LoBaron + Robbrennan vs Offenceman, allied secret AAR

[witpqs]

This last one was probably an inch too wide for my screen. The problem is the forum banner column at the left. When I take a screen shot I try to account for that width on my own screen. Of course people with smaller screens than mine still have to scroll but I figure more and more people have wide screens.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

This last one was probably an inch too wide for my screen. The problem is the forum banner column at the left. When I take a screen shot I try to account for that width on my own screen. Of course people with smaller screens than mine still have to scroll but I figure more and more people have wide screens.

Thanks , at least its a bit better , ill crop it a bit more next time and fingers crossed you'll be fine.

PS The USA had a decent turn , LoBaron can tell you about it. .. but there were a heck of a lot of Japanese search planes in the Solomons . Brit and Dutch ASW failed to hit the 2 jap subs lurking off the cocos islands (indian ocean). New corvette ASW group heading there next turn. There is a huge Brit tanker convoy unloading at cocos for the future operations, really do not want to lose any if I can help it. Dutch B25's are elite ASW and nav search (70+ skill) and find constantly , ASW surface group hopefully clobber one tomorrow.

Up in India , It seems that any supply unloaded at Ramtree island gets auto moved inland far far better than any supply draw from the north. Hence we are unloading shed loads here in the hope south Burma starts filling up.

TTFN

[LoBaron]

The US had a final turn of preparation for operation Predictability.

Again, P-38 from Munda sweped Rabaul. Estimated losses are another 20 Zekes shot down.
The main goal, as said before, is to lower fighter strenght and squadron morale of the units who will probably
escort the Betty Nemesis against the Shortland invasion Group.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 61



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 25
P-38G Lightning x 45


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
12 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sadly the B-24s assigned to strike Rabaul AB did not fly due to bad weather, well not everything
can work out as planned...


The invasion assembled at Russell Island and is now moving towards the landing beaches.
Arrival is timed in daytime sadly, I had to account for speed of the smaller LCT ships and did not
want to wait until night phase of d2, because it gives Mike a slight advantage if he reacts.

The landing group consists of 1 amphib group carrying the 32nd Division, LCTs with the NZ 3rd Armoured Brig,
and an arty regiment.
Sub hunters will arrive first, a sub already reported the landing zone clear of mines.
The escort consists of 2 battle groups lead by a slow BB, a CA SAG, and a small CVE group.
S class subs cover the approach routes from Rabaul.

The P-38s will stop their sweeps and provide LRCAP to aid the CVE CAP. All in all the units are staggered from
29k down to 14k. Lunga B-24s will fly ground attack missions.


Meanwhile the Carriers hit Ponape with mixed results. The did not hit much, but the hope was to put any AV
ships there out of action to reduce the search capabilities there.

Afternoon Air attack on Ponape , at 119,113

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 65
SBD-3 Dauntless x 143


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AV Kamoi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AD Koshu Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They will now position themselves east of Shortlands to aid covering the landings.

I hope that Mike thought the CV sightings close to Marcus Island genuine and moved KB further north.
With this assumption I expect the losses by any counter on d1,2 to be within limits.

Still biting nails a bit, Mike got the whole combined fleet in the southern area atm. [;)]

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 24, 43

Great news , the games speeded up ! 24/25 june 1943. USA was in action once again and since it was on a screen-shot (cropped to be 'square' ) no more silly overlap i hope.

Japanese subs are teeming around shortlands and many many were sighted today by the seagulls and search a/c from the main Us Cv's approaching Shortlands from the east. Sadly the BB New Mexico took a torpedo amidships but she patched it up swiftly enough and continued with hes assigned escort and shore bombardments.

ASW attack near Shortlands at 110,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-160, hits 7

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 1 damage 14/5/2
CA Pensacola
CL Helena
CLAA San Juan
DE Sands
SC PC-778
DMS Hopkins
AM Cessnock
APA Fuller
APA American Legion
APA Hunter Liggett
DD La Triomphant
DD Porter
DD Maury
DD McCall

SS I-160 launches 8 torpedoes at BB New Mexico

The landing went without a hitch bar a couple of trucks falling overboard and supply is plentiful amongst the landed troops. US heavy bombers met no opposition either and hit both airfields and troop targets in shortlands. LCT-128 was damaged by a lucky mortar strike but should soldier on and be repaired later.

