Tales from the First Time -DanSez (J) vs Przemcio231 (A) - no Przemcio231 please

[DanSez]

Mar 14, 1942

Solomons Night Time Sub Shuffles

An allied Sub gets unconfortably close, but no damage as we sail into launching at dawn.
ASW attack near Ontong Java at 114,131

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Jintsu
DD Inazuma
DD Urakaze
DD Uranami
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Thresher

Meanwhile our RO-boats raise a few bubbles, mostly from their own leaks and damage.
ASW attack near Lunga at 114,139
Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
CL Hobart
DD Napier
DD Thanet
DD Nestor

ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138
Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
CA Astoria
CL Raleigh
DD Clark
DD Balch
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap

ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138
Japanese Ships
SS RO-63

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes
xAP Monterey
xAK Exchange
xAK Howell Lykes
xAK Jeff Davis
DD Dale

Search planes indentify targets in the morning phase and task forces react:
Solomon - Attack Attack Attack
According to the combat replay, our boys landed the first blows - and devestating ones at that!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 116,138
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 90
B5N1 Kate x 11
B5N2 Kate x 96
D3A1 Val x 80

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 9
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 19 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 2 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk --
CL Perth, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Leander
DD Thanet
DD Tenedos
DD Nizam
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1
CA Northampton
CL Glasgow, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL St. Louis
DD Nestor
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1

Ammo storage explosion on CV Indomitable
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Indomitable
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Hermes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Glasgow

And the Retrobution Strike.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 115,135
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 10
Swordfish I x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Hiryu
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Taiyo
CV Akagi
DD Inazuma
CV Zuikaku
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
CVE Hosho
CA Chikuma

That torpedo must have been a dude because this is the total damage from the high speed run AND the torpedo

Of course in the elint chatter Imperial Command complained of the fears and concerns of losing Shokaku in hopes that Allied Command would send their other CarDiv closer now that this one is destroyed.[:D]

[DanSez]

Mar 14, 1942 - Cont

In the combat reporter is stated:
CV Indomitable is reported to have been sunk near Stewart Island on Mar 14, 1942

I think that is my end of the communication where the Allies admit to the loss of a ship.

In other news
Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 52736 troops, 636 guns, 235 vehicles, Assault Value = 1914
Defending force 44614 troops, 579 guns, 366 vehicles, Assault Value = 907

Japanese ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

I lost a small TK today[:(]
Sub attack near Balabac at 67,79
Japanese Ships
TK Arima Maru #4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Nichiei Maru
PB Tokotsu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Permit

And an AMC...
Submarine attack near Deboyne Islands at 103,136
Japanese Ships
AMC Asaka Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-28

AMC Asaka Maru is sighted by SS S-28
SS S-28 launches 4 torpedoes

But overall a really good day for the Empire.

[jwolf]

Between your subs and the KB those are heavy losses for the Allies. Well done!

[ny59giants]

Good first day. Pursue and finish him off!!

[DanSez]

Mar 15, 1942 - The Plan

All the spotted TFs around Lunga say they have CVs and/or CVL/CVEs: about 19 CVs, 4 CVLs and 2 CVEs...
My boys need remedial work on their ship identification course[8|]

I suspect that the Allies would rush my position with surface combat ships. I know that I would. Especially if I thought there was a wounded carrier sitting there.[:D]

Soooo, I do an olay! Shift to the East and hope for better DL and that I lure the real Allied Carrier TF out into the open, plus stay within range to hammer any cripples from the first day strike.

From the top of the screen, SCTF 97 and CruDiv3 are running straight South to wind up in blocking positions from the planned movement of the KB. CarDiv3 is again, set to follow KB.

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Good first day. Pursue and finish him off!!

I am a little concerned.
Earlier I spotted the Yorktown and Enterprise on the other side of Lunga.
I don't want to get swamped by his huge surface assest. There are 5 enemy battleships in the area at least a dozen cruisers of various sizes and who know how many destroyers.

