::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 19 - 22, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Jintsu and a few DDs hit Mangalore pretty well. Not really concerned here though if no troops are on the way, and so far it appears nothing is moving in this direction.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] A naval battle! It's been a while since a real engagement. The mixed Allied TF manages to find Kitakami/Oi and the combat definitely goes toward the Allies, with Kitakami left in danger with 'heavy fires, heavy damage' and Oi also on fire after 10 hits. No sign of the TF in the day so hard to know if Kitakami makes it back to Rabaul. After this a lone TB, the Otori, engages our cruisers and goes nuts. It lands 11 hits to 2 and puts 8 of them onto the Witte de Withe, which sinks later. Crazy! [X(]

This will at least force the IJN to bring in more ships if they're serious about defending the area. Both cruisers will need yard time if they do make it. For us only the Perth and two DDs need to head back in to Sydney. I'll bring in some US CL to fill the gap and begin to transition more US cruisers North to Luganville. Ndeni is now an active level 1 airfield, so it can give some LR CAP to get ships into the area at least.

Bettys do reach out to Kirakira and try for a fast transport TF unloading there. No hits from 28 TT dropped though.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The IJA comes crashing across the river at Chikhiang and we had just gotten another Corps into the base this turn. The SA goes well for us, a 1:5 resulting in 454 infantry squads smashed (!!) with 250 disabled and 10k casualties altogether for very light Chinese losses. Nick says after that one division was completely wiped out down to 1 AV. These few turns add around 200VPs to our total, which is nice. [:)]

Up in the mountains the IJA tanks army continues to wear down some of the best Chinese Corps. After several attacks in a row I decide I can't wait any longer and begin the retreat. If there is another attack on the 22nd this will go badly as everything is moving in reserve mode. Fingers crossed.

I've got units digging already in both of the retreat hexes, so these tired units will move to rear areas to recoup.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] HELLO!!! This is rare and very welcome!! [&o][&o][&o]

So the KB is based at Singapore. If this was Kaga I'd wonder about a split, but not Akagi. This is the full meal deal. Looks like So Pac is more open than I'd suspected! [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]CV Akagi is moving to 41,87.[/font]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 19, 42
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Naval bombardment of Mangalore at 30,34

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Natsugumo
DD Oshio
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio

Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Resources hits 5
Manpower hits 4
Fires 170
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 17
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CL Jintsu firing at Mangalore

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Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29516 troops, 442 guns, 1185 vehicles, Assault Value = 1134

Defending force 40330 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1039

Japanese adjusted assault: 797

Allied adjusted defense: 679

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
737 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
488 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 126 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
16th Division
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
4th Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 2, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Panggoe at 111,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Oi, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Kuri, Shell hits 1
DD Hishu, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kiku
DD Yomogi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Leander
CL Perth, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Voyager
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 78% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Kitakami at 11,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Kuri at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Perth at 2,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Kitakami at 12,000 yards
DD Kiku engages DD Voyager at 13,000 yards
Dechaineaux, E.F.V. orders Allied TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Panggoe at 111,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Otori, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Leander
CL Perth, on fire
DD Voyager
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 78% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Tomita, T. crosses the 'T'
CA Australia engages TB Otori at 11,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,140

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Kane
APD Hatfield
AVD Gillis

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 130,130 (Ocean Island)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 25

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 21, 42
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Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 44678 troops, 446 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 1403

Defending force 46227 troops, 140 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1390

Japanese adjusted assault: 496

Allied adjusted defense: 2914

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
10210 casualties reported
Squads: 454 destroyed, 250 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 87 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 85 (23 destroyed, 62 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (1 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
989 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
116th Division
15th Division
13th Tank Regiment
34th Division
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
25th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
32nd Group Army

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Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29024 troops, 442 guns, 1184 vehicles, Assault Value = 1076

Defending force 39246 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 912

Japanese adjusted assault: 785

Allied adjusted defense: 455

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
318 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1980 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
16th Division
4th Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment

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Ships Lost:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Witte de Withe[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Since so much else was going on with VPs this turn, it's hard to tell if Kitakami went down, and if I remember correctly it doesn't have FPs either. It is old and fragile i've found, so this kind of damage from CA Australias 8inch guns might be enough. [/font]

[BBfanboy]

Good job on that CL TF. I agree that Kitikami is a goner, but without HF I think Oi is going to survive - for now.

