Typhoon of Steel: John vs. Bill--RA 3.0

[John 3rd]

Bill needs some support. He doesn't even want to load the turn. Rather depressed...

[Cribtop]

Just remind him how many CVs, CVLs and CVEs he has in naval reinforcement queue. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Yes--I know--problem is he needs a morale boost on his AAR. That is what I'm saying...

[SoliInvictus202]

well if you want I could just post your main plans and dispositions over in his AAR - you think this would suffice? [:'(]

[John 3rd]

I THINK my plans are now pretty obvious! You are a FUNNY MAN! [X(]

He is simply depressed. Between Irene hitting his business and Hurricane Jane (should say John but I think hurricanes should still only be named after women!) hitting his Fleet...

[Cap Mandrake]

He should absolutely NOT throw in the towel. It is only mid March and the Oahu garrison might last months.

How many carriers has he lost?

[John 3rd]

He has lost Enterprise and I will soon finish Yorktown. Don't think 6 bombs and 1 Torp is enough to sink her so I have to complete that job. I've lost CVE Hosho and that is it right now.

Heck--I KNOW I cannot take Oahu! If I can grab Lihue and continue to roll him back some then I might be able to deny PH as an effective base for a while. Past that...

[John 3rd]

Here are the current Tracker totals:

[John 3rd]

Just got a note from Bill and I recommended he Post onto his AAR. He did confirm that Yorktown was ferrying aircraft.

[John 3rd]

Bill and I are back up-and-running.

He did confirm that USS Yorktown did SINK! As long as this isn't a bit of mis-direction ten this is GREAT news!

[John 3rd]

The vise is closing around Hawaii as 10 CVs and CVLs are working to cordon off the Islands.

This turn sees an AK, 2 APD, and an AG sunk. Four BIG AP carrying troops (Aorangi, Empress of Australia, Empress of Scotland, and Wakefield) are all hit with either bombs or torps causing over 900 confirmed casualties.

[Cribtop]

The tide has turned! See how KB makes everything better? [;)]

[FatR]

Well, that's the real reason invade Hawaii for - drawing Allies into battle early, John. You are more successful at locating and eliminating American forces than I was, and I think doing in two carriers more than justifies any cost. Now you are mostly safe from Allied invasions beyond LBA support until about 42/12 at the earliest.

[John 3rd]

Concur guys. What I want to do now is seriously erode his lesser warships (read DDs and Cruisers) as well as APs. I know that I can sink 100s of AKs and make no difference but those APs and other warships seriously count for things.

[John 3rd]

Similar fate for vessels outside of Hawaii. The net of CVs expands eastward sweeping as they go sinking APs Empress of Scotland, AP Aorangi, and an AK.

For the first time Zeros accompany small attacks at Pearl Harbor! Notice is now served:

51 Zero and 5 Betty vs. 25 Fighters
40 Zero and 16 Betty vs. 25 Fighters

Results did not happen at sea (all missed) but for 4 Zero and 1 Betty the Allies lose 23 Fighters.

[John 3rd]

Operational Report
March 16-19, 1942

I'll do a comprehensive reviews of the regions sincde I've just been adding tidbits about the Hawaiian Operation.

North Pacific
No real developments other then Attu going to Lvl-2 AF. Several more support units have moved into the region but I haven't done anything up here since his CVs drove me away. I now know that the STF he had up here are in Hawaii so I can move around again but think I'll wait until I've got clear planning done.

Central Pacific
NUCLEAR Bombardments hit Hilo and Kona on the 17th, 18th, and 19th. I don't understand why 2 CA and 2 CL hitting each base can be so devastating EVERY time! Get the AF opened they appear and immediately take 50-70% damage in service and the AF itself.

Nevertheless, the Bases with Lahaina now making its presense known the shipping is getting attacked (without success) now. The first serious Zero foray into PH occurs on the 19th with 4 Zero in change for 21 Allied. The seas are slowly getting dangerous for the Americans.

Before Bill bugs out I really want to NAIL one of these Bonbardment TF. I've got most of the Pacific Battlefleet (Yamato, Ise, and 4 BC) at Christmas. Time to bring them up and trash one or two of these maruading, EVIL Task Forces. Want some of those CAs and CLs!

