Ending an IJ wet dream - bluebook (J) vs castor troy (A)

[castor troy]

Here's the victory point ratio. IJ's points are going up due to the same reason as in the last months, he takes empty ground from me, scoring points doing so. Ours goes up too though due to sinking major parts of his invasion fleet off Perth. And for every 1000 points we score, he has to score 4000 if he aims at an autovictory. In fact, he has to score more as he isn't near the needed 4:1.

[Captain Cruft]

How did bluebook react to all those sinkings around Perth?

[LoBaron]

Nice!

Perth is a war turner. bluebooks ops tempo will need to get slower to avoid losing high value strategic assets too early, and
I think you delivered this message.

[crsutton]

Considering the date it has to be a very satisfying day for the Allies. I know you expected better but you bit a nice chunk out of the tiger.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

How did bluebook react to all those sinkings around Perth?

guess he wasn't happy about it... and the best thing about it, we aren't done yet [:D]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

Nice!

Perth is a war turner. bluebooks ops tempo will need to get slower to avoid losing high value strategic assets too early, and
I think you delivered this message.

I think the whole Australian adventure will be a war turner. The disaster for the IJN off Perth wouldn't be enough to stop him seriously going against Darwin or PM but landing another 5 or 6 divisions West and East of Melbourne/Sydney makes it pretty much impossible to take Darwin or PM within the next months (if he doesn't evacuate his Armies from Southern Australia, which also takes time). The coming weeks will be very interesting but if he fails to take Melbourne and/or Sydney quickly, he will fail IMO. He may even take a base, but justifying the costs doing so will be very hard. I think he shouldn't have gone there.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Considering the date it has to be a very satisfying day for the Allies. I know you expected better but you bit a nice chunk out of the tiger.

I'm a bit disappointed by the number of carrier strike aircraft that attacked the enemy convoys, been glad I dispatched the cruisers from my carrier TF as they contributed to the carnage. All in all, the enemy Army that was tasked to take the Perth area is only a ghost of what is has been when it embarked the troop transports.

[Puhis]

Those troop losses are going to hurt, this is not scenario 2 where Japan have extra divisions. Also, after amphibious bonus is over, it's hell of a job to evacuate even one division, because loading takes days and days... I think if he fails to capture Australia, IJA divisions are pretty much stuck there.

Of course he can buy destroyed units back, but they come back almost empty and experience is lost.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Puhis

Those troop losses are going to hurt, this is not scenario 2 where Japan have extra divisions. Also, after amphibious bonus is over, it's hell of a job to evacuate even one division, because loading takes days and days... I think if he fails to capture Australia, IJA divisions are pretty much stuck there.

Of course he can buy destroyed units back, but they come back almost empty and experience is lost.

I think if he would decide to evacuate his Armies he would be able to do that, it's only early 42 after all and I am not that strong to wipe the floor with the Japanese. He took Brisbane and with some nav support there it shouldn't be that much of a problem to move out his units if he decides to. He may take losses (probably mostly to my subs) but he should be able to get the majority of his troops out if he decides to do so.

And that would mean victory for us. But we are far from that point, he doesn't think about retreating, he said he is comitted now so let's see if he will be able to take Melbourne or Sydney. And there is Perth too of course, so at the moment he tries to go up against Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. With the loss of most of his ground troops tasked for Perth it will take a couple of weeks to bring in fresh divisions, no idea about his pp situation, when I look at my strongholds in the SRA there is not much he can take away from those areas so he has to buy out divisions from Japan, Manchuko or China.

The most important fact about our operation against the enemy convoys off Perth was gaining time and we gained a lot of time. Of course sinking all that stuff was nice too. [:D]

[Historiker]

When he goes for Sydney... Have you already recieved the reinforcements?

[Arnhem44]

CT,

Interesting reading about the effects (or lack of) of naval bombing, is it bombing in general or just naval bombing?

I'm running a DBB-C game and you got me thinking about my own game because it puts an episode that happened in my game in a new light, CT Grognard gave Darwin harbour a good and proper pasting for about a week of game time and I have to say on hindsight, some of the ships he sank took a look of bombs before they went under. I might pull up the combat reports and have a look in combination with Tracker to see the damage individual bombs did.

[obvert]

Looks like your paid him back in full for the non-base landing already! But I'm sure more is to come.

