LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

At the very least I bet it was very fun to watch !

Did you start the game on December 8th? I don't remember if your PH losses were severe. 4 battleships, even old standard type, is a big loss for a secondary theater, in real life Nimitz would had likely lost his job. Of course we don't need to worry about that in game.

Are you withdrawing your naval forces from Attu?
what are you planning to do now?

Yeah, it was a fun replay - especially starting with a 14" shell hitting Fuso right away. But I knew it wasn't going to go well since my ships did the naval bombardment. Thought I pulled out of it with at best a draw. Of course, realizing it was the synch bug when I booted up the turn was very frustrating - had to put WiTPAE down for a while!

We did the 8 Dec start - so I'm short 6 BBs for late war - that's going to have an effect. Not having to worry about bumping into the Yamato is good, but I'd rather have the 4 BBs for shore bombardment.

Until I can get some more naval assets up in the Aleutians, invading Attu is on hold. Will put me a week or so behind my schedule, but I'm in no real rush. Attu is a dead end for now - I'm not ready to venture further west any time soon.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

A major slugfest, all right, but it looks to me as if Nevada rather than Colorado was the sole surviving American BB. (And of course it's the least valuable of the bunch.)

Colorado was the only BB afloat when I booted the turn - and it's fires were at 80 something, so I scuttled her this turn. 4-1, even if the 1 is the Yamato, is not a good exchange.

[IdahoNYer]

10-11 Jul 42

Highlights - pretty dull after all the commotion last turn…..

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Maikaze - old sinking reported)
PB: 1 (old sinking reported)

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-29)

Allied ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Colorado scuttled)
xAP: 1 (small)

Air loss:
Jpn: 10
Allied: 7

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CM dam)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Sarmi (SWPAC)

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. BB New Mexico, CA Quincy, CLAA San Juan along with DDs depart for the Aleutians. Fast convoy departs LA for Auckland while a sub is located between LA and SF - will send a DE after it. Lastly, CV Hornet begins its refit at Auckland while CV Yorktown completes her’s at Perth.

In NOPAC. In the aftermath of the debacle know as the Battleship Battle of Attu, the Colorado is scuttled while the CL Detroit limps into Adak with fires still burning - she’s at 94 sys now, so I doubt she’ll make it. S-28 hits a CM off Attu, so have to assume Attu is now mined; no surprise. Will now wait until naval reinforcements arrive, only keeping air active over Attu and subs patrolling . Attu Amph TF offloads at DH while we wait.

CENPAC. BB Maryland with escort departs PH for the Aleutians.

In SOPAC, Ndeni Amph TF reorganizes at Noumea, and will depart to rendezvous with CV and CA TFs east of the New Hebrides. Otherwise, quiet - other than some sub sightings.

In SWPAC, pretty quiet all around. The KB has departed the Gulf of Carpentaria - assume the KB headed west as air search didn’t pick it up entering the Coral Sea. With the IJA Normanton ground force destroyed, the IJA armor begins to attempt to move back west. Allied LBA ground strikes fly unopposed.

In WAUS, the mines laid at Carnarvon are quickly cleared without further loss. I did forget to change a destination of a transport TF - so after two small xAPs loaded a USN CB, they immediately departed Perth for Carnarvon - without escort! So of course, one xAP falls prey to a sub fully loaded! The other might make it as I diverted a nearby escort. Carnarvon continues to build supply and its AF is now at level 3. Port Hedland continues to be pounded by LBA, but its supply situation seems to be getting better - slowly.

In China, NSTR

In India/Burma, CL TF (2CL, 5DD) bombard Akyab with good effect, but do not find any shipping. On the ground, east of Lashio, the IJA push back two Chinese divisions back into China. What’s concerning here is that the IJA force is 30k including the 56th Div and plenty of tanks and artillery - guess this is main effort in the theater - NOT going to Chittagong, but rather trying to push into China from the west. Might have to find out how tough it is to fight an overland campaign from Ledo through Myitkyina towards Lashio to cut into to foray into China from the flank.

[jwolf]

At minimum, you have stopped the Jap offensive near Normanton. I doubt he can take any more of Australia with the possible exception of pushing the border a bit in the NW corner. Soon (optimistically) he will have a lot of troops committed but on the defensive and needing constant supply runs from DEI.

Too bad about the big battle near Attu but at least you took down the Yamato.