[LoBaron]

Screenshot size is much better now! [:)]


Sitrep operation Predictability:

BB New Mexico has only dmg15/5(4)/1 and will head back to Lunga with the amphib group.
Hopefully this time without eating a fish.

No the crucial turn 2 of landings will come.

We have two LC fleets still unloading, but the most important thing is supplies.
I need 2 more days to load off my AKs so I can retreat and continue to cover the 32nd Div from air.
The troops will already try a deliberate attack since morale is high, supplies are ok and the opposition will not
have the firepower to do much against a whole ´43 division plus armor, even with high forts.

I still will probably need 2 weeks to capture Shortlands as AV is pretty equal, but it will fall.
Here is the strenght estimate from the Japanese bombardement attack, no chance my Japanese friends, not a chance.
I will not even need the backup US brigade waiting at Lunga.


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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7851 troops, 84 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 326

Defending force 10283 troops, 228 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

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



Assaulting units:
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
86th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF
85th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 6th SNLF
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /1
19th JAAF Base Force
39th Fld AA Bn /1
15th Naval Const Bn /1

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Meanwhile in the air it has been suspiciousely quiet, which indicates surprize but besides that nothing else than a Japanese counter the upcoming turn.
The worst case scenario is a combined Betty attack from Rabaul with KB support.
Still I got enough ships to distribute damage, and the CV groups will now move into Iron Bottom Sound and LRCAP the landings and Munda is back
to full scale LRCAP for Shortland. I will not be able to stop 1000 plane raid, but I will hurt an attack hopefully.

I feel the next turn, independent on whichever direction fortuna decides to spread her blessing, will be bloody.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 26, 43

Air was less quiet for today but it happened in an unexpected area, namely Lae ?? unescorted Helens droned towards the Australian troops chewing their own boot leather for sustenance. fortunately someone had found the radio unpalatable and called in for help. the air force duly arrived with a mix of a few spits and hurricanes and clobbered the unescorted the Japanese. did Japan set the range wrong ? or not assign a target ? we will most likely never know. The upshot was the allies liberate Lae while the Japanese fall back on Finchhafen. One div will follow them , one remain in Lae while the tanks rumble north to push Japan away from our new found gains.

Morning Air attack on 4th Australian Division, at 99,126 (Lae)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 28



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses


Morning Air attack on 4th Australian Division, at 99,126 (Lae)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

No Allied losses



Morning Air attack on 1st Australian Division, at 99,126 (Lae)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 26



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6


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

No Allied losses


As you can see from the piccie below Japan has wall to wall subs in the area , she hasn't neglected spying on Christmas island and cocos islands however. today the ASW task group centred around the KV Fritillary had a lucky escape when one jap torp failed to detonate while the plucky small ships fought back as hard as they could , we 'might' have damaged the engines with a hedgehog 'hit' but i am doubtful.

Sub attack near Christmas Island IO at 42,103

Japanese Ships
SS I-37

Allied Ships
KV Fritillary
ML No. 194
ML No. 214



SS I-37 launches 6 torpedoes at KV Fritillary

the USA did something this turn too , but i forget what ? [:D]



the large yellow P .. para drop target .. nothing seen from air recon ?? really empty ?? I'll drop some men on it to get Japan worried anyway. (in 4-6 days , assembling the meagre Australian air transports)

[LoBaron]

D1 and 2 of the Shortland invasion went smooth, as expected the Japanese firepower is weak enough.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10308 troops, 228 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 8930 troops, 96 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 324

Allied adjusted assault: 179

Japanese adjusted defense: 817

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
223rd Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
85th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 6th SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 5th SNLF
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /1
19th JAAF Base Force
39th Fld AA Bn /1
15th Naval Const Bn /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They will not be able to sustain such losses for long, so I decided to take a small risk and ordered a shock attack for the next
2 days. Both BB SAGs will bombard to support the attack and then retreat to Lunga, the CA SAG will move south to cover the
carriers in Ironbottom Sound.
Mike will for sure flood the area with subs as fast as he can, so I pulled some ASW groups back to IS too, don´t want to have
another CV sunk by a sub...


