burma, but the last Bde made Toungoo and is moving on. The enemy is too close behind to risk using rail movement, so the chase will continue.

A bunch of ground arrivals today. Most time was spent sorting through who's who. Imperial forces are moving on Java, likely it will be two or three turns before the fireworks begin on the ground.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:28 am

The Quiet Before the Storm

1942-02-28

Fergusson Island, Taung Gyi, Probolinggo, and Benkoelen fell today. Bima was invaded. Huai Yan was liberated.

The 13th Burma Rifles Battalion was actually wiped out by the IJA 56th Recon Regiment at Taung Gyi. Now it moves on to block Allied withdrawal. An Indian Bde plus the 18th UK Div are being brought back my rail to deal with it.

37 days remaining for the Empire's amphibious landing bonus. The manual says "4 months", so I am assuming that April 6, 1942 is the last day of the bonus. Below is snap shot of the most significant air losses to date. We were pulling toward even until the onslaught at Java. There are more air losses to be felt there too. Otherwise, we are holding our own. I expect the occasional KB intervention will wreak havoc with whatever aerial opposition it meets, though.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:03 pm

Palembang Waits

1942-03-01

Madioen fell today, and Vanimo was invaded. KB has drifted farther into the Indian Ocean with what appears to be an ASW TF between it and Java. It is still in blocking position, but it blocks nothing but waves.

Palembang is at fortifications level 1 and with constant bombings will get no higher. AV will be just above 790 tomorrow, and supplies will rise to over 70,000. Units in Palembang are taking replacements so the AV will continue to grow as long as allowed. When the time comes, some units will combine into their division, others into their brigade. They are staying broken down for now to take replacements faster in aggregate. Terrain is swamp, which = x3 for defense. How long will it hold? How much damage will the production facilities sustain?

Capt. Harlock · Post by **Capt. Harlock** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:24 pm

How long will it hold? How much damage will the production facilities sustain?

Do you have Engineer units there? They're good at both building and demolition.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:57 pm

Engineers, yes. Engineer units, not so much. I brought whatever I could get out of Singapore that wasn't restricted and then whatever I could get from all over the DEI. Most of that is combat troops. The base forces were a mixed bag. I had four British naval base forces, but they had so little left in them that I just sent them out to India to rebuild instead of keeping them in place for basically nothing. I toyed with the idea of putting them on Cocos Island to build the airstrip, but between the four of them I don't think there was a single engineer left! Once Palembang was shut down hard their air support was useless.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri May 13, 2011 8:36 pm

Hot Pursuit!

1942-03-02

Soerakarta, Bima, and Shemya Island fell today. Padang resisted capture. Imperial troops have marched from Dili to Lautem.

The Empire is making good use of fast armored units to interfere with rail movement. With any luck that recon unit that moved into Meiktila will attack without knowing what railed in just before its arrival.

Here is a view of the situation.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sat May 14, 2011 4:09 am

Ambush!

1942-03-03

Toungoo, Soerabaja, Padang, and Toboali fell today. Lautem resisted capture, but won't last long.

In Burma the weather kept most Allied bombers grounded. The escaping army really could stand the Imperial armor being slowed by an aerial pounding, so let's hope they fly tomorrow.

Clark Field also resisted capture, and is holding strong.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50561 troops, 453 guns, 397 vehicles, Assault Value = 1655

Defending force 63336 troops, 731 guns, 346 vehicles, Assault Value = 1952

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1661

Allied adjusted defense: 2635

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
5801 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 145 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 366 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Vehicles lost 179 (57 destroyed, 122 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1742 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 104 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 116 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
38th Division
48th Division
65th Brigade
16th Division
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
11th PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
41st PA Infantry Division
14th PS Engineer Regiment
1st/45th PS Inf Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
91st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
PAF Aviation
Cavite USN Base Force
202nd PA Construction Battalion
I Philippine Corps
Nichols Field AAF Base Force
301st Construction Battalion
Far East USAAF
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Asiatic Fleet
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion
Provisional GMC Grp
201st PA Construction Battalion
II Philippine Corps
1st PI Base Force
USAFFE
Clark Field AAF Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

During the latter part of February I got SigInt that some engineering unit was moving to Adak Island. Knowing the location of KB, I decided to see if Allied forces could intercept the convoy, as noted on the graphic. All four USN carriers, in two TFs, and a cruiser led surface action group proceeded to a point south of Adak Island but outside of likely search detection range. There is yet no Intel that search is operating out of Adak, but that seemed a prudent position.

