Zuluhour vs Zigurat666: 1943

[zuluhour]

1123h
why?

[DOCUP]

Koniu and I just upgraded to 1123p2 and I have noticed something. I don't want to say out in the open. I have mentioned it in my AAR.

[zuluhour]

Yikes! Do you think the patch changed supply? I have not kept up with the Beta as my opponent is less than inclined to update.

[zuluhour]

June 27-28, 1942

United States: Troops and equipment load daily for the front. I have not seen a IJN sub off the coast for weeks. The sub chasers will begin to arrive soon and I will ship them out to hotter waters. Seabees for Op SERVICE shipped out yesterday and are in blue water.

CenPac: The 9th Marines have been lifted off Canton Island and are making way to the rear staging area to prep for their next target. Tarawa. Supplies for Baker Island have been off loaded to the marines.

SoPac: Pago Pago expecting large influx of troops and support over the next week for Op DROPSHOT. Air raid over Suva by Libs and Forts find the aerodrome empty. P38s out of Eua hit Nadi and down all the Zeros for no loss. This squadron has the crème d'le crème of US fighter jocks. "Pappy" scores his third kill today. There are six double aces as well.

SwPac: Our cruisers hit Perth at night and only find six IJN freighters. They are dispatched and our boys escape. Coast watchers can't count.

Burma: P38s hit Rangoon. No CAP. Hardly anything on the field. All the IJAF in the theater is operating out of Thailand. I will begin to play harder here as it looks like a back water for the Japanese.

China: Quietest day in recent memory. Almost no air raids and only two bombardments.

[DOCUP]

Maybe, I don't know for sure. I need to watch it for a little while longer. Nice job at Perth.

[zuluhour]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Victoria Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
xAK Otori Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAK Sakido Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yosida Maru #3, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Concord
DD Mahan
posted for Allied moral
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 100% moonlight: 11,000 yards

[zuluhour]

June 29, 1942

Burma: The IJA takes Lashio as the Aussie and Chinese formations retire to the jungle. As the IJAF refuses to CAP I order the P38s to sweep Rangoon again, hopefully followed by some Blenheim's and Wellingtons. Strikes are ordered over the IJA units outside Akyab as well.

Australia: Capt. Easton on the Concord is spotted off the south coast after the raid on Perth, the Japs may be operating out of Albany. The Boise puts to sea to investigate. No sign of advance in the Victoria desert.

SoPac: Hiva Oa: In preparation for the base closing subs are recalled to refuel and rearm. They will sail with their support to Pago Pago. Seaplane tenders are routed into islands relieving the engineers to be withdrawn. No raids scheduled for 48-72 hours over the Fiji's.

CenPac: The Baker TF with the Long Island are 1600nm from Pearl, I need the two APs. Another six APs are with the 9th marines returning from Canton. I need these as well. The TF is 1400nm out.

China: Bombardments and few air raids.

[zuluhour]

Operation: VOLLEY: DROPSHOT: I have decided a diversionary attack or ruse to be out of the picture. In retrospect I wish I had built an airstrip on Baker early in the spring, it would have been a great way to fight at objective VOLLEY. The fighter cover and possible naval strike aircraft there would have been a great place to fall back on should the landings be opposed by the Kido Butai. As it is I will launch VOLLEY as soon as the eight APs arrive to augment the transports already assembled. I will approach the objective with all three fast attack groups as well as support, ie. seaplane tenders and a/c, minesweepers, and PTs. The original order of battle will be significantly reduced however to allow for 24 hours of amphibious unloading. At present I believe it will consist of a marine reg., base force and hopefully an AAA unit. I will then withdraw rapidly. Operation DROPSHOT will get all the transports and fast attack groups as quickly as I can arrange and commence landing on that objective. As soon as DROPSHOT is secure, reinforcement of VOLLEY will follow. I hope to hit fast and retire quickly. The IJN will need huge fuel stores to react to these, hopefully 3000nm miles plus, more if he uses flank speed.

[zuluhour]

Allied Intel: Operation CROSSCOURT area:

The Gilberts: Only Tarawa is occupied. It has a level 1 AF. The objective hex is still green.
The Marshalls: Roi-Namur: AF-4, Eniwetok: AF-1, Kwajalein: AF-1, Wotje AF-3, Maloelap AF-4, Majuro: AF-0, Jaluit AF-0, Mili AF-1.

notes: Makin is unoccupied. Ocean and Nauru have no AFs. The Santa Cruz islands are unoccupied and green. Esprito Santo has no airfield. Ponape AF-2. The Shortlands is the only airfield within range of Op DROPSHOT. I may cease air Ops over the Fiji's to lure more a/c in before resuming strikes with a reinforced group of heavies in concert with a squadron of Mitchells and two of Marauders. The hope being to bag as many as possible far from friendly fields.