The nice attack happened on D2, 26 B-24s @10k attacked a supply convory at Rabaul and was not intercepted
because Mike expected another day of Lightning sweeps and set his CAP fullscale to max altitude. [;)]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 101



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Panama Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Daihachikyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shosei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Not much, but fun to watch. The bad news is: I forgot to stop the naval attack mission, and he wont make the same
mistake twice, so I expect some downed heavies nex turn if they don´t find any targets further south.

The 4 AK´s unloading supplies at Shortlands were left behind by their escorts and and are now guardsd by PT boats from
Munda. Nothing will prevent them from getting sunk by IJN cruisers, but theres one or the other mine lying around so
it might be costly to attack.

The CAP over Shortland on D3,4 will be weaker than on D1,2 because of fatigue and the Hellcats reordered to CV protection,
but I will still make a full scale attack from Rabaul costly.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 28/29, 43


An interesting turn of events , Japan hit Port Blair with a heavy battleship bombardment, fortunately the local transport TF dropping off more Bf's and engineers had just left and the SS Trusty slowed them down with an aborted attack that caused the escorts to counter-attack and waste ops points. Still it was a nasty hit.

Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 12 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba
CA Takao


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 15
Port hits 4


Only 4 hudsons were knocked out but lost 3 pilots too. All damage repaired by morning however and the forts building priority will continue unabated. currently on forts 3 (5% to4) with 125 eng squads and 12 bulldozers. Defence is provided by the 84th indian brigade and the KGV light armour (armoured cars x60) The arty due there has been earmarked for another operation but 2 AA units have replaced them for transport due shortly. supply is 22k (need more but not bad).


Over in New Guinea , Japanese fast trasport CL/DD group loading up at finchaven got qa surprise when 18 swordfish flew overhead at10k feet and accurately bombed a couple of DD's and hopefully sank a CL. This is the best of 3 attacks. Tomorrow we have ordered torpedoes fitted

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 100,126

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 17
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nagatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tanikaze

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Swordfish I bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Have to feel for those poor Japanese troops ,, routed out of Lae and now drowned at sea .. not a good year for them [:D]


The USA has been busy too !

[LoBaron]

USA was busy too, still its funny, I am invading Shortlands and the CW gets all the
action. [:D]

The shock attack @ Shortlands did not overwhelm the defenders, although losses were
very much in our favour.
Fatigue and disruption is still in around upper 20´s and morale is high, so I ordered
another deliberate attack in the hope the Japanese are more exhausted than our troops.

Invasion air protection is for now the sole job of my P-38 units as the CV groups are moving south to
meet the reppers, all surface combatants meet at Lunga to replenish. Only ASW groups
and 4 AKs delivering supplies to the beachhead remain in the threat area, protected
by PT boats and mines.

Mike held his forces back, no surface combat, no air attack. The disadvantage is we might
lose another opportunity to deal a blow to the IJN, the advantage is our op is not delayed
by damaged major combatants. I wonder how long he keeps up this cat and mouse game.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 30, 43

Once again the air cation has been over finchaven, After yesterdays Japanese fast transport units i did not expect more so set some fighters on LRCAP in case the expected jap float transports turned up. they did along with 3 CL's trying to pull more men from the peninsula. The air was contested mostly by British beaufighters and Japanese zeros with a few spits arriving too. overall losses looked to be about evens with about 8 downwed each side. However this allowed the well escorted swordfish a free run on the CL's :-

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 100,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 10



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15
Swordfish I x 17
Spitfire Vc Trop x 19


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Abukuma
CL Jintsu

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


No heavy damage listed is a disappointment but American subs north of finchaven might find her in the next few days.

Other than that some Hurricanes in Burma decided to sweep Rangoon at 7000 ft ?? no idea why ? and we lost 4 planes in the process. Allied fighters are ordered to just fly point defence from now on just in case this occurs again. we will add in some albacores to the swordfish from tomorrow (taken from ASW patrol) in case japan feels like sending more ships down here. there has been a well escorted AP convoy sighted to the NE of Finchaven , lets try and give it a warm welcome if it arrives.

fingers crossed

[LoBaron]

SitRep June 30th, OP Predictable, Shortland:

Ok, yesterday the 32nd div attacked again and for the first time got disruption(-), fatigue(-).
Time to make an estimate how bright the future looks.

