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

[PaxMondo]

Don't discount the SOV air upgrades.  There is nothing wrong with the late model Yak fighters.

[PzB74]

No worries, but the Soviet fighters should be short legged and used to support ground attacks in China.
Pretty sure our Shindens can handle them! [:)]

I'm working hard on the logistics; despite having a sizeable reserve in Burma to support the Army Group south of Rangoon I've managed to find
the first 8 divisions for our strategic reserve. Will combine another 2 divisions and divide this force into 2 rapic reaction forces to counter any Allied invasion that requires a response.
- Our Combined Fleet and Kido Butai supported by LBA should be strong enough to allow us to land our reinforcements. Will use all our E class escorts to protect them against subs.

Strategic Reserve

Singapore and Manila region will be their base - thus I can full filled 2 goals at once;
1. Provide a really strong defense for 2 of our key strategic locations
2. Create a strong counter-attack force to defeat almost any Allied landing that is in progress



PS! The 4th Division is the elite unit that got stuck up in India and spent the better part of a year partially isolated.
It has returned to Chiang May and is currently railing to Singapore. Epic little tale!

[traskott]

And now is up to 456 A.V., and with (sure) a very high exp !!!! The new 'Imperial Guards' Division !!!

[PzB74]

Another week of gameplay without much to report!
Slowly our new carriers are being completed and our older ones upgraded.
3 more weeks and it's Grace time.

Yesterday I spotted something at the far reaches of the Andamans; the bombers were readied and
today we hit some fat juicy transports loaded to the brim with FUEL and troops! [:D]

Looks like Andy is trying to sneak in the backdoor or take one of the smaller islands.
Our rapid reaction force is in place and we can hit them again like we did it before many times.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 09, 44

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Little
xAP Cape Cleare
DE Encounter
xAK Marietta E, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1176 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (36 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Neddick, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


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

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Curlew, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DE Encounter
xAP Cape Cleare, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1922 casualties reported
Squads: 74 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 94 destroyed, 77 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 55 (53 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 98 (98 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13

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

Allied Ships
DE Encounter
APD Manley
DE Isis
LCI-327

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andamans - again?

[Rob Brennan UK]

Troops ships and fuel laden ones within 7 hexes of a Japanese base ? no air cover by the looks of it too. Nice freebie for you to gobble up.
Given how awful those dot bases are (most are 0 size ports but 5 base airfield),so good airfields IF you can hold them long enough with a
LOT of naval support troops to make up for crummy port facilities.

OR it was a mistake/error in moving them there , that would be my guess anyway.

Anyway , this is one great AAR once again almost making me join the dark side [;)]

[crsutton]

Would you list your active carriers? KB is pretty powerful at this stage. Has Andy sunk any carriers?

[PzB74]

I think it was an attempt to snatch on of the islands Rob; Andy is trying but the fuel load was unfortunate.
He can't divide his carriers, I'll smash the weaker part [;)]

Our rapid response TF caught up with a damaged troopship today and sank it with another 2278 troops and equipment.
The enemy TF fled north.

Yeess, join and feel the power of the dark side [&o]
You're doing plenty well in your multi AAR Rob, reading the updates - nice raid into Rangoon!
The multiplayer deal is kewl, takes much time and coordination!

Hm, yes we have lost the carrier Akagi (subs), the carrier Hiyo and 2 light carriers.

In 2 days the light carrier Ibuki arrives and in 17 days the last fleet carrier Ikoma arrives.
After that only a handful of tiny CVEs will trickle in.

So if we count in the CV and CVL arriving shortly the KB will reach peak strength with:

14 fleet carriers
7 light carriers
6 escort carriers

That's 27 bird farms with ca ~1500 ac!

No doubt Andy can muster a lot more carrier planes, but the majority will come from the now numerous CVEs.
We will therefore even the odds by always operating close to our LBA.

A lesson learned from the previous game is that I _have to_ reign in the temptation to use KB in non-critical actions
and losses. As long as we have this potent fleet Andy can only plan one major campaign at the time outside of LBA range.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 10, 44

Surface Combat

Day Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 41,60, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi
DD Usugumo
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Neddick, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
2278 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 90 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
xAP Cape Neddick sunk by DD Usugumo at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carrier trained Myrt

Took months to get this small Myrt unit carrier trained.
Extended range is 26-27 hexes!

[Rob Brennan UK]

Took months to get this small Myrt unit carrier trained.
Extended range is 26-27 hexes!

I dread to think the size of the end of that search arc , would be about 1/2 mainland USA .. is spotting at that range even possible ??
Id have thought it better used as a very long range recon a/c so you can pick specific targets for it ..

Just my 2p

[PzB74]

No idea how it will work operationally, 2/3 ac on the Hosho have been damaged or refitting constantly.
A mix of long range recon and search will probably work.

Especially if AE search is as whacky as I think it is [;)]

[PzB74]

Not much new to report from the fronts...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 12, 44

We receive light carrier Ibuki; no airgroup onboard - have to dock it for some time for one to generate I guess.
Also; look at this WEIRD carrier trained air unit - Stella! [:D]
What am I to do with a carrier trained Fiesler Storch.....

