Balade of the Newbie: First Stop, Operation Buccaneer

[BBfanboy]

I am unfamiliar with this scenario so I do not know the extent of the map. I am guessing that when you write "you don't have access" that means it is not on the map. Fair enough - looks like Columbo and Trincomalee are your key ports. I think using Trincomalee saves you a day travel for most ships, so put your support ships there.

You must have missed it but in post #37 above I mentioned that AS's support subs.
Carrier aircraft get their ammo and repairs from their carrier, unless they are landed onto an airfield.
The carriers themselves need to be replenished with bombs/torpedoes/avgas. How much they have left is described by the number on the carrier ship screen [not the TF screen] that says how many sorties they have left. When they return to port to replenish the sortie number goes back up.

I forget the minimum port size for replenishing a CV - something like 5 or 6. An AE or AKE can also replenish a CV.

[BlitzimX]

I am unfamiliar with this scenario so I do not know the extent of the map. I am guessing that when you write "you don't have access" that means it is not on the map. Fair enough - looks like Columbo and Trincomalee are your key ports. I think using Trincomalee saves you a day travel for most ships, so put your support ships there.

Okay then , so in my case i guess i can just replenish DDs at sea, and the others have to get back to port.
Colombo is a size 9, and the other one a Size 6. But there is still something i don't get: in a post i thought i read that even in port, Big ships need the support ships to replenish. Is it true? In that case, would it mean that i can't replenish my BBs? Or am i just mistaking and if the port is big enough, BB can replenish by themselves?

In that case what's the use of having the support standing in a smaller port rather than the big one? Just because the smaller port is closer, as you said?

Sorry for all the questions ^^'

[BBfanboy]

Columbo does not need any support ships -it can replenish ammo on any size warship. If a massive fleet came into port, the support ships could load some ships if the port used up its 1000 daily ops points and did not finish the replenishing job. I don't think you have any massive enough TFs to run into this situation.

At Port size 6, Trincomalee can probably replenish up to CA size, but needs the AKE to replenish BBs. I am not sure if a size 6 port can handle torpedoes so Trincomalee may need the AS and AD as well.

By "replenish DDs at sea" were you referring to the AD or the AO? The AO can replenish fuel but to replenish DD ammo and especially torpedoes, you need a large enough port OR an AD with supply loaded and disbanded in port (i.e. anchored, not in a TF).

[BlitzimX]

By "replenish DDs at sea" were you referring to the AD or the AO? The AO can replenish fuel but to replenish DD ammo and especially torpedoes, you need a large enough port OR an AD with supply loaded and disbanded in port (i.e. anchored, not in a TF).

Okay so that mean you can't replenish ammos at sea but in port. Thanks for that.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: BlitzX

By "replenish DDs at sea" were you referring to the AD or the AO? The AO can replenish fuel but to replenish DD ammo and especially torpedoes, you need a large enough port OR an AD with supply loaded and disbanded in port (i.e. anchored, not in a TF).

Okay so that mean you can't replenish ammos at sea but in port. Thanks for that.

This game has more than its share of "ifs, ands and buts". One of them is that AEs can replenish ammo at sea sometime in 1944. I don't know the exact date - haven't played that far into the timeline.

You are picking up a lot of play detail in a short time - it takes a couple of the short campaigns before you get comfortable with most of the "how to" and the decisions required to set up your forces. There will still be regular new info after that - much of it not in the manual but learned by other players and passed on in the forums. I recommend reading other AARs whenever you can. Getting some ideas on how to approach a new situation takes a lot of pressure off, and you will always be able to use your own ideas to modify what you read.

Above all, have fun and don't fret about any mistakes - we all make them and learn a lot from them.

[BlitzimX]

Nothing much once again on that turn. The mines have been layed on PB and the CM is already on its way back to the home base for replenishment.

An other sub seems to have been sunk too.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 25, 43
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Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-33, hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Roebuck



SSX Ha-33 is sighted by escort
DD Roebuck attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-33 eludes ASW attack from DD Roebuck
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
BB Valiant
CVE Stalker
DD Isis



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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 10
Seafire IIC x 14
Martlet IV x 15


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 90th JAAF AF Bn , at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 14
Seafire IIC x 5
Martlet IV x 15


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Barracuda II releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking INA Detachment Battalion ...
Also attacking 90th JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking INA Detachment Battalion ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3941 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Defending force 8032 troops, 275 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 291

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
INA Detachment Battalion
55th Const Co
90th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division

[center]Turn 8 orders [/center]

Not much orders here. The Cargo TF is waiting outside PB for the attack to be done. Seeing the decreasing number of Japanese troops and despite the fact my troops are just 10% Prepared for PB, i decide to send them to assault. I set the Engineers and the Inf to Shock. This will at least give me an idea of the defenses.