It is common for DDs to charge in between larger ships and the enemy ships to try fend off torpedo attacks. In this case it looks like the TB had excellent crew experience and leadership, while the Dutch DDs had only aggression on their side.
The small Dutch DDs are also very fragile - one penetrating 5" hit can leave them with heavy fires and danger of sinking.

Great results near Chihkiang - looks like you destroyed a division's worth of AV in one go. [:)]

[JocMeister]

Not often you get such nuggets from SIGINT! [&o]

Very nice work in China too. Bet GJ is kicking himself badly for going to India before clearing China. [:'(]

[crsutton]

They are pitiful ships (the two CLs) even 10 5 inch hits should do them in. If you got a few 8 and six inch hits then they are sunk.

[pontiouspilot]

the 2xCls are toast....good riddance, that Oi has a hell of a pile of long Lances!!

You must be a clean liver to get sig. intel like that. I get helpful tidbits like "preparing for attack on Phillipines". The question I have is whether it is smart to believe the intell??

[Lowpe]

The Oi: circled 1-0-7! Who knows what that means? Those two guys are great ships with 40? torpedoes!

[mind_messing]

I treat all the pre-war Japanese crusiers as essentially destroyer leaders. Anything else is inviting disapointment: they just can't compete with Allied light crusiers at the start of the war, and by the end of the war they're waaaay out of their league.

[obvert]

The old pre-war CL for me as Japan are raiders, used when surprise is likely and the target is merchants and their escorts. From 2k yard though I was worried a LOT of long lances would find targets, but it wasn't to be for those guys. I suspect Oi at least made it our okay. Most of the hits on her looked to be 4-5inch guns. Kitakami definitely took some larger caliber shots, and the subs circling the area didn't spot any escort TFs limping away.

This part is getting fun, especially with that SIGINT on Akagi. I've just let some more dogs loose on Ocean Island and Lunga. Hopefully a little surprise for Nick soon, but we'l see if the opportunity presents itself.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Not often you get such nuggets from SIGINT! [&o]

Very nice work in China too. Bet GJ is kicking himself badly for going to India before clearing China. [:'(]

He could have maybe gone for another move up the road to Tuyun if he'd not done India, and probably pushed more up NW toward Lanchow, for sure. he's still getting two armies to advance, but it's slow. Slowest in the center, and if the last x3 hex took 3 months, I hope this one at Chikhiang takes at least as long.

Based on the SIGINT I'm sending a whole pack of 15 subs that have been waiting in Bombay to join the other 15 already in the IO. Once they're all out there I'll advance to see if they can make contact. No sign of increased DL yet, and it's been a few days since the report. As I see it there are three options for why it was there:

1. He's suspecting my para-drop on Mangalore is the precursor to an amphibious move to either Diego or Ceylon itself, and the KB moved out from the DEi to counter.

2. He's had the KB out near Sabang just waiting for a while and decided it's not happening now, and with the increased heat in the So Pac area, he's moving all or part of it back to the Pacific.

3. It's just sitting out here on patrol, waiting.

I'm hoping for option 3, and in about 5-6 days I should at least be able to find out if it's still there off the coast of Sumatra. I'm going to go on assuming this is the whole enchilada, but if it's not, that actually bodes well for all of our next ops.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 22 - 24, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Lots of missed attacks in the Solomons.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] The three AMc I sent out toward Mangalore got within two hexes of the base before almost 30 bettys flew in and obliterated them. So now I know where not to go.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Vangunu, near Munda, is one of the spots we'd been starting to build forts, send in AA, and hope to get a real base going. The Japanese decide to react in a big way and send in a Mixed Brigade and a Naval Guard unit. They don't have much prep for the base judging from the landing where 122 infantry squads are disabled along with 47 support squads, with several more lost in the surf. [:D]

I flew out most of the men here in the next two days, and the Japanese attack on the 24th only got 50 or so support squads, after Fuso and Yamashiro took the place apart. I like seeing the BBs moving around these tight quarters though with my ten subs in their path. There are two Dutch and two S-boats here, so some torps may even work.

