LoBaron + Robbrennan vs Offenceman, allied secret AAR

[Rob Brennan UK]

June 4th Turned out to be a notable day for the Allied naval forces off the NE coast of New Guinea.

A combined Australian and USN CA force under the command of the USN Indianapolis and including the CA Australia with 2 CL's and several DD's was tasked with bombarding Lae. The night trip from Milne bay was slowed with multiple submarine contacts reported and 2 prosecuted (one successfully).

ASW attack near Buna at 100,128

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 5

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Capetown
DE Edsall
DM Sicard
DD Nestor
DD Sterett
DD Frazier



SS RO-62 is sighted by escort
DD Nestor fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sterett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Frazier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier cannot establish contact with SS RO-62
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lae at 99,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64, hits 12, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Capetown
CL Caradoc
DD Grayson
DE Edsall
DM Sicard
DD Nestor
DD Sterett
DD Frazier



SS RO-64 is sighted by escort
RO-64 diving deep ....
DD Nestor attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sterett attacking submerged sub ....
DD Frazier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub

Upon arrival near Lae their worst nightmares were realised when out in the deep dark, the radar reported a Japanese naval presence. C/O commanding Cpt O'Neill ordered an immediate engagement but failed to realise the large radar returns were Japanese battleships ! Even with surprise and an initial advantage of position (crossing the T) allied forces made little impact while return fire was brutal. When the CA Australia spectacularly blew up from a magazine explosion caused by a 15" shell, An immediate retirement order was given.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 99,126, Range 5,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Urakaze
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
CA Australia, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Capetown, Shell hits 11, on fire
DD Grayson, Shell hits 1
DD Barton
DD Frazier
DD Sterett
DE Edsall
DD Nestor
DM Sicard



Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
O'Neill G. crosses the 'T'

Game Notes :- .. With allied AK's unloading at Lae or 4 days unmolested I had 1/2 expected a fast Japanese response from 'somewhere' with fast surface forces. The BB Maryland was not included deliberately for speed (or lack thereof) and wouldn't have made much difference anyway. running into 4 Jap BB's was not expected and most unwelcome. However Indianapolis and Caradoc are not badly damaged and all smaller units are fine (bit of sys damage). The DD's were what i was really worried about losing as they have been excellent at hammering the Japanese subs in the area and would be severely missed. Indy and Caradoc can both be repaired in Brisbane/Sydney so no long trips back needed either.

The allied troops in Lae were just joined by a small Aussie tank regiment with new Grant vehicles but all 3 units need more supply before i shock attack and try to take the place with a coup de main. Fortunately the small naval units have just arrived in buna for just such a journey and the jap presence will not stop the allies sending in supply tomoorrow , we will however move up some more torpedo bombers to buna.

[tiger111]

Hi Rob

Eeeks! Bit you were worried at finding that little lot. Lucky to get away relatively undamaged. Looks like the battle for Lae is going to be heavily contested.

Great AAR as always.

[Rob Brennan UK]

TY Augustus , nice to hear from you once more .

Its now June 8th/9th .

all been rather quiet , allies bomb shortlands/Lae uninterupted and the first LCI supply run to Laea was a success but we need more , think i might unload at salamoa <sp> just south of Lae and allow the supply to be drawn up instead of unloading over Lae beach as Japan wont get free intel. We also have a much large amphib capacity at Buna with several regiments of armour and infantry prepped for Lae as well as paras prepped for finchhafan (to prevent a retreat here) . surface escorts are in very short supply as we are sailing dmaged units back to the shipyards with heavy DD escort. However IF we happen to collide with the jap surface force again the CW assigned surface naval units wont make a hell of a differance anyway. Additionally we have swordfish/albacores and beauforts in buna as torpedo capable but also with very good ASW skills. for now the subas are the main menace so we will concentrate on them while shuttling up supply for now.

Up in Burma the Japanese have heavily deafened Pegu and left a rearguard in Rangoon, If/When we advance here in force big decisions needed to try and prevent a heavy counter-attack from Pegu are needed. Advance recons are marching to adjacent hexes to get a better picture. Once more supply raises its ugly head in Burma with Prome having a huge surplus while Toungoo has just 20 ! and is not building anything despite heavy eng units and BF's for allied forward fighters. We will need to wait for this to resolve itself and then move forward the airforce for the next phase of the advance.

