Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Docup(A)-Koniu(J)

[koniu]

Docup forgot to attach save to email so i am still waiting for turn.

I have bad filling for next turn.
Biggest concern is fuel. In my tests KB TF in 50% of case (when i have fuel like current one) KB have refueled and not arriving to destination.

I am worried because if KB will refuel my SAG will be in danger

[obvert]

Fingers crossed. Look sot be interesting. Depends on whether he sniffs anything in the wind before the hunter can get in range to pounce.

[koniu]

Damn You scare me to death.
I have email notification when someone i writing in AAR ind i was thinking that Ducup send turn when email arrive. Almost have heart attack.[:-]

I love that game. I never have so much stress and joy from game.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Docup forgot to attach save to email so i am still waiting for turn.

I have bad filling for next turn.
Biggest concern is fuel. In my tests KB TF in 50% of case (when i have fuel like current one) KB have refueled and not arriving to destination.

I am worried because if KB will refuel my SAG will be in danger

coin flip .. not the best odds. But then historically the IJN went with far less on a number of occasions.

BANZAI!!!

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: koniu

Docup forgot to attach save to email so i am still waiting for turn.

I have bad filling for next turn.
Biggest concern is fuel. In my tests KB TF in 50% of case (when i have fuel like current one) KB have refueled and not arriving to destination.

I am worried because if KB will refuel my SAG will be in danger

coin flip .. not the best odds. But then historically the IJN went with far less on a number of occasions.

BANZAI!!!

If KB will refuel and will be to far from MB 4 CAs will have bad day if enemy CV are going in to be in range on morning.

I am risking my precious CA but watching from other side I can also win big victory as i think there is no more that 3xCV and 4-5xCVE in enemy fleet so with good dice roll i can achieve something worth of risk.

This is war to win i have to risk and that is probably last chance before F6F arrival.


PS. Checking mail every 5 minutes, madness.

[PaxMondo]

Don't disagree, IJ has to take risks. 
 
BANZAI!!!

[koniu]

I am going to open now bottle of whiskey.

We have CV clash.

Japan gain victory.
Pilots loses are high 160 pilots KIA or MIA and 250 planes lost. But not single Japanese ship was hit from air we score few nice TT and bomb hits to enemy CVs, CVEs, BBs and CAs

Where was Tokyo Rose. No word after battle but when i sunk CL near Rangoon i herd her.

I lost one DD from surface combat and 4 more have minor damage but that is all

KB still have 420 operational planes on deck becouse only half of bomber fly and enemy i heavily wounded

All CV have TT avaible

Details later i need drik, my hands still shaking

Banzai!!!

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Don't disagree, IJ has to take risks. 

BANZAI!!!

Risk was worth of taking Pax

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: koniu

I am going to open now bottle of whiskey.

We have CV clash.

Japan gain victory.
Pilots loses are high 160 pilots KIA or MIA and 250 planes lost. But not single Japanese ship was hit from air we score few nice TT and bomb hits to enemy CVs, CVEs, BBs and CAs

Where was Tokyo Rose. No word after battle but when i sunk CL near Rangoon i herd her.

I lost one DD from surface combat and 4 more have minor damage but that is all

KB still have 420 operational planes on deck becouse only half of bomber fly and enemy i heavily wounded

All CV have TT avaible

Details later i need drik, my hands still shaking

Banzai!!!

Very nice!!! That's what you needed after all of the almosts. Have a nice few shots of something strong and make some good clear choices for the next turn. Looking forward to the details.

[koniu]

24 FEB 43 Night part

Battle of Milne Bay
Days start with series of unsuccessful sub attacks (only important ones)

ASW attack near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-123, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
xAP Tjisadane
xAP Noordam
xAP Khandalla
xAK Vera
xAK Trevaylor
DD Banckert

and

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
BB North Carolina
CA Chicago
CLAA Atlanta
DD Aaron Ward
DD Gwin
DD Walke
DD McCalla
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne

and

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 7

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
BB North Carolina
CA Chicago
CLAA Atlanta
DD Walke
DD McCalla
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne

After dawn Japanese DDs attack ships in MB. They where intercepted by enemy SAGs

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Harusame, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Sanae, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Karii, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco
DD Benham
DD Fanning
DD Mahan, Shell hits 2
DD Downes

and

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Henley, Shell hits 1
DD Craven, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage

DD Oshio, not survive and was self sunk by crew

And that is end of night part day in next post

[koniu]

24 Feb 42
Situation on morning

[koniu]

24 FEB 43 AM phase
I know that something will happen when Val's and Kate's star falling from sky during search phase. I counted 30 bombers lost that way.

Battle start from LBA attack on enemy CV TF. Perfect escort but to low bombers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 34
A6M5 Zero x 87
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
BB North Carolina

Few moment later LBA aatck enemy CVE south of enemy CV force

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,134

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Altamaha
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Few moment later 11 G3M3 try to attack enemy CVE but without escort they where all shot down

Enemy respond with small counterattack but not against KB but DD TF south of KB position. CAP shot down most of enemy planes

Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 12 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Ayanami

And that how AM phase end

Little disappointing?

[koniu]

24 FEB 43 PM phase

First attack again was made by LBA from Rabaul

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
G3M3 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 6
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 136

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
and

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 33
A6M5 Zero x 51
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 6
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 132

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

They fight well but CAP was to strong

Finally KB was able to send bombers in air.
First wave go against enemy main CV force.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 79
B5N2 Kate x 33
D3A1 Val x 45

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 122

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 11 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 destroyed, 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
CV Yorktown

Second KB strike go against invasion forces in MB hex

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 33
D3A1 Val x 43

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2
DD Downes
DD Fanning
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 2
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mahan
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1
DD Henley, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires


Some KB TB attack enemy cruiser escorting CVE TF

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 2

Ther was small counter attack on KB they not even get trough CAP

[koniu]

Air and Pilot loses

[koniu]

Pilot and air loses are high.
2,5 x bigger from allies.

Why?

I think Docup have on decks mostly fighters. We all know that they is no CAP that cant be penetrated and he pay high price resigning from offensive forces.

Big role in Battle play weather. On morning he hold bombers on decks in afternoot wheter redude number of Jap bombers fly. allso bombing accuracy is not good during Overcast

What we achieve:


CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 2
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 2
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 2, on fire
2-3 DD heavy damaged

Japan Lost
DD Oshio
4 DD minor damage


KB still operational but fuel is extremely low. CV Kaga have only 800 tons
But KB still have 80% of combat power so i have decision to make. Falow enemy, return north or slit KB sending ships with low fuel home[

[obvert]

Wow! First of all, great work! Looks like he didn't sniff a thing. A lot of valuable ships there that were hit and Lexington at least looks to have a hard time tomorrow. Not seeing the 'heavy damage' message with the Big E I wonder what the status is there?

Beware surface TFs. Even DDs. I'd circle the wagons around the KB and make sure every surface ship you have available is either heading directly at the enemy or sitting in the hex with the KB ready to react. With the kind of proximity you have there if there are any other fast BBs you could have trouble, but even CA led SAGs or multiple DD TFs could cause you trouble, especially low on fuel.

If you throw Kaga's planes on another CV, or several, maybe she could slowly retreat, or her and any others that can't maneuver well. Changing the position of the KB, even slightly, could also hep reduce DL and get out of possible threat vectors.

All that said, it's still time to reaffirm this victory. Whatever your decisions, a good follow-up in some way will ensure you a lot of time to build up the defenses.

[koniu]

Waiting for turn from Docup.

Plan for tomorrow.

DD TF(3xDD) fallowed by CA TF (Tone, Ashigara, Kumano + 3xDD) will move on full toward MB to engage enemy in hex if no enemy found they will change course south toward enemy CV TF and later back toward Woodwark. I hope they engage enemy in night combat and on morning they will be back close to KB

Two DD TF (each 4xDD) will move toward CV TF and enemy forces south of MB hoping for night engagement. I also hope they on morning return under wings of KB.

BB FT will stay with KB to defend it against enemy SAGs.

KB will move few hexes to avoid enemy SAG but on morning they should back in battle area. I hope to have few enemy ships still in range.
I have not split KB i have still 400+ planes in decks and forecast for tomorrow is good so with dose of luck maybe we will hit something.

AO TF is 3 days from Salomon's. KB should refuel in 3+-4 days and move toward Truk. I will send damaged ships to Japan for repairs and 4/43 refits. In 7 days CV Taiho will be build and he will join KB asap replacing hole after damaged CVs.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Don't disagree, IJ has to take risks. 

BANZAI!!!

Risk was worth of taking Pax

CONGRATS!!!!!!

[koniu]

25 Feb 42
Not best day but we are still holding victory on our side.

Turn start with series of naval engagement. Unlucky my CA TF miss all enemy TFs on path. I think full speed used by both sides was key here.
Docup send toward KB position CA, CL and DD TFs. Two first moved trough KB position but lucky miss KB

I lost 5 destroyers today. 4 where those damage ones from first day last was lost when engaged against CL TF.
Our DD TF engage Fletcher DD TF and fight equal battle in day. that good score

Our subs have few shots on but only two important. 3 TT hits damaged CA San Francisco(two TT hits day earlier so i think he sunk)
and TT hit to heavily damaged DD Benham (definitely sunk)

On Morning KB was to far from main enemy fleet but still we hit few important ships.
LBA from Rabaul and KB bombers manage to damage CA Chester(probably sunk as damage where critical), CL Nashville and two enemy DD.
Also during naval and air battle some cargo ships where sunk but nothing important.

KB is now nort of Woodwark and will sail nortt tomorrow time to lick wounds and be rady to next battle.

All subs from MB waters are moving Toward Australia coast. They will patrol holes in reef where damaged CVs and BB can enter safe ports maybe we have some luck. I will falso enemy as long as passable. Docup will have to move them south and CV and BB can only be repaired in PH on WC.

Today both enemy CV one BB, three CA, CVE, and 4 DD are listed as sunk

And last thing. MB fall today to Allied hands


]Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

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

Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 100,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS RO-65 is sighted by CA San Francisco
SS RO-65 launches 6 torpedoes


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

Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 100,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
DD Benham, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Deboyne Islands at 102,135, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Niizuki
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami

Allied Ships
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 10, heavy fires

---------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 105,130, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
CL Nashville
DD Downes
DD Clark

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Normanby Island at 102,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Karii, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
DD Benham
DD Fanning
DD Mahan

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Normanby Island at 102,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
DD Downes
DD Clark

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Normanby Island at 102,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
DD Harusame, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD Sanae, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
CL Nashville
DD Downes
DD Clark

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 98,135

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Horsham, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Kalgoorlie, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Junee
AM Geelong

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 21
B5N2 Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 47
D3A1 Val x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Mahan, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

[PaxMondo]

Wow, some wild rolls you got.  81 Vals managed only 8 hits.  Oh well, you got'em.