Carriers:
Think it might be a good idea to detail the exact CVs I have now. CarDiv1, CarDIv2, CarDiv5 (Shokaku just arrived at Christmas), Junyo, and CVLs Shoho, Zuiho, and Nisshin. Currently everyone is shup hunting to clear the damned seas a bit. Once I've got control these vessels are going to make a MASSED attack against PH. Morning Zero Sweep followed by a Port Attack by every Kate I've got.

Sinkings for the Days:
16th--AK, DDs Perkins and Hughes
18th--AK, 2 APD, AG
19th--AK, APs Empress of Scotland and Aorangi (perhaps Empress of Scotland)

Those are BIG APs and I gladly welcome sinking them with troops aboard.

Lihue Invasion Force
Two Infantry Divisions are at sea heading for Laysen Isle. I've got 5 Regiment/Brigade-sized units at Christmas. We're going to miss landing by April 1st so that is BAD. Good news is that both ID should be well over 50% prepped so that should help.

South Pacific
Very Calm. I bombarded Pago Pago and Savaii for no result a few days back. My SS keep spotting shipping down there so I know he is active. Gonna have to move in this direction at some point to see just WHAT is down there.

Philippines
Bataan--Launch a Shock Attack on 18th that comes SOOOOOOO close to 2-1 (744-377) with Forts ZERO. Will try again on the 20th.

Mindanao--All Philippines units are at that central hex base. I've got a Birgade keeping it penned in with 3 Naval Guards coming down from Tokyo to help finish the job.

Australia
My 6 Tk Reg are all driving hellbent for leather east towards several Aussie bases. The 4th ID is moving along the road from Wnydham towards Katherine. There are some Aussie units present in the area so I might get to beat them up.

Surprisingly there is a F4F Marine Squadron and B-26 unit flying up here. They make a serious mistake hitting Wyndham and finding 40 Zero on CAP! Yummy! [8D]

Cocos Island
After finding all those units present at this base, the Fleet returns to bombard the AF on the 18th. My Fuso, 2 CA, and 2 CL don't do much in causing damage to the base. I mean WHY would expect Naval Bombardments to do much of anything in this game??!! (SERIOUS RANT building up about this topic)

The Bombardment unit blends into the approaching Invasion Force on the 19th as another Bombardment unit will nail the base on the 20th covering the invasion scheduled for the same day. Cover is provived by Taiyo and two CS.

Burma
Should capture Katha tomorrow and started a Para landing at Myitkyina on the 19th. There is only a BF in that base and they almost score a 1-1 on the initial landing day. Should fall pretty quickly.

I've redirected units towards Lashio in the east where I'll drive in that direction for a bit.

Imperial Guards is moving north from Akyab towards Cox's Bizar while 3 BF land at Akyab to begin base and Fort expansion.

China
I keep looking at the screen watching my attacks on Sian and yelling "BBBBBBBBreAAAAAAAAAKKKKKK!" I just keeping missing the magic 2-1 by a hair. He is slowly getting his units out (now down from 43 to 29) but they are battered! His squad losses have been horrific and I will crush whatever is left there when they do--finally--break. There is an Inf Div Shock Attacking across the river as well as a Brigade coming into the hex from the SW on the 20th. Units present at Sian are TIRED but I order a hopeful final Shock Attack to wipe this base out...

Mop-up Bases Taken: Lomblen, Maumere, Obi, Bima, Nookbanah, Aust, and Larantoeka

SS Operations
No Japanese Sinking with several getting damaged by ASW.

Engineering
16th--Lae AF-4
17th--Truk AF-6 and Attu AF-2
18th--Rangoon AF-7 and Christmas AF-5

[John 3rd]

Pretty wild and somewhat dangerous screenshot!

Here are my CVs, their escorts, and current number of aircraft.

I think they will all be pulled back towards Midway to refuel, get new planes, and reorganize. He'll expect CHristmas so I'll move to Midway. There are 4 AO and 3 AKE moving there to handle the Fleet's needs.

[John 3rd]

The forces move east in the Aussie Territories:

[ny59giants]

BB (Bombardment) TF -
Double check the TF leader ratings;
if you are going in at night, do you have a FP set with range 1, switched over from Day to Night, set for Recon (do you have any FP trained up in Recon skills??);
what range do you have them set for (default is 15k)??

[John 3rd]

Good Notes Michael. I know I have the FP doing what you describe but will double check!

PS--Wanna fly in and help me can some today?