Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[princep01]

Bravo, Admiral, Bravo.  Three nasties that will not bother the Allies again along with a nice haul of smaller fish and AC.
 
One word of caution.  You might wish to consider moving your fleet southward on the EASTERN side of Funafuti.  The KB actually can sprint quite some distance (I think up to ninteen hexes).  They could arrive within their range, but might not have any op points to launch a strike.  No point in risking dampening the well deserved celebration!  Just melt away into the unseen stretches fof the Pacific and live to do this another day. 
 
Again, well planned and executed.  This will give Admiral Wa a restless night!
 
 

[witpqs]

The deal is done as far as the fleet movement orders go. Almost always the turn is sent just before I post the AAR entry. Anyhow, in this case I would be OK with a carrier battle versus the full KB. Saratoga is not there, but Wasp is fully functional and there 90 USMC fighters and 18 USMC dive bombers on the CVEs. I never did actually put any other planes on the fleet CVs. And, I want to head toward Fiji where there is a ton of additional air power. Can't get there in one go but will the turn after.

Plus, this way the surface groups will over run the subs, always dangerous, but bringing the carriers to the eastern side would run the carriers over the subs. I want to give Wasp that little extra help.

I always might be wrong, but I think he'll want to keep KB as a fleet in being, and carefully control the risks to KB. So, provided there are no complications, once I get the fleet back to Suva to replenish maybe the invasion will proceed. Need to sleep on it.

Wa said he will get to the turn tomorrow.

[BBfanboy]

Bravo! Another example of how great recon/search of enemy positions enables you to take advantage of a dangling juicy tidbit. Like stealing bait from a trap without setting it off! [:)].
Looks like the CS and CA Kako are hurt badly - they may head to the nearest dot hex to stand down for fire fighting and fixing system damage. Hope your recon can check them out. Subs can do the clean up work if anything is found.

Re:Wasp, I am not sure if launching and recovering aircraft puts greater than usual strain on shored-up bulkheads. I would split her off as soon as the fleet gets to safer waters. Many players beach the air complement when a carrier goes for long term repairs. Could be a nasty surprise for him somewhere!

[JocMeister]

Well done! [&o]

[witpqs]

Thanks, guys! Our search covers all of the nearest bases. It really does help the subs so let's keep our fingers crossed. We have fewer subs up there than are hunting the KB in its recent haunts but there are some. When we get a base force to Vaitupu - now on the way - the search situation will improve.

Saratoga's air group is on Fiji. Wasp's air group might disembark, I'm not certain yet. Certainly a powerful one-two punch if two full carrier air wings are grounded on, say, Luganville. Given her small size I might send Wasp to Sydney for repair and refit. Saratoga should now be able to get to Pearl Harbor without further delay.

Strategically, I would like to strike while the iron is hot and get troops ashore at Ndeni. As positions in the rest of the New Hebrides are consolidated Ndeni would be gradually secured. These things could take place while the carriers are refitting to get those very important late-'42 AA improvements. The 5th CVE is now bearing down on Pago Pago with a USMC fighter group on board and will soon join the other CVEs.

I know this is a concentration of sea power to get the New Hebrides but with the Empire's current strength it couldn't be helped without given the objective of getting into the New Hebrides before defenses could be built up there.

[witpqs]

1942 November 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An xAK was sunk near Surat. Finally the heroic 64th pulled back.

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6852 troops, 26 guns, 488 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Defending force 3683 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Japanese adjusted assault: 242

Allied adjusted defense: 58

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1542 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

In a number of surface actions there were further IJN losses and several USN ships damaged.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Arorae at 137,137, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
CL Abukuma
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Pensacola
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Helm, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Craven, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 92% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Furutaka at 8,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CA Furutaka at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Furutaka at 3,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages CA Minneapolis at 3,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Minneapolis at 3,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Craven at 3,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Gridley at 3,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Nowaki at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Nowaki at 3,000 yards
DD Helm engages DD Nowaki at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Furutaka at 8,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Chester at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Northampton at 8,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Nowaki at 8,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Nowaki at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Nowaki at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Pensacola at 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Chester at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Helm at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Gridley at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Craven at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Ralph Talbot at 10,000 yards
DD Helm engages DD Nowaki at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Minneapolis at 13,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CL Yura at 13,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Yura at 13,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Nowaki at 13,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Craven at 13,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Ralph Talbot at 13,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Helm at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Arorae at 137,137, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Nenohi