In the air we took a stab at Buin, where it appears the Vals are flying from, and the small contingent of B-17Ds with the range to hit here are met by a Daitai of Oscars, but don't lose a plane while hitting two on the ground.

The Allies also try an unsuccessful para-assault on Green Island, where I'd stashed another Aussie commando unit. The Aussies did their job and did some skeet shooting apparently, as the SA went in for a 1:99!! Looks like I may want to fly them out now that they've been noticed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Now the heavy arty has moved in and we go through this all again at Chikhiang.

The retreat in the mountains worked, but now the IJA can move in two different directions; toward Kweiyang or towards Kunming. Kweiyang is x2 and the roads are better, so I'm guessing he'll send the lot there. On the mountain side the SL are all 20k, which tends to stall things. We'll see.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 22, 42
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Amphibious Assault at Vangunu (111,135)

TF 48 troops unloading over beach at Vangunu, 111,135

Japanese ground losses:
895 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 122 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /2
17 troops of a SNLF Inf Squad 41 lost in surf during unload of 42nd Nav Gd /2
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /4
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of Guards Mixed Bde /6

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Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 23, 42
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Mangalore at 29,33

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AMc Cochin, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AMc Poona, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AMc Madura, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 24, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Vangunu at 111,135

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Tama
CL Abukuma
DD Tsuta
DD Susuki
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Kuretake
DD Uranami

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Port hits 12
Port supply hits 1

BB Yamashiro firing at 26th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso

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Ground combat at Vangunu (111,135)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4936 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 117

Defending force 465 troops, 0 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 186

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 186 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Vangunu !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
651 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 51 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
42nd Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
26th Port Maint Engineer Battalion

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Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3162 troops, 218 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 1109

Defending force 36024 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1126

Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
34th Division
13th Tank Regiment
17th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Army
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
25th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
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Ships Lost:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AMc Cochin on Sep 23, 1942 is admitted
Loss of AMc Madura on Sep 23, 1942 is admitted
Loss of AMc Poona on Sep 23, 1942 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]So, it's moving here, but why? Looking at the larger map, this is almost equidistant from the three main areas of threat; Diego Garcia (43 hexes), Ceylon (Colombo, 39 hexes) and West OZ (Exmouth, 42 hexes). Time to investigate. [/font]

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The Oi: circled 1-0-7! Who knows what that means? Those two guys are great ships with 40? torpedoes!

On paper they look dangerous but in the game I have never heard of them doing much damage at all. No worse than your vanilla Japanese DD.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The Oi: circled 1-0-7! Who knows what that means? Those two guys are great ships with 40? torpedoes!

On paper they look dangerous but in the game I have never heard of them doing much damage at all. No worse than your vanilla Japanese DD.

IRL they went through a phase where they had 40 torpedo tubes - the idea being to work with the battle fleet to deliver a mass torpedo attack on the enemy battle line and cripple it so the IJN battle line could shoot a cripples.
However they were converted back to gun cruisers with the normal torp complement by the beginning of the war in 1941. I am not sure which configuration the game models but since no one has mentioned devastating Long Lance attacks from these two CLs, I presume it is the gun configuration.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The Oi: circled 1-0-7! Who knows what that means? Those two guys are great ships with 40? torpedoes!

On paper they look dangerous but in the game I have never heard of them doing much damage at all. No worse than your vanilla Japanese DD.