However a US sub patrolling the southern tip of java spotted and torpedoed a jap sub on the surface (damn lucky) ..

Sub vs Sub: SS Scamp attacking SS I-178 at 57,108 - near Denpasar

Japanese Ships
SS I-178, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Scamp



SS Scamp launches 6 torpedoes at 1,000 yards


TTFN

[Rob Brennan UK]

10th June 1943

the night of the ninth opened with japanese subs ambushing an unescorted supply convoy leaving Christmas island (indian ocean), the escorts had disbanded in port (daft me) , losing 2 large AK's in the process.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 10, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Christmas Island IO at 44,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-37

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Lamont, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Clan Lamont is sighted by SS I-37
SS I-37 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Clan Lamont


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Christmas Island IO at 44,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-37

Allied Ships
xAK Somelsdijk, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



xAK Somelsdijk is sighted by SS I-37
SS I-37 attacking xAK Somelsdijk on the surface


Meanwhile the air over Lae was contested by the Japanese with 20-30 A6m3a Zeros on LRCAP intercepting the various allied attacks, 1st day the P39's on low escort got jumped badly while the high altitude spits and hurricanes finally joined in downing several Zeros resulting in an 1-1 exchange according to the animations.


Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 24



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 26
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-26 Marauder x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

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


Day 2 , the allied escorts failed to link up with the bombers but went in none the less and the whole range of allied fighters was involved , Beaufighter's, P39's martlets, hurricanes + spitfires all mixing it up with some surprising results. the P39's got clobbered (no surprise) while the beaufighters did remarkably well esp on the 'head-on' animations, nice to see heavy forward fire-power working at least.

Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 22



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 16



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martlet II sweeping at 19000 feet


By the time the bombers arrived the defenders were out of position and the limited intercepts were pounced on by the escorting spitfires.

Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
Spitfire Vc Trop x 20
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-26 Marauder x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed


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


According to the loss list over 20 zeros destroyed , i don't believe a word as it also listed 3 beau-fighters downed (was nil ).

A second supply with LCT's made it in and out of Lae successfully so with supply looking ok we will shock attack tomorrow with both divs and the armour. HQ is accompanying , while SW PAC HQ is in buna with Lae as a target , fingers crossed. Else we can try and transport in more men if needed by landing craft.









Quick note , several jap subs seen near buna area , several allied high exp and skill sqdns are on dedicated ASW here and made 2 attacks last turn, similar situation in Christmas island, I168 was reported hit twice , once by albacores and once by Dutch B25D's.. lets sweep these pests before they cause more trouble.

[LoBaron]

Interesting info in this turn btw.

Your crack Zero opposition partly came from the carriers Kaga and Akagi. So they are either
in position at the Admiralties, or they are refitting and the Zeros came from land bases.


Ah, no news on US side except such a combat replay always brings up old memories... [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Emirau Island at 107,117

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
DD Asagumo
DD Fubuki
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships
SS Finback



SS Finback is sighted by escort
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ikazuchi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hibiki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akatsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Fubuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ikazuchi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hibiki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ikazuchi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ikazuchi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ikazuchi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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

[tiger111]

Hi Rob

Re Lobarons post: looks like Jap CV`s are being deployed from Truk ?.( May the KB) Best be carefull.....

[Rob Brennan UK]

Augustus , I am surprised the Japanese CV fleet hasn't made its presence known in the Solomon islands/New guinea area, a lot more. a port attack on Milne bay would almost definitely sink the BB Maryland and I do not have any spare troop transport capability ( all in buna) apart from 2 AKL's converting over in Townsville. If he sank that lot then the CW would be stalled for months. as it is he only contests the air occasionally , i assume just to keep me honest with escorts, neither of us has huge airforces here and I for one don't have huge pools of replacements. the Aussies do however have a steady stream of skill 70 trained fighter pilots which is building up nicely. ( GAME NOTE , I train them to high end air to air skills , then several months on strafe or Low ground attack skills , this has the effect of ensuring the pilots have great defensive skills and decent exp once released into the pools. IF I have time then 3 months of flying CAP in a rear area base for experience gain , but that depends on time available , END NOTE )

As for his fleet positions , i strongly suspect the Admiralty islands rather than Truk , I am tempted to do another unannounced port raid with B17's (no advance recon planes to tip him off) , but i think that would ba waste of very limited B17B's.



