Fire on the Mountains - Paladin1 (A) vs MrKane (J) - No MrKane please!

[Paladin1dcs]

Okay, so call me a sucker for punishment! Not only am I taking the plunge in a PBEM game, but I'm doing an AAR too!

So, let's get right down to business. This is a Scen 31 game of DBB, with the extended map and stacking limits active. The other particulars, as well as the agreed upon HRs, are as follows.

1 Day turns.
Allied Damage Control = yes
Player Def. Upgrades = yes
Historical First Turn = No
December 7th Surprise = Yes
Reliable USN Torpedoes = No
Realistic R&D = Yes
No Unit Withdrawals = No


Auto Sub Ops = No
Set All Facilities To Expand At Start = No
Automatic Upgrade Ships And Air Groups = No
Accept Air And Ground Replacements = No

House rules:
Allies can only move already existing task forces on turn 1
No strategic bombing of Japan from China before 1943.

Now that I've got that out of the way, here's my general plan of defense for the first six months of the war.


India
Establish air bases along the Bay of Bengal at Vizagapatnam, Diamond Harbor, Madras and Akyab as well as Diego Garcia, Addu and Port Blair if possible. Create reserve stock piles of supplies at Bombay, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Cawnpore and Calcutta. Reinforce Ceylon, followed by all coastal cities along the Bay of Bengal.

Burma
Expand air bases around Rangoon and Mandalay. Allocate as many LCUs as possible to the defense of Burma, holding Rangoon if at all possible and keeping the Burma railheads open at all costs. Towards this end, redirect the AVG fighter groups as well as their ground support unit to the defense of Rangoon. Also redirect the British 18th Division from Singapore to the defense of Rangoon. All Allied air units which can be saved from Singapore once the situation there is hopeless will be redirected to Rangoon. Supplies will be routed through Colombo and/or Calcutta, depending on supply levels and the tactical situation. Supply convoys will go through at all cost, no matter the losses.

Malaya
Since the defense of Singapore is hopeless, delaying tactics will be employed to tie up as many IJA units here as possible for as long as possible. Force Z, along with as many other surface units as possible, will be rebased to Soerabaja to assist in countering the IJN's movements into the DEI. The longer I tie up the IJA and support elements of the IJN around the Malaya Theatre, the longer I have to reinforce Rangoon and the Burma Theatre, so I hope to see Singapore hold until at least the middle of February 1942. Longer would be better, but I'll take what I can get. Supplies to Singapore will be channeled through Batavia from Ceylon. If shipping losses exceed 30% of all hulls assigned, this effort will be halted.

China
The primary reason why I hope to hold open the Burma road is to be able to establish a strong MLR along the Nanning-Changsha axis and along the Nanyang-Sian axis, tying up large numbers of IJA troops in the process. Offensives will be limited to retaking Ichang and possibly Sinyang, but only to add an extra layer of defense to the Nanyang-Sian line. Secondary lines of defense will be established along the river North of Chengte and Tuyon, as well as along the rivers Northeast and West of Ichang. All units South and East of the MLRs will retreat back to the MLR at best speed. The only exception will be those units in Wuchow and Kukong, who will act as an early warning system for the IJA units around Canton. If I can hold out here until 1943, it will make the fight much easier in the CenPac, SoPac and SWPac regions.

Phillipines
Not much I can do here except fall back to the Manila-Clark-Bataan triangle, dig in and hold on as long as possible. The 4E bomber squadrons, PBY squadrons and Fighter Squadrons will be shuttled out to Australia as they are bought out. The submarines will be redirected to Perth and Brisbane while the surface shipping will be redirected to Darwin and Townsville to help defend the Northern portion of Australia. Supplies, when possible, will be ran through the blockade to Manila from Soerabaja. Casualties among the xAKLs involved (primarily those native to the Phillipines, Hong Kong and the DEI) are expected to exceed 50%. Once the casualty rates exceed this level, the resupply of Manila will be halted.

Australia & New Zealand
Defensive preperations will begin immediately, with Brigaded Divisions being recombined and assigned to the defense of Sydney and Melborne. Once these two locations are solidly entrenched, Perth, Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville will receive the next highest priority. Finally, Port Moresby will be reinforced if at all possible. Australia and NZ will be responsible for supplying the SWPac and SoPac regions from supplies and fuel provided by the US West Coast convoys.

CenPac
Rebuild Pearl after December 7th and establish strong bases at Christmas, Midway, Johnson and Canton Islands. Position ASW units at Christmas Island, along with a strong garrison and PBY presence, to turn it into a major stopping point along the Pearl Harbor-Sydney convoy route. Establish foward submarine bases at Midway and Canton if possible. Supplies will flow from Pearl Harbor.

