War across the Atlantic - Smeulders (Allies) vs. SqzMyLemon (Japan)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: 22nd of January 43'
Wow, I am one week ahead of you and the front line trace in the Solomons is very close to my own. In regards to the US subs, have you tried any offensive mining? I've been mining outposts, the river to Rangoon, river to Palembang (is next), Tarawa etc.. I've also hand picked all the captains (I have fun with this) and been very lucky hitting IJN CVs. I think counting this weeks action, I have eight successful KB intercepts by the silent service (although I have not got a confirmed Kill yet).
23-24 of January 43'
23-24 of January 43'
Guadalcanal invasion
On the 23rd everything got into position, carriers took station close to the island to provide cover and the invasion forces sailed up to the shores. The Japanese reaction was mainly LBA, with betties and zeroes coming in from Shortlands. As reported above the air losses were disproportionally in the Allied favour, but Yorktown was hit by a torpedo 23 systems and 24 flooding put her far from the danger zone, but leaving here in the combat area doesn't seem prudent either and she ordered to retire to Noumea. CL Jintsu leads a couple of destroyers through the slot, but an allied task force headed by USS Phoenix and USS Nashville head her off. The following battle does next to no damage to both sides, but the Japanese retire.
On the second day the landings go in, all through the day and night troops poor on the beaches, leading to a healthy 540 AV against 140 AV. The Allies have also brought tanks and combat engineers, so the odds look good against the mainly infantry forces that make up the SNLF and Naval Guards. On the seas the previous day repeats itself, air raids against the carrier fleet see 55 Japanese planes fall against 15 Wildcats, but USS Saratoga is hit by a single torp for light damage (10 system and float). A number of Japanese subs are hit hard during the day, leading to the loss of two (I-122 and I-168). With all troops ashore, orders are given for all AP to head South under cover of the CVs. At Lunga, half a dozen AK will remain to unload supplies, covered by 100 fighters on the CVEs and 3 cruiser TFs. On land, a deliberate attack is ordered, to be supported by B-17 bombers from Luganville.
Guadalcanal invasion
On the 23rd everything got into position, carriers took station close to the island to provide cover and the invasion forces sailed up to the shores. The Japanese reaction was mainly LBA, with betties and zeroes coming in from Shortlands. As reported above the air losses were disproportionally in the Allied favour, but Yorktown was hit by a torpedo 23 systems and 24 flooding put her far from the danger zone, but leaving here in the combat area doesn't seem prudent either and she ordered to retire to Noumea. CL Jintsu leads a couple of destroyers through the slot, but an allied task force headed by USS Phoenix and USS Nashville head her off. The following battle does next to no damage to both sides, but the Japanese retire.
On the second day the landings go in, all through the day and night troops poor on the beaches, leading to a healthy 540 AV against 140 AV. The Allies have also brought tanks and combat engineers, so the odds look good against the mainly infantry forces that make up the SNLF and Naval Guards. On the seas the previous day repeats itself, air raids against the carrier fleet see 55 Japanese planes fall against 15 Wildcats, but USS Saratoga is hit by a single torp for light damage (10 system and float). A number of Japanese subs are hit hard during the day, leading to the loss of two (I-122 and I-168). With all troops ashore, orders are given for all AP to head South under cover of the CVs. At Lunga, half a dozen AK will remain to unload supplies, covered by 100 fighters on the CVEs and 3 cruiser TFs. On land, a deliberate attack is ordered, to be supported by B-17 bombers from Luganville.
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RE: 22nd of January 43'
ORIGINAL: zuluhour
Wow, I am one week ahead of you and the front line trace in the Solomons is very close to my own. In regards to the US subs, have you tried any offensive mining? I've been mining outposts, the river to Rangoon, river to Palembang (is next), Tarawa etc.. I've also hand picked all the captains (I have fun with this) and been very lucky hitting IJN CVs. I think counting this weeks action, I have eight successful KB intercepts by the silent service (although I have not got a confirmed Kill yet).
That sounds like a very good success rate. My subs never seem to notice KB until it's ready to pounce on a landing (foreshadowing alert). Then again, I haven't done as much work on picking sub commanders, so that might explain some of the problems I have. The mining is a good hint, I haven't used it much so far, due to all the talk of the low mine numbers and the large number of small sweepers that exist. By now Joseph might have all of those in port, so I might surprise him with a couple of surprise mining missions.
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khyberbill
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:29 pm
- Location: new milford, ct
RE: 22nd of January 43'
I pick aggressive commanders. That way, when the torpedoes don't explode, they just might surface and fire a few rounds into the buggers.work on picking sub commanders
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
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JocMeister
- Posts: 8258
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:03 am
- Location: Sweden
RE: 22nd of January 43'
By apri 42 I have actually hit 2 CVs! They were both reported as the same CV but I think that is FOW. I must have been extremly lucky with my subs 
RE: 22nd of January 43'
After a week long break Joseph has restarted the PBEM game, a full update of last turn will come later.