Gilberts

Andy has built a small atoll south of Tarawa which is our southernmost anchor in the Gilberts.
He's now bombing the place but it's well stocked with supplies, got lots of forts and a reinforced Brigade as garrison.

Pretty sure that he will drive up the Gilberts soon; most air bases in region are small and only a handful of size 3-4 bases.
This is nothing against 2000 Allied CAG and not enough to support the Combined Fleet.
- So Andy can have these islands, but he will have to fight for them and woe him if he expose a flank.

[von Shagmeister]

Hi PzB,

Any update. I assume there is still not much happening.

I don't actually play WitP/AE but I'm really enjoying reading your AAR and must admit I'm struggling with going cold turkey as your AAR is a must read for me everyday.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers

von Shagmeister

[Cribtop]

Yeah, we want more! [&o]

[PzB74]

Hey guys,

Appreciate the interest! [&o]
Unfortunately it's very little to report and Andy has been busy, can be 2-3 days between turns.
We're now at July 16th 44 - the complete AAR is pasted in below, pretty boring.

The major fleet action of 1943-44 more or less decided the outcome of the game; Allies need to spend lots of time to rebuild in order to
be able to perform amph landings in areas with limited Jap LBA. Point wise I doubt Andy can do much, but kudos to him for continuing even though I ask myself if I would have done the same at times.

The growing amount of Jap air and ground units force me to send more and more supplies from the Home Islands; this is perhaps my biggest challenge.
In 11 days we receive our last CV reinforcement, Combined Fleet will then receive only 2 CLs, a handful of tiny CVEs + destroyers and subs until the end of the war.

We're just weeks away from putting the Grace torpedo / dive bomber into production; this versatile ac will replace Judys and Jills and restore KBs advantage in striking distance vs Allied carriers.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 16, 44

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Talasea , at 103,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 24

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x J2M3 Jack sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Talasea , at 103,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 30

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

No Allied losses


Aircraft Attacking:
12 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-40N5 Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Prachuap Khiri Khan , at 54,64
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Talasea , at 103,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x J2M3 Jack sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Talasea , at 103,125
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Australian Division, at 103,125 (Talasea)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 21

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

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBM-1C Avenger x 16

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
MTB G-548
MTB G-843
MTB G-845
MTB G-540

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet *
2 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x P-40N5 Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator B.VI x 34
B-25C Mitchell x 4
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
B-25H Mitchell x 14
B-25J1 Mitchell x 5
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 13
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 26

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-2 Privateer x 11

No Allied losses


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-2 Privateer bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 98,126 (Wau)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 9
Kittyhawk III x 5
Kittyhawk IV x 7
Mitchell II x 8
Spitfire VIII x 16
Kittyhawk I x 2
PV-1 Ventura x 9
B-24J Liberator x 19
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
B-25H Mitchell x 5
P-38H Lightning x 2
P-38J Lightning x 8
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22
P-51B Mustang x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 35th Const Co ...
Also attacking Kure 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 15th/C Div /6 ...
Also attacking Kure 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking Kure 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking Kure 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking 15th/C Div /6 ...
Also attacking 18th Garrison Unit /1 ...
Also attacking Kure 6th SNLF ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 98,126 (Wau)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8

No Allied losses


Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
3 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Mobile Brigade, at 103,127 (Gasmata)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-24 Banshee bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Howland Island , at 148,135
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38L Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gasmata , at 103,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tagula Island , at 104,137
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Talasea , at 103,125
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y2 Judy x 16
Ki-61-Id Tony x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 1 damaged

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D4Y2 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-25H Mitchell x 8
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 10
PV-1 Ventura x 7

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Skirmishes over New Britain

[von Shagmeister]

Hi PzB,

Many thanks for the update, much appreciated.

Andy certainly should be commended for his tenacity for continuing after such setbacks.

Cheers

von Shagmeister

[Cribtop]

I concur that in practical terms victory is yours, PzB. Congrats on a well played game with some phenomenal naval victories. [&o]

Candidly I agree Andy might be better served throwing in the towel, but as you say he's a gamer to fight on. It will be interesting to see the endgame in this one as the circumstances are so different from the norm. Perhaps the Allies will invent kamikazes in this reality. [;)]

[PzB74]

Thx Crib! It has been a difficult game for Andy, but we've not seen it all yet [:)]
Decided to launch a surprise strike from 4 fast carriers against an Allied base south of Tarawa.

We achieved surprise, unfortunately only 2 smaller strikes where launched in clear weather, scorching 4 loaded cargo ships.
Bigger pray probably got lucky though.

Should rattle the nest a bit though!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 21, 44

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 148 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 43
A6M5b Zero x 16
D4Y1 Judy x 9
D4Y2 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Alcoa Pilgrim, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Amos Kendall, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Gabriel Franchere, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Ambrose Bierce, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D4Y2 Judy bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-218 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VMF-221 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VMF-215 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
318th FG/73rd FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-38J Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Alcoa Pilgrim
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Gabriel Franchere
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ambrose Bierce
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 138,136
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
B6N2 Jill x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LCI-400
CA Wichita

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strike!