[IdahoNYer]

12-13 Jul 42

Highlights - Staying pretty quiet; IJA armor mauled in OZ while a Construction Battalion goes down with the ship

Jpn ships sunk:
CM: 1 (Hatsutaka)

Allied ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (small)

Air loss:
Jpn: 08
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 2 ship hit (xAP sunk, DD dam)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CM sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Sarmi (SWPAC)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. NSTR

In NOPAC, subs take care of the CM at Attu, and SB2Us hit two xAKLs off Attu as well. CL Detroit’s fires are still burning when she gets to Adak, she’ll likely be lost.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, Ndeni Amph TF departs Noumea as IJN subs continue to be sighted, but not hit by ASW a/c.

In SWPAC, Aus armor mauls IJA tank units in the IJA’s withdrawal from Normanton - 56 tanks destroyed for no loss. He’s pulling back probably faster than I can reasonably pursue, but I still might be able to inflict some more tank losses on his tank regiments. Allied air (B-17s, B-26s, DB-7s) also contribute to the IJA’s losses. SS Argonaut lays mines off Portland Roads; no IJN activity seen off NE Aus.

In WAUS, bloody IJN subs! They manage to sink the other xAP carrying the naval construction battalion to Carnarvon. Still short escorts - I have single ship ASW TFs where I should have 3-4 trying to hunt these subs down that are prowling between Perth and Carnarvon. Need more ASW a/c as well! CV Yorktown manages to avoid the subs and link up with Lex and the Brit CVs - hopefully far enough off Carnarvon to avoid the sub threat.

In China, IJA LBA plaster Changsa AF, catching the Wellingtons and P-40s on the ground - only 4 a/c are lost, but the AF is closed. Time to bring the Wellingtons home to India anyway; deploying bomber assets in China for night raids isn’t worth the supply spent unless I also deploy recon planes - and I don’t have enough to spare for that just yet. Relatively quiet on the ground for the time being.

In India/Burma, NSTR.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I'm reaching mid August and I can tell you I'm still short of everything. Escorts and navy planes in particular

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I'm reaching mid August and I can tell you I'm still short of everything. Escorts and navy planes in particular

I'll be short till '43 at least. The P-40K will help. Figure the Marines will still be flying the Buffalo and the Army the P-36 in backwaters well into '43.

[IdahoNYer]

14-15 Jul 42

Highlights - IJA’s 18th Div pushed out of Cox’s Bazaar with heavy loss; heavy air battles over India-Burma

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Detroit - succumbs to fires at Adak)
DD: 1
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 45
Allied: 35

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD sunk - Le Triomphant, previously dam by sub)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Cox’s Bazaar (India)

SIGINT/Intel: Recon shows warship TFs at Moresby, including likely KB

West Coast/Admin. I’ve begun moving the 307th BG from the East Coast to India. They’ll convert to the B-24 (currently each squadron only has a single B-17E) after arrival. Goal here is to have two heavy bomber groups operating out of India before the end of 1942. Will also move some additional US fighter squadrons to India as planes become available.

In NOPAC, CL Detroit is lost to fires at Adak while US air hits Attu. Attu invasion forces begin re-boarding ships at DH while warships should arrive at DH next turn. Amph forces will include a Marine Reg, and Army Reg, Tank Bn, 2 Cbt EN Bns, and a FA Bn.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, ASW TFs and a/c continue to try and locate subs throughout the New Hebrides without apparent success. Luganville port and AF now at Level 3. Amph invasion of Ndeni as well as Vanikoro will go in next turn.

In SWPAC, Aus armor continues to catch up to withdrawing IJA tank/recce units - counted 8 battalions, all seemingly out of supply. Aus AT unit sits astride “road to freedom” blocking withdrawal as what looks like an IJA IN Bde is moving up as relief. Allied air continues to pound the withdrawing IJA tanks. Aus armor should be able to attack again next turn, while Aus and US infantry struggle to catch up.

In WAUS, subs continue to be a threat, putting a torp into the already damaged French DD, sinking her. That said, troop convoy with an US EN Bn and Aus IN BDE begin offloading at Carnarvon. 30K supply now at Carnarvon. Still expecting invasion of Port Hedland, but nothing yet other than air bombardment. US/Brit CVs continue to loiter well to the west off Carnarvon.