US subs made their presence felt with several dud torpedoes but also one successful attack sinking an AK near Truk.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 12, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tanegashima at 104,68

Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze
DD Satsuki
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
xAP Shanghai Maru
xAP Koan Maru
xAP Yoshino Maru
xAP Huzi Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
DD Nokaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS Whale



SS Whale launches 6 torpedoes at DD Namikaze
Whale diving deep ....
DD Namikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yukaze cannot reach attack position over SS Whale
DD Yukaze cannot establish contact with SS Whale
DD Yukaze cannot reach attack position over SS Whale
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tanegashima at 104,68

Japanese Ships
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
DD Satsuki
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
xAP Shanghai Maru
xAP Koan Maru
xAP Yoshino Maru
xAP Huzi Maru
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS Whale



SS Whale launches 6 torpedoes at xAP Buenos Aires Maru
Whale diving deep ....
DD Namikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yukaze cannot reach attack position over SS Whale
SS Whale eludes ASW attack from DD Yukaze
DD Yukaze cannot reach attack position over SS Whale
DD Yukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yukaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS Whale eludes DD Yukaze by diving deep
DD Yukaze cannot reach attack position over SS Whale
DD Yukaze loses contact with SS Whale
SS Whale eludes ASW attack from DD Yukaze
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 107,113

Japanese Ships
xAK Teiryu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage Later found alone accompanied by sinking sounds-- so SUNK is almost 100% definite.
E Fuyo
PB Wa 4
PB Wa 2
xAK Toan Maru
xAK Nissen Maru #3
xAK Teihoku Maru
DD Harukaze
DD Kamikaze

Allied Ships
SS Finback, hits 2



SS Finback launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Teiryu Maru
DD Harukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kamikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Harukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kamikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kamikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kamikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kamikaze loses contact with SS Finback
DD Kamikaze attacking submerged sub ....
SS Finback eludes ASW attack from DD Kamikaze
SS Finback eludes DD Kamikaze by diving deep
DD Kamikaze loses contact with SS Finback
DD Kamikaze cannot reach attack position over SS Finback
SS Finback eludes DD Kamikaze by diving deep
Escort abandons search for sub


Japan did not contest Lae airspace today and the shock attack went in as ordered , very odd results. even at 1-2 we lost a lot less than japan but also failed to KO a fort level. Looks like we will need the troops in buna for reducing this place without a very prolonged siege.

Game note :-

In buna prepared for Lae are one Tank Brigade , One motorised Brigade, one tank regiment and one inf regiment. No artillery annoyingly and we don't have any combat engineers worth talking about either. I am sending in more supply today, and await the return of some surface combat ships before sending in the landing ships (roughly 10 days as a guess before we even have DD escorts for them).








Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7711 troops, 122 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 359

Defending force 22395 troops, 230 guns, 460 vehicles, Assault Value = 815

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



Assaulting units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
43rd Naval Guard Unit
89th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Nav Gd /1
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
1st Base Force
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
48th JNAF AF Unit
42nd JNAF AF Unit /1

Defending units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Division
4th Australian Division
II Australian Corps


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

Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 20295 troops, 230 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 815

Defending force 12380 troops, 156 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 358

Allied adjusted assault: 1652

Japanese adjusted defense: 2455

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1046 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
4th Australian Division
II Australian Corps

Defending units:
89th Naval Guard Unit
43rd Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
87th Naval Guard Unit
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Nav Gd /1
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
1st Base Force
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
48th JNAF AF Unit
42nd JNAF AF Unit /1

[Rob Brennan UK]

Burma area

Today we took the small base west of Rangoon , was just a small recon unit of light tanks and armoured cars , set to withdraw tomorrow. from the picture you can see the problem in toungoo, supply is awful and even using the pull supply button , nowt helps. Everywhere else is fine and both bombers and transports are shuttling in supply to Mythilinka and Mandalay.