NorPac
Establish strong bases at Dutch Harbor, Kodiak and Adak Island. Adak will be built into a strong forward submarine base if possible. Minimal resources will be dedicated to the NorPac region unless the situation demands otherwise. Supplies will flow through Anchorage from Seattle.

SoPac
Establish resupply, ASW and PBY bases at Suva and Pago Pago. Suva will be the primary base, with Pago Pago being a secondary base unless events demand otherwise. Majority of troops will be American, but supplies will flow from NZ and/or Australia.

SWPac
Establish a primary base at Noumea, with secondary bases at Luganville, Ndeni and Tulagi if at all possible. These secondary bases may have to wait, but Noumea/Koumac/La Foa should be fortified ASAP, as they lie directly along the primary resupply route to Australia from the mainland US. Troops will be American but supplies will flow from Australia.

Dutch East Indies
Begin shipping as much oil to Australia as possible. Batavia will be lightly held, as will Soerabaja, but as many Dutch troops as possible will be piled into Palembang, Oosthaven and Djambi behind forts. A fortress Palembang will be attempted, with the majority of the Dutch Air Force transferred to Sumatra. Again, the primary task here is denial of vital resources to Japan, either through the movement of those resources to other areas or through occupation of those bases as long as possible. Supplies will be brought in through Oosthaven from Colombo.

West Coast
Training units will be established immediately with supply convoys bound for Pearl Harbor leaving as soon as a suitable escort is available. No convoy to Pearl will leave without at least one escort ship.



So, what do you think? Where do I need to focus more attention? Where am I weak?

[Paladin1dcs]

Well now this should be interesting. I just got an email from MrKane stating that he wished to know if I wanted to restart Turn 1, since the KB stumbled over the Enterprise CVBG and got shellacked for their trouble. I'm not sure what the damage is yet, as I've still got to run the turn, but Pearl didn't get hit AT ALL, the Enterprise didn't get hit due to the KB being set for a Port Strike and the KB is now located somewhere South of Pearl. I don't know what to think here, other than "I wonder if I can sortie the entire Pacific Fleet and smash the KB on Dec 8th."

I really wish some of you AFB vets would weigh in and let me know what you think. Has this ever happened to any of you?

[Bullwinkle58]

PM sent.

[Paladin1dcs]

Thanks for the PM Bullwinkle58, I'm reevaluating my options now to see what I can do and where.

[Canoerebel]

Tough call here.  If your opponent took a whacking and is so demoralized that he's already requested a mulligan, then failing to grant the mulligan might just cause him to lose interest in the game.  That's not a certainty, but the chances are much higher.  Bad carrier battles are the number one factor in ending a game prematurely.  (The number two factor is bad carrier battles followed by a sudden need to "attend to" real life matters.)
 
From an Allied player perspective, the real thrill of the game is '42, when the Japanese are powerful and driving you to the brink of defeat.  '43 to '45 is fun too, in a different way, but nothing matches the tautness of '42 in the hands of a capable IJ player.  So, you might benefit from a gaming experience by granting a mulligan.
 
That said, your opponent really shouldn't be asking for a mulligan.  Is he supposed to get a shot without risk?  He moved the carriers somewhere risky and pays for it, so he gets a do over? 
 
You'd be within your rights to decline a mulligan, but your long term prospects and perhaps even your enjoyment of the game might be enhanced if you grant the mulligan.  (And then he'll be honor bound to grant one to you in the future when you accidentally leave all your carrier squadrons on training while moving between Tahiti and New Zealand only to stumble across the KB...)

[obvert]

Well, my CVs got nailed Dec 8 after the first Pearl strike in an ongoing game, and it is possible to keep playing. Kind of Midway a few months early. [:D]

Not for everyone, so if it looks like he's going to bail, maybe you should consider a do-over for the game's sake. If you do, you can also stress that you're looking for a long game and would hope this would guarantee he sticks with it if something equally bad happens in the future. It takes fortitude to play the Japanese side through into 43-45, and a lot of players who know they can't ask for another chance a year on just quit.

[nashvillen]

Run the 001 file and see how bad it really is. Post results here, please.

[Paladin1dcs]

Gents, I need to pick your brains for a moment.

I ran the 001 file and watched the carnage, but when I went to the save game, the damage was different. I know that FoW is in effect, but if I watch a Submarine explode and sink in Manila harbor in the 001 file, only to have it be found with a single bomb hit when I open the turn for 8 Dec. Several things don't add up, not only in the number of ships lost (I saw five subs sink in the 001 file run, but only two show up in the turn file) but in the number of planes involved in attacks, attacks that never took place in the 001 file and let's not even talk about the KB.