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25th of January 43'
25th of January 43'
A painful day around Guadalcanal. First, the CVEs turn out not to be enough to hold back the betties. In 2 strikes, they manage to take all 4 CVE out of action with 1 sinking. The escorting Zeroes inflict nearly equal losses on the defending Wildcats. The diversions of Wildcats to Ndeni and CVs further South lead to further ops losses.
With the CAP out of the way, KB comes in and luckily their strike is underwhelming. "Only" a hundred strike aircraft show up and sink 2 DE, 1 AK, damaging a moderately damaging a CL and a further 5 AK (varying degrees of damage).
Meanwhile Japanese CL tried to attack the last position of the Allied CV task force and they remained to the South of Guadalcanal during the day. This put them in range of the retiring Allied CV which struck hard, out of 3 CL and 5 DD only 2 DD should be in decent shape.
On Land the Allies did carry the day, the division and supporting troops came ashore in good order. B-17 were ordered as tactical support and the Japanese were easily routed to Tassafaronga.
The plans for tomorrow is to evac anything that has the speed to do so from Lunga. Cruisers (including the damaged USS St.Louis) and destroyers will steam South at full speed. CVEs and AK are disbanded in port, to be defended by 3 squadrons (Spits, Corsairs, P-40E). 3 DD have remained, they'll try to get the undamaged AK through the sub line if KB retires.
I don't think that the Allied CV have the power to take on full KB at the moment, I'm spotting some 550 planes in KB (All Japanese flattops should be able to put up 700 at this time of the war), whilst mine only have 350. However, I am willing to accept battle closer to my bases, so the Allied CV will move closer to Luganville, where they can fight if Joseph chooses to send KB south to attack ships fleeing Lunga. There they will be supported by an additional 50 P-30 and 50 SBD.
A painful day around Guadalcanal. First, the CVEs turn out not to be enough to hold back the betties. In 2 strikes, they manage to take all 4 CVE out of action with 1 sinking. The escorting Zeroes inflict nearly equal losses on the defending Wildcats. The diversions of Wildcats to Ndeni and CVs further South lead to further ops losses.
With the CAP out of the way, KB comes in and luckily their strike is underwhelming. "Only" a hundred strike aircraft show up and sink 2 DE, 1 AK, damaging a moderately damaging a CL and a further 5 AK (varying degrees of damage).
Meanwhile Japanese CL tried to attack the last position of the Allied CV task force and they remained to the South of Guadalcanal during the day. This put them in range of the retiring Allied CV which struck hard, out of 3 CL and 5 DD only 2 DD should be in decent shape.
On Land the Allies did carry the day, the division and supporting troops came ashore in good order. B-17 were ordered as tactical support and the Japanese were easily routed to Tassafaronga.
The plans for tomorrow is to evac anything that has the speed to do so from Lunga. Cruisers (including the damaged USS St.Louis) and destroyers will steam South at full speed. CVEs and AK are disbanded in port, to be defended by 3 squadrons (Spits, Corsairs, P-40E). 3 DD have remained, they'll try to get the undamaged AK through the sub line if KB retires.
I don't think that the Allied CV have the power to take on full KB at the moment, I'm spotting some 550 planes in KB (All Japanese flattops should be able to put up 700 at this time of the war), whilst mine only have 350. However, I am willing to accept battle closer to my bases, so the Allied CV will move closer to Luganville, where they can fight if Joseph chooses to send KB south to attack ships fleeing Lunga. There they will be supported by an additional 50 P-30 and 50 SBD.
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26-28th of January 43'
26-28th of January 43'
The breakout in the night of the 26th went well for the Allies. Early in the night, a SCTF around USS Pensacola meets the crippled DD Oite assisted by DD Matsukaze. The blazing Oite is sunk, but managed to divert enough attention away from it's companion, which leaves with only hit. USS Selfridge takes light damage in the engagement. A second ground around HMAS Australia and USS Boise comes across DD Yunagi, which is driven off. Slightly more worrying battles comes later in the night and further to the South, first the damaged USS St. Louis is attacked by I-5, but the destroyer escort works well and the sub is driven off, maybe even sunk. Later, St.Louis runs into a small DD task force headed by CL Natori and the Japanese get the tactical surprise. The Allies battle valiantly and while all ships are hit and moderately damaged they manage to disengage, St. Louis will be back in a couple of months.