Port Blair however is coming along nicely , we are even sending in AP's with minimal escorts , 1/2 unloaded a full Indian regiment and BF on the way from Calcutta. Additionally all the troops and HQ , support etc , from Ramtree island is re-prepping for Port Blair , might as well try and fortify it while the going is good.



PS all rear bases with transport infrastructure , including the Indian border have garrison troops in case of Japanese para drops trying nab a free base and cut supply links.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: Augustas

Hi Rob

Re Lobarons post: looks like Jap CV`s are being deployed from Truk ?.( May the KB) Best be carefull.....

Yeah I agree, either Truk or the Admiralties.

I hope there are some CVs there which could try to interfere with my landing ops in the coming week, the whole KB with support
could be bad news though if Mike predicts operation "Predictability" - the attack on Ontong Java and Shortlands.

The plan is to exploit any countermove by Mike against the landing with a CV raid in the direction of Truk, only 3 CVEs will support the landings,
the rest of the cover will consist of LBA and surface combat assets. I do hope I am not calculating my forces too thin...

More about the details in the next updates.


Ah...and as Rob mentioned, at least its not ´42 anymore, only 2/3rds of the sub attacks fail completely... [:D]

[Rob Brennan UK]

New update .. Japans surface forces return to Lae and bombard empty jungle for the most part .. Thankfully the invasion convoy is just loading at buna and given today's American events Japan might be looking about further west for the next few turns

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lae at 99,126

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Chokai


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


BB Hiei firing at 1st Australian Division
BB Haruna firing at 1st Australian Division
CA Suzuya firing at 4th Australian Division
CA Mikuma firing at 1st Australian Division
CA Mogami firing at 4th Australian Division
CA Ashigara firing at 4th Australian Division
CA Chokai firing at 1st Australian Division

Meanwhile the British airforce in Burma tried to hit the Rangoon runways on a clear moonlit night (100%) and met no opposition, sadly hardly any bombers flew for 2 nights and little was achieved . we will keep them going next turn but i suspect Japan will put up some night fighters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 4
Liberator GR.III x 5
B-17E Fortress x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground




Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 2


American night bombing of Rabaul met similar results , i.e naff all

Night Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 13


No Allied losses


Meanwhile Americans invade ontong Java and find the ghostly wreckage of an evacuated garrison , Japan had totally evacuated the place :-


Ground combat at Ontong Java (115,131)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4405 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 128

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 128 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ontong Java !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
23rd Marine Rgt /1


Allied S=36 operating near Soerbaja (using the pby's flying search from Christmas island to intercept) hit a jap mine layer and sank her with all hands ..

Sub attack near Soerabaja at 57,103

Japanese Ships
CM Katsuriki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-36


Allied ASW increases in effectiveness daily with lots of detections from beauforts near Milne bay and swordfish from buna .. Dutch B25's from Christmas island also find 2 jap subs and attack 1. There were lots of attacks but nothing confirmed. these areas must be getting nasty for japsns underwater ninjas.



Lack of piccie due to rushed post , more soon


PS . we upgraded to the latest beta version , I dont have a clue how this will affect the game so we can all learn new stuff as we progress.

[tiger111]

Hi Rob

Things look like they are hotting up a bit.But your campaign is going well though.

Thanks for re-sizing your posts in 4:3 format. One day I`ll get a widescreen monitor....

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 20, 43

Happy new year to all readers ! Now this was an awful start to 2012 for the commonwealth. We have had a major slow down from various install patch issues to tracker and then holidays. Back on track now though (i hope)..

The CW has been running a lot of its operations with no surface covering forces for a long time now and today we got bit in the arse badly ! Note the reason we havnt had covering forces is that the RN is either in refit/damaged or withdrawing faster than reinforcements turn up. Winston has finally agreed to beg the US President for surface naval shipping to assist British and commonwealth operations in the Pacific.

the reason is down to general McArthur based at Buna , he ordered a large land force to load up on inadequate shipping to hit Lae from the seaward direction ( IE I got greedy) ..