I counted 2x 1000lb bombs and 1 TT hitting the Akagi, along with 3x1000lb bombs hitting Shokaku, 2x1000lb bombs hitting Kaga and 2x1000 bombs hitting Hiryu, including one which resulted in a massive fuel storage explosion. Yet when I get the turn, I see two bomb hits on Akagi and one hit on Shokaku.

Is this possible?


Here's the combat report, btw. I've highlighted what's wrong.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 07, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 10 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
40 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 23000 feet *

CAP engaged:
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 18 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 81 minutes




This sweep never happened in the 001 File. [&:]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 29

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 25000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 72
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 44 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 9 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 16 damaged
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed on ground
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 46

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
28 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 30500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G3M2 Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Otus, Bomb hits 2, on fire
SS S-40, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
ARD YFD-1 Dewey, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Salmon, Bomb hits 3
AM Quail, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Sagoland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
YO-42, Bomb hits 1
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS Skipjack, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
SS Seadragon, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Seal, Bomb hits 1
xAP President Madison, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Peary, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AM Bittern, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Saury, Bomb hits 1
PT-34, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS Swordfish, Bomb hits 1
xAK Tantalus, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Don Jose, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS S-37, Bomb hits 1
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 1
AM Tanager, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sturgeon, Bomb hits 1
SS Sargo, Bomb hits 1
TK La Estrella Caltex, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD Pope, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1
xAK Yu Sang, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Repair Shipyard hits 3
Port hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
36 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 1000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
21 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Massive explosion on xAKL Sagoland

While I'm not terribly worried about the S-40 being sunk instead of the S-41, the S-41 was sunk from a single 800kg bomb hit which triggered a massive explosion, not multiple hits. The USS Pope, OTOH, wasn't sunk in the other file at all and, IIRC, wasn't even hit, yet here it's not only hit but sunk.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 48
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 55

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 45 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IF: 7 damaged
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 72

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
30 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
SS S-41, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Palawan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Permit, Bomb hits 1
SS Seawolf, Bomb hits 1
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AS Holland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sculpin, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS Pike, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 20th Chinese Corps, at 83,51 , near Wuchang

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 17
Ki-30 Ann x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 79,58 , near Kukong

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 7
Ki-36 Ida x 14
Ki-44 Tojo x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 12

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 79,58 , near Kukong

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 85,55 , near Nanchang

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 12

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 23000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.243 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 162,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9
TBD-1 Devastator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

This is where I really start to wonder what's going on. In the 001 file, this group was made up of just the Buffalos and Dauntless DBs, as the Devastators lost flight cohesion and attacked separately. This first strike package was also the one which had two of the 1000lb bomb hits on Akagi, starting fires, and a penetrating hit on Kaga, causing severe fires below decks, none of which show up here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 162,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 24
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 8 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 3 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Kaga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

And here's where I know there's something going on. This was the strike where Akagi took a torpedoe hit, Shokaku took her hits and the Hiryu got her attention as well, all of which showed in the replay of file 001 and none of which show up here.


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Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

46 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Ayanami
DD Uranami
PB Tatsumiya Maru
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 7
AK Sasako Maru

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

Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

CL Sendai firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Ayanami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Uranami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
PB Tatsumiya Maru fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 9 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops
DD Ayanami fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

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

17 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 12th Engr Rgt /1


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Amphibious Assault at Aparri (82,73)

TF 90 troops unloading over beach at Aparri, 82,73

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

17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Sasebo 1st SNLF


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Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri
DD Murakumo
PB Chosa Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
DD Asagiri

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

Allied ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

DD Yugiri firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Murakumo firing at 8th Indian Brigade
PB Chosa Maru fired at enemy troops
DD Yugiri fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 91 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

75mm T90 Field Gun lost overboard during unload of 5th FA Rgt /1
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 25th Army /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt /2
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt /3
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 5th FA Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Cavalry Squad lost in surf during unload of 5th Recon Rgt
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th Recon Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt /3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo
DD Shinonome
AK Tosan Maru

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

Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

DD Shirakumo firing at FMSV Brigade
DD Shinonome firing at FMSV Brigade
DD Shirakumo fired at enemy troops
DD Shinonome fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 92 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 42nd Infantry Rgt /2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off San Fernando (80,74)

45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Shonan Maru #17
PB Shonan Maru #2
PB Shonan Maru #1
PB Kyo Maru #11
PB Kyo Maru #2
xAK Nagara Maru

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

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

PB Shonan Maru #17 fired at enemy troops
PB Shonan Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
PB Shonan Maru #1 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #11 fired at enemy troops
PB Kyo Maru #2 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at San Fernando (80,74)

TF 96 troops unloading over beach at San Fernando, 80,74



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

34 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 8
xAK Kyokko Maru
AV Sanyo Maru
DMS W-6

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

Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC Ch 8 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 97 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

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

Type 95 Light Tank damaged beyond repair during unload of 1st Tank Rgt
13.2mm T93 AAMG accidentally lost during unload of 84th JAAF AF Bn
17 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 5th Engr Rgt /2

[Canoerebel]

The written combat report should match the combat replay that you watched.  if it didn't, you have experienced the dreaded sync bug, which means your game is out of sync with your opponent's game.  I'm not sure how that would have happened, but others in here will chime in with info.