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Pensacola
CA Minneapolis, on fire
DD Helm, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Craven, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley, on fire

Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 92% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kako at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Northampton at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kako at 10,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Chester at 10,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CA Kako at 10,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages DD Craven at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Helm at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Pensacola at 7,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Kako at 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Craven at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages CA Minneapolis at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Nenohi at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kako at 8,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Nenohi at 8,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Chester at 8,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CA Kako at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kako at 9,000 yards
CA Kako sunk by CA Pensacola at 9,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Gridley at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Nenohi at 9,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Helm at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuria at 135,132, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA San Francisco
DD Sims, Shell hits 1
DD Mugford
DD Perkins

Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Pye, Wm Saterlee crosses the 'T'
DD Nenohi engages DD Sims at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Perkins at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Mugford at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sims at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Mugford at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Onotoa at 136,135, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Pensacola
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Craven

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CVL Ryujo at 26,000 yards
CA Chester engages CVL Ryujo at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CVL Ryujo at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CVL Ryujo at 23,000 yards
CA Chester engages CVL Ryujo at 23,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CVL Ryujo at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
CA Chester engages CVL Ryujo at 22,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CVL Ryujo at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Chester engages CVL Ryujo at 18,000 yards
DD Craven engages CVL Ryujo at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Chester engages CVL Ryujo at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CVL Ryujo at 12,000 yards
DD Craven engages CVL Ryujo at 12,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages CVL Ryujo at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CVL Ryujo sunk by CA Pensacola at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

We now have several destroyers and some heavy cruisers that are still at sea but really could stand some TLC at a good port/ship yard. Every shell hole makes the Ndeni op less likely.

Here's the Intel screen. We've been closing the gap slowly but took a little jump with the latest developments.

[BBfanboy]

OH YEAH! Gotta like a man who tidys up after making a mess! Well done! [&o][&o]

[witpqs]

1942 November 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


I'm a little unsure what happened here as I don't expect such a nose-dive performance from the IJA. Maybe an orders mix-up without all units set to attack?

Ground combat at 76,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29713 troops, 248 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 959

Defending force 19691 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 540

Japanese adjusted assault: 48

Allied adjusted defense: 1150

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 23

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

Japanese ground losses:
1793 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
9th Division
14th Tank Regiment
3rd/A Division
3rd/C Division
6th Tank Regiment
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
120th Red Chinese Division
32nd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps

Milne Bay was hit from the air as it has been many times recently, trying to keep it suppressed until we seize it.

No surface battles today, but a couple of hits were reported on possibly the same sub.

Hudson III (LR) attacking a Type B1/B2 class SS at 114,160
:::::::: a Type KD6A class SS is reported HIT
Hudson III (LR) attacking a Type KS class SS at 114,160
:::::::: a Type KD6A class SS is reported HIT

And our subs are indeed aided by aerial search.

Sub attack near Jaluit at 134,122

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Gunnel

SS Gunnel launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yamagumo
Gunnel diving deep ....
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yamagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I don't remember, but Yamagumo might have been damaged in the big fracas.

We have a number of Dutch support ships, graciously loaned for use in the Pacific until the liberation of the colonies, on their way to Noumea. The Dutch Battle Fleet is already there after getting ship-shape in Sydney. Wasp fully pumped out while underway, and now stands at 3-24(24)-0-0.

A tanker convoy at Christmas Island has DL 10/10 ("TF 308 sights Japanese Float Plane at 174,141 near Christmas Island"), and a supply convoy 80nm east has a 1/1 DL. The Omaha class CLs recently repaired at Auckland are being redirected there but they have a long way to go. An ASW group is also formed at Pearl Harbor, which will leave that terminus short of escorts to form important convoys, and is now on the way to operate out of Christmas Island. DAW HQ has rightly identified this as an important hub. So far it has been able to get along with minimal protection, but no more. There are already fighters and torpedo bombers from USN CVE replacement squadrons there, with pilots capable of ruining an adversary's day. A group of 4 Australian Catalinas is also present, although it could be better used for the New Hebrides axis of advance. Kingfishers will be sent in, but that too will take a while.

Here is a look at Central China. What a mess. I certainly will hold China until the end of 1942, but after that...

[princep01]

Perusing thru the OB of the recent CV/CVL fight, the Yamagumo is seen dodging bombs and firing AA as the LYB CVLs are hit again and again.  Definitely one of the CVL escorts as I am sure you have detected by now.  I am not sure if it was damaged, but it is now (may it sink in honor of its Emperor).
 