These losses plus your reinforcements equal some bad times ahead for the Japanese.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Historiker

When he goes for Sydney... Have you already recieved the reinforcements?

couple of turns ahead of the AAR he took a base that released my reinforcements.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Arnhem

CT,

Interesting reading about the effects (or lack of) of naval bombing, is it bombing in general or just naval bombing?

I'm running a DBB-C game and you got me thinking about my own game because it puts an episode that happened in my game in a new light, CT Grognard gave Darwin harbour a good and proper pasting for about a week of game time and I have to say on hindsight, some of the ships he sank took a look of bombs before they went under. I might pull up the combat reports and have a look in combination with Tracker to see the damage individual bombs did.

Bomb effects were more or less halved in general. I think it's working absolutely ok for A2G attacks but isn't correct for nav attacks as you now need even more bombs to sink a ship while it already took too many in stock. I would opt for more effect with far less hits as hits are totally exxegarated anyway. I have spoken to JWE and he took a look at it and has done some changes and sent me a new db for our PBEM. I don't know if this is official already, you might want to pm JWE as he is very helpful.

As it stands now, the AAR results so far are all with the original db we started with, in a week or so in the AAR the new db will be used which still hase roughly 1/3 less bomb effect of SAP and AP bombs compared to stock IIRC. Also reduced accuracy and very important also the torps have been looked at as these haven't been touched earlier so we would have had a reworked model for bombs vs ships but the fantasy hit rates of aerial torps would have been the same as stock which would be the same as rendering the Allied bombers more or less toothless while the IJN would keep their fantasy abilities. All torps (aerial, ship, sub) have been reworked. Not having seen attacks since we have been using the new db but it looks promising.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Looks like your paid him back in full for the non-base landing already! But I'm sure more is to come.

These losses plus your reinforcements equal some bad times ahead for the Japanese.

If he fails to achieve his goals it will turn out to be the worst he could do as I received 1500 av as reinforcements and it also filled my Commonwealth pool with hundreds of Aus Inf42 squads, 25 pdr artillery and many other stuff we were short of. As it stands now, I can fill all my Aus Inf divisions. [:)]

[obvert]

Doesn't it also provide some nice shiny new Spitfire mk 8?

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Doesn't it also provide some nice shiny new Spitfire mk 8?

yeah, 48 Mitchel II, 48 Kittyhawks, 48 Spitfire V (not VIII) and 48 Vengeance IIRC.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: obvert

Doesn't it also provide some nice shiny new Spitfire mk 8?

yeah, 48 Mitchel II, 48 Kittyhawks, 48 Spitfire V (not VIII) and 48 Vengeance IIRC.

Still, that makes the Aussie air force quite a bit more potent than usual at this time of the war. Those Vengeance might come in handy right away!

[castor troy]

another very intense turn, it has become a really interesting game recently with every replay being more exciting than the previous one...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 18, 42
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Invasion Support action off Geraldton (49,141)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokiwa Maru
xAK Kimnon Maru

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

what is left of the enemy convoys is unloading at Geraldton...

xAK Tokiwa Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kimnon Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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Invasion Support action off Geraldton (49,141)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Kasado Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Kowa Maru
xAP Palau Maru



4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Kasado Maru at 7,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Kasado Maru at 7,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Kasado Maru at 7,000 yards
xAP Kasado Maru fired at enemy guns
xAP Kowa Maru fired at enemy guns
xAP Palau Maru fired at enemy troops


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Night Time Surface Combat, near King Island at 81,173, Range 7,000 Yards



Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Minazuki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BC Repulse, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Houston
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1
CL Enterprise
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Edsall
DD John D. Edwards
DD Stewart
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Thanet

I always had Force Z around Melbourne ready to strike at the enemy if the chance arises to do so and after I saw all those BB/CA task forces doing their bombardments at Port Augusta and Adelaide and retiring East directly along Melbourne (is that crazy or super self confident?)... I decided it would be time to strike at the slowest of the four spotted task forces as I was sure this TF would include the two enemy BB that spent 2/3 of their main gun ammo during the bombardment...

I overestimated the effect of having shot most of the main gun ammo though as Hyuga was going wild (just as we are used to from IJN ships) hitting both POW and Repulse with several 36cm shells... most of them were detonating in the superstructure which is pure luck on our side but there just had to be the inevitably IJN torp hit too which caused quite some damage on POW... experience wise BC Repulse is our best battlewaggon and she proved that yet again in this engagement, hitting BB Hyuga several times with penetrating 15 inch shells and a torpedo!!! [&o] Amazing to see that DD Minazuki was outright hit by a torp and sunk with all hands down... none of our ships is in danger of sinking, the imminent danger at the moment is an IJN carrier group operating two days East of the area but so far bluebook refused to use his carriers to attack me around Melbourne and I think he's right doing so as my fighters would take a toll on his carrier air groups... looking only at this engagement and the damage done on both sides, I consider this an IJN victory as both RN BB lost their combat ability and should be taken into save waters for repairs and this too goes for only one IJN BB...


Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 7,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Nagatsuki at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Stewart at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Stewart at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Marblehead at 4,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Stewart at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Adelaide at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Houston at 4,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Fumizuki at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 3,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Hyuga at 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Houston at 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Stewart at 3,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Nagatsuki at 3,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Paul Jones at 3,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stewart at 3,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD John D. Edwards at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Parrott at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 4,000 yards
DD Minazuki sunk by DD Thanet at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD John D. Edwards at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Prince of Wales at 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Thanet at 7,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Fumizuki at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Adelaide at 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Prince of Wales at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Houston at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Marblehead at 10,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD John D. Edwards at 10,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Busselton at 49,151, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tyoko Maru
xAK Hakusika Maru, on fire
xAK Hiyama Maru

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Craven

the cruiser squadron that fought the enemy last turn joined the carrier group again as Chicago had no main gun ammo at al left but we have dispatched another cruiser squadron with the same task and was set a patrol area with a react setting of 3... I nearly had a hard attack when I saw the cruisers reacting South, before they reached their patrol area further North around Geraldton, which could be suicide if the enemy has ordered his carrier group around Hiryu, Zuikaku and Shokaku to move full speed towards Perth as this would them bring into max strike range of this cruiser squadron now South of Perth instead North of Perth where to my carrier group has been ordered to stay at least a one turn full speed distance from the enemy carriers as I am not keen to engage them, even though I think my carrier group got more aircraft than the not combined KB. I usually rate IJN carrier aircraft worth twice USN carrier aircraft (due to the all killing torp carrying Kates), until the Hellcat shows up which shifts fighter capabilities to the USN but still leaves torp bomber capabilities with the IJN (from that point on I rate the IJN carrier aircraft 1,5:1 vs the USN), so even a non complete KB could be doing quite some damage on my carrier group and I just don't see a reason or need to risk my carriers at this point...

pretty crazy to see the three freighters managed to flee from my cruisers but this is yet just the beginning...


Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Albany at 49,152, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatutaki Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAK Teiyo Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Craven

Japanese ground losses:
786 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

we saw the cruisers reacting around trying to engage everything in the area and two freighters are sunk with all troops aboard...

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Teiyo Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Teiyo Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Teiyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Blue engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 3,000 yards
xAK Teiyo Maru sunk by CA Indianapolis at 3,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
xAK Tatutaki Maru sunk by CA Indianapolis at 4,000 yards
xAK Tatutaki Maru sunk by CA Indianapolis at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Sale at 84,173, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL Sumatra
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp

in expectation of Force Z doing a good amount of damage on the retiring IJN BB we've also sent out our battle hardened and night combat experienced Dutch cruisers (lol, doesn't that sound funny?) and it really goes according to plan... only one of our cruisers carries torps but not a single spread was fired but Hyuga was hit by over a dozen 15cm shells, mostly detonating in the superstructure causing further damage and more fires (it seems 15cm shells detonating in the superstructure are far more dangerous than 1000lb bombs detonating on the deck as there are no superstructure hits for airattacks)...

as you can see Hyuga was split off the battle group, not even having a single DD as escort which again shows how desperate bluebook seems to be for destroyer escorts as most of his major task forces only got a pityful escort and that is something we have seen right from the beginning... never experienced this before as the IJN should have enough destroyers to escort all BB/CA and CV... I began to think that Hyuga wouldn't make it home, bluebook probably ordering her to Brisbane or Noumea for emergency repairs but the chances to do that would be minimal... the combined effort of Force Z and the Dutch cruisers now turns the IJN victory against Force Z into an IJN overal defeat...

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Cavendish W. crosses the 'T'
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Sumatra at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 7,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Busselton at 48,151, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tyoko Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
xAK Hiyama Maru, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Craven

Japanese ground losses:
906 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 19 (11 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

our USN carrier escorts then found the convoy again that managed to escape... not this time... [:)] it's a pity USN cruisers don't carry torps and USN DD only carry defective torps...


Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 5,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hakusika Maru at 5,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Blue engages xAK Tyoko Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hakusika Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Tyoko Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Honolulu collides with DD Craven at 48 , 151
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hakusika Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Hakusika Maru sunk by CL Honolulu at 2,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Hiyama Maru at 2,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[castor troy]

so much action this turn that I have to split the combat report into several posts as I am only allowed to upload one screenshot per post...

Submarine attack near Sale at 84,173




Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-23

after Force Z and the Dutch cruisers rampaged it's the USN sub S-23 that spots BB Hyuga in the Bass Strait and fires a four torp spread at the burning ship with three torps hitting the ship sending her to the bottom... while I rated the encounter with Force Z an indesicive victory the Dutch cruisers and now S-23 turn it into an Allied victory as my two RN battlewaggons will easily survive battle damage while Hyuga is sunk...

after all the losses around Perth the enemy pays with a BB now for the invasion of Australia and it all has just begun and my forces are still hitting enemy ships around Perth while we won't let the enemy bombardment TFs get away unharmed either... I really fail to understand what bluebook is thinking when he moves his bombardment TFs one by one through the Bass Strait when he could have escaped danger if he would have just moved South and passed Melbourne South of Tasmania... either ignorant of the threat or too self confident but IMO he just can't think I would keep being in the spectator role when he started to invade Australia... and trying to sound not too arrogant, I am not a total noob so one could expect me to strike back with my limited assets...

BB Hyuga is sighted by SS S-23
SS S-23 launches 4 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Geraldton (49,141) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Ryuzin Maru

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


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


Geraldton Fortress firing at xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Hokutatsu Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Ryuzin Maru fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Geraldton (49,141)

TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Geraldton, 49,141





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Pre-Invasion action off Bandjermasin (60,99)

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Toyama Maru
xAK Syoan Maru
xAK Ryuun Maru


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


xAK Toyama Maru firing at SE Borneo KNIL Battalion
xAK Toyama Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Syoan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Ryuun Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Bandjermasin (60,99)

TF 13 troops unloading over beach at Bandjermasin, 60,99

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Type 89A Medium Tank lost overboard during unload of 8th Tank Rgt
Type 89A Medium Tank dropped into water during unload of 8th Tank Rgt
Type 95 Light Tank damaged beyond repair during unload of 8th Tank Rgt /2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Geraldton (49,141) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko



Geraldton Fortress firing at CA Myoko
4" CD Gun Battery engaging CA Myoko at 7,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging CA Myoko at 7,000 yards
CA Myoko firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging CA Myoko at 7,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Geraldton (49,141)

TF 67 troops unloading over beach at Geraldton, 49,141





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Pre-Invasion action off Geraldton (49,141) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Kamogawa Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Kenyo Maru
xAK Kogyo Maru

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


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


Geraldton Fortress firing at xAK Kamogawa Maru
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 5,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 5,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kamogawa Maru at 5,000 yards
xAK Kamogawa Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kenyo Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kogyo Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Geraldton (49,141)

TF 144 troops unloading over beach at Geraldton, 49,141





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Invasion Support action off Geraldton (49,141)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Kowa Maru
xAP Palau Maru



xAP Kowa Maru fired at enemy troops
xAP Palau Maru fired at enemy troops

looks like there are more ships reaching and unloading at Geraldton than I expected and than I like...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Geraldton at 49,141

Japanese Ships
xAK Ishikari Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-36

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

another freigther is hit but the single Mk-10 doesn't do impressing damage...

xAK Ishikari Maru is sighted by SS S-36
SS S-36 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ishikari Maru


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Invasion Support action off Bandjermasin (60,99)

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Toyama Maru
xAK Syoan Maru
xAK Ryuun Maru



xAK Toyama Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Syoan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Ryuun Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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Invasion Support action off Geraldton (49,141)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokutatsu Maru
xAK Ryuzin Maru


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


xAK Hokutatsu Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Ryuzin Maru fired at enemy troops


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Pre-Invasion action off Geraldton (49,141) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Kasuga Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shanghai Maru
xAK Sinko Maru

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


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

the couple of 4" CD guns do their best...

Geraldton Fortress firing at xAK Kasuga Maru #2
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kasuga Maru #2 at 12,000 yards
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Kasuga Maru #2 at 12,000 yards
xAK Kasuga Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
xAK Shanghai Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Sinko Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Kasuga Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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Amphibious Assault at Geraldton (49,141)

TF 285 troops unloading over beach at Geraldton, 49,141

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



16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 1st Engr Rgt
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st Engr Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 8th Engr Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Ind. Engr Rgt


hmm, would have preferred to sink those Eng rgts...

