Avoiding the Turkeyshoot – Marianas Scen Justus2 (J) vs nardiajn (A)

[Justus2]

Lost another Glen boat (I-5) near Pearl. This one was MAULED, 51 hits! [X(] But the commander’s dying report identified 4 APAs in the convoy, another amphib wave enroute. Another sub takes 11 hits near Saipan, shouldn’t have attacked 7 DDs.

As I am working my turns, and looking at the dates, it struck me again that the Marianas operation was going on simultaneously to D-Day in Europe. It is simply amazing to consider the industrial might, the manpower, and the level of staff effort to plan and launch the largest amphibious operation in the history of mankind, AND another massive naval/air/amphibious operation on the opposite side of the globe, at the same time! [&o]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 06, 44
Submarine attack near Lihue at 177,107
Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 51, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Newcomb
APA George Clymer
APA Crescent City
APA Neville
APA J. Franklin Bell
DD Clark
DD Phelps
DD Prichett
DD Philip

SS I-5 is sighted by escort
DD Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DD Phelps attacking submerged sub ....
DD Prichett attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-5 forced to surface!
DD Prichett firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Philip firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Phelps firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

ASW attack near Saipan at 112,95
Japanese Ships
SS RO-112, hits 11
Allied Ships
DD Twining
DD Sigourney
DD Halsey Powell
DD Yarnall
DD Waller
DD Wadsworth
DD Wadleigh

[Justus2]

The big event at the end of the 6 June turn is the arrival of my Combined Fleet. They arrive about 9 hexes north of Babeldaob, in one large CVTF and one large SCTF. I carefully reorganize them into 3 CVTFs, and two SCTFs, with a couple DDs to do ASW patrols. (see below)

My ‘Kido Butai’ comprises my three full-size CVs with a strong escort group. I hope to use them to disrupt one of his landing forces. I created a second CarDiv with the two slower CVs (Junyo and Hiyo) and a CVL, they will escort my reinforcing convoys, and combine w/KB if I see an opportunity for a strike, if he splits up his CVs. The third group, three fast CVLs, is paired with some longer-ranged escorts, and will head north to Iwo, then east to try and raid the shipping between Pearl and Eniwetok. He has taken Wake, but I don’t think he has dedicated a lot of search there yet.

The SCTFs are divided into one group of the slower, heavier BBs, and the 2 fast BBs. I am going to send the slower group to Ulithi to await an opportunity to hit a landing group, the fast BBs will head toward Iwo to potentially hit any landing at Pagan. The problem with the BBs is they are all basically one-shot weapons, the only base large enough to rearm them is Truk, and it will be difficult for me to get there (safely) and rearm.

[Justus2]

The 7th opens with more Sub action, including RO-62 getting two hits on the South Dakota. [:)] One of Al’s subs sinks one of my PBs on ASW duty (an example of the hunter becoming the hunted). [8|] I also had a sub attack at the hex with all my reinforcement TFs, but luckily the ASW TF took the fight, and it appears he did not spot the other TFs. The fighters at Truk fight a couple rounds vs his Liberators, we each lose one based on the animations, but several of his were damaged and hopefully not all made it back to Eniwetok.

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 3
A6M5 Zero x 23
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 21
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Port Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
263 Ku S-4 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 16 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
501 Ku K-351 with A6M2 Sen Baku (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 1
A6M5 Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
263 Ku S-4 with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 7 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
501 Ku K-351 with A6M2 Sen Baku (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 10000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes

[Justus2]

We also see a CV strike at Pagan, from a group to the north. After the turn, looks like he has two groups north of Pagan, and another CV group approaching from the SE. Not sure if this is prep for an invasion there, or if he has the CVs going around Pagan to work his way south along the chain, and isolate them from reinforcements. When I saw one group last turn, I thought there might be an opportunity to take on a small element, since the KB and the raiding CVLs are both headed north toward Iwo. But with three groups, I am taking a wide berth and trying to avoid contact.

Afternoon Air attack on Pagan , at 110,89
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
TBM-1C Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

[Justus2]

The Allies bombard Ponape with a group of DDs, I have little there except some CD guns, and get 6 hits on a DD, causing fires. The CV groups remain around Pagan, and one of the groups now shows some BBs and APDs, which I’m assuming is the landing group, but no strikes and they don’t move any closer.