Most of the FTR are set to Rest and a minimal CAP is kept on top of PB. I think most of their planes are grounded for repair of not able to reach the island.

[BlitzimX]

Just when i say bombing has calmed down, i get a few raids on my face. Lucky for me, no plane get through thanks to my CAP.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 26, 43
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Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

43 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
BB Valiant
CVE Stalker
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-34, hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
LSI - 249
xAP Gogra
xAK Troja
xAK Tricolor
DD Isis
BB Valiant



SSX Ha-34 is sighted by escort
Ha-34 bottoming out ....
DD Isis fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isis fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isis attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-34 eludes DD Isis by hugging bottom
DD Isis loses contact with SSX Ha-34
SSX Ha-34 forced to surface!
BB Valiant firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
G3M3 Nell x 6



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 20
Martlet IV x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire IIC: 1 destroyed
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
No.809 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 90th JAAF AF Bn , at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 14
Seafire IIC x 11
Martlet IV x 7


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 112th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 90th JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking 112th Infantry Regiment ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 10
Seafire IIC x 7
Martlet IV x 1


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Barracuda II releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
G3M3 Nell x 6



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 21
Martlet IV x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
No.809 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 19



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 18
Martlet IV x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire IIC: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
No.809 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.881 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

43 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
BB Valiant
CVE Stalker
DD Isis


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


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


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

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3889 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 9910 troops, 275 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

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


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


Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
INA Detachment Battalion
55th Const Co
90th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division


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

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9905 troops, 275 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 294

Defending force 5262 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

Allied adjusted assault: 204

Japanese adjusted defense: 95

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
685 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled


Assaulting units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
INA Detachment Battalion
55th Const Co
90th JAAF AF Bn

[center]Turn 9 Orders[/center]

We could see that the Japs are not very resistant in PB so i continue attacking with my ground troops.

I also create an AIr Transport TF with a CVE, 3 KV , 2CL and the AKV ship to ship a Hurricane Sqdn to PB once it has been captured. It will allow my CAP planes to rest a bit.

Nothing else to report for the moment.

[BlitzimX]

For that Turn, we Capture Port Blaire! Hooray \o/

But we also loose a DD to a sub. That's not such a big loss.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 27, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
BB Valiant
CVE Stalker
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Trincomalee at 33,48

Japanese Ships
SS U-168

Allied Ships
CM Abdiel



SS U-168 launches 2 torpedoes
U-168 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 8 encounters mine field at Port Blair (46,58)

Allied Ships
DD Racehorse, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-35, hits 10, heavy damage

Allied Ships
KV Auricula
KV Hollyhock



SSX Ha-35 is sighted by escort
KV Hollyhock attacking submerged sub ....
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-36

Allied Ships
DD Racehorse, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage



DD Racehorse is sighted by SSX Ha-36
SSX Ha-36 launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis



Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky


Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 6



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 16
Martlet IV x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Seafire IIC (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
No.809 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.881 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 112th Infantry Regiment, at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 10
Seafire IIC x 13
Martlet IV x 8


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Barracuda II releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 90th JAAF AF Bn , at 46,58 (Port Blair)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Barracuda II x 14
Seafire IIC x 7
Martlet IV x 8


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Barracuda II releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Barracuda II releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Barracuda II releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 16
Martlet IV x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
No.809 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (3 airborne, 2 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Seafire IIC (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.881 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,59

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 6



Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 15
Martlet IV x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire IIC: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Seafire IIC (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
No.834 Sqn-FF-2 FAA with Martlet IV (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 23000
Raid is overhead
No.879 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Blair (46,58)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
DD Isis


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


Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3298 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 11295 troops, 275 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

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



Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Const Co
INA Detachment Battalion
90th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division


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

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11295 troops, 275 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

Defending force 4620 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Allied adjusted assault: 175

Japanese adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Port Blair !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
974 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
11th (East African) Division

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Const Co
INA Detachment Battalion
90th JAAF AF Bn

[center]Turn 10 Orders
[/center]
Now that PB is captured, a bit of reorganization is needed.

The Amphibious TF, BOmbardment TF, one ASW TF and the Escort TF are set to get back to Colombo for replenishing. The Carriers will stay in position to provide CAP waiting for the Hurricane Sqd to arrive by boat.