Come the morning, KB has taken up position just to the South of Lunga, from there they manage to hit some fleeing SC ships and attack the SC that remain near Lunga. A number of the small ships are lost, over Lunga the CAP takes down a couple of zeroes escorting KB bombers and betties flying in from Shortlands.
The final battle worth mentioning on the 26th is the bombardment of Ndeni, a PT-group holds off BBs Yamashiro and Hyuga for some time, the following bombardment of the island is ineffective.
The 27th is a bit more damaging for the Allies, with no naval forces present to protect the Island, the airfield and troops are subject to a devastating bombardment. No less than 7 battleships, including Yamato and Mushashi shell the forces ashore (giving a total of 9 BB involved in this operation, I've only got 4 South of Pearl). The field is thrashed, half a dozen planes destroyed and every other one damaged. Two CVE disbanded in the port are hit Surprisingly, no follow up air-raids are made.
With air cover gone and the threat of new bombardments still existing, the three DD left at Lunga escort out USS Prince William and 2 AK, all other ships are left so as no to slow down the other ships. Getting the Prince William out is a huge bonus, I had already written off all 4 CVE, but at least one will survive now, with 2 other still disbanded in Lunga harbour, though heavily damaged.
One interesting note, since the battle around Guadalcanal began, 5 Japanese subs have been reported as sunk in the area. Right now, losses stand as follows
Allies;
Sunk
1 CVE
2 DE
1 AK
5 SC
Damaged, disbanded at Lunga;
2 CVE
5 AK
Damaged;
2 CV (light, but Saratoga will need to visit PH)
1 CVE (near Luganville, light)
1 CL (Moderate)
5 DD (3 Moderate, 2 light)
Japan;
Sunk;
1 CL
2 DD
5 SS
Damaged, presumed sunk;
2 CL
2 DD
All in all it's not a great battle for the Allies due to the CVE losses, but it did net a foothold in the Solomon chain.
The breakout in the night of the 26th went well for the Allies. Early in the night, a SCTF around USS Pensacola meets the crippled DD Oite assisted by DD Matsukaze. The blazing Oite is sunk, but managed to divert enough attention away from it's companion, which leaves with only hit. USS Selfridge takes light damage in the engagement. A second ground around HMAS Australia and USS Boise comes across DD Yunagi, which is driven off. Slightly more worrying battles comes later in the night and further to the South, first the damaged USS St. Louis is attacked by I-5, but the destroyer escort works well and the sub is driven off, maybe even sunk. Later, St.Louis runs into a small DD task force headed by CL Natori and the Japanese get the tactical surprise. The Allies battle valiantly and while all ships are hit and moderately damaged they manage to disengage, St. Louis will be back in a couple of months.
Come the morning, KB has taken up position just to the South of Lunga, from there they manage to hit some fleeing SC ships and attack the SC that remain near Lunga. A number of the small ships are lost, over Lunga the CAP takes down a couple of zeroes escorting KB bombers and betties flying in from Shortlands.
The final battle worth mentioning on the 26th is the bombardment of Ndeni, a PT-group holds off BBs Yamashiro and Hyuga for some time, the following bombardment of the island is ineffective.
The 27th is a bit more damaging for the Allies, with no naval forces present to protect the Island, the airfield and troops are subject to a devastating bombardment. No less than 7 battleships, including Yamato and Mushashi shell the forces ashore (giving a total of 9 BB involved in this operation, I've only got 4 South of Pearl). The field is thrashed, half a dozen planes destroyed and every other one damaged. Two CVE disbanded in the port are hit Surprisingly, no follow up air-raids are made.
With air cover gone and the threat of new bombardments still existing, the three DD left at Lunga escort out USS Prince William and 2 AK, all other ships are left so as no to slow down the other ships. Getting the Prince William out is a huge bonus, I had already written off all 4 CVE, but at least one will survive now, with 2 other still disbanded in Lunga harbour, though heavily damaged.
One interesting note, since the battle around Guadalcanal began, 5 Japanese subs have been reported as sunk in the area. Right now, losses stand as follows
Allies;
Sunk
1 CVE
2 DE
1 AK
5 SC
Damaged, disbanded at Lunga;
2 CVE
5 AK
Damaged;
2 CV (light, but Saratoga will need to visit PH)
1 CVE (near Luganville, light)
1 CL (Moderate)
5 DD (3 Moderate, 2 light)
Japan;
Sunk;
1 CL
2 DD
5 SS
Damaged, presumed sunk;
2 CL
2 DD
All in all it's not a great battle for the Allies due to the CVE losses, but it did net a foothold in the Solomon chain.