IRL they went through a phase where they had 40 torpedo tubes - the idea being to work with the battle fleet to deliver a mass torpedo attack on the enemy battle line and cripple it so the IJN battle line could shoot a cripples.
However they were converted back to gun cruisers with the normal torp complement by the beginning of the war in 1941. I am not sure which configuration the game models but since no one has mentioned devastating Long Lance attacks from these two CLs, I presume it is the gun configuration.

They start the war with their full 40 but have optional conversions in 8/42 and then throughout the war which don't convert them back into standard cruisers but into specialized fast transport cruisers with fewer TT and more AA. As shown below the 14cm guns are taken off and 4 x 12.7cm added in the second conversation while the cargo load goes up for transport roles. In the last they get Kaitens and more AA, which sounds cool, but I've not had them last this long, so no idea how that works out! [;)]

It's also not 40 TT that can shoot at once in the first set up, but 20 per side, so that limits the chances a bit more. The modern Japanese DDs have 6-9 long lances center mounted to shoot either way.

It's good to know the opposing hardware intimately, and just from playing a few Japanese games I at least have seen what some of the stuff can and can't do well over the years. I had a feeling that these guys would be less than a match for my Aussie/NZ cruisers, so that helped me to pull the trigger and let em get in there. I didn't imagine a battle at 2k yards though [X(] which plays into the hands of the long lance team, but it turned out alright.

[Yaab]

Max speed 21 knots, maneuver rating 49 and only 4 big calibre DP guns --- she is a goner once Allied aircraft attack her.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

On paper they look dangerous but in the game I have never heard of them doing much damage at all. No worse than your vanilla Japanese DD.

My best attack with them when they headed in at night and out again...they launched a dozen or more torpedoes and once one hit the Allies broke off the attack.

I wish they had more fuel to go long range merchant ship killing because they can fight several engagement with lots of torpedoes.

This battle took place in Aug of 42. Subsequently I lost both ships, one to a single sub torpedo hit, and the other in a tangle with British CLs. They are very fragile. Funny, but of the Allied ships the only left still afloat is the Pensacola.

[ny59giants]

Solomons - Since you are encountering BBs and other large warships, try to mine some of those bases you have your raiders in. You may not sink a BB, but you can send one back to Japan for repairs. [;)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Solomons - Since you are encountering BBs and other large warships, try to mine some of those bases you have your raiders in. You may not sink a BB, but you can send one back to Japan for repairs. [;)]

I've got 4 subs dedicated to this, as they can do it stealthily. I tried to hit the area above Rabaul thinking the KB as hiding there and would travel out through Kaveing and Emirau Island. Now that I know it's not there I can concentrate some on the Solomons. It'll be a week though until they get there, but abut ten subs are around Rekata Bay and I just brought in FPs for night searching. I'm completey on a limb, but with Rekata Bay I'll try to hang on, as if I can push a lengthy combat here I can build Kirakira and Tagula along with some other bases into working airfields.

The last time I got my CM in range of Japanese search and went in to mine Ndeni he must have gotten a good look as his subs scattered like pigeons. Next time I send in a surface unit I may try to include two DMs, then detach and mine.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 25 - 26, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Subs in the area around Ponape fire at two different single PB (Ansyu class) and I'm thinking these must be fast transports to Nauru or Ocean. No hits, but then based on what appeared during the 26th, I thought they also could be pickets. Expensive ones at 10VP a pop, but maybe. Something is going to Nauru though, and more troops have appeared there. Looks like the line in the sand.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Sending all kinds of things down the coast road now from Goa to Manglalore. The Japanese stopped bombing the base after taking some losses to flak, so the fields are nearly repaired. Some 50-60 bombers hit Bellary fields to begin making sure that base stays out of action. Put about 20-30 damage on it, and a few will keep going tomorrow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The bombing of Ocean Island again goes well, and on the 26th the paratroops land with devastating effect. The battered naval guard here didn't offer much resistance and the base falls easily even though this unit had only gotten to 33% prep after taking Tarawa. Makin next?.