The Cargo TF arrives at PB, but the port is too small for docking so the unload will be very slow.

I set PB to expand port and Airfield, while it is also being repaired (do i need to set the engineers in a special mode for that or is it automatic?). I hope the Supplies from the Cargo TF will pour out fast enough.

[BBfanboy]

All troops will work on repair of damage to the airfield, air services and port, in that order. No supplies are used for these repairs.

Only when all has been repaired will the engineers start to upgrade the airfield and port. The units with engineers must be in Combat mode for them to do upgrade work. This part does require sufficient supply. I forget what the number is, but I seem to recall that 2 times the minimum operating supply amount shown on the base screen is needed, although it may be just more than the minimum operating supply. Just bring 10X what you need, or more and all will be fine!

You don't say what size port is at PB. At level 1, you can dock a single ship up to 6000 tons displacement [not cargo capacity, but ship weight as shown on the right side of the ship screen] OR a number of smaller ships totalling up to 6000 tons. At level 2, the figures are something like 9000 for max ship size and 12,000 for total of all docked ships. The figures are shown on the base screen, near the top right area.

You should split your cargo TF so that ships totalling to less than the port max are in the new TF and then dock it. Don't forget to click on "unload cargo" and set "do not refuel" so you do not use any fuel from the new base.
Even at Port level 1, docked unloading is slightly faster than not docked. At Port level 2, unloading is significantly faster so dock as many ships as you can.

Note that unloading speed differs for ships loaded in Amphib mode . Amphib unloading at a level 0 or level 1 port is faster if the ships are NOT docked.

[BlitzimX]

I followed your advice and splited my Cargo TF: one set as Amphibious, while the other is docked and slowly unloading (which doesn't change from before since for the moment the port is completly destroyed). But i got a problem with the troops remaining in the Amphibious TF (see picture).

I checked PB and i see i have a troop limit of 35 000 ,when i only have 16 000 on ground (see picture 2). Is it because the remaining things are heavy support which needs a bigger port to unload, or is it an other parameter i missed?


http://imageshack.us/a/img708/9555/v7ai.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5426/jokg.jpg

[BBfanboy]

I am not sure now what mode you loaded your supply TF. If you loaded it in "Cargo TF" mode it would carry a full load on each ship and would not be able to switch to "Amphibious TF" mode because the latter only loads 90% of capacity. Being ready for amphib unloading means some things cannot be packed in crates and such so you cannot stack stuff on top of them and the space above is unused. You can dock, ships that were loaded in either mode, but they unload at different rates.

The port being damaged changes things - you will get unloading at a rate equal to a level 0 port - i.e. an undeveloped one. Amphib loaded ships will unload much faster in these circumstances. If you loaded the supplies in a "Cargo TF", unload just enough supplies to last your troops a few weeks, then cancel unloading, sail back to Columbo and unload the rest so you can switch the TF to Amphib and reload it with supplies. I am guessing that the port will take weeks to repair.

The TF in the first picture is already in Amphibious mode, so it can continue unloading in undocked mode. Some of the unit is still on board and if there is heavy equipment it will take quite a while. Support vehicles only unload at a rate of four or five a day per ship. This is where the LSTs would be much more useful. You could also send the Amphib TF back to Columbo, unload it there and reload on the LSTs. You will need at least one AP/xAP/APD type ship to carry the personnel or the AI will not load the TF.

The troop limit is the limit that the island can support. You are not near the limit yet so there is no problem. If you do exceed the limit, you begin to use supply more rapidly. I think the usage is exponential - a little bit .over the limit uses just a little extra % supply, but the more over you are, the greater the additional % usage is. When you play your next scenario you will really have to watch for the small Atolls that can only take 6000 troops. Often, after you take the atoll, you need to withdraw some of your assault troops so you can land the support troops.

[BlitzimX]

The TF in the first picture is already in Amphibious mode, so it can continue unloading in undocked mode. Some of the unit is still on board and if there is heavy equipment it will take quite a while. Support vehicles only unload at a rate of four or five a day per ship. This is where the LSTs would be much more useful. You could also send the Amphib TF back to Columbo, unload it there and reload on the LSTs. You will need at least one AP/xAP/APD type ship to carry the personnel or the AI will not load the TF.

Thanks again for the explanation, but then why do i have that warning saying i can't unload the remaining trops from my amphibious TF?

And when you load troops in a TF composed of AP/xAP/APD and Landing craft, i guess the troops are automaticaly spread accross the ships, meaning foot soldiers in AP/xAP/APD and heavy vehicles in LSTs?