I do want to finish him off. But my surface cover force was lagging behind and I didn't want to wait for the first strike.

[Encircled]

If he's got any sense at all, he'll be fleeing as fast as he can.

Maybe he will send a couple of DDs SCTFs to slow you down, but if he hangs around he's going to get it.

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

If he's got any sense at all, he'll be fleeing as fast as he can.

Maybe he will send a couple of DDs SCTFs to slow you down, but if he hangs around he's going to get it.

Allied High Command has been very agressive. Given the Allied advantages in resources and my inexperience, it has paid off well at times:
He has rushed to attack landing forces which threw me off schedule and took time for me to understand and plan for.

But then he has paid the butcher's bill at times too:
He lost the Boise and Houston charging into a BatDiv he didn't see coming around Mindano.

Interesting opponent - I am still trying to 'read him'. In this case I am sure he is going to rush me with some elements, possibly to cover the retreat of the 2-3 carriers that was on the Southeast side of Lunga.

Results are in, I will post soon...

[Lowpe]

Just well done!

Have any minelaying subs down there...lots of straits make them very effective. Never go into that area without some!

[DanSez]

Mar 15, 1942

Solomon Sub Bubbles

No attacks from the Allied Subs overnight as my forces move into position for dawn action stations.

My RO-boats continue to make tiny bubbles...
ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63

Allied Ships
DD Fox
CL Concord
DMS Long
DMS Lamberton
AP President Polk
AK Betelgeuse
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Queen Elizabeth
xAK Iron Chieftan
xAK Iron Baron
DD Gilmer

ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138
Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 3

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes
xAP Monterey
xAK Exchange
xAK Howell Lykes
xAK Jeff Davis
DD Dale

ASW attack near Lunga at 114,138
Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Worden
AP President Hayes
xAP Monterey
xAK Exchange
xAK Howell Lykes
xAK Jeff Davis
DD Dale

So far no RO-boats sunk. All my I-boats were drawn down close to Luganville in the chase of the sunken 'Lexington'. They are spreading out again to try and make a net and move North to catch any stragglers damaged ships.

Solomons - Attack Attack Attack

Brief Note: I had earlier replaced the complacent Nagumo with a more agressive commander for the KB. RADM Yamaguichi Tamon now leads the fleet.

As I suspected, the Allied Command rushed Cruiser/DD forces North to my previous position.

Morning Attacks Launch:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 116,135
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Napier
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glasgow, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 115,135
Weather in hex: Heavy rain [:@]

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7 ** Carrier close by but the rain is hiding it **

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 115,135 - Second Morning Strike on Same Group?
Weather in hex: Heavy rain [:@]

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, on fire
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Northampton

No Wildcats in defense -- hummm.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 116,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N1 Kate x 6
D3A1 Val x 13

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 1 ** Brit
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 ** American

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD Nizam
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Hermes

Is the wounded Saratoga in the same or adjacent hex???

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 116,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 9
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage ** What a TOUGH little bird **
DD Nestor

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Hermes
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Hermes ** Ok, what is this thing made up of, mithral? **

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 116,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 12, and is sunk ** FINALLY **
DD Nestor
DD Nizam

But by now, you might have notices, I am running out of Torpedos.

Busy morning, but the day is not done:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 116,135
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N1 Kate x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, on fire
CL Phoenix

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Out of Torpedoes -- no hits. Damn...

But during the last phases of the combat replay, I heard at lest 2 distinct sinking sounds.

[jwolf]

It looks like he sacrificed everything else to save the Saratoga?

Hermes really took a beating before it finally went down!

[Lowpe]

It seems to me you are using Vals below 10,000' which means they aren't dive bombing, or is that just because they are grouped with other planes flying low?

A perfect day![:)]

[DanSez]

Mar 15, 1942 - cont

Solomons Wrap-up Notes
Tracker and Game Sunk Ships now list CVL Hermes

and CV Hornet ****
In the May 16 turn phase, I see a bunch of US Carrier aircraft now at Lunga which gives me some hope to believe this report.