Japanese surface naval units managed to hit all 3 TF's in the area and sank the lot .. 10 AKL's 9 AK's 12 AP's 2 APA's + various barges. Huge loss of life was reported among the 12 australian inf bridage and 2 armoured brigades caught at sea. McArthur will face show trial and summary execution at the hands of Aussie militia today.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 99,129, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Agano
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
AM Gladstone, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Mariner, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Caledon, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Corrimal, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Hetton Bank, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP James Cook, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
xAKL Koonda
xAP Kooyong, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Lady Isobel, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Matthew Flinders, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Mortlake Bank, Shell hits 1
xAKL Mulcra, Shell hits 9, on fire
xAP William McArthur, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Night Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 99,129, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Agano
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
xAKL Caledon, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAKL Hetton Bank, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAKL Koonda, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAKL Mortlake Bank, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Mulcra, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


Day Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 99,126, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Makinami
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Yukikaze
DD Shiranui

Allied Ships
DD Sterett, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DE Edsall, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD Nestor, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AM Bundaberg, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AM Strahan, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AM Wagga, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAP Devonshire
xAP Dilwara, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Chilka, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Takliwa, Shell hits 1
xAP Santhia, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAP Charon, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Dumosa, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kekerangu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAKL Kini, Shell hits 1
xAKL Ngakuta, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Talune, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAKL Wear, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Forthbank, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSI(L) Empire Star, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
LSI(L) Australia Star, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LSI(L) Empire Pride, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Idomeneus, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAP Lycaon, Shell hits 3
xAP Van Cloon, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kedah, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Arawa, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Duntroon, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Montoro, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Era, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Momba, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAKL Mulubinda, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Noora, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Oorama, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAKL Pelton Bank, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Period, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Time
xAK Ulooloo, Shell hits 2
xAP Illisos, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Chilliwack, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AM Madras, Shell hits 2, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
6597 casualties reported
Squads: 228 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 288 destroyed, 337 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 120 (89 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 431 (299 destroyed, 132 disabled)

Day Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 100,128, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Agano
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
AM Colac, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
AM Freemantle, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
LCT-133, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-134, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-135, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-136, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-137, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
LCT-138, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-139, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-140, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
LCT-141, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AM Jan van Amstel, Shell hits 2, and is sunk


Not a soul made it ashore in Lae ! ..

RIP little pixel men.

[CT Grognard]

Bloody hell, that turn was brutal.

Every Japanese Fanboy's wet dream.

[CT Grognard]

How many LSI(L)s does the Allied player have available to him mid 1943?

[LoBaron]

It was pretty tough to watch. I tend to let the replay play out even in
obvious defeats and try to see it as building character, but this time I caught
myself hitting the esc key once.

We had 10 British LSI(L) before the battle, so the losses will be noted. I am already
trying to get as much stuff as possible over to Rob to compensate, but cannot afford
to realease APAs until OP "Predictability" (the invasion of Shortlands) is over.
Kick off will be this turn.

That said, it was enhanced by a bloody misunderstanding and Rob is too much a gentleman to
use it as an excuse, so if I may:
We had issues upgrading to the latest beta, and so needed to redo turns. Rob had an issue loading
troops at Buna and his convoy did not move to Lae as planned when re-running the last turn.
He informed Mike of the issue and thought Mikes reaction would be to grant a free run-in to
compensate for the lost turn and Mikes better intel on retry.
Mike, on the contrary, already had planned to bombard both, Lae and Buna, before and so assumed
that his part of the job was leaving everything as it is while running the risk of meeting and
losing against modern surface combatants in battle.

It probably would have been a defeat anyway, but maybe not as distinct.


The only advantage of the situation is that Mikes Southern fleet needs to rearm at Admiralties,
so the first turn on Shortland landings should be without SAG interference. Only question mark
left is KB, which is hopefully hunting my CV diversion further north.


The only good news is: My P38 squads operating from Munda can break CAP over Rabaul. Tested last
turn with satisfying results and a good kill ratio.
They will now resume LRCAP over the invasion fleets, hopefully the sweep prompted Mike to assign even more
fighters on CAP. If he did his potential strikes against the landing will have fewer escorts,
which was the reason behind the whole Rabaul sweep. [;)]

Press thumbs, details of the invasion after I have done the turn later today.