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: BlitzX

Thanks again for the explanation, but then why do i have that warning saying i can't unload the remaining trops from my amphibious TF?

The unit unloading has some type of equipment that is too large to unload in a level 0 port, which Port Blair is until repaired. It's likely some type of radar. To unload whatever it is, you need to get the port repaired, and possibly upgraded to level 2, OR bring in a bunch of naval support (in a base force or fleet headquarters).

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: BlitzX

Thanks again for the explanation, but then why do i have that warning saying i can't unload the remaining trops from my amphibious TF?

The unit unloading has some type of equipment that is too large to unload in a level 0 port, which Port Blair is until repaired. It's likely some type of radar. To unload whatever it is, you need to get the port repaired, and possibly upgraded to level 2, OR bring in a bunch of naval support (in a base force or fleet headquarters).

That message doesn't always mean it will NEVER unload, just that it cannot be unloaded that turn. I have had that message for four or five turns in a row while unloading vehicles, but I check the unit and the ship and see the number of vehicles and ship load is slowly declining so I leave them be.

If it is something too large to unload in one turn because of the port restriction, UE is right that naval support can help. If none is available, sending the one xAK [Troja] back to Columbo, off-loading it, forming a new Amphib TF using ONLY LSTs and an APD or very small xAP should allow reloading the vehicles/heavy equipment on the LSTs which can unload most anything at a level 0 port.

The other ships in the Amphib TF at PB [per the picture you attached above] have only supply aboard so they can stay there and finish unloading.

[BlitzimX]

I always say that but thanks again.

At this point i think i will restart the scenario to take into account all the remarks you gave me and change a few things, like for example using the troops already set up to PB instead of changing the 11th INF and having it less efficent.


Also i kept running a few turns, and right after i withdrew my Carriers TF, i got litteraly ass kicked by a large Jap TF composed of BB, CA and support vessels. I didn't see them coming despite having a lot of planes in the area set to NAval search. They sank me almost all the ships undocked at PB during the night, meaning one BB, one CVE, and a lot of DD and Transport ships. One of my subs still managed to get a lucky shoot and sink a CA.


This moove really surprised me.

[Andy Mac]

<evil laugh>

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

<evil laugh>

It seems you have a JFB [Japanese Fan Boy] lurker, BlitzX. [:D]

As you saw, your bombardments and bombing did far more damage to PB than you intended. Keep your BBs and their ammo for SCTFs to guard the off-loading ships, with the CVs sweeping the area to the south. Japanese air power seems very weak in this scenario so you can risk an LBA attack as long as you stay out of range of escorting Japanese fighters [8 hexes for the Zero, I think]. Even if they are not shot down, unescorted bombers can be thrown off their aim by the CAP quite easily.

Make sure you use all your forces but stage them to ensure continuous coverage of your invasion.

Good luck!

[zuluhour]

Early Japanese radar, [:D]

[mikkey]

interesting and informative AAR, thanks

[BlitzimX]

Hi everyone

As i said, i restarted a game with in mind all the advices i was given in this thread. Stuffs when better and smoothier now that i knew what to expect:

- Using troops dedicated to PB from the begining, i took the island in 2 days and with very little casualties (12 deads on first landing compared to the 800+ on the first game)

- I used amphibious for my Supply transports. If the unloading is still slow, in 4 days all the cargos were empty.

- I didn't put any BB in my Amphibious TF, neither did i in my Carrier TFs. I didn't see any reason to do it in that scenario. Instead, i used the BB TF as a surface TF with 3BB,1CA, 2CL and 6 DD. It Bombed only once PB, and then remained as a SFce TF.

- When PB was captured, i mooves my 2 Carrier TF SOuth of PB (with the risk of being in the path of the Japanese SFce TF), and asked my Dive Bombers to do a 40%Search on the south, with a 10% Rest, at 6000ft. The Torpedoe Bombers were set to Naval Attack, with a 20% Naval Search.

- I mooved to PB the Scout plane from Triconmalee and assigned it to 50%Search the southern part, 14 Hexes, 6000Ft.

- The Japanese TF was located and attacked by the DB and TB from my carriers. I scored various bomb hits on the 2BB and managed to cripple them. Though i wasn't prepared and my DB and TB attacked from their Naval search altitude, 6000ft. So it wasn't as efficent as it could have been. Next turn, i changed them for Naval Attack as primary mission and Search as secondary mission.

-After this attack and despite all the searching, the enemy TF disappeared Eastwards of its original position. I can't locate it for now.


It's actualy the 6th of November, so i still have plenty of time to go