In 6 days 3 attacks were attempted, only the shock attack receiving 1:2 odds, the rest far worse. Reason is the adjusted AV
of the lvl 4 forts, which don´t want to go down. I thought that the combat eng units with the division will be enough, but underestimated
the defenders´strenght and overestimated the eng capabilities.

In addition I-22 practically single handed reduced the supply convoy to 1/3rd, sinking 2 AKs in 2 days, while damaging the 3rd.
Looking back I should have left 1-2 YMS with the freighters, but I wanted minimal losses in case of an air attack and would make the
same decision again:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Shortlands at 109,131
Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Voyager, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Navigator, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 1

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Ranger, Shell hits 2, on fire
-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Lets take a closer look at the beachhead:

Shortland balance
on 26th:
Attacking force 10308 troops, 228 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 420
Defending force 8930 troops, 96 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 324

on 28th:
Attacking force 10271 troops, 228 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 416
Defending force 7948 troops, 84 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

on 30th:
Attacking force 10133 troops, 228 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 400
Defending force 7382 troops, 81 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 197

The defenders lost roughly 17% of their troops strenght, dropping 39% in unadjusted AV.
In comparision our troops are in great shape if this trend continues. But the largest drop in enemy AV was on the
first attack, so, with the disruption(-), fatigue(-) on last breakthrough attempt I will rest the troops for 2 days.
In addition supplies need to be saved as well because of the damned I-22.

We cannot waste too much time though, as Mike is moving in reinforcements from Torokin. I am trying to slow them
down with air attacks, but if they arrive we will have a stronger opponent to deal with. He will not be able to dislodge
the 32nd, but we might have a "Guadalcanal" a few 100nm further north...

The second wave will have to arrive fast.

I think I need to begin regular ASW runs between the LZ and Lunga.



Other news:

While I am still cursing I-22, Triton makes up for it. [:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Guam at 102,90

Japanese Ships
xAP Teikyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E Natsushima
E Susuki
xAP Teiritsu Maru
xAP Hakone Maru
DD Shiokaze
DD Minekaze
E Sarushima

Allied Ships
SS Triton

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Guam at 102,90

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Teikyo Maru, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Triton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And the slot is slowly getting the focused attention of IJN subs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Russell Islands at 112,136

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 5

Allied Ships
SC-705
SC-708
PC Taney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 02, 43

The Australians show the Yankees how to perform jungle warfare by example today with the capture of Nadzab (just North of Lae ). The extra armoured unit made all the difference and we will continue upto Madang to put some threat into the admiralties. Tomorrow we will para drop the 1st Australian para battalion to secure the runways then try and fly in some less prepared defenders for the inevitable Japanese counter. i would be astonished if Japan did not try and take it back. With Nadzab gone though we have a (barely) capable land route to Madang for supply purposes and with AV almost into Lae we will have some defence vs Japanese SC attacks to resupply operations.


Ground combat at Nadzab (98,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3610 troops, 32 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 157

Defending force 1304 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Allied adjusted assault: 75

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nadzab !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
604 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1


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


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian/B Division

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit


The air over finchaven was again contested but with an allied preponderance of spits and the new P47's we took control easily. One piece of bad news however was the loss of a small Tanker to japanse sub action off Dobo (DEI) , it did have AM (minesweeper) escorts but none spotted the nefarious submarine. no great loss.

More tomorrow

[LoBaron]

Jul 02/03, 43

The 32nd Yankees have their well earned rest from combat at Shortlands, only disturbed by the daily bombardement
attack - as usual costing more Japanese lives than American. We will try to storm the fortress tomorrow again.

The only action worth mentioning is good old Triton putting the final nail into Teikyo Maru´s coffin:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Guam at 102,90

Japanese Ships
xAP Teikyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Triton

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



xAP Teikyo Maru is sighted by SS Triton
SS Triton launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


In general submarine activity over the last few weeks has been increased around Guam, I hope this (wrongly) indicates an upcoming
invasion to Mike in the next 2-3 months.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Full screen piccie today . as it was q quiet turn might as well do one.

