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

[Justus2]

Al commented in our last email, that he wasn’t prepared for the Saipan assault, and hoped he still had enough time to take the islands. We have one month remaining after this turn (AUG 6 end date). Pagan (which got hit again) may eventually fall, I can’t do much about his tanks, and he is gradually grinding down my defenders. I could try some more shore bombardments, but Pagan’s not one of the critical islands, so I don’t want to risk too much if it’s a lost cause. Tinian has been able to hold its own, unless he brings another major wave. That’s where I would probably risk my BBs or KB, to prevent another full assault convoy (Division-sized). Otherwise, I am going to continue trying to hit him around the edges.

Speaking of hitting him around the edges, my CVL TF made it into Truk undetected and disbanded last turn. [8D] I refuel and send them south. I spotted a couple small (2-4 ship) TFs north of Truk, but he has too many CVTFs around, and I don’t want to expose them unless I can get a good target. I am searching near Ponape and further east w/LBA, he reloaded the Marine Rgt he used on Wake, he may try to do the same at Ponape.

Meanwhile, further north, search planes out of Marcus spot a full REP TF at Wake! My CA Atago could have tried a full-speed run, but that would have left it exposed, and no guarantee they’d still be there. I am moving closer, to be within range for a night run if he’s still there tomorrow.

[Justus2]

7 JULY

Not sure if Al spotted the recent activity in and out of Truk, or if he just got some new Liberators, but he sends a major bombing raid at the port this turn. My CAP gives a good account of themselves, end of turn lists 12 Liberators for 9 Zeros. No major hits, the CVLs had already left port, just some subs repairing.

Otherwise a quiet turn, a few more LCIs land at Tinian, but no assault. He did appear to have some sort of mishap during the landing:

Amphibious Assault at Tinian (108,94)
TF 81 troops unloading over beach at Tinian, 108,94
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 56 (1 destroyed, 55 disabled)
LVT(A)1 Amphib Tank accidentally lost during unload of 708th Amphib Tank Bn /7 [;)]

Shipping appears to be pulling back east again, so I move a FT TF in range to run into Saipan next turn if it’s still quiet.

[Justus2]

I probably should have run the Atago into Wake last turn, the AO/REP TF is still there, and now I’ve been spotted. [8|] He must have also spotted my lone recon plane at Taongi. It’s a Jake left over from one of my damaged ships, it could just barely make the jump from Marcus to Taongi. No support there, so I only expected it to fly for a couple turns, but Al sends a major sortie to shut it down. Luckily, the plane’s not damaged. So I hop it south to Jaluit, and maybe he can make it home. At least at Jaluit he will have about 24K of supplies if he gets stranded! [;)]

The Atago will make a full-speed run into and thru Wake this turn, should arrive toward the end of night phase, with a second patrol point far to the NW. We’ll see if we can still catch any of the AOs, there’s another TF with AKs headed there as well. I debated heading SE into the shipping lane from Pearl, there’s a TF with APAs, but since he’s seen my TF (and the recon plane at Taongi) I think he will expect that I am raiding east like last time. Hopefully the move to Wake will catch him by surprise. [8D]

[Chickenboy]

It's all about supply to Saipan for the naval defense batteries there, IMO.

Have you tried barge traffic in and around the Marianas? I'd suggest it for two reasons:

1. Shuttle supply from lesser VP islands that *may* yet fall (e.g., Tinian) to higher VP islands that are likely to be a focus in the second half (e.g., Saipan)
2. Let his SCTFs / bombardment TFs spend time and effort tangling with these guys. Much as the Allies have a surfeit of PT boats with which to obscure your SCTF movement, it would be a real shame if a bombardment TF had to stop and use some of its valuable time and ammunition to shoot up some barges that were unloading at Saipan.

[Chickenboy]

By the way, I assume you don't get any PT boats? [:D]

[Justus2]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

It's all about supply to Saipan for the naval defense batteries there, IMO.

Have you tried barge traffic in and around the Marianas? I'd suggest it for two reasons:

1. Shuttle supply from lesser VP islands that *may* yet fall (e.g., Tinian) to higher VP islands that are likely to be a focus in the second half (e.g., Saipan)
2. Let his SCTFs / bombardment TFs spend time and effort tangling with these guys. Much as the Allies have a surfeit of PT boats with which to obscure your SCTF movement, it would be a real shame if a bombardment TF had to stop and use some of its valuable time and ammunition to shoot up some barges that were unloading at Saipan.