Night Naval bombardment of Ponape at 119,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
305 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Schroeder, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Saufley
DD Rowe

Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Runway hits 1

Ponape Naval Fortress firing at DD Schroeder
DD Schroeder firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at DD Saufley
DD Saufley firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
DD Rowe firing at Ponape

I’ve just realized that I can’t reload my subs at Guam. I looked up the rearm cost in the manual – most of my subs carry 53cm Type 95 torps, which requires 298 NavSpt at a Port 5, or 350 at a Port 3. I might be able to load torps at Pelieu, it is P3 and has 320 NavSpt, and the base unit at Babel has 120, so I am using some AVs and an xAK to move that base unit over. Otherwise Truk is the only rearm base (and hardly secure). My older RO boats use the 53cm Type 89, those aren't listed in the manual chart for rearm costs, so I hope they will work at the same port.

One thing I am concerned about, the Ship Availability screen shows several ships scheduled for arrival at Kwajalein, in 2 days (they’ve said 2 days for several turns now). It’s in red, because Kwaj is an allied base, I thought when that happened they would revert to my ‘national’ base? I don’t know where that is in this scenario, Iwo is the only base that generates supply/fuel (500 each per day). If those ships aren’t coming in, that’s a problem. That is my only AO and AS, I was hoping the AS would alleviate the problem and give me more options.

[Justus2]

Does anyone know what the problem is with the ships scheduled to arrive at Kwajalein? Is that a scenario bug? It starts in Allied hands, and I can't imagine the Japanese were expected to retake the island in this scenario.

Any ideas on how to free these ships from stasis would be helpful!

[Justus2]

On the 9th, Al bombards Ponape again, this time with BB New Mexico. CD guns get some hits, but all superstructure or tower armor. The DDs yesterday just seemed like a recon by fire, but now I wonder if he is prepping for an invasion, to get a fighter base closer to Truk? I’m sure my CAP ambushes are annoying his Liberators, but I would be surprised if he would divert so much effort from the main Marianas group to attack Ponape (or Truk itself).

Naval bombardment of Ponape at 119,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
24 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 8
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

BB New Mexico firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB New Mexico

[Justus2]

Other than the usual exchange of ASW (mostly misses, this turn), a flight of CV aircraft attack one of my destroyers trying to sneak into his shipping lanes. The Shimakaze was the fastest DD in the group of reinforcements (top speed of 38!), and good endurance, so I am sending it on a solo recon/raiding mission. Luckily, his torpedoes all miss.

Plan is to swing by Truk and refuel, and then see what I can run into, and hopefully throw Al a little off balance. I also have the CA Takao doing a similar raid. I love that class, one of the only CAs with an ASW value so it can (partially) protect itself from subs. Had some luck finding tankers when we played the Guadalcanal scenario doing this, but also found a CV group the hard way… [;)]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 113,99
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17
TBM-1C Avenger x 8
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

[Justus2]

The sub/ASW duel on the 10th doesn’t turn out well for RO-67, but it reveals some interesting intel: Several amhip assault ships just north of Eniwetok – is this a main landing force? If so, which island is it headed toward?

After taking the screenshot, though, I couldn’t help hearing the lyrics from Lake Shore drive in my head
“Slipping on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound”… I’m sure they are trouble-bound, but where?

Lake Shore Drive - the Song

[Justus2]

Meanwhile, his CVs seem to have backed off, I’m guessing they are hanging back to cover the new landing forces. Strange that they didn’t hit any of my airfields, I stacked extra CAP at Guam and Saipan, in case they did.

[Justus2]

Also, learned something new today [:)] With this game, I learn something almost every turn. The AV Kiyokawa has it’s own float plane wing! It’s been parked in Peleliu this whole time. I moved it to Babel to help shuttle the naval base force over, and then realized it had its own planes! They will be helpful on ASW patrol.

[Justus2]

Action heats up at Ponape on the 11th with more bombardments, this time including a couple more BBs- Pearl Harbor survivors, no less. I was right, he was preparing for an invasion: [:-]

Night Naval bombardment of Ponape at 119,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
282 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Franks, Shell hits 2
DD Foote, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Evans
Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Night Naval bombardment of Ponape at 119,113 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB California
BB Pennsylvania
Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (5 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Pre-Invasion action off Ponape (119,113) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
APA Leon
Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Amphibious Assault at Ponape (119,113) [X(]
TF 39 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 119,113
====================================================

RO0-117 tries to interfere, but gets pummelled for his trouble. At least I used up all his ammo!