After achieving and then waiting in position for a couple of days, carrier search spotted an Imperial submarine over a hundred NM NW of the force. Believing that probably the presence of carriers had been betrayed by a reciprocal sighting of the dive bomber, the force began to retire to Pearl Harbor. That belief was apparently mistaken.

On February 28, PBY search out of Dutch Harbor reported a CVL a couple of hundred NM S of Adak, heading W. But for retiring, the ambush force would have been in perfect intercept position. They were still close enough provided that the IJN was unaware of their presence. The ambush forces moved NW for one day, and contact was still moving as though unperturbed. Two IJN submarines were sighted by carrier search that day. The force then sprinted WNW, and acquired two unidentified Imperial TFs (now out of PBY range) with carrier search at about 320nm distant, position WSW of Attu Island. For March 3 the carrier TFs moved to close with the Imperial ships, with the surface force taking a patrol position in front of the carriers.

Dawn broke on the 3rd to see surface force charging into other, previously undetected enemy formations.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 148,52, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tosho Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Hoko Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
xAK Mayachi Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Louisville
CA Chicago
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Mustin
DD Russell

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Allison L. crosses the 'T'
CA Louisville engages PB Tosho Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Chester engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Northampton engages PB Tosho Maru at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
PB Tosho Maru sunk by CA Chicago at 19,000 yards
CA Chicago engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Northampton collides with DD Mustin at 148 , 52
CA Louisville engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Chicago engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Louisville engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Hughes engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Chester engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Sims engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Hughes engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Hughes engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Chicago engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Chester engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Sims engages xAK Mayachi Maru at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
xAK Mayachi Maru sunk by CA Chicago at 13,000 yards
DD Hammann engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Chicago engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 12,000 yards
CA Louisville engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Russell engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Northampton engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Russell engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Sims engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Russell engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Mustin engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Russell engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Anderson engages xAKL Hoko Maru at 11,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Petropavlovsk at 144,53, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asagao, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AO Naruto, Shell hits 30, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Louisville
CA Chicago
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Russell

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 16,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Allison L. crosses the 'T'
DD Asagao engages DD Russell at 16,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Mustin at 16,000 yards
DD Anderson engages AO Naruto at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Mustin at 13,000 yards
CA Louisville engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
CA Chester engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
CA Northampton engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Asagao at 13,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Hammann at 13,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Asagao at 13,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Asagao at 9,000 yards
DD Mustin engages AO Naruto at 9,000 yards
CA Chester engages AO Naruto at 9,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Sims at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
CA Louisville engages AO Naruto at 7,000 yards
CA Chester engages AO Naruto at 7,000 yards
CA Northampton engages AO Naruto at 7,000 yards
DD Russell engages AO Naruto at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Asagao at 10,000 yards
CA Northampton engages AO Naruto at 10,000 yards
DD Asagao sunk by DD Hammann at 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages AO Naruto at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Mustin engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AO Naruto at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
DD Russell engages AO Naruto at 14,000 yards
DD Hammann engages AO Naruto at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Mustin engages AO Naruto at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Anderson engages AO Naruto at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages AO Naruto at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Hammann engages AO Naruto at 11,000 yards
CA Northampton engages AO Naruto at 11,000 yards
DD Hammann engages AO Naruto at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Mustin engages AO Naruto at 15,000 yards
CA Northampton engages AO Naruto at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
AO Naruto sunk by CA Chicago at 19,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