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Pre-Invasion action off Geraldton (49,141) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Yoneyama Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Taizan Maru

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


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


Geraldton Fortress firing at xAK Yoneyama Maru
4" CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Yoneyama Maru at 11,000 yards
xAK Yoneyama Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Taizan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Yoneyama Maru fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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Amphibious Assault at Geraldton (49,141)

TF 290 troops unloading over beach at Geraldton, 49,141

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



19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div /1
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 48th Div /1
10 troops of a IJA HMG Section lost from landing craft during unload of 48th Div /1


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 48,145, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kanko Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PB Seikai Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
PB Yoshida Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PB Seki Maru #3, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Craven

after the unloading phase it was time for the daylight movement phase and our cruiser squadron finally turns North towards the ordered patrol area reacting into a group of PB that carry troops too... even the IJN escorts are carrying troops... all four were easy prey during daylight...

Japanese ground losses:
815 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 51 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Helena engages PB Seikai Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Helm engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 14,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages PB Yoshida Maru at 14,000 yards
CL Helena engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 14,000 yards
DD Craven engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 14,000 yards
DD Helm engages PB Yoshida Maru at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Kanko Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Helena engages PB Seikai Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Helena engages PB Kanko Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Helm engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 11,000 yards
DD Blue engages PB Yoshida Maru at 11,000 yards
Akashiba J. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 10,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages PB Yoshida Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Seikai Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages PB Kanko Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Helm engages PB Seikai Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Blue engages PB Yoshida Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
PB Seki Maru #3 sunk by CL Honolulu at 8,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Seikai Maru at 8,000 yards
PB Kanko Maru sunk by CL Honolulu at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages PB Yoshida Maru at 10,000 yards
PB Yoshida Maru sunk by CL Honolulu at 10,000 yards
DD Craven engages PB Seikai Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Helm engages PB Seikai Maru at 10,000 yards
PB Seikai Maru sunk by CA Indianapolis at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,145, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Denmark Maru, Shell hits 30, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Craven

Japanese ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)


then a single freighter is engaged, as you can see below, it was about to unload... the ship tried to unload at a NON BASE hex, trying to block the road between Geraldton and Perth... [8|] I raised the issue when he landed South of Port Augusta at a non base hex but he obviously doesn't seem to care or why else would he do it again just a week later? I can asure you while I hate all these tactics of trying to exploit everything that isn't dealt with a hr I will pay it back with the full might of the Allied war machine... wonna go with such tactics? I can do the same... means I don't have to prep my units a hundred days when I will land 150.000 troops somewhere on an island that is big enough that I don't have to land directly at the base... I bet I will then be asked not to do it... when you have been around for years you should just refuse from doing all those things that are constantly being discussed on the forum as being gamey or not... in this case he didn't gain anything as the ship is sunk with all troops aboard...


Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Denmark Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Craven engages xAK Denmark Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages xAK Denmark Maru at 12,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Denmark Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Craven engages xAK Denmark Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Honolulu engages xAK Denmark Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Denmark Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Blue engages xAK Denmark Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Denmark Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Blue engages xAK Denmark Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages xAK Denmark Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Blue engages xAK Denmark Maru at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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TF 240 encounters mine field at Adelaide (75,163)

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

with the IJN obviously not having enough destroyers for all the ongoing operations anyway I am glad that another one is heavily damaged running onto a mine...

1 mine cleared


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Submarine attack near Geraldton at 49,141

Japanese Ships
xAK Belgium Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-36, hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

and another freighter is sent to hell at Geraldton...

xAK Belgium Maru is sighted by SS S-36
SS S-36 attacking xAK Belgium Maru on the surface
Cross G. decides to submerge SS S-36 due to damage


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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29
Ki-30 Ann x 53
Ki-36 Ida x 12
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 37
Ki-51 Sonia x 15



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 8 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 2 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 damaged


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


Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
28 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Malang , at 55,105

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 67
Ki-30 Ann x 16



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 2 damaged


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


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

we took out BB Hyuga today and our bombers account for a heavy cruiser as one of our Easter eggs penetrates the cruiser's deck armor and ignites a magazin... BOOOOM! It is getting costly for him... again, I got no clue why he sailed past Melbourne...


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Magazine explodes on CA Suzuya

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Portsea at 81,172

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 4
B-26 Marauder x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb