Hairy Asian Experiences - GreyJoy (J) vs. Q-Ball (A)

[koniu]

Good luck.

[GreyJoy]

May 07, 43

Mines... waves of PTs everywhere.... picket ships (AMs and SCs everywhere)...packs of enemy subs....

Despite all of that we landed.

Akagi took a torp from a pesky sub (more than 30 are hunting!) and now she's in danger... 25 flt damage....ouch...

Tomorrow will be a decisive day...

He tried to lure my KB's CAP making several sweeps over Selroe (don't know if this is exactly kosher...) and he sent 100 4Es to bomb my troops there... can't see a reason if not to lure my CAP away...

We fought back all his unescorted bombers, destroying 30 of them for no loss... we hit a couple of mines but the PTs were pushed back by our CL/DDs.... for sure tomorrow the enemy cruisers will arrive...and we'll try to be ready to meet them...

Let's see how it goes...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 25 encounters mine field at Moa (74,116)

Japanese Ships
PB Takunan Maru #3, Mine hits 1, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Moa at 74,116, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT-258
PT-259
PT-260
PT-261
PT-262
PT-263
PT-264
PT-298
PT-299
PT-301
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 73,116, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
PT-258, Shell hits 1
PT-259
PT-260
PT-261
PT-262
PT-263
PT-264
PT-298
PT-299
PT-301

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
CL Isuzu
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Marei Maru
PB Akagane Maru
PB Tonon Maru
PB Taiko Maru
PB Santos Maru
PB Spey Maru
PB Tokyo Maru
PB Kimnon Maru
PB Nishi Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish, hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 284 encounters mine field at Moa (74,116)

Japanese Ships
PB Bunzan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki
CL Abukuma
DD Yanagi
DD Uzuki
DD Susuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa


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ASW attack near Boela at 78,113

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
DD Hikokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Satsukaze
DD Katsutade
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Grunion

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Sub attack near Boela at 78,113

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 1[:@][:@][:@]
CS Chitose
DD Hikokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Satsukaze
DD Katsutade
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Grunion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso
CA Suzuya
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Harusame
DD Ishikaze
DD Susukaze
DD Arikaze
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Suzuya
CA Mogami

Allied ground losses:
470 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Port hits 20
Port supply hits 5



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Moa (74,116)

TF 25 troops unloading over beach at Moa, 74,116

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Type 1 Medium Tank lost in surf during unload of 3rd Tank Rgt


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Moa (74,116)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CL Isuzu
PB Spey Maru
PB Tokyo Maru
PB Kimnon Maru
PB Nishi Maru
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Santos Maru
PB Syozui Maru
PB Okuyo Maru
PB Nagato Maru
PB Marei Maru
PB Kenan Maru
PB Kohoku Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Akagane Maru
PB Okuyo Maru #2
PB Okiyu Maru
PB Tonon Maru
PB Taiko Maru
PB Santos Maru
APD Tade

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

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Moa (74,116)

TF 161 troops unloading over beach at Moa, 74,116

Japanese ground losses:
1010 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 95 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (0 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (0 destroyed, 11 disabled)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Moa (74,116)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Spey Maru
PB Tokyo Maru
PB Kimnon Maru
PB Nishi Maru
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Santos Maru
PB Syozui Maru
PB Okuyo Maru
PB Nagato Maru
PB Marei Maru
PB Kenan Maru
PB Kohoku Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Akagane Maru
PB Okuyo Maru #2
PB Okiyu Maru
PB Tonon Maru
PB Taiko Maru
PB Santos Maru
APD Tade

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Moa at 73,117, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
PT-126, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-220
PT-225
PT-226
PT-227
PT-228
PT-229
PT-230, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-231
PT-232, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-233

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Moa at 73,117, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
PT-122
PT-123, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-127
PT-145
PT-174
PT-189, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT-219
PT-221
PT-300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Damar at 75,116

Japanese Ships
E Hato
CL Teshio
CL Kinu
E Kari
E Sagi
E Kamo
E Kiji

Allied Ships
SS Scamp



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Morning Air attack on 69th/B Division, at 78,118 (Selaroe) mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................[8|]

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 69th/B Division, at 78,118 (Selaroe)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 69th/C Division, at 78,118 (Selaroe)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 69th/C Division, at 78,118 (Selaroe)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 13 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 69th/C Division, at 78,118 (Selaroe)[8|]

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 2
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 18
B-24D1 Liberator x 38
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
P-38F Lightning x 37
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 3
Beaufort VIII x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V: 1 destroyed by flak
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Natori


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Babar at 76,119

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
P1Y1 Frances x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AMc Tongkol, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[8|]
AMc Uki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[8|]

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
PB Tokotsu Maru
PB Daiya Maru

Allied Ships
SS Snook, hits 1

[Cribtop]

So far, pretty good.

What condition are your troops ashore? How many are left to unload?

[GreyJoy]

LATEST NEWS: MOA is CAPTURED! 4,000 americans have been wiped out! BANZAI!!!!
 
Now Selroe... i think he will try to land there now...
 
Good. This operation was vital. We managed to get it fast and, bringing the hammer, we managed to get it with few losses...
 
Crib, our troops were in bad conditions (50 fatigue and 50 distr) but we bombed (both naval and air) the hell out of them...and, for once, weather was on my side!

[Cribtop]

Banzai!!! This was key. Now he effectively gains nothing for this move and suffered unacceptable losses. He will have to go back to the drawing board and come at you with more next time. End result - Significant Japanese operational victory.

[GreyJoy]

May 08, 43

So Brad lost his heart and didn't send his Cruisers against my landings...what a mistake!
We managed to keep his PTs off and, a part from the hit against my CV yesterday (ouch!), the heavy air ASW kept them off.

We, again, repulsed the attacks of his unescorted bombers and we sent something like 350 bombers against the troops at Moa, while another BBs run pounded the place.

At the end of the day we had a regiment, an eng regiment and 2 tank regiments...we shock attacked and we obtain a clean victory! BANZAI! Timing was everything here...if i waited to gather more amphib ships, i would have probably lost the momentum (basically i only used xAKLs and PBs).

We had a modern CL damaged by his deaded B25 strafing...but she should make it

Now it's time to re-organize and lick our wounds. The KB will be reunited at Bab, while Kaga, ryuho and Tahio will get back to Japan for repairs and upgrades, while 1 CV and 3 CVLs will move back to the pacific.

Yes, it's an operational victory. I agree. losses were heavy but, for the moment, we managed to repulse him.

Now we don't have to lose concentration: Sumatra and Thailand are getting their badly needed renforcements. Kusiae and Ponape are getting theirs too, while we're slowly shrinking back to Bouganville and New Britain.

Com'on!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Hokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Akikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yamakaze
DD Murasame

Allied ground losses:
429 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled

Port hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 3
Beaufort VIII x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 2 destroyed
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 5th USN Special Construction Battalion, at 74,116 (Moa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
D3A1 Val x 20
D4Y1 Judy x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 5th USN Special Construction Battalion, at 74,116 (Moa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3a Zero x 36
A6M5 Zero x 26
B5N2 Kate x 24
B6N1 Jill x 81
D4Y1 Judy x 107

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Natori

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,117

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio, Bomb hits 2, on fire
E Hato

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb




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

Ground combat at Moa (74,116)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5942 troops, 53 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 161

Defending force 3009 troops, 13 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 85

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Moa !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3831 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 262 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 61 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
31st Engineer Regiment
8th/A Division

Defending units:
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
9th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
343rd Base Group
5th USN Special Construction Battalion


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

Ground combat at 75,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 39339 troops, 423 guns, 211 vehicles, Assault Value = 1155

Defending force 3646 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1526

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 1526 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
3828 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 378 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
27th Division
39th Division
35th Division
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
13th Army
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
71st Chinese Corps


And in CHINA, finally we killed the last corps that was occupying the road from Kweyang to Chungking. Now the perimeter is secured and the Chinese operation is officially over!

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Banzai!!! This was key. Now he effectively gains nothing for this move and suffered unacceptable losses. He will have to go back to the drawing board and come at you with more next time. End result - Significant Japanese operational victory.

Yes, we lost some 4 CLs and 5 DDs...so not a walk in the park...but we pushed him back and delayed him...and that's was the only thing that matters

BANZAI!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Banzai!!! This was key. Now he effectively gains nothing for this move and suffered unacceptable losses. He will have to go back to the drawing board and come at you with more next time. End result - Significant Japanese operational victory.

Yes, we lost some 4 CLs and 5 DDs...so not a walk in the park...but we pushed him back and delayed him...and that's was the only thing that matters

BANZAI!

Nicely played. This again will buy you a lot more time. As you say, now the other reinforcements can move ahead rather than having to send everything down here to eradicate this thorn.

Banzai!!!

[GreyJoy]

May 9, 1943
 
The KB is slowly retiring from the sub threat, back to safety waters, while the enemy, once again, sent his sweep to lure my CAP...this time against Moa, while enemy 4Es pounded the troops at Selroe.
We are slowly regrouping and reforming our air groups. So far my air army has survived the fight for southern DEI and even managed to score some good hits.
 
In the Solomons, enemy transports are unloading at Thousands Ships Bay. 60 Tojos sweep from Munda, obtaining a 1:1 ratio against Corsairs and P-40s on LRCAP from Karaikira. Then 20 Nells took off, escorted by some 25 zeros and placed 2 torps on two different APAs... not bad.
 
Enemy BBs and CVs are lingering behind Ndeni, while more Netties and Kates are moved back to Rabaul and Bouganville.
 
Everything seems still in CENTPAC, with Brad not seeming to do anything important around Tabiutea. We'll use this precious time in order to build a strong defensive line around Kusiae, Ponape and Kwajalein, with Tarawa and Makin acting as wave-breakers
 
Some Artillery is being sent from China to the Kuriles, while at Sebang we're unloading 2 tank regiments that will give support to the garrison present there (already 1 reinforced division strong).
 
Ponape now finally has its Air HQ and, being a level 4 AF, can easily guest some decent offensive air power.
 
130k supplies are moving to Southern DEI, 160k to Singapore and Burma, while 50k supplies and 50k fuel are redirected to Truk in order to feed Rabaul and CENTPAC.
 
So far, so good

[alaviner]

The other plus I see in the Moa operation is that you wiped out one of his parachute bns which will slow down his movement. It will take time to buy out and rebuild and ship back across the Pacific.

[veji1]

Such a shame for the CLs and DDs, otherwise well played overall sir.

[crsutton]

Yes, it was a good operational victory that you needed to win. But as an Allied player I would not be too concerned. QBall got off a bit lucky again as your carrier trap did not give you the best results. His losses in ground units was heavy but not anything that he can't easily replace. I think if I were him I would not be unhappy with the results. In scen 2, the Allies have to be patient and be satisfied with sinking enemy ships-which he has been doing.

The fact that he holds Darwin at this stage is going to be a thorn in your side as he is always posed to push into the DEI. Something you just can't afford to have him do in 1943.

But very good play on your half. I don't see where you could have done a better job. A little more luck and he would have had a minor disaster.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Night Naval bombardment of Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Hokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Akikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yamakaze
DD Murasame

According to manual, maximum size of combat TF should be 15. With this amount of ships, it could be ugly, if they tried to clash with something bigger (lots of collisions, for start).
Also, I am not sure, you should mix Japanese CAs, and BBs. They work different way (Big Guns vs Speed&Torpedoes), so one type is at disadvantage in such situations.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Night Naval bombardment of Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Hokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Akikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yamakaze
DD Murasame

According to manual, maximum size of combat TF should be 15. With this amount of ships, it could be ugly, if they tried to clash with something bigger (lots of collisions, for start).
Also, I am not sure, you should mix Japanese CAs, and BBs. They work different way (Big Guns vs Speed&Torpedoes), so one type is at disadvantage in such situations.

No, as I recall the maximum size of combat TF is 25 ships. 15 ships is the maximum where all can contribute AA to defense against air attack. After that AA is less efficient in that some ships can't fire or fire less or something.

[ny59giants]

I would have broken the Bombardment TF into two TFs with the BBs in one and the CAs in another. 8 DDs should be enough in a surface or bombardment TF.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: inqistor

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Night Naval bombardment of Moa at 74,116

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Hokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Akikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yamakaze
DD Murasame

According to manual, maximum size of combat TF should be 15. With this amount of ships, it could be ugly, if they tried to clash with something bigger (lots of collisions, for start).
Also, I am not sure, you should mix Japanese CAs, and BBs. They work different way (Big Guns vs Speed&Torpedoes), so one type is at disadvantage in such situations.

No, as I recall the maximum size of combat TF is 25 ships. 15 ships is the maximum where all can contribute AA to defense against air attack. After that AA is less efficient in that some ships can't fire or fire less or something.

From section 6.2 in the manual:

Most TFs may contain a maximum of 25 ships (although 15 or less is most efficient for a
combat TF) except for Escort and Transport TFs, which have a maximum of 100 ships. ASW and
some other TFs are restricted to less than 25 ships.

Many experienced users have posted that there do seem to be more collisions and less efficiency in the TF even before you have over 15 ships. I have found that SCTFs with over 10 ships usually do not all engage during a combat. Some of the TF will almost always be out of position to fight. The manual hints at the size limitations and player experience expands a bit on where the game engine starts to apply penalties.

[witpqs]

IIRC I rarely have SCTF as large as 15 ships, most often less than 10 ships, and quite often 5 ships or less.

[Encircled]

Well played

Next time he comes though, I suspect he'll bring everything

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: inqistor


According to manual, maximum size of combat TF should be 15. With this amount of ships, it could be ugly, if they tried to clash with something bigger (lots of collisions, for start).
Also, I am not sure, you should mix Japanese CAs, and BBs. They work different way (Big Guns vs Speed&Torpedoes), so one type is at disadvantage in such situations.

No, as I recall the maximum size of combat TF is 25 ships. 15 ships is the maximum where all can contribute AA to defense against air attack. After that AA is less efficient in that some ships can't fire or fire less or something.

From section 6.2 in the manual:

Most TFs may contain a maximum of 25 ships (although 15 or less is most efficient for a
combat TF) except for Escort and Transport TFs, which have a maximum of 100 ships. ASW and
some other TFs are restricted to less than 25 ships.

Many experienced users have posted that there do seem to be more collisions and less efficiency in the TF even before you have over 15 ships. I have found that SCTFs with over 10 ships usually do not all engage during a combat. Some of the TF will almost always be out of position to fight. The manual hints at the size limitations and player experience expands a bit on where the game engine starts to apply penalties.

One interesting thing I've been encountering lately is that Japanese DDs are less capable as the game goes on (losing 1/3 of their 12.7cm guns), and Allied ones much more capable. As a result larger TFs may be necessary from mid-43 onward, regardless of penalties. I've recently tried 3BB 7DD and got creamed by two TFs of 7-8 Fletchers each. I came back with only 2 DDs left and a BB needing yard time. Other examples were similar.

It all depends on what you're going to run into. Mixing CAs and BBs should make each other less efficient at their main strengths, but by mid-43 the CAs aren't going to hit much with long lances unless facing old BBs. Everything else the Allies have is too nimble. So I'm thinking this mix allows a lot of flexibility and more medium sized firepower, which is what is really needed against the modern US CLs and DDs. It would work best with the 30 knot BBs obviously.

[GreyJoy]

Sorry guys, been a huge week of costant non-stop working... we resumed the game tonight... 17th May 1943...
We tried to ambush the APAs that were unloading at Thursday Island. 5 CVs went perfectly in place...7 hexes far... 100 planes had to sweep, followed by 120 LBA bombers and the power of 5 CVs... guess what? The CVs, despite perfect weather, didn't launch and only 20 Nells took off from Munda... we lost some 40 fighters due to his LRCAP of corsairs and sunk only 2 APDs and damaged an APA...already unloaded [:(]
Now we will get back in the shades...

Enemy CVs are spotted moving from Townsville to Darwin... here we are again. The KB is regrouping and reloading unseen, while my air groups are filling their ranks

The 56th Inf Division is being moved to Bouganville, along with some artillery.

The P-47s are online!!! 50 of them swept Mandalay today for the first time, exchanging blows with my KI-44as and N1K1s... results were mixed...be bagged 15 of them in the air, plus 11 more due to ops losses, losing 34 planes and 9 pilots... i think i can hold my positions for the moment. Enemy units are advancing towards Katha... we're sending some reinforcements to that part of the theatre. 1 reinforced division, along with some artillery and tanks should be enough (hopefully).