In China, Jpn resume bombing of manpower industry - in Changteh - with good effect. Not good. On the ground, Chinese forces heavily repulse a Bde size attack which hit a Corps in the SE.

In India/Burma, Allied ground forces continue advance, pushing the IJA’s 18th Div out of Cox’s Bazaar with heavy loss - 2564 casualties including 98 destroyed squads and only 61 allied losses. Very nice. In the air, an unescorted Sonia strike is found by Allied LRCAP bleeding over from Akyab - 25 are shot down with no friendly loss. However, Allied sweeps over Cox’s Bazaar tangle with Oscars, and do poorly. 10 P-40s and 8 Hurris are lost for only 7 Oscars. Will continue to push along the coast from Cox’s Bazaar to Akyab - IJA is still having supply problems from the “blocking force” SE of Akyab. Lastly, the very good British 2nd Div has offloaded at Karachi, and will rail to relieve the two Bdes of the 70th Div at Calcutta and Chittagong, allowing them to move forward to support the attack towards Akyab.

[jwolf]

Great result at Cox. Sounds like in both India and Australia the momentum is with you. Hope you can keep it that way!

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Great result at Cox. Sounds like in both India and Australia the momentum is with you. Hope you can keep it that way!

Thanks - hope you're right, but I'm still thinking he's going in on Port Hedland any moment!

[IdahoNYer]

16-17 Jul 42

Highlights - US troops land on Ndeni and Vanikoro; landings on Attu postponed till August.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 10
Allied: 07

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv:
Dagua (SWPAC)
Gorong (SWPAC)

Allied Amph Inv:
Ndeni (SOPAC)
Vanikoro (SOPAC)

Bases lost:
Dagua (SWPAC)
Gorong (SWPAC)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. NSTR

In NOPAC, I’ve decided to postpone the invasion of Attu until after 1 Aug. Subs have sighted an approaching IJN TF heading east just off the Kuriles - nothing specific on composition, but something is heading east. After losing 4 BBs, its time to be a bit more cautious here. No reason to rush - I have time. So, I’m going to move some additional LBA from continental US bases before I venture to Attu. The naval forces are in place (2BB, CA, 2CL, CLAA, DDs) except for a couple more subs enroute. Additional LBA should be in place within a week - including Marine recon and DBs as well as army fighters and bombers - many restricted, but can still hop to Adak or Amchitka.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, landings go in at Ndeni and Vanikoro without much issue. Two, hopefully minor miscues - I managed to forget to change the surface combat TF to bombardment, so no prior bombardment took place at Ndeni, and I was surprised by a Japanese garrison at Vanikoro - recon had not shown any troops there. Since they aren’t atolls - they will both be bombarded this next turn (and the garrisons for both should be less than battalion sized) prior to the ground attacks. All US TFs will also clear the area next turn as well - the KB is not sighted at Moresby, so worst case - its heading east toward the New Hebrides. Troops landed have plenty of supply, and I expect both objectives to fall in the initial ground assault. The CV TF will depart the New Hebrides station for Auckland - swap Enterprise for Hornet to do a quick refit and conduct some minor repairs on all ships. Time to build up the existing gains in the New Hebrides, and I shouldn’t need CVs for that. Will maintain a surface fleet at Noumea-Luganville station.

In SWPAC, Aus armor catches up to the withdrawing IJA tank force, attacks with good effect - 50 destroyed vehicles (tanks?) and one unit destroyed for a loss of 3 destroyed tanks. Of course the IJA force managed to withdraw further west - but this attack got them off the road and they withdrew SW. Will continue to try and encircle/attack this force to destroy it. Allied air continues to pound this force as well - attacks estimated to have destroyed over 20 tanks this turn.

In WAUS, quiet except for the usual bombing of Port Hedland. The Allies wait for the attack…

In China, Chinese forces make two successful attacks - one pushing a RGC division out of Pakoi, and the other destroying the already attritted RGC Bde in the SE. Jpn forces have been a bit quite recently.

In India/Burma, pretty quiet as Allied troops haven’t caught up to the withdrawing IJA troops by Cox’s Bazaar. The big concern is the 16 unit IJA force heading east from Lashio into China towards Paoshan.