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29th of January - 8th of February 1943
29th of January - 8th of February 1943
Guadalcanal
Let's first return to the battle we left off with, Guadalcanal. As soon as the Allied fleet had left, bombardment attacks commenced as mentioned above. While lessening in intensity, they do continue and they have sunk both CVE disbanded at Lunga. Japanese ships are constantly patrolling near Lunga, last night 4 DD were sent out to attack the Japanese ASW forces near the island, but they ran into Kirishima and Hiei, this battle ended with 2 DD on the bottom of Ironbottom Sound for only 1 shell hit on a BB. The damage to the field has repaired reasonably well though and SBD are sent in to attack Japanese forces within 2 hexes of the island. Let's hope there is not too much leaking or LRCAP.
Overall the situation is not that good. Due to an operational airbase at Munda and a lack of aviation support at Lunga (heavily hit in BB bombardments), the Japanese have local air superiority, strengthened by bases at Shortlands and Rabaul. These bases also serve to rearm and support Japanese surface warships, which control the approaches to Lunga. I could probably find the ships for an even fight and get enough CAP up from Lunga for a day or two of operations within range of the field, but if KB would show up this would mean the end of any ships in that operation. The Allied CV fleet is going to through R&R, with Saratoga still 5 days out from Pearl and Yorktown at Noumea before moving to Sydney, so they can't be used to oppose KB. I am thinking about strikes from deep in the Coral Sea though, these would hit ships between Lunga and Munda and maybe Munda itself.
China
A large(+-5000 AV)army turned up at Tuyun and was threatening to cross the river just before Kweiyang. This area was held by some 4000 AV, but knowing just how much a Chinese AV is worth these days, it was still a major emergency. A breakthrough here puts the Japanese straight on the fastest road to Chungking, while cutting off over 10000 AV from the Burmese border. Even if this offensive didn't break through my lines, the capture of Tuyun put a railhead right at the most critical point of my line. From any point on the rail line masses of troops could be shipped here, giving me but 5 days to react (disembark trains and 2 day march out of the hex, this means I'd have to keep about 10000 AV here (largest offensive stacks seen so far were 8000 AV). Such a force here would leave any other point on the jungle line vulnerable.
A better tactician than me might have been able to hold the line now, but I'm choosing to retreat, the whole Chinese army is making for Kunming. Once in the mountains, there are 2 point against which Joseph can attack, first is Kunming, but the concentration of the Chinese army there will makes sure that a frontal attack will be hopeless. Second point is over the track from the North to Tsuyung, but this can be watched by British recon from India, giving me ample warning of movements along the road. Basically, I am taking away a Josephs ability to concentrate against weak points in the line, because there will be only 2 very strong points.
The retreat plan is the following; the river line is rolling up towards Kweiyang, already 11000 AV hold the river crossing, with another 6500 AV on the way. These will hold a bit longer, to slow down the attack Northwards towards Chungking. This should allow the army that held the Northern mountain approaches to Chungking (5000 AV)to retreat out of them and onto the mountain path to Tsuyung, I may have given them some bad orders though, some 300 AV is left in the mountains, some 1000 may not get out in time to avoid an attack against them. Let us hope they are not cut down by pursuing Japanese forces in the fields North of Chungking. In the middle some 1000 AV will fall back or hold, depending on how close the opposition is and how important it is there is delay. All in all, I plan to have at least 20000 AV in the mountains by the time I am done. This should force Joseph to keep almost all of his divisions in China out of fear for counterattacks. (And these will come if I get the supply in China.)
Burma
Planning to break the stalemate here, not yet sure what I'll do exactly, but I'm planning to use heavy armour, huge numbers of bombers and Chindits. Should be enough to get something done right ?
Guadalcanal
Let's first return to the battle we left off with, Guadalcanal. As soon as the Allied fleet had left, bombardment attacks commenced as mentioned above. While lessening in intensity, they do continue and they have sunk both CVE disbanded at Lunga. Japanese ships are constantly patrolling near Lunga, last night 4 DD were sent out to attack the Japanese ASW forces near the island, but they ran into Kirishima and Hiei, this battle ended with 2 DD on the bottom of Ironbottom Sound for only 1 shell hit on a BB. The damage to the field has repaired reasonably well though and SBD are sent in to attack Japanese forces within 2 hexes of the island. Let's hope there is not too much leaking or LRCAP.
Overall the situation is not that good. Due to an operational airbase at Munda and a lack of aviation support at Lunga (heavily hit in BB bombardments), the Japanese have local air superiority, strengthened by bases at Shortlands and Rabaul. These bases also serve to rearm and support Japanese surface warships, which control the approaches to Lunga. I could probably find the ships for an even fight and get enough CAP up from Lunga for a day or two of operations within range of the field, but if KB would show up this would mean the end of any ships in that operation. The Allied CV fleet is going to through R&R, with Saratoga still 5 days out from Pearl and Yorktown at Noumea before moving to Sydney, so they can't be used to oppose KB. I am thinking about strikes from deep in the Coral Sea though, these would hit ships between Lunga and Munda and maybe Munda itself.