Para drop on Madang worked out just fine , Spits and P47's to fly limited LRCAP tomorrow as i suspect japan
will try and intercept the transports flying from PM.

Picture is of the DEI just north of Darwin area , Highlighted base is where we lost the TK last turn.
Its just about to get the last of 8th Australian /B division. it'll have 380 AV and a lot of engineers
working overtime here.

Next 2 planned 'ooze' style invasions are babar and salumaki .. no warships of any consequence here and very little
fighter str too (fighters will be available) lots of recon/search and medium bombers are in Darwin however.

[Alfred]

Rob,

I thought you had changed your ratio to avoid the need to scroll right. If you did, your last few screen shots haven't worked out.[:)]

Alfred

[Rob Brennan UK]

The last one was a full screen one , just for effect . I had hit return after about 1/2 a line of text to keep that all in one window however .. did it work as planned ?

As for last few screen-shots ? humm . thought i had reduced them enough (i have to guess while cropping) . Good to know they aren't small enough however . I will endeavour to shrink them even more .

Thx

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Rob,

I thought you had changed your ratio to avoid the need to scroll right. If you did, your last few screen shots haven't worked out.[:)]

Alfred

[LoBaron]

Rob its ok now IMO. As long as you hit enter the screens can be as big as you like.
Its only tedious when you need to scroll right for the text.


IJ Shortland defense is to the brink of defeat now. Reinforcements unload as we speak (14th NZ Brigade)
and the heavy escort groups will bombard again, and then retreat.

Against enemy SAGs the landings should be rather safe now as I lay some additonal mines.

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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10245 troops, 228 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Defending force 7566 troops, 82 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 232

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 154

Japanese adjusted defense: 499

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
725 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
223rd Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF
85th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 6th SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
19th JAAF Base Force


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

Another deliberate attack has been ordered with all squads capable to fight.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 06, 43

Busy 2 days for the silent service , lets start with the bad news ..

SS KXII hits Type 93 Mine at Merak
SS KXII hits Type 4 Mine at Merak

Damn silly auto plot movement brought this sub into a known minefield and she ha subsequently sunk.
For players reference i use the way-points to avoid this gap between java/sumatra but when a boat is damaged the
AI take over and plots it back to the nearest base (or home).. annoying.

Additionally the ~US mine-layer Oglala , was sunk by I boat mear Munda/solomons

Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 109,133

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
CM Oglala, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC PC-777



however some good news south of the PI's . Dutch had some great success.


Sub attack near Dadjangas at 80,94

Japanese Ships
xAK Tone Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Wa 4
PB Wa 2
PB Bisaku Maru
PB Kakyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXV

Sub attack near Dadjangas at 80,94

Japanese Ships
xAK Sakido Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Wa 4
PB Wa 2
PB Bisaku Maru
PB Kakyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXV

Hopefully that 2 dead merchants and some lost resources.

ASW was well done by KV's in the south DEI too prosecuting the sub that sank our tanker
here 4 days ago , the moustraps seem to work rather well.

ASW attack near Dobo at 83,116

Japanese Ships
SS I-181, hits 11 (at least one direct thump)

Allied Ships
AM Launceton
AM Kalgoorlie
xAP Koolinda
xAP Benledi
xAP Empress ' Scotland
DE Express
KV Nigella
KV Cyclamen

Picc ie of the ASW effort , Ive tried to resize it completely so its not 4:3 but widescreen shrunk to 1/2 size .
lets see how this effort works out.















OK that looks small but ok on my screen , next time I will do a 3/4 size save and hope that fits you all without
widescreen monitors.

PS madang op carries on with no interference from Japan as yet.

[LoBaron]

The US side of things, Jul 06/07, 43

Were edging closer to victory at Shortlands, though not without paying a price.

As Rob already mentioned I lost CM Oglala to a sub attack yesterday, the value of this class of ships cannot be overestimated IMHO.
The good news is that Oglala got sunk only after deploying her mines at Shortland harbour, any interdiction of the beachhead by Japanese
surface combatants or subs will now become extremely harzadeous.