'Saratoga' or 'Hornet' - I will be happy if it was either one of them.

In other news...
China Note
Allied High Command has left a back door open in the Nanyang Sian Front:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!!

It was totally undefended...[X(]

Sumatra
Bombing and bombardment of Palembang continues

Forces moving to secure the rest of the island:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Benkoelen !!!

Bloodly Singapore
The meat grinder continues. I have more guns. I am curious if the high level of forts is what is making the difference in casualties.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 54131 troops, 654 guns, 237 vehicles, Assault Value = 1924
Defending force 44797 troops, 578 guns, 366 vehicles, Assault Value = 918

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

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

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

It seems to me you are using Vals below 10,000' which means they aren't dive bombing, or is that just because they are grouped with other planes flying low?

A perfect day![:)]

(just rechecked the archive turn) I have all the Vals except Hiryu's set to 10-13K. That one was doing duty as ASW hunter/killer and I forgot to rest the altitude from 4K ... doh.

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

It looks like he sacrificed everything else to save the Saratoga?

Hermes really took a beating before it finally went down!

I know the Brit carriers are heavily armored in comparison to the US/Japanese models.
The Hermes took enough fish to down a couple of US fleet carriers and was still swinging till the end.

Salute Song is deserved:
The Trooper by (you know who)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKchwAWMpDA

[DanSez]

There are at least 2 more US carriers maybe 3 on the board somewhere. I got intel on a Yorktown/Enterprise TF that was on the Southeast side of Lunga before the sheets hit the fan.

Those are both unscathed, and fully loaded with ordinance.
It has been a great day so far. Here is the sitution in the May 16th turn:

The middle cluster of 3 Allied TFs, limited recon says there are 3CVs and a CL in one of them.
The fight may not be over.

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Just well done!

Have any minelaying subs down there...lots of straits make them very effective. Never go into that area without some!

Good idea, but no. I have been plinking away with mines at Darwin, Perth and Noumea the past month but nothing concentrated nor in position at this turn. That is a good idea for the next phase of which NYGiants suggested, the move to isolate Lunga.

I need to get my boats back in order and headed the right direction. Time. Time. Time. I need to see things earlier. Thanks for the suggestion. I had not thought of it.

[DanSez]

Mar 16, 1942 - Planning Phase

I am going to take one more bite at this apple. But my concerns grow as I am about out of torpedoes and fuel is again starting to run low. I don't want to have part of my fleet sitting 'dead in the water' again... [:-]

[DanSez]

Mar 16, 1942 - planning phase cont

Status of KB:
Zuikaku: 1 pt Major Engine Damage - 7 Torps remaining - 23 Kates
Shokaku: 1pt Major Flood Damage - 5 Torps remaining - 25 Kates
Akagi: No Major Damage - 5 Torps remaining - 26 Kates
Hiryu: No Major Damage - 10 Torps remaining - 18 Kates (maybe a partial strike??)

Status of CarDiv3
CVE Honsho: No Major Damage - 1 Torp remaining - 10 Kates
CVE Taiyo: No Major Damage - does not carry torps
CS Mizho: No Major Damage - does not carry torps

I set Home Port for both to Nauru Island so that if anything bad happens, they will be headed back up the Mavis Search window and not across the scattering of Allied task forces which might happen if they headed back toward Truk.

I have enough Mission sorties remaining - just not enough Torps and the fuel levels are getting into the orange zone, even with the Home Port reset. Oilers are moving into position for a fast delivery if necessary. So far they have remained 'dark'.

[Lowpe]

Bold move, and perhaps a bit predictable although perhaps the Allies will think you will retire after several strikes already.[;)]

If you wind up in a few night engagements you might find the fuel to be critically low, and you chose an aggressive KB Admiral.[X(] Usually bad things happen when fuel is low...

You should have some kind of search flying out of Tulagi...extra search can never be bad.