That battle probably had Admiral Wa fielding insulting questions from the IJA and bow and scraping to said Emperor for losing the Emperor's fine toys. 
 
Overextension/ Victory Disease...the bane of all Japanese players.
 
As to any possible surface raiders around Christmas Is (Pac Oc), a group of 4 CVEs might be just the ticket to go end that threat for good.  Obviously, it would not hurt with the subs either. 
 
So, on to Efate, Espiritu Santo and then Ndeni, right?  I urge you to take care with Ndeni.  You will operate within easy LBA range and they won't just be unescorted search planes.  This is an island most IJ players worry about as it puts you within easy B-17/24 range of the lower Solomons and the island is large enough to sustain a decent port and good AF.  If his first MLR is anchored on the Tulagi/Lunga area, do not go timidly into that dark night.
 
However, you have made a mark on him with your recent good deeds.  There may remain a psychological shadow (probably quite temporary) that will instill reluctance to risk his CVs now.  We can hope.
 
Good luck with your next foray.  Very nicely done at New Caledonia and in the Battle of the Ellice Islands.  The New York Times headlines are hailing you as Stephen Decauter Pacifica and the New Nelson!  The Fleet is spoken of in hushed tones as the Ghost Fleet that whispers in, blisters the enemy and silently disappears into the misty Pacific. 

[witpqs]

[:D]

Thanks!

The repeated expectation of good players here that I would go for Efate-Luganville-Ndeni in that order illustrates why I want to go for Ndeni first. I do not expect it to fall right away, but I also expect that getting a stout, well supplied division fully ashore will stop development there and cause it to be the focus of attention. That latter point will make building Efate and Luganville easier and quicker. And - and - it will be most expected by DAW HQ that I go for Ndeni only after Efate-Luganville. Dropping troops there right away might be a surprise. Wa will have to say later on.

Strategically that might set a tone for the remainder of the game that the (then current) second line of defense is never safe. The Allies are willing to dive in.

So, when the Battle Fleet is back at Suva, the two CA TFs will combine so the remaining CAs have enough escorts. Everybody will replenish, and the 5th CVE will join up. Then, conditions permitting, the invasion will head for Ndeni. Of course that run could still be delayed or called off just like the last run was. This is a daring op, NOT a suicide run!

4EBs can now be based at Noumea and hit Ndeni. The LB-30s are there now. Two SeaBee units are heading for Tanna to get the airfield building. Koumac and La Foa both have airfields now but level 1.

BTW, Wa thinks he was baited into the carrier battle. From reading here you know I didn't really dangle bait. I almost took his bait and chased them but then chose to proceed with the invasion. Only when the sKB headed back west did I both have to stand down on the invasion and have an opportunity to intercept the carriers. When Southern Cover made their intercept but no other contact was made I thought the opportunity had slipped away. The Battle Fleet made one more day's move NE only because I thought they could do so safely. Meaning without KB showing up along with sKB. Southern Cover was not bait, it was just available to be part of the intercept.

[princep01]

Well, depending of course, on what your recon of IJ land forces in those 3 locations showed, I was really thinking you could do them essentially at the same time (three weeks apart)  I really don't think Wa would consider any of these islands as part of his first MLR in the South Pac.  They are speed bumps to draw the Allies into a decisive CV battle....or at least they were.  He might not be so forthcoming now that 3 CVLs were removed from his OB.  Nonetheless, I would expect resistance only at Ndeni as it is within escorted range of land based bombers.  Beware.
 
Have you reconned Ndeni, Efate and/or Espiritu Santo?  If so and if lightly held, I would not hesitate to grab them with the troops you have prepped and get Loganville operating as a base.  It would give you P-38 (regular range) coverage over Ndeni and you could smoother any air resistance with medium/heavy bombers.  Worth thinking about.
 
But, if you go for the deeper strike at Ndeni, I would not think it was strongly held.  A brigade at best with auxilary units like a BF and maybe some AA/coastal guns.
 
It will be interesting. 
 
Talley-ho the LYBs!
 
 

[BBfanboy]

Did he say whether he knew your carriers were in the area? It's a deadly dance when both sides know where the other is and try to gain advantage. One mis-step and you are out of the contest!