ASW attack near Ponape at 120,113

Japanese Ships
SS RO-117

Allied Ships
APD Overton
APD Dickerson
APD Clemson
APD Noa

SS RO-117 is sighted by escort
RO-117 diving deep ....
APD Dickerson fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Clemson fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Noa fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Ponape at 120,113
Japanese Ships
SS RO-117, hits 16
Allied Ships
APD Overton
APD Dickerson
APD Clemson
APD Noa

SS RO-117 is sighted by escort
APD Dickerson attacking submerged sub ....
APD Clemson attacking submerged sub ....
APD Noa attacking submerged sub ....
APD Dickerson fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Clemson fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Noa attacking submerged sub ....
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Clemson fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Noa fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Noa fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Noa fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Noa attacking submerged sub ....
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa attacking submerged sub ....
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
APD Noa is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

[Justus2]

I do get some luck w/one of my subs, near Pearl, sinking an LST. However, he gets revenge on the other side of the map, sinking my only TK (I was trying to shuttle some fuel forward to Woleai to use as a staging base).

Submarine attack near Niihau at 176,107
Japanese Ships
SS I-41
Allied Ships
LST-203, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage [:D]

LST-203 is sighted by SS I-41
SS I-41 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-203

Sub attack near Yap at 95,102
Japanese Ships
TK Medan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage [:(]
E Tsuga
Allied Ships
SS Pintado, hits 3

SS Pintado launches 4 torpedoes at TK Medan Maru
E Tsuga attacking submerged sub ....
E Tsuga fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tsuga fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tsuga fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tsuga fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Justus2]

June 12th is a dark day for the Empire… [:(] More ASW action, this time resulting in heavy damage to RO-67 and RO-63, both of which sink later in the turn. Meanwhile, his SS Muskallunge puts a total of 5 torps into the CL Agano (luckily for me, he didn’t hit any of the slower CVs it was escorting). Landings continue at Ponape, CD guns have mostly been silenced.

ASW attack near Eniwetok at 126,109
Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 8, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Shaw

SS RO-67 is located by DD Shaw
RO-67 diving deep ....
DD Shaw attacking submerged sub ....
DD Shaw cannot reach attack position over SS RO-67
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Wake Island at 136,98
Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, hits 3, heavy damage
Allied Ships
AM Parkes

SS RO-63 is sighted by escort
RO-63 bottoming out ....
AM Parkes fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Parkes fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Parkes fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Parkes attacking submerged sub ....
Underwater explosion, debris and oil appear on surface!
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Yap at 99,91
Japanese Ships
CL Agano, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Nowaki
DD Isokaze
Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge, hits 1

SS Muskallunge launches 6 torpedoes at CL Agano
Muskallunge diving deep ....

ASW attack near Yap at 99,91
Japanese Ships
CL Agano, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya
Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge

SS Muskallunge launches 4 torpedoes at CL Agano
Muskallunge diving deep ....

[Justus2]

I spotted a small ASW TF near Guam last turn, so I switched some Judys from ASW to Naval attack to see if I could get lucky. Unfortunately, Al moved a CVTF (or two) into range…

Morning Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 110,97
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 13
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed
No Allied losses

And in case I didn’t spot the CVs before, I know they are here now, as they hit a supply xAK I had slipped into Guam when I didn’t think they were around… [8|]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Guam at 106,95
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zero x 31
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 24
TBM-1C Avenger x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Sikisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yunagi

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Guam at 106,95
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zero x 22
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 97
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Uzuki, on fire
DD Yunagi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

[Justus2]

Here’s the total bill for the day – Ships and Aircraft lost. [:@]

Nearly 3-1 ratio in fighter losses on the day, and over half the Judy squadron. I’m actually surprised the campaign total isn’t more lopsided, but I have done a decent job of attrition on his Liberators (both versions), and a steady stream of ops losses for his Mariners seems to help.