[IdahoNYer]

18-19 Jul 42

Highlights - Lots of excitement…Naval action in the New Hebrides, sub hits CV Zuikaku and a tanker convoy gets in trouble.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 2 (Kagero, Yugiri - Kagero was an old sinking?)
SS: 1 (RO-64 - or RO 61)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 2 (Maury, Selfridge)
AMC: 1 (small)
TK: 5

Air loss:
Jpn: 26
Allied: 16

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
RO-61 (or 64) sunk by escorts off Vanikoro
Allies: 6 Attacks, 2 ships hit (S-37 hits CV Zuikaku with 1 torp off Eastern Solomons, DD dam)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Misool (DEI)

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Ndeni (SOPAC)
Vanikoro (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: Apparently the KB is at sea in SOPAC

West Coast/Admin. New enemy fighter type, Oscar IIa, encountered in action for the first time in Australia.

In NOPAC, apparently Rufes have returned to Attu as US airstrikes found them and two LB 30s were shot down. Synch bug didn’t show any such air strikes on Attu, so not sure how many intercepted. Will get the P-38Es back up to sweep, and a dozen or so previously stateside B-17Es will hit Attu. Also, SS Flying Fish missed CA Kumuno with 4 torps off the Kuriles.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, well, it was probably a good thing that I pulled the invasion TFs and support off Ndeni as the IJN apparently came out to play. IJN DD TF (6DD) encountered the Ndeni bombardment TF (2CA, CL, 4DD) prior to bombardment and in the action, IJN Long Lances sunk two DDs, and in exchange US gunfire sunk one DD. A larger IJN TF came in later (2CA, 2CL, 10DD) damaged a DM, but did not bombard or find any other targets. Synch bug showed US LBA SDBs putting a couple of 1000lbs bombs into the CAs, but that apparently never happened! Synch bug also showed S-37 putting two torps into CA Furutaka, but instead, S-37 apparently hit CV Zuikaku with one torp - no idea of damage though. On the ground, both Ndeni and Vanikoro fell in the first assaults - an independent SNLF company was defending each base. So for the next month or so, the focus will be to build up the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz bases. Luganville to base B-17s to hit the base at Tulagi, and Ndeni to base P-38s to sweep the lower Solomons. Will also work on reducing the heavy concentration of IJN subs prowling the area.

[IdahoNYer]

In SWPAC, Jpn air provides LRCAP over the cut off armored units west of Normanton, including the debut of the Oscar IIa. Allied fighters do well, downing 6 of the new Oscars as well as 8 Zeros in exchange for 4 fighters and a B-17E. Airpower destroys another two dozen tanks while Allied ground units attempt to close in for the kill. With Jpn fighters potentially in support, I’ll sweep the target hex with USMC F4Fs and give some of the bombers a needed rest.

In WAUS, the action is well out to sea west of Perth. L_S_T has shown he likes to use AMCs in the raider role, and I just haven’t learned that lesson yet - and it cost me. A single AMC finds one of my tanker convoys heading to Perth (why couldn’t THIS be the synch bug??!!). I’ve made a conscious decision to lightly escort convoys, with additional escorts heading out from destination ports as the convoys close - I just don’t have the available escorts, and I’m not willing to slow the supply flow to wait for larger escort groups. The AMC first finds the PC Jumna headed out of Perth to join the convoy - while Jumna is slightly damaged, the AMC is unscathed, and it then finds the prize - 10 heavily laden ocean going tankers escorted by a single, small AMC. I consider myself lucky to lose “only” 5 of the tankers as the AMC Pansy gives a much better account than her name suggests! Of course, the AMC is still at large and another tanker convoy is right behind the one that got hit. That convoy will head north as I divert the British CVs (Formidable and Illustrious) on station west of Carnarvon to protect the inbound tankers as well as hunt the AMC. I’ve known the raiders are a threat in remote areas such as the Indian Ocean and in southeastern Pacific waters, but it’s a risk I was willing to take - and it cost me the tankers. So, in the future, will attempt to put additional escorts in valuable convoys (troops and tankers) just in case, especially the Perth run which will remain vulnerable.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, with the exception of the British CL TF (CL, 5DD) bombarding Akyab, it remains fairly quiet.

[jwolf]

Bad news about those tankers. [:(] Any idea how he spotted your tanker TF in the first place, in order to engage it? Or was it a lucky meeting in a wide ocean?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Bad news about those tankers. [:(] Any idea how he spotted your tanker TF in the first place, in order to engage it? Or was it a lucky meeting in a wide ocean?