China
A large(+-5000 AV)army turned up at Tuyun and was threatening to cross the river just before Kweiyang. This area was held by some 4000 AV, but knowing just how much a Chinese AV is worth these days, it was still a major emergency. A breakthrough here puts the Japanese straight on the fastest road to Chungking, while cutting off over 10000 AV from the Burmese border. Even if this offensive didn't break through my lines, the capture of Tuyun put a railhead right at the most critical point of my line. From any point on the rail line masses of troops could be shipped here, giving me but 5 days to react (disembark trains and 2 day march out of the hex, this means I'd have to keep about 10000 AV here (largest offensive stacks seen so far were 8000 AV). Such a force here would leave any other point on the jungle line vulnerable.
A better tactician than me might have been able to hold the line now, but I'm choosing to retreat, the whole Chinese army is making for Kunming. Once in the mountains, there are 2 point against which Joseph can attack, first is Kunming, but the concentration of the Chinese army there will makes sure that a frontal attack will be hopeless. Second point is over the track from the North to Tsuyung, but this can be watched by British recon from India, giving me ample warning of movements along the road. Basically, I am taking away a Josephs ability to concentrate against weak points in the line, because there will be only 2 very strong points.
The retreat plan is the following; the river line is rolling up towards Kweiyang, already 11000 AV hold the river crossing, with another 6500 AV on the way. These will hold a bit longer, to slow down the attack Northwards towards Chungking. This should allow the army that held the Northern mountain approaches to Chungking (5000 AV)to retreat out of them and onto the mountain path to Tsuyung, I may have given them some bad orders though, some 300 AV is left in the mountains, some 1000 may not get out in time to avoid an attack against them. Let us hope they are not cut down by pursuing Japanese forces in the fields North of Chungking. In the middle some 1000 AV will fall back or hold, depending on how close the opposition is and how important it is there is delay. All in all, I plan to have at least 20000 AV in the mountains by the time I am done. This should force Joseph to keep almost all of his divisions in China out of fear for counterattacks. (And these will come if I get the supply in China.)
Burma
Planning to break the stalemate here, not yet sure what I'll do exactly, but I'm planning to use heavy armour, huge numbers of bombers and Chindits. Should be enough to get something done right ?
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9th of February 1943
9th of February 1943
Guadalcanal
The SBD ambush worked far beyond expectations. At dawn, US forces on the island could spot CA Chikuma and escorting destroyers patrolling the slot. A strike was quickly launched and 2 bombs found their mark. Quickly returning to base, the SBD refueled, reloaded and struck again before the cruiser could get away. Another 4 bombs struck in the second wave, hopefully enough to seal the deal. No ground losses of float planes, but 2 Jakes are given as ops losses.
Guadalcanal
The SBD ambush worked far beyond expectations. At dawn, US forces on the island could spot CA Chikuma and escorting destroyers patrolling the slot. A strike was quickly launched and 2 bombs found their mark. Quickly returning to base, the SBD refueled, reloaded and struck again before the cruiser could get away. Another 4 bombs struck in the second wave, hopefully enough to seal the deal. No ground losses of float planes, but 2 Jakes are given as ops losses.
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khyberbill
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:29 pm
- Location: new milford, ct
RE: 29th of January - 8th of February 1943
An interesting reaction (to soon to call it a solution) to the "Land War in China" problem. What are you going to do with your Air Force? If you move them to one or two bases they will get bombed to bits and pieces.All in all, I plan to have at least 20000 AV in the mountains by the time I am done.
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
9th of February 1943
Bill: I'll be disbanding most of the groups that can't upgrade. I don't see any point in keeping the biplanes flying or spending PP on the Soviet bomber only groups. Most or all other groups will be bought out so they can replenish planes in Indian bases and keep safe from bombing there. We'll see what chances they'll get to fight from either Chinese or Burmese bases.
9th of February 1943
Guadalcanal
Chikuma gets moved off the sunk list, but a Jake shows up on the ground losses, talk about mixed signals. An escorting DD was also hit yesterday and is now reported sunk. It was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, I'd rate those pretty high up, based on high endurance and decent AA armament.
Joseph has indicated he has had some problems getting bombardment runs to work in the Solomons, something to do with waypoints getting in the way of the bombardment routine. Now that he has this figured out I'm expecting bombardments to shut down Lunga again. (Last night 4 BB went on a run up the slot, but didn't shoot at the island, so the Japanese navy is still strong in the area.)
9th of February 1943
Guadalcanal
Chikuma gets moved off the sunk list, but a Jake shows up on the ground losses, talk about mixed signals. An escorting DD was also hit yesterday and is now reported sunk. It was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, I'd rate those pretty high up, based on high endurance and decent AA armament.
Joseph has indicated he has had some problems getting bombardment runs to work in the Solomons, something to do with waypoints getting in the way of the bombardment routine. Now that he has this figured out I'm expecting bombardments to shut down Lunga again. (Last night 4 BB went on a run up the slot, but didn't shoot at the island, so the Japanese navy is still strong in the area.)
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10th-15th of February 1943
10th-15th of February 1943
West Oz
A CV raid is developing on the Western seaboard of Oz. On the 12th, a sub attacked a group of AO, guarded by cruisers and DD. The next day, a small strike struck a Port Hedland convoy and sank an xAKL. Perth harbour is being evacuated for the time being, and CT fuel convoys kept in Southern Australian ports or running for maps edge.
Guadalcanal
Well, Joseph certainly worked out his problems with bombardments, on the 10th Yamashiro, Fuso, Kirishima and Hiei bombed the island. On the 11th, Yamato, Musashi, Haruna and Kongo did the same. The defenders got a days respite, after which Hyuga and Ise joined 2 BB of the first group. Then on the 14th the second group came out again... This has obviously stopped all fort building and the airfield is barely operational. I'm trying to figure out how he's organizing the runs, the Yamato and Musashi need either Rabaul to reload, or a very big AKE, but if he's using one of those it's at a level 0 port, because I've reconned everything else.
Allied counter-operations have been negligible since the sinking of Chikuma, 2x2 DD groups have raided between Munda and Guadalcanal. The first group of 2 Fletchers failed to find anything, but the second group of 2 Porters had a more lively raid. First they sank an E on ASW duty after which they ran into an amphibious group including LSD ships. Unfortunately the Japanese spotted better and the group evaded combat. They staid in the Solomons during the day for some reason, but no strikes were launched against them. The next night they tried raiding Munda, but ran into a CA/CL force which ran them off with light damage to one the DDs.
This discovery of the amphibs has left us with an interesting situation, at first I thought he was reinforcing other islands, but now it seems as if he is actively reinforcing his forces at Tassafaronga and his troops are marching on Lunga ! There is still a good-sized armada at Tassafaronga and I'm pondering whether or not to throw the remaining CVs at them ... The situations is as follows.
The CVs had left port a couple of days ago, as I was contemplating a strike against Munda. This put my CVs within a day of striking at 'Canal. This is very fortunate, as Joseph is unlikely to expect a strike tomorrow. If my CVs were at Noumea, they could've done this as well, but from Sydney or Auckland (more likely bases to refit after the Guadalcanal invasion) they would've been one or two days further away. As you can see I'm planning to put them within 6 hexes of Tassafaronga, to allow my TB to strike as well. This spot would also keep my 12 hexes from the nearest Netty base, Shortlands.
What do I fear, that this is an ambush and that CVs are hiding around Shortlands or to the North of the Solomons and are planning to spring forward to ambush my CV. Joseph must know that his amphibious ships and cruisers are good bait. The day that I am ahead of a reasonable schedule might be my saviour in that case, he'd hold back for one more day and then send his carriers to the 'Canal area so they could strike against CVs coming from whichever direction. He could sprint into the Coral Sea of course to try and catch me a day before I launch my strikes, but that seems unlikely as that'd only guard against an approach from the South and not from the East. I'm going to cast the die and launch 1 day of strikes before retreating in case this is an ambush, may a couple of cruisers pay with their lives !
Burma
Bombing against Lashio airfield runs into LRCAP, costing me a dozen heavies, ouch ...
West Oz
A CV raid is developing on the Western seaboard of Oz. On the 12th, a sub attacked a group of AO, guarded by cruisers and DD. The next day, a small strike struck a Port Hedland convoy and sank an xAKL. Perth harbour is being evacuated for the time being, and CT fuel convoys kept in Southern Australian ports or running for maps edge.
Guadalcanal
Well, Joseph certainly worked out his problems with bombardments, on the 10th Yamashiro, Fuso, Kirishima and Hiei bombed the island. On the 11th, Yamato, Musashi, Haruna and Kongo did the same. The defenders got a days respite, after which Hyuga and Ise joined 2 BB of the first group. Then on the 14th the second group came out again... This has obviously stopped all fort building and the airfield is barely operational. I'm trying to figure out how he's organizing the runs, the Yamato and Musashi need either Rabaul to reload, or a very big AKE, but if he's using one of those it's at a level 0 port, because I've reconned everything else.