[DOCUP]

Sounds like a sync bug Paladin.  You will see one thing in the combat replay and another when you open up the turn.  This does happen.  It has happen to me a lot.  The guys above have given good advice as to a redo.  Thats up to you and your opponent.  The alliede player is the only one affected by the sync bug, so he should know the true extent of damage to his carriers. 
 
Also good luck on the game and AAR,  I will be around.  Nice to see another West BY GOD Virginian posting an AAR.
 
Becareful fighting for Rangoon.  Unless you pull a Bull and move Chinese units into Burma the Japs will run over top of you.  Your units in Burma aren't very good.

[nashvillen]

You need to get the move file (whatever number you are using to exchange from) back from your opponent. This will tell you the true condition of your units. As to your opponent, only time and some judicious use of recon by fire (which is hard to do in 1941-early 1943 with the allies) will tell.

[jeffk3510]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Tough call here.  If your opponent took a whacking and is so demoralized that he's already requested a mulligan, then failing to grant the mulligan might just cause him to lose interest in the game.  That's not a certainty, but the chances are much higher.  Bad carrier battles are the number one factor in ending a game prematurely.  (The number two factor is bad carrier battles followed by a sudden need to "attend to" real life matters.)

From an Allied player perspective, the real thrill of the game is '42, when the Japanese are powerful and driving you to the brink of defeat.  '43 to '45 is fun too, in a different way, but nothing matches the tautness of '42 in the hands of a capable IJ player.  So, you might benefit from a gaming experience by granting a mulligan.

That said, your opponent really shouldn't be asking for a mulligan. Is he supposed to get a shot without risk? He moved the carriers somewhere risky and pays for it, so he gets a do over?

You'd be within your rights to decline a mulligan, but your long term prospects and perhaps even your enjoyment of the game might be enhanced if you grant the mulligan.  (And then he'll be honor bound to grant one to you in the future when you accidentally leave all your carrier squadrons on training while moving between Tahiti and New Zealand only to stumble across the KB...)

Agreed 100%

[Paladin1dcs]

Okay, so how do I fix a sync bug and which report is right? The replay or the combat report?

[nashvillen]

Did you get the second file from your opponent after he had done his part of the next turn? If not, your not looking at the right file anyways.

[jeffk3510]

Looks like he did a Manila port strike and went CV hunting with KB on day one...

[Paladin1dcs]

ORIGINAL: nashvillen

Did you get the second file from your opponent after he had done his part of the next turn? If not, your not looking at the right file anyways.

Yeah, I got the move file. That's where I started wondering where things diverged first, when I compared the Combat Report to the replay.

[Paladin1dcs]

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

Looks like he did a Manila port strike and went CV hunting with KB on day one...

That was kind of my thought as well when he said that the KB "just happened to stumble over the Enterprise CVBG" and asked if I wanted to restart the game, since his carriers were set to Port Strike (instead of NavAttack) and the damage wasn't too severe. I'm not really pleased with his metagaming right now, but I didn't specify no CV hunting on turn 1 so it's fair game.

[jeffk3510]

ORIGINAL: Paladin1dcs

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

Looks like he did a Manila port strike and went CV hunting with KB on day one...

That was kind of my thought as well when he said that the KB "just happened to stumble over the Enterprise CVBG" and asked if I wanted to restart the game, since his carriers were set to Port Strike (instead of NavAttack) and the damage wasn't too severe. I'm not really pleased with his metagaming right now, but I didn't specify no CV hunting on turn 1 so it's fair game.

Yeah, not sure. Curious to see how this plays out and see the actual results file.

[Canoerebel]

If your opponent did a Manila Strike day one and also intentionally went hunting for your carriers, there is no way I'd give him a mulligan.  If he demanded one, saying he'd quit if he didn't give it, I'd bid him adieu, chalk up your first victory, and start a new game with another opponent.

If, on the other hand, he's relatively inexperienced and made a fundamental but understandable newbie mistake, I'd be inclined to be more charitable.

[DOCUP]

Again I agree with what the other players have posted.  He went CV hunting and forgot to change his attack orders.  The move turn will have the accurate information.  You can't fix the sync bug they just happen.