He was waiting for it off the entry hex to Perth from Cape Town. My bad - he knew I was running convoys into Perth from Cape Town from previous sub sightings. Just a matter of time to get an AMC astride the most likely route and wait.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I'm actually surprised to see so good results. In all my experiences AMCs fail a lot. It might be that in this case speed advantage helped. And I also bet he put a good skipper.

Iwill start adding at least a couple DDs or former DDs to every tanker TF.. I think that can make a big difference. Supply *aks can keep the light escort

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I'm actually surprised to see so good results. In all my experiences AMCs fail a lot. It might be that in this case speed advantage helped. And I also bet he put a good skipper.

Iwill start adding at least a couple DDs or former DDs to every tanker TF.. I think that can make a big difference. Supply *aks can keep the light escort

An AMC did fail - the aptly named escorting AMC Pansy! I think it only had 4" guns and likely a lot less crew experience than the IJN AMC. Skippers naval skill could be a factor too. I have used Pansy and the other British AMC that has no troop carrying capacity as escorts too and they seem to be the first to take hits and go down easily, whether by naval or air attack, or shore battery fire.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

You can also set destination to somewhere else a bit northern. Carnavaron for example. Then the TF will arrive farther away and you can change destination again once it's on map

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I'm actually surprised to see so good results. In all my experiences AMCs fail a lot. It might be that in this case speed advantage helped. And I also bet he put a good skipper.

Iwill start adding at least a couple DDs or former DDs to every tanker TF.. I think that can make a big difference. Supply *aks can keep the light escort

An AMC did fail - the aptly named escorting AMC Pansy! I think it only had 4" guns and likely a lot less crew experience than the IJN AMC. Skippers naval skill could be a factor too. I have used Pansy and the other British AMC that has no troop carrying capacity as escorts too and they seem to be the first to take hits and go down easily, whether by naval or air attack, or shore battery fire.

Not really - I didn't expect AMC Pansy to thwart a raider, she was there as escort as a minimal ASW platform. Figured subs were a bigger threat, and geared escort accordingly - bolstering ASW escorts from ports as the convoy closed. Will now have to bolster tanker and troop convoys with better protection against raiders. Nothing new here, I was just getting complacent.

[IdahoNYer]

20-21 Jul 42

Highlights - Pretty quiet. Two more tank regiments destroyed in OZ and the AMC raider is bombed off Exmouth

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 2 (Shirakumo, Hatsuyuki - old sinkings reported?)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 17
Allied: 10

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. Slow convoy departs LA for Auckland.

In NOPAC, P-38Es sweep Attu, downing 7 Rufes for no loss. PBYs report enemy TF (DDs?) 80m west of Attu heading east - will keep US CA TF (CA, 2CL, CLAA, 6DD) at Adak and see if LBA and subs can hit the IJN.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, its quiet. No sign of IJN activity except subs.

In SWPAC, two IJA tank regiments are destroyed west of Normanton by two Aus tank Regiments and it’s now time to start bringing back the Allied troops that were in pursuit. 2-3 additional tank regiments may still be destroyed, but its time to rest LBA and re-mission the majority of the ground troops for future operations. LBA will rest and refit a bit, then begin operations against bases in New Guinea. I think the invasion threat to NE Australia has been passed.


In WAUS, the AMC that tore up the tanker convoy was sighted and attacked Carnarvon based Banshees off Exmouth with 3 hits reported - surprised L_S_T tried to get away along the coast rather than further out to sea. I’m still going to search the waters further off Perth to the map edge with British CV Formidable for a few days until she has to withdraw, just in case there is more than one raider at large. The second tanker convoy has joined up with CA Cornwall to provide escort enroute to Perth. All future convoys from Cape Town to Perth will now have either warship or AMC escort, just in case. Alice Springs based B-17s will rest and refit from action against the IJA Normanton force before targeting Daly Waters. One Bomb Group will likely redeploy to SOPAC or SWPAC.

In China, NSTR except the overall supply level continues to diminish.

In India/Burma, the first regiment of the US 27th ID docks at Colombo where it will await the rest of the division being slowly brought in as political points become avail. While I don’t think Ceylon is under threat, it is vulnerable since I pulled the British 18th Div out (which has done yeoman work in the fight for Cox’s Bazaar). The 27th Div regiments will function as a reserve until deployed on the continent when the division is complete in the next 1-2 months.