Before departing in direction of Lunga, the SAGs Missisippi and West Virginia bombarded Japanese defensive positions again, preparing
the way for the LCUs. Looks like we found the truck park here... [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Shortlands at 109,131

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
CA San Francisco
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 31 (10 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 24
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 2

BB Mississippi firing at Shortlands
CA San Francisco firing at Shortlands
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Houston
CA Houston firing at Shortlands
CA Northampton firing at Shortlands
CL Helena firing at Shortlands


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Shortlands at 109,131

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CA Salt Lake City

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 37 (20 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 2

BB West Virginia firing at Shortlands
CA Minneapolis firing at Shortlands
CA New Orleans firing at Shortlands
CA Salt Lake City firing at Shortlands


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


After the usual bombing attacks over the day, the deliberate attack brings our troops very close to 1:1 or even 2:1, I think
next turn it is in the reaches - if we can drop forts another level that is...:

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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13704 troops, 269 guns, 268 vehicles, Assault Value = 523

Defending force 6643 troops, 83 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 179

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 304

Japanese adjusted defense: 563

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
658 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (5 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
14th NZ Brigade
32nd Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
223rd Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Kure 5th SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
85th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Sasebo 6th SNLF
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
19th JAAF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Newzealanders are now ashore in force as well, so although the fat values are are in the high 20s and disruption
is rising again, I ordered another deliberate attack. The less time the Japanese have to recover, the higher the impact of
the disableds. Independend of whether another rest phase is required before the final attack, I believe Shortland will be
in US hands at the end of the week.


The CV groups meanwhile moved south again to renedezvous with the reppers and evade the increasing sub menace north
from Russel Isl.
These subs are the first issue we need to adress after conquering Shortlands. I will need an AV, 2 ACM and an AD there ASAP and form
ASW groups while providing air ASW coverage from Shortlands, Munda and Tassafaronga. The goal is to keep The Slot clean
of subs to reduce the threat to reinforcement convoys to one axis only, while hopefully killing some.

[LoBaron]

Jul 08/09, 43

As expected we reached 1:1.
Another deliberate attack has been ordered, hopefully this will be enough to capture the base
next turn.
A BF and engineers are already on standby to be flown in or transported in on APD´s.
Also, 2 ACM departed Noumea to tend the mines deployed at our new conquest.

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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13653 troops, 269 guns, 268 vehicles, Assault Value = 512

Defending force 5428 troops, 79 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 105

Japanese adjusted defense: 55

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
957 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 33 (29 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
14th NZ Brigade
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
223rd Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Sasebo 6th SNLF
Kure 5th SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
85th Naval Guard Unit
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
19th JAAF Base Force /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have now stood down the P-38 Groups at Munda. For the final assault I will risk going
in without air cover, and I want the planes serviced and ready when the attrition war against
Rabaul kicks in.

The carriers move south to Auckland now for a short R&R. This might have been the last large
fleet op before the major combatants redeploy to the IO in preparation of the Java invasion, but I might have
another window of oportunity to do something evil, we´ll see.



Other news:

Wahoo has been hit on transit to the assigned PZ in the Philippine Sea, the damage is
not high, still the patrol has been suspended and the boat will have the dubious honor
of being the first to be repaired at our new sub base at Marcus Island.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Torishima at 111,70

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 1
SC Ch 5
SC Ch 4

Allied Ships
SS Wahoo, hits 1



SS Wahoo launches 6 torpedoes at SC Ch 1
Wahoo diving deep ....
SC Ch 5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 4 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 5 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


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

More effective was Bowfin on the 9th, hitting a small loaded TK evidently heading Guam.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ulithi at 101,93

Japanese Ships
TK Hoshin Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC Ch 18
SC Ch 17
SC Ch 14
SC Ch 13
TK Mutsuyo Maru
TK Matsumoto Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Heiei Maru #7
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Chitose Maru

Allied Ships
SS Bowfin



SS Bowfin launches 6 torpedoes at TK Hoshin Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Heiei Maru #7 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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


All in all a quit turn, but one that raises confidence. In case Shortland gets conquered next turn the 32nd will
immediately plan for Torokina, I might coordinate this with a Para drop on Buna, but this is still some turns in the
future.