An interesting question is:

Shortland is well defended and I count quite a lot of guns there.
OTOH, Rabaul hosts about 400a/c which could pose a danger to the invasion force.
I got about 70 B24s in range of Rabaul and an additional 24 B24s in Range of Shortland.

What would you do? I feel torn between ordering a large night strike on the AF of Rabaul to hamper
naval attack from there, simply risking a large daytime raid on Rabaul without escorts (as the P38s
are needed to cover the landing), and skipping the whole Rabaul thing, rely on CAP and just whack the
ground troops at Shortlands. Difficult decisions.

[LoBaron]

PS: Rob, I think Augustas has a point. You should resize or post part of the
screenshots only.

I got a 16:9 at home but a 4:3 TFT at work, and reading your posts on the 4:3 is
pretty tough. You have to scroll right all the time to read a complete sentence, because the
size of the screenshot prevents the window from autocorrecting to screensize.

To make it obvious heres a screen taken from one of my 4:3 TFTs @ work:

[witpqs]

I'm careful with the width of my screenshots (in my AAR) for that reason, although I'm sure folks on laptops or with small screens still need to scroll on occasion.

[Rob Brennan UK]

I did not know i had re-sized ? or do i still need to ? i cannot tell from my monitor. I use a free program called FXfoto thats dead easy for my limited tekkie knowledge, next screenie I take ill see if i can force it to a 4:3 resolution. Cant promise anything in advance however.

Still awaiting the next turn but the CW replied with a a ground assault on Lae so Mike isn't too complacent and we do have a plan B . the small base just SE of Lae has 2 base forces and one eng unit walking to it from over the mountains. We can and will build this up as a supply pull and hopefully re supply the 2 divs in Lae adequately.

We have also discussed the next big operation and it will be Java in end sept. Im assembling an invasion party in Perth with a rather diverse mix of nationalities and LoBaron will assist with what ground troops he can spare (hopefully support types) and the full CV fleet as cover for tjiljap invasion. We are prepping now with 3 divisions also oozing up from Darwin quite successfully as possible LR bomber bases and flank naval search coverage.

these forward island bases also give us good naval search over some oil production centres and I have routed some subs in to take advantage of spotted convoys. On standby is an elite LowNav bomber unit with Mitchell2 bombers but need some LR escorts else we get butchered by zeros.

[witpqs]

Try this one:

http://getgreenshot.org/

You can set it up so you press the "Print Screen" key to capture an image, and it will allow you to use the mouse to specify the area you want to capture. That way you don't have to capture the whole screen. Very convenient.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Thanks all for the input , I had no idea my text was scrolling over screen edges and i dislike that in other AAR's so time to test a change. Cropped the usual piccie to approx 4:3 (best guess).. Pls let me know if its better/works.

The Australian Assaults on Lae went in much much better than expected .. WOW is all i can say , considering my supply is listed as 'red' . must have drawn some overland. Sadly this makes the losses 2 days ago even more tragic dut to their lack of necessity.


Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20181 troops, 234 guns, 399 vehicles, Assault Value = 801

Defending force 11762 troops, 156 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 311

Allied adjusted assault: 1712

Japanese adjusted defense: 487

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: HQ(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1753 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 173 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 36 (4 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Division
4th Australian Division
II Australian Corps

Defending units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
43rd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
89th Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Nav Gd /1
48th JNAF AF Unit
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Base Force
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
42nd JNAF AF Unit /1

And even very tired took another point off ,

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

Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19965 troops, 233 guns, 398 vehicles, Assault Value = 766

Defending force 10658 troops, 156 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Allied adjusted assault: 632

Japanese adjusted defense: 508

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1222 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 28 (8 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Lae will be ours within a week by the looks of it , one question though .. Para drops on finchaven ? gamey ? (i kinda think so) .. also i actually want him to retreat here rather than north .. then i have 2 para drop units for other bases further north and don't show my hand either.

TTFN

PS hope this looks ok