[PzB74]

Increasing activity in Gilberts - Allies are preparing to move in this region.

While there hasn't been much to report preparations have been continous and ongoing.
Within a week the Combined Fleet will reach peak strength with all capital ships (except 1 CL and 3 tiny CVEs) will be ready and upgraded.
- The Fleets will sail, combine and take up station for immediate action shortly.

All subs have been repaired and the last batch to receive radar upgrades will do so in August.
Naval shipyards have accelerated all destroyers being built and we have a fleet of APDs and LSTs large enough to land a full division.
The Grace is just about to go into production as well to re-enable the KB's 8 hex strike range.

We have 10 reserve divsions, they will now divide into 2 Armies in combined roles as garrisons / counter-attack forces with high speed transports standing ready.
Large reserves of base force units, Air HQs and fighting units are being trained and distributed together with supplies.

According to plan we will now enter the last phase of the war at full readiness.
Andy can come....if he dares! [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 24, 44

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 136,128, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-874
MTB G-876, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Brown, Shell hits 1
DD Bryant, Shell hits 1
DD Burns
DD Bush
DD Callaghan

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
MTB G-876 engages DD Burns at 1,000 yards
DD Burns engages MTB G-874 at 1,000 yards
MTB G-874 engages DD Bryant at 1,000 yards
DD Brown engages MTB G-874 at 1,000 yards
MTB G-876 sunk by DD Clarence Bronson at 1,000 yards
Kusumoto J. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages MTB G-874 at 2,000 yards
DD Bush engages MTB G-874 at 2,000 yards
DD Clarence Bronson engages MTB G-874 at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Small atoll 2 hexes south of Tarawa is taken.

Ground combat at Kuria (135,131)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 110 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 8
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kuria !!!

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

Assaulting units:
11th Airborne Div /2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combined Arms

The mighty 1st Division is being re-assembled in Singapore.

[PzB74]

A look at the Combined Fleets surface assets;

25 carriers with 1475 ac
- 14 CV
- 7 CVL
- 4 CVE

Of these I plan to organize 12 CVs in 3-4 fast Car Divs.
The rest of the carriers will be part of the Main Body moving at ~25 knots max.

We have 8 battleships;
2 Yamato
2 Nagato
3 Kongo
1 Ise

Of these Yamato and Nagato classes are for surface combat and bombardments when not escorting carriers.

We have 25 cruisers; 11 heavy and 14 light.
Of these 9 are dedicated carrier escorts while 16 are suitable for surface combat and bombardments when not on escort duties.

The biggest challenge has been destroyers; the new crash building program has helped a bit!
Not counting small destroyers ( < 4000 endurance) we have ~90 ready for fleet Ops.

9 large Akitsuki destroyers for carrier escort duties only together with 7 6000 endurance ships.
There are also 19 Matsu class ships - escort duty only.
45 medium class destroyers will serve in any duty required while the 10 large Shimakaze class destroyers will be divided into 2 surface combat divisions lead by a modern light cruiser.

This gives
35 escort duty destroyers
10 surface combat destroyers
45 dual class destroyers

90 destroyers and 25 cruisers will have to support 33 carriers and battleships.
That means roughly 3 destroyers and 1 cruiser for each.

I will now try to organize these ships into fixed divisions and plan how they will operate as a group.
There are also 2 large Fleet Oiler groups but I don't plan truly long range operations for the time being.
- Older destroyers ( <4000 endurance) and E-type escorts will support the supply train.

Our revitalized submarine fleet will operate in taks forces of 2-3 boats.

With a new major patch out it's also time to upgrade I guess!
Read that Jap ships finally get their AA rockets - hope this works for old games as well [&o]

[PzB74]

Something's not working right with Jap production; heavy industry is eaten up by the vast pilot pool that can't be curbed.
- Supply production is way to small, home island bases are in yellow and red and I can only send a supply convoy from Tokyo every 2nd week or so.

All other supply centres have been forced to send all surplus supplies to major bases, especially Singapore.
Burma and Malaya is constantly struggling with supplies and everything shipped is eaten within weeks even without combat.

If things continue at this pace the situation will turn critical within a year.
Of all things that should be a problem for Japan in the current situation, supply shortage is not a likely one.
Have mentioned this several times before but not gotten much response.

If supply shortages strangle Japan for now reason that would be a game stopper in itself.
Perhaps the latest patch will fix something?


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 26, 44

Air Combat

Trying to position small group of veteran squadrons so they can intercept Allied convoys.
Today we had success!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Torres Islands at 119,147

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK Dumosa, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Ozarda, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DE Greiner
xAK Whangpu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Torres Islands at 119,147
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DE Greiner, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kansan, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attack squadron!

[Cribtop]

PzB,

You might want to query the Moose about the "fur farm" strategy. It basically posits intentional sacrifice of rookie pilots in outdated airframes to reduce the HI drain.

Two downsides: 1) much harder to accomplish without kamis active; and 2) unless the latest patch upped the max pilot limit you can run out of pilots (i.e. no more rookies to draw into the system).

Obviously not ideal, but the only option I've heard of to deal with the problem.