Interestingly, some kind of KB arrives near Nauru this turn, and it looks like more troops are heading into that base. It's up to 7 units now, adding one. I'll send subs to hunt what looks like a mini-KB and ships will scatter in case he's in a raiding mood. I put the B-17Ds on LR naval attack just for fun and turned on the DB and TB groups at Tabiteuaea with two Marine wildcat groups on escort to 6 hexes. With all of the subs I have around, even one slowing hit on something could lead it to the bottom.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Rekata Bay is invested by the Japanese in similar fashion to Vangunu, but it looks like smaller units, and they took major disablements again. Not prepped. So this time I'll change it up and try to hold. I'm flying in a US Cavalry unit, half of which is already there. With 87 disablements, whatever landed here may not be too scary for a while yet, and with good supply from subs, this could be the Guadalcanal of our game if I can get a good first hold. Maybe.

The AA here begins shooting for real, taking out several Vals on the 26th and keeping the Bettys from doing any damage. The 37mm guns can be flown, which is a big advantage over the 40mm Bofors, even though this is the better gun for sure. Mines are a ways off, coming from PH, so it'll be a week or so of hanging by a shoestring with little cover. I'll try to get some fuel to Kirakira soon too and move PTs into the slot. That'll get the Japanese hopping mad, I know, but it could be fun. They at least make ships maneuver around a lot, and if there are mines and subs too, that could prove dangerous!

Lets call this a little small-ball. [:)]

Rennel Island is invested and will likely fall tomorrow unless something is flown in. I'll go for the uninhabited Rossel Island next. Tagula's field is at 55% and building.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Still lots of jockeying around. Looks like Nick for now is content to smash us from the air, both against Chinese troops and absolutely decimating the fields at Chikhiang and Kweiyang. Strangley, supply is going up with fewer battles happening and major centers of production like Changsha and Chungking not being on the menu. Sian is also now up to 500 supply for the first time since the big attack there in Feb 42. If these bases tip over the threshold of having enough supply for themselves, they'll start feeding everyone else around, which would be awesome. Still some very low units around the center, verging on no supply at all.

I'm transiting over 2k AV in five of the bigger Corps from the area around the approaches to Lanchow, Ankang and Sian. these will form rear defensive positions on the x3 hexes near Chungking and dig hard. I want them with 3 forts minimum if anything does break through this far. Also sending some big units to dig outside Kweiyang in the river crossing hexes. Want those ready before anything happens.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Getting ready for lots of ops down here, but not doing much up North yet. MacArthur is not getting his way this game, and he's not happy about it. He's got to attend to West OZ first, according to HQ, before he gets any planes, ships or unrestricted troops. [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] This just moved over here from Calcutta, based on previous SIGINT. Is he panning to counter para-drop if I use them again? [:D]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]1st Raiding Regiment is located at Madras(35,40).[/font]

More troops for OZ! Love it. The NZ unit peeping for here will now switch to something else and leave this alone.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]15/4th Division is loaded on a Aden Cargo class xAK moving to Port Hedland.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 25, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 12
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 3

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Honolulu
CL Honolulu firing at Lunga

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Amphibious Assault at Rekata Bay (113,134)

TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Rekata Bay, 113,134

Japanese ground losses:
535 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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Night Naval bombardment of Ocean Island at 130,130

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA Northampton
DD Worden
DD Downes
DD Lang
DD Wilson
DD Henley

Port hits 16
Port supply hits 4

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Louisville
CA Louisville firing at Ocean Island

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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 130,130 (Ocean Island)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Nauru Island , at 127,128

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 26, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 130,130 (Ocean Island)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Bellary , at 34,33

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 14
B-24D Liberator x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Liberator II bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 113,140

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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

Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 414 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Defending force 235 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /2

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit


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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Maybe our subs can get lucky this time?[/font]

[obvert]

The first Fletchers have begun to arrive! [8D]

[ny59giants]

You will soon grow to love your Fletchers. [&o] They can do everything well rather than you have to choose a specific Class of DDs as Japan to do a specific mission. I keep my pre-war DDs with my CVs and allow the Fletchers to go mainly in SC TF with your modern CLs and BBs.