I was able to create one Barge TF, w/5 Landing Barges (now down to 4). I have used them to shuttle supplies from Guam to Tinian, and now Saipan, since its easier to sneak regular FT TFs into Guam. Usually I load on one turn, then disband, then change the home port to the destination and set to Do Not Unload/Autodisband so they 'hide' when they arrive, then unload on my orders phase. Unfortunately, they only carry a handful of supplies. They are 60 troop/8 cargo, so it's like 28 supply each per trip. But hey, every bit helps. I do have three small 170-cargo xAKLs I could probably use for similar runs, I've been using them to resupply some of my search bases.

Only had one surface engagement with the LBs so far, they ran into a pair of LSTs, and both sides evaded LOL. No PT boats, but I've been trying to get the most out of my mini-subs. Biggest problem is none of the Marianas can rearm their torps, so even if they do survive an attack, I have to send them back to the pool. I just brought 4 back that were recycled early on, any I send now won't be back before the scenario is over.

[Justus2]

8 JULY

Busy night this turn! Another hit from a mini (an LCI, but a hit’s a hit!). I tried using my night squadrons for the first time, set on Nav Attack, he actually has a Hellcat on night CAP, pretty inconclusive but worth a shot. I may try lower altitude, and use some on Escort next time. Never did much w/night fighters before, except local CAP when the AI (not my opponent AL, [;)] but the computer) tried night bombing in earlier games.

[Justus2]

The ATAGO’s midnight run to Wake gets some small fish, but misses the big one. You can see, she had a series of running battles (even left the hex and reacted back in once), I got a DE and an AO for my trouble.

Of course, according to ‘Orphan Ann’, I sank two Carriers and a Battleship! [:D]
Cool hearing that kick in for the ‘Naval Battle of Wake’

[Justus2]

The downside came with the dawn, when I spotted this on the horizon… [8D]
And evaded because I was out of ammo!@#@!
[:@][8|]

[Justus2]

I finally found the TF I was looking for, and couldn’t engage. [:@] More on that in a bit.

Meanwhile, ‘normal’ action for the rest of the turn – Liberators raid Truk, but no serious damage. He pounds Jaluit with 18 Dauntlesses and 29 Corsairs, he must have spotted the aircraft icon for my stranded Jake (who’s damaged, and can’t make it back to Truk now).

Another deliberate assault at Tinian, his AV is getting closer, but forts and terrain are still holding, he actually suffers over double the casualties. Not as lucky at Pagan, 1-2 but I lose 10x the casualties.

[Justus2]

So here’s the map at the end. I mentioned the big APA TF, I engaged it NW of Wake, but it’s not showing up on the map. There’s another TF there, but only showing 3 ships. I don’t know if that’s the big TF or not, but I’m guessing it’s still in the same general area, headed west or NW. KB is just east of Marcus (undetected), so I am going to move it south to try and catch that convoy. He has a couple of CVTFs I can see, but they are further south or west, so I think I can catch this convoy in the open. [;)] We’ll find out next turn.

Atago is headed for Iwo to rearm/refuel (via Marcus). I have a FT TF ready to run into Saipan (about 600 supply), but otherwise quiet. I am still maneuvering my CVL TF south of Truk, waiting for an opportunity to sneak in a shot at some of his shipping, but he has that CVE TF and another CVTF near Eniwetok, so I have to stay in the shadows for now. [8D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Justus2

The downside came with the dawn, when I spotted this on the horizon… [8D]
And evaded because I was out of ammo!@#@!
[:@][8|]

Bummer, dude. Still, an AO and DE are a worthy reason for the sortie. [8D]

[Justus2]

9 JULY

Kido Butai finds a target! It’s not the big juicy APA convoy that Atago let slip away, it looks like that smaller convoy I spotted last turn is indeed a separate TF. Unfortunately, as I told Al, my first wave gets drawn to his CLAA like moths to a flame… [8|] Most of the planes target the Boston or the San Juan and miss, and eat a lot of flak, but I do get a couple hits on the xAP.