Allied counter-operations have been negligible since the sinking of Chikuma, 2x2 DD groups have raided between Munda and Guadalcanal. The first group of 2 Fletchers failed to find anything, but the second group of 2 Porters had a more lively raid. First they sank an E on ASW duty after which they ran into an amphibious group including LSD ships. Unfortunately the Japanese spotted better and the group evaded combat. They staid in the Solomons during the day for some reason, but no strikes were launched against them. The next night they tried raiding Munda, but ran into a CA/CL force which ran them off with light damage to one the DDs.
This discovery of the amphibs has left us with an interesting situation, at first I thought he was reinforcing other islands, but now it seems as if he is actively reinforcing his forces at Tassafaronga and his troops are marching on Lunga ! There is still a good-sized armada at Tassafaronga and I'm pondering whether or not to throw the remaining CVs at them ... The situations is as follows.
The CVs had left port a couple of days ago, as I was contemplating a strike against Munda. This put my CVs within a day of striking at 'Canal. This is very fortunate, as Joseph is unlikely to expect a strike tomorrow. If my CVs were at Noumea, they could've done this as well, but from Sydney or Auckland (more likely bases to refit after the Guadalcanal invasion) they would've been one or two days further away. As you can see I'm planning to put them within 6 hexes of Tassafaronga, to allow my TB to strike as well. This spot would also keep my 12 hexes from the nearest Netty base, Shortlands.
What do I fear, that this is an ambush and that CVs are hiding around Shortlands or to the North of the Solomons and are planning to spring forward to ambush my CV. Joseph must know that his amphibious ships and cruisers are good bait. The day that I am ahead of a reasonable schedule might be my saviour in that case, he'd hold back for one more day and then send his carriers to the 'Canal area so they could strike against CVs coming from whichever direction. He could sprint into the Coral Sea of course to try and catch me a day before I launch my strikes, but that seems unlikely as that'd only guard against an approach from the South and not from the East. I'm going to cast the die and launch 1 day of strikes before retreating in case this is an ambush, may a couple of cruisers pay with their lives !
Burma
Bombing against Lashio airfield runs into LRCAP, costing me a dozen heavies, ouch ...
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16th of February 1943
16th of February 1943
I'm turning myself in to the Kangeroo court. Joseph thought it was my turn to have bad luck from game mechanics, as apparently my CVs got in a prime position to strike at his transports and surface cover but failed to launch any strikes. Turns out that I stood down the carrier planes somewhere along the line and didn't check them this turn. We also narrowly avoided a CV battle (or slaughter given my orders), but I'm not sure whether or not his Betties got any hits in.
So, what kind of swear words am I allowed to use without getting banned from the forum ... ?
I'm turning myself in to the Kangeroo court. Joseph thought it was my turn to have bad luck from game mechanics, as apparently my CVs got in a prime position to strike at his transports and surface cover but failed to launch any strikes. Turns out that I stood down the carrier planes somewhere along the line and didn't check them this turn. We also narrowly avoided a CV battle (or slaughter given my orders), but I'm not sure whether or not his Betties got any hits in.
So, what kind of swear words am I allowed to use without getting banned from the forum ... ?
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17th-23rd of February 1943
17th-23rd of February 1943
Solomons
No damage to the carriers and they make good their escape the next day. Battleships keep visiting Lunga at night, but at least he's toned it down to 4 BB. The division at Lunga is getting battered, about 20% disablements. Some other smaller units are in even worse shape.
I'm trying to figure out how his BB raids are done, it seems like he is using full speed runs, with BB turning up at Choiseul Bay often after a raid. Unfortunately there is not much I can use to attack him there apart from my carriers and even they would be in a lot of danger so close to Munda and Shortlands. Anyone has experience with this sort of situation ? I'm wondering whether throwing a bunch of cruiser TFs at him might slow him down enough for a strike from the carriers in the morning.
The DD on the map are a 2 ships looking for gaps in the air search cover, but so far no luck. They did get attacked by 20 Vals, but no hits were scored.
Some information that might be interesting, Japanese CV strenght should stand at 7 CV, 4 CVL and 4 CVE for a total of 700 Carrier aircraft. Against that the Allies can put 4 CV and 3 CVE for 440 planes. In a month I'll have 2 CV and a CVE returned from the shipyards, giving a total of 650 planes.
Solomons
No damage to the carriers and they make good their escape the next day. Battleships keep visiting Lunga at night, but at least he's toned it down to 4 BB. The division at Lunga is getting battered, about 20% disablements. Some other smaller units are in even worse shape.
I'm trying to figure out how his BB raids are done, it seems like he is using full speed runs, with BB turning up at Choiseul Bay often after a raid. Unfortunately there is not much I can use to attack him there apart from my carriers and even they would be in a lot of danger so close to Munda and Shortlands. Anyone has experience with this sort of situation ? I'm wondering whether throwing a bunch of cruiser TFs at him might slow him down enough for a strike from the carriers in the morning.
The DD on the map are a 2 ships looking for gaps in the air search cover, but so far no luck. They did get attacked by 20 Vals, but no hits were scored.
Some information that might be interesting, Japanese CV strenght should stand at 7 CV, 4 CVL and 4 CVE for a total of 700 Carrier aircraft. Against that the Allies can put 4 CV and 3 CVE for 440 planes. In a month I'll have 2 CV and a CVE returned from the shipyards, giving a total of 650 planes.
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RE: 17th-23rd of February 1943
Gillberts
Not much battle going on here, but the Allies are slowly advancing. Medium bombers from Tabit seem to have bombed out the defenders of Beru, Nonouti and Abemama. Barge transport is bringing engineers, aviation support and some engineers to Nonouti to build up a second airfield. Abemama should soon follow, in a couple of days troops will be moved to Tabit from Pago Pago and from then on out with barges to the invasion beaches.
Not much battle going on here, but the Allies are slowly advancing. Medium bombers from Tabit seem to have bombed out the defenders of Beru, Nonouti and Abemama. Barge transport is bringing engineers, aviation support and some engineers to Nonouti to build up a second airfield. Abemama should soon follow, in a couple of days troops will be moved to Tabit from Pago Pago and from then on out with barges to the invasion beaches.
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RE: 17th-23rd of February 1943
China
The retreat in China is going according to plan, tank units tried to get around my large stack falling back on Kunming, but a 1000 AV stack was put in place to counter just such a move. The main stack is now only 46 miles from the crossroads and should reach it in time. This should hold off almost any direct attack on the city. In the North, 6000 AV are staying in front of the pursuing Japanese and should reach the minor road to Tsuyung.
At the moment West of China is relatively lightly defended. Some 400 AV are defending Paoshan against incursions from Burma. Tsuyung is defended from airdrops by an Indian brigade.
The retreat in China is going according to plan, tank units tried to get around my large stack falling back on Kunming, but a 1000 AV stack was put in place to counter just such a move. The main stack is now only 46 miles from the crossroads and should reach it in time. This should hold off almost any direct attack on the city. In the North, 6000 AV are staying in front of the pursuing Japanese and should reach the minor road to Tsuyung.
At the moment West of China is relatively lightly defended. Some 400 AV are defending Paoshan against incursions from Burma. Tsuyung is defended from airdrops by an Indian brigade.
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RE: 17th-23rd of February 1943
Burma
Another Allied offensive has started in Burma, this time the goals is to completely take over the central plains. The below map gives an estimation of the location of Japanese divisions (A total of about 6000 AV). Some 3700 AV, including almost 1000 AV worth of armour will cross the rivers. Shwebo will be held by 1000+ AV (including the airtansportable parts of an American division) behind level 8 forts.
The offensive is not without risk, my forces on the other bank will be outnumbered, and I'll need to take a number of bases to cut off Mandalay, spreading troops. To win this battle, the airforce will need to make a great contribution. Anything outside the forts of Mandalay will be bombed. The airfield of Taung Gyi and Tongou will be captured if possible to protect my own forces from the same, or suppressed by heavies if this is not possible.
The dashed line is a test air attack by 105 RAF and USAAF Medium bombers, which obliterated a base force causing 600 casualties.
Another Allied offensive has started in Burma, this time the goals is to completely take over the central plains. The below map gives an estimation of the location of Japanese divisions (A total of about 6000 AV). Some 3700 AV, including almost 1000 AV worth of armour will cross the rivers. Shwebo will be held by 1000+ AV (including the airtansportable parts of an American division) behind level 8 forts.
The offensive is not without risk, my forces on the other bank will be outnumbered, and I'll need to take a number of bases to cut off Mandalay, spreading troops. To win this battle, the airforce will need to make a great contribution. Anything outside the forts of Mandalay will be bombed. The airfield of Taung Gyi and Tongou will be captured if possible to protect my own forces from the same, or suppressed by heavies if this is not possible.
The dashed line is a test air attack by 105 RAF and USAAF Medium bombers, which obliterated a base force causing 600 casualties.
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-
khyberbill
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:29 pm
- Location: new milford, ct
RE: 17th-23rd of February 1943
Good luck Bart. It is a tough place to slug it out. Bring lots of supply planes.
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
RE: 17th-23rd of February 1943
Supply is no issue as long as I don't get the ground routes cut off. This game predates supply movement caps, so I can get almost everything I need by playing with the supply draw buttons. I have quite a bit of them at the ready though, transporting infantry of an American Division, so if I get units cut off I can support them.
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