[witpqs]

1942 November 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An xAK went down near Karachi. Oiler Neosho was torpedoed but is now safely in port at Christmas Island. CV Akagi was not torpedoed, but was targeted by 4 x good torpedoes.

Sub attack near Stewart Island at 119,138

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
BB Haruna
CA Chikuma
CS Nisshin
DD Samidare
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS S-31

SS S-31 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Akagi
DD Samidare fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

KB is on station awaiting an invasion of Ndeni!!

There are also at least three IJN subs to the west of Fiji trying to pick off returning warriors. The other carrier TFs are a little faster, so the TF with Wasp is being directed around the eastern end of the island. Hopefully the charts of those waters are good. The 3 x USMC dive bomber groups at Nadi have all been ordered to 50% ASW work. They have basic training in ASW but some pilots are well skilled. A convoy with two SeaBee units will make Tanna tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if their presence is detected, and if so then any reaction it elicits.

I misspoke about La Foa, which has port level 1 but is still building the first airstrip.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Did he say whether he knew your carriers were in the area? It's a deadly dance when both sides know where the other is and try to gain advantage. One mis-step and you are out of the contest!

Wa said that he did not catch a whiff of the USN carriers. I think he meant that's why sKB stayed around after the surface action involving Northern Cover.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Well, depending of course, on what your recon of IJ land forces in those 3 locations showed, I was really thinking you could do them essentially at the same time (three weeks apart)  I really don't think Wa would consider any of these islands as part of his first MLR in the South Pac.  They are speed bumps to draw the Allies into a decisive CV battle....or at least they were.  He might not be so forthcoming now that 3 CVLs were removed from his OB.  Nonetheless, I would expect resistance only at Ndeni as it is within escorted range of land based bombers.  Beware.

Have you reconned Ndeni, Efate and/or Espiritu Santo?  If so and if lightly held, I would not hesitate to grab them with the troops you have prepped and get Loganville operating as a base.  It would give you P-38 (regular range) coverage over Ndeni and you could smoother any air resistance with medium/heavy bombers.  Worth thinking about.

But, if you go for the deeper strike at Ndeni, I would not think it was strongly held.  A brigade at best with auxilary units like a BF and maybe some AA/coastal guns.

It will be interesting. 

Talley-ho the LYBs!

Recon for Efate and Luganville, SigInt for all three. Bde at each, plus AF support Coy at Ndeni. I believe that I can take all three with forces assigned. Only an air/naval battle at Ndeni looms. the other two I doubt would be contested by sea or air at all. Efate = AF level 0; Luganville = AF level 2 (55% damaged); Ndeni = AF level 1.

I concur that they are not considered MLR by DAW HQ, but leapfrogging speed bumps sets a strategic problem for the Empire to address.

[witpqs]

1942 November 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China there was a bit of ground action, but nothing definitive.

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6975 troops, 50 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Defending force 7840 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 217

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th/C Division

Defending units:
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
13th Group Army


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

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1308 troops, 20 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 14250 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 249

Assaulting units:
102nd Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade

Defending units:
23rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
2nd War Area
18th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at 73,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4401 troops, 34 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 1936 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Japanese adjusted assault: 139

Allied adjusted defense: 103

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
104th/B Division

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 78,49 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4484 troops, 36 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 777

Defending force 46944 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1175

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 2827

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2889 casualties reported
Squads: 86 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
27th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/A Division

Defending units:
73rd Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
19th Group Army
9th War Area
6th War Area
32nd Group Army

I suspect that last attack was a unit moving across the river to open the road hex-side so that supply can flow better to the other units already there via a different route.

We took a bit of a loss in the air to a successful Tojo sweep over Cox's Bazar.

CVE Copahee was torpedoed but is in port at Suva and in no danger of sinking. Repair time, of course! Perhaps a measure of revenge:

SBD-2 Dauntless attacking a Japanese SS at 131,161
:::::::: a Type KD4 class SS is reported HIT

All of the (operational) carriers have replenished and are heading south to refuel from oilers and avoid the IJN subs. The convoys are already away from Suva just to be clear of the subs. Damaged Saratoga has been spotted (DL 5/5) passing 80nm west of Christmas Island. She will proceed on course in hopes that the sub is closer to Christmas Island and can be outrun. We have base forces landing at Vaitupu and Gardner Island. Those convoys are not spotted so far.

I've discovered that I can not rearm the fast BBs 16in guns at Suva even with the AKEs present. It's port = 5 and needs loads of Naval Support to do that, and the AKEs are too small. A TF with AEs and additional ARs for the theater is now formed at Pearl harbor and will make its way to SoPac, careful to avoid subs. There is also a very large convoy (broken into two at the moment) finishing loading at San Francisco. That convoy will be off loading at Pearl Harbor where faster ships will pick up the troops and air groups for movement forward. Among those is the first advanced fleet base, which will provide massive facilities in the battle zone. Currently that unit is earmarked for Noumea. Noumea is currently level 4 port and building.

A side note, the whole landing/not landing/landing at Noumea with potential carrier battles around Fiji thrown in really screwed up the flow of units due to convoys circling at sea waiting for real or potential enemy actions to resolve themselves. The when things got moving again the small IJN carriers caused rerouting or freezing of empty convoys on their way back to Hawaii and the West Coast. Hawaii is still pregnant with units awaiting deployment and will get more so when that mega-convoy gets there.

[princep01]

The big gun/BBs can replinish at Auckland in all likelihood.  It's not a long haul from Suva.  Also, you don't need many AKE/naval support types there, even if the port has not already been built out (to a 9).  I ALWAYS buildout Auckland for that purpose and to ensure a place in the South Pacific where I can withdraw any nationality's ship.  It wounds my soul to lose precious political points by forgetting that a ship is soon due to W/D and then discover I have no nearby place to W/D from.
 
Do you use tracker to keep up with things like prep for invasions?  I don't, but I have never progressed past 9/1942 in the game.  If you do, do you find it really helpful on administrative matters like that?

[witpqs]

1942 November 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One ground unit in the forest retreated in China. Otherwise the same air beatings and hanging on by fingernails.

Yamato and friends paid a visit to Akyab. From looking at the troops and the base they did not achieve much, although the base was a disaster to begin with.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Ashigara
CL Tama
CL Kuma
CL Jintsu
DD Shiranui
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at Americal Infantry Division
CA Ashigara firing at Americal Infantry Division
CL Tama firing at Americal Infantry Division
CL Kuma firing at Americal Infantry Division
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CL Jintsu
CL Jintsu firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Shiranui firing at Akyab
DD Isokaze firing at Akyab
DD Maikaze firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Hatsukaze firing at Akyab
DD Yugumo firing at 27th Infantry Division

Beatings of IJN subs from the air in the Pacific continues.

SBD-2 Dauntless attacking a Type L4 class SS at 130,161
:::::::: a Japanese SS is reported HIT
Hudson III (LR) attacking SS I-172 at 116,160
:::::::: SS I-172 is reported HIT

Saratoga seems to have outrun that sub neat Christmas Island, as TFs there are still under aerial surveillance. The convoy at Tanna has been spotted, but has already unloaded all troops and many supplies. Unloading will cease and the convoy will move south and wait until trying again. All of the battle and invasion assets are away from Fiji, but some are spotted by Imperial aircraft. As a precaution against the subs moving south to find them, the entire fleet will move east in the night to a new refueling area. Our convoy at Vaitupu has been spotted as well, so the fleet's movement SE then disappearing might give the impression that a movement into the southern Gilberts is imminent. To aid this impression, a newly arrived PBY squadron has been moved to Vaitupu and begun search (largely alongside the one at Nukufetau) with recon of Tabiteuea (the failed invasion site).

Significant IJN assets are now at Ndeni. Is it a reinforcement or a withdrawal?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

The big gun/BBs can replinish at Auckland in all likelihood.  It's not a long haul from Suva.  Also, you don't need many AKE/naval support types there, even if the port has not already been built out (to a 9).  I ALWAYS buildout Auckland for that purpose and to ensure a place in the South Pacific where I can withdraw any nationality's ship.  It wounds my soul to lose precious political points by forgetting that a ship is soon due to W/D and then discover I have no nearby place to W/D from.

Do you use tracker to keep up with things like prep for invasions?  I don't, but I have never progressed past 9/1942 in the game.  If you do, do you find it really helpful on administrative matters like that?

I use Tracker heavily, but not to track invasion prep. I use a combination of the in-game display ('g' hot key then sort by Target) and a text file/editor.

I have built out Auckland but I forget at this moment what it is built up to. Might be fully built out already. I just want something closer for fast turn around in situations like this.

[BBfanboy]

That reported hit on a sub by a Hudson might be credible - he got close enough to read the I-172 stenciled on the sail!