[DOCUP]

Makin and Tabitaeu would make good bases.

[zuluhour]

Tabiteuea is objective VOLLEY. Makin will be taken to support the Marshall operation yet to be planned. I want to get a quick and decisive foothold in the Solomon's in the fall. The main objective for the Pacific for winter - spring '43 will be the isolation of Rabaul, New Britain, and western New Guinea. I want to threaten the Mariana's as soon as practical. When this situation presents itself, I plan to land on the west coast of Australia and unhinge the whole IJA defense line.

[zuluhour]

June 30, 1942

CenPac: The remaining submarines, ten Gato class are ordered to rendezvous in the Gilberts. A PT boat flotilla and a pair of Frigates ordered to escort two slower AOs to Baker Island. The PTs will provide some protection at the beachhead after the amphibious TFs break off. The fuel may come in handy for the egress and if not for a base level of supply at objective VOLLEY. Several seaplane tenders are in rout to Baker as well to set up a base on one of the smaller atolls in the Gilberts. It is way late but Seabees prepare to board for Baker as well from San Diego. Both the Canton relief task force and the Baker reinforcement task force make progress towards Pearl. The Long Island is 1280nm out and the 9th marines are 1000nm out. I need those 8 Aps pronto!

SoPac: Pago Pago: All aircraft except patrol squadrons stood down for R&R and maintenance. Same goes for the fighter group on Eua (these are the elite jocks on Eua). 320nm out more AAA. 560nm out three Reg’s. 840nm out dedicated beachhead supply for D+1. 1st Amphibious HQ is still loading on Christmas Island. They will most likely have to merge at a rally point with VOLLEY task forces. Pago Pago will have two heavily reinforced divisions with ample Flak and air cover within the week. I have to double check support formations but think we are ready for DROPSHOT as soon as the shipping arrives following Volley’s initial landings.

SwPac: Man is MacArthur pissed! His new HQ is protected by a battalion of Aussies and he is in the front lines. There is no hotels where I’ve ordered the pompous field marshal. It is hoped reinforcements will arrive within a few days but not the two armored and five infantry divisions requested. There is still no sightings in the Victoria desert. There is an Aussie armored unit moving eastward as a trip wire. They will take station where I can call in B17, B26, and B24 strikes. The decimated air frames are almost replaced from the short but decisive battle of Kaloorlie. There are still B17s on the northeastern coast hitting Port Moresby along with additional fighter squadrons. The IJAF has begun long range night strikes at Darwin. I believe this is the next target. It is a confusing time however as reports come in from Perth again about massed shipping. The Boise is still several days away. Good news, the Perth will be ready for sea again bringing cruiser strength to four for the area. I piss off the Prime Minister of Australia in the afternoon and order the five Tambor class subs to rebase to CenPac and patrol the Solomon’s on the way out.

Burma: Disappointing raid over Rangoon. The Japs come up to meet our P38s in A6M2s. No Tojo or M3s encountered yet. We bag 4 and lose 2. I think he has some decent pilots there. Bombers come in and do minimal damage (7% AF) and we lose 2 to boot. All Burma and Indian based attack aircraft and recon are stood down for July 1st. The IJA has taken up positions across the inlet from Akyab.

China: The Yangtze front: eastern flank (79-48): Six air raids over Chinese. 340 bomber sorties. 722 casualties with more IJA units spotted moving up.

[DOCUP]

Tell Mac its better than the bunker at Batan.

[zuluhour]

July 1, 1942

NorPac: Buckner and Theobald report the Japanese occupy Adak with ground forces and air units. Recon from B18s shows little more. The IJN has made Attu, Amchitka, Ulak, and Atka friendly. The 18th fighter squadron upgrades to P40Es in Anchorage and prepares to transfer west. Gen Butler with 11th AF HQ ordered to pack for Dutch Harbor. Transports finishing refit at Seattle will move to him asap. A small Canadian surface group departs for NorPac to support the Houston. She is scheduled to hit Adak tonight. 9th Photo recon squadron is transferred to Pacific Ocean area command and stages to Seattle. I want to see what’s actually up there.

CenPac: In three days all the transports should be in port. There is no spare time to fiddle. I will lose three transports soon to Operation TORCH. The submarines make good progress and should reach the patrol areas by D-Day at objective VOLLEY. In a command SNAFU Enterprise begins to refit. I had the rest of the CVs off intending to refit in September following the conclusion of CROSSCOURT. I will have five fleet carriers and the Long Island available now.

SoPac: The 24 Independent Reg loads for Pago Pago to take over garrison duties from the Americal prepping for DROPSHOT. B24s ordered over Nadi in response to raid over Eua today. P38s to provide an am sweep first. Full recon is up over the Fiji’s as well.