[Justus2]

Lots of moving pieces on the map below – I think the storm is finally about to break open. The heavy CV presence near Guam, and the incoming TF of LCIs, makes me think he is finally going to launch his first major landing, probably at Guam. I’m not ready to deal with the CVs, but I am moving my heavy BB TF (Yamato, Musashi, and Nagato) up a bit from Yap to be in range for a night full-speed run if I see his transports committed. I know it’s probably a suicide run, but as I mentioned earlier, I can’t rearm them anyway.

However, I think I see an opportunity in the north. There is a smaller group, of APDs with CVE escorts, that might be heading for Pagan. Pagan isn’t one of the key islands, but it makes a good air base, and starts lightly defended, so he may be trying to land a small force with AvSpt to get an LBA airfield. I am moving CarDiv2 up, and the KB down from hiding at Iwo. They will both be just in range of Pagan, but hopefully outside of range of his main CVTFs. If he does land at Pagan, I could get a good strike in. If not, I can pull them back out of reach. The fast BB TF is here too (Kongo and Haruna), and will be positioned for a night run if an opportunity is presented.

That replenishment TF is a juicy target, but in between his other TFs so I can’t really reach it. I will vector some subs that way.

Across the northern part of the map, my CVL strike force is still undetected, trying to get into his shipping lanes behind Wake.

[Justus2]

This turn was the story of two destroyers, operating alone, and both paying a price but living (so far) to fight another day.

At Saipan, the turn opens with the sound of a mine explosion, then a mini-sub attack, and finally the brave, lone DD Cogswell (smoke already pouring out) starting a shore bombardment. CD guns got a few hits in (one penetrating), so I imagine she’s pretty banged up, but my hat’s off to the brave tin can sailors! [&o] I assume this was a ‘recon by fire’ type mission?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 13, 44
TF 116 encounters mine field at Saipan (108,93)
Allied Ships
DD Cogswell, Mine hits 1 [:D]

Submarine attack near Saipan at 108,93
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-10
Allied Ships
DD Cogswell

DD Cogswell is sighted by SSX Ha-10
SSX Ha-10 launches 2 torpedoes

Night Naval bombardment of Saipan at 108,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Cogswell, Shell hits 4, on fire
Saipan Naval Fortress firing at DD Cogswell
DD Cogswell firing at Saipan Naval Fortress


Meanwhile, later in the day and a thousand miles east, my scouting destroyer, the DD Shimakaze, tries to run into Jaluit for a quick refuel. I had it set for full speed, and then auto-disband, which I thought would get it ‘under the radar’ in time, but SBDs from Kwaj caught it in the open. She only got 1 hit, but those 1000 lb SAP hit hard. I may try to pull her back to Truk and take my chances, but I think her scouting days are done.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

[Justus2]

Meanwhile, the big clash didn’t happen. His armada is still on the horizon, but hasn’t committed to any of the islands yet. His CV groups, and main landing force, shifted north a few hexrows, so I am thinking the initial target may be Saipan (hence the recon DD). I shift some of my air squadrons around, so they don’t get caught on the ground. The northern group is still hanging around about 7 hexes E of Pagan, with a few more CVLs in the mix. But my CarDiv2 is spotted, and with him moving his main CVs further north, it’s not safe to hang around. I pull all my forces back west, to wait and see what develops.

I’ve noticed this AAR is getting a lot of hits (over 300) but I’ve only had one comment, so I am open to suggestions. How I can make it more interesting or engaging?

This is my first WITP AAR, I am trying a mix of combat report info and screenshots, but let me know if it’s too much data, or not enough. Also, the deck is pretty stacked against Japan in this scenario, but if any JFBs out there have good tactics for using the limited resources I have, I’d appreciate it! If anyone has any questions or ideas let me know.

[aleajactaest10044]

Call for commentary...a response follows...

First - I have really enjoyed reading your AAR
Second - I think this game is one that has more potential to draw new players in the way that your doing. Start with the small scenarios and progress.
Third - I lived in the Marianas for several years during which time I had the opportunity to go to many of the islands in the Cent Pac. Its amazing to stand in some of the ruins (not many of these intact) on a prominent point and look out to sea; you can close your eyes and envision the invasion fleet of the Americans.
Fourth - Your AAR may just make me take the plunge and take the last step to find an opponent for the smaller scenarios.


GOOD WORK!!!