It turns out there were more enemy TFs present than had been found the day before. There followed a full on carrier battle, fought under a big weight advantage for the USN.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 150,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N1 Kate x 14
D3A1 Val x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 37500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 145 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 38
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBD-1 Devastator x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kagero
CS Chitose, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x F4F-3 Wildcat sweeping at 10000 feet
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
13 x F4F-3 Wildcat sweeping at 10000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 19
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

CAP engaged:
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 150,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 115 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 81 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 111 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kagero
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBD-1 Devastator x 14

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Isokaze
xAKL Kizugawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kagero
xAK Rozan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kizugawa Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CS Chitose
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Rozan Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 149,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
SBD-2 Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 3, on fire

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Attu Island at 148,51

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Rozan Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Kaimyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Kizugawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Rozan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Kaimyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kizugawa Maru

Destroyer Mustin is in bad shape and will try to make Dutch Harbor in company of a sibling. The ambush force will adjust position for tomorrow and try to make certain all Imperial carriers are finished before departing.

LoBaron · Post by **LoBaron** » Sat May 14, 2011 6:28 am

Good move!

Looks like you just put an end to any Japanese Aleuthian adventures lacking KB protection. [;)]

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sat May 14, 2011 5:08 pm

Consolidation

1942-03-04

Memboro fell today. Lautem held again, and the attackers are fatigued.

The ambush force found and dispatched CA Chikuma (Heavy Damage, Heavy Fires) and DD Kagero (sunk). Both were handled by the surface force, with carrier air flying cover and fixing no additional enemies with search. Imperial ships were seen fleeing north past Medney Island and Bering Island, possibly violating Soviet territorial waters. Stalin has yet to respond to messages regarding the matter. The ambush force is retiring to Pearl Harbor. Getting deeper into unscouted areas when powerful Imperial surface forces could be moving into an also unscouted flank and line of withdrawal is too risky at this point. Indeed, if the force goes deep enough even KB could intervene with an extended high speed run.

The graphic shows an overview, which I think puts the distances and proximities involved in the ambush into clear perspective.

Capt. Harlock · Post by **Capt. Harlock** » Sat May 14, 2011 6:54 pm

Beautiful work, both on the surface and in the air.

(It's a little surprising that air battle would be so effective in that location in early March.) Any choice words from your opponent?

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:12 pm

Just that the turn (before) really sucked. I can empathize with that - been there. We're going to exchange some ideas on intercepts.

I've forgotten the winter months schedule, but I'm thinking it might end with February. I think you still get excess wear and tear up there year-round?

Alas, Mustin's fires increased from mid-60s to mid-80s the day after combat so she will probably remain on station, so to speak.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sat May 14, 2011 8:37 pm

Mustin Sinks

1942-03-05

Banjoewangi fell today and Huang-chuan was liberated. KB's whereabouts are unknown for about the past 3 days. The last B-17 on Java finally was made flight-worthy and made it to Australia.

The Allied army in Burma pushed back the IJA 56th Recon Regiment at 49 to 1 odds. The withdrawal continues, although so does the pursuit. At this point the Allies are staying ahead of the pursuit but there is little margin.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:29 am

Retirement

1942-03-06

Pare Pare fell today. It appears that more Imperial troops are marching from Dili to Lautem. KB's location is still unfixed. I somehow messed up movement orders in Burma for two base forces, which might cause them to be caught and smashed (but maybe not). One month left on the Imperial amphibious bonus.

aprezto · Post by **aprezto** » Sun May 15, 2011 3:15 am

Wow - fantastic. Another despatchment of mini-KB. It's becoming a bit of a habit!!

Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

RE: 1942-02-24

RE: 1942-02-24

1942-02-25

1942-02-26

RE: 1942-02-25

RE: 1942-02-25

1942-02-27

1942-02-28

1942-02-01

RE: 1942-02-01

RE: 1942-03-01

1942-03-02

1942-03-03

RE: 1942-03-03

1942-03-04

RE: 1942-03-03

RE: 1942-03-03

1942-03-05

1942-03-06

RE: 1942-03-06