SwPac: B17s ordered over Port Moresby. The New Zealanders should arrive shortly to bolster southern Australia a bit. The Boise refueled at Melbourne today and is ordered out into the Southern Ocean tonight to raid/recon the coast.

Indian Ocean: English cruisers hit Diego Garcia. The IJ are still there.

Burma: P40s finally down a Sally or two over the 6th Australians and Chinese while B25s hit the IJA at Lashio. Some RAF squadrons ordered to hit the IJA units outside Akyab tomorrow.

China: The Left flank (military left) of the Yangtze line takes a severe blow. 7 air raids: 318 sorties cost the Chinese 525 casualties. It is enough for the IJA to achieve 2:1 and force a retreat. The Chinese lose over 10,ooo in the assault to under 2,ooo IJA.

[zuluhour]

Wait till he sees the reinforcements I'm sending.[:D]

[zuluhour]

July 1942

Final phases of CROSSCOURT:

[zuluhour]

July 2, 1942

NoPac: Japanese recon over Dutch harbor. Houston trailed after her night attack on Adak. She reports damaging a handful of Nells as well as scattered base hits. Houston ordered east until I insert fighters into Dutch Harbor. In Anchorage the several of the new P40s are assembled. F4 recon squadron rests up for their flight from Seattle to Alaska tomorrow.

SoPac: Older class submarines patrolling off Hiva Oa have left for Pago Pago with their support. SoPacAir HQ boards for Pago Pago from Pearl. Forts at Pago Pago reach 6 and work is halted to speed the Air field construction up. It is at (6)+ now. No raids or recon flew yesterday from allied bases in SoPac. They are ordered up again tomorrow. The weather is fair at the target and our fields. Night raid on Eua does little damage.

SwPac: Two squadrons of B17s encounter a Zero swarm over Port Moresby but deliver their bombs and return safely.

Indian Ocean: The Repulse will hit Diego Garcia tonight with her group.

China: Right flank of the Yangtze line: location 78-48: 5 raids: 302 sorties: 737 casualties. The tiny Chinese air force under goes some upgrades and will try and do some long range CAP over the beleaguered rice men on the Yangtze.

[zuluhour]

July 3, 1942

United States: USMC combat support formations load for the staging areas. Photo recon squadron stages to NorPac. I am undecided about releasing Maruaders and Liberators assigned to NorPac yet. Only Anchorage can support them properly. Progress on the P40 conversion is slow, about six aircraft a day.

CenPac: Under radio silence. Radio transmissions picked up at Tarawa today.

SoPac: The raids over the Fiji’s are a success. All the planes return. No resistance from the Zeros. Damage at Nadi and Suva between 45-65% on the airfields. Pago Pago is bristling with AAA and Arty.

SwPac: IJN transports sighted on the New Guinea coast. B17s are flying every 72 hours over Port Moresby to try and keep it suppressed. IJA unit located headed east in the Victoria desert. The unit is 782mi from Port Augusta. Boise is undetected in the Southern Ocean.

Indian Ocean: Raids on Diego Garcia are complete for now. The base has been worked over and the defenders bloodied. Radio intercepts reveal IJA prepping for Colombo. I think it’s a pipe dream now.

Burma: Not a lot to report. Aussies and Chinese forces move a little deeper in the jungle reaching air cover as well.

China: We were less than ¾% of one percentage point of making a 3:1 shock attack on the IJA at Kiuchuan up north. I’ll see if supply improves before trying to dislodge them.

[zuluhour]

July 3, 1942: SwPac:

[zuluhour]

Fourth of July 1942

NorPac: 9th PRS arrives Dutch Harbor. CA Houston arrives Anchorage. xAP still missing after refit, one more day and I have to post to find out what happened. I think it’s been 4-5 days since completion. No decision is reached regarding bomb squadron deployment. The upgrade to P40s continues.

CenPac: All Aps arrive safe and on time. Pearl Harbor is on radio silence. Tarawa now has an airfield icon present.

SoPac: Raids and sweeps ordered over the Fiji’s.

SwPac: Raids ordered over Port Moresby. No sign of IJN today off New Guinea. Darwin raided at night again. A posted night CAP causes all misses. IJA armor in the desert goes missing. Additional units found trailing. I will have to transfer a couple of F4s away from OP DROPSHOT shortly.

Burma: Small bombing runs by both sides. We are searching for the IJAF fields. Probably deep in Thai land.

China: Heaviest day yet for air attacks on the left flank of the Yangtze. The IJA has the 15th, 3rd, 22nd, and 32nd division reinforced with the China Expeditionary Force HQ there (78-48). 8 raids: 315 sorties: 1134 Chinese casualties.