Second wave has better luck. The Boston is tough, but sinks after 3 torps, and I get a little payback on the San Juan (it was a penetrating hit). I heard sinking sounds afterward, so I’m pretty sure the Weltevreden sank as well. BANZAI! [:D]

I’m tempted to keep hunting further south, to find that big APA convoy, but I’m sure this will draw a reaction from his CVTFs, so I am pulling KB back NW of Marcus to await another opportunity.

[Justus2]

My poor stranded Jake pilot at Jaluit is getting a heck of a fireworks show! [:D] A group of Mitchells pounds the runway in the morning, and a Dauntless group hits the port in the afternoon. I tried to use Jaluit earlier in the game to refuel a raiding CA and DD (the DD was hammered), because it’s got a stockpile of fuel and supply, but otherwise its been abandoned. However, now its getting plenty of attention. I even spotted a CVE group headed that way, but it might just be headed to Kwaj to escort some troops, not sure. Either way, glad these Corsairs are over here and not near my main islands.

[Justus2]

Elsewhere, my FT TF dumped their supplies at Saipan, but stopped to refuel on their way back to Ulithi. Luckily, Al’s Avengers came in without escorts, and my CAP from Guam was able to intercept most of them. I was a little worried when I saw that last line during the combat animation:
“Oi dead in the water” [X(]

I checked after the turn, no damage, but low on fuel and 250 ops points used, so I’m guessing the combat burned up her remaining fuel. They will make it to Ulithi now, but I’m out of fuel at the base anyway. I have an AV there that’s been acting as a floating fuel tank as well as supporting some ASW aircraft. I’m also trying to get some fuel from Truk.

[Justus2]

I currently have two large xAKs at Truk loading up on fuel, I snuck them in over the last couple turns. My plan is to loop them south and west and then back into Ulithi. I have another xAK at Satawal getting ready to run in. Al’s been keeping up bombing runs at Truk, but focused on the airfield (caught a Zero on the ground this turn). I normally keep my ships disbanded at the end of each turn unless they are moving out, to avoid too much attention.

I’ve been tracking the LCIs/APDs headed back from Tinian, currently just north of Truk. I am going to move my CVL group into position to strike their likely next location. It’s a little risky, as I mentioned earlier he has a CVE TF south of Eniwetok, but they appear to be headed further south, so I think I have a window of opportunity. I’ve been flying recon at Ponape, and he doesn’t appear to have anything there, I hope my planes don’t get distracted and fly against some AMs or something.

The air loss totals for the day are in the lower left, not bad considering the flak I saw from the San Juan! Total of 16 losses for the Allies, to 12 for me.

[Justus2]

Good day on the ground at Tinian, his attack AV is half of what it was yesterday, and mine is adjusted way up, causing significant losses to his forces. I like to see the Destroyed squads!!

Of course, the opposite is still happening at Pagan, he is grinding down my forces, I just don’t have much left to defend with. [:(]

[Justus2]

10 JULY
I always like starting the day with a successful Mini-sub attack! [;)] This LST was previously damaged, and I hear a sinking sound. Meanwhile, he has a couple of xAKs unloading (apparently without escorts). I had a squadron of Frances set to fly night naval attack, but they didn’t find the target due to weather. Nice to see some destroyed squads while unloading, though.

[Justus2]

My gamble with the CVL group paid off, but again my pilots focused on the cruiser instead of the transports… Of course, based on their reports, every ship they sink is a ‘Battleship and Two Carriers’ or something like that. [:D]

I lost a few due to flak and ops (9 total on the day), but sank a DE, and the APA (sinking noises), pretty sure CA Minneapolis will be out of action for the rest of the scenario too. Not sure where the couple Hellcats on CAP came from, none of the nearby TFs list CVs, I think there’s a CVE nearby (the CAP was from VF-51, I think that’s a CVE squadron). You can see his CVTF up northwest of Wake, looks like he did try to catch KB, good thing I pulled them back west of Marcus. I’m going to do the same with my CVLs, I’m sure this strike will attract added attention so I am pulling back west. They will be able to cover the two xAKs full of fuel that are leaving Truk today also.

B25s pound Jaluit again, no sign of the CVE TF that headed that way, not sure if there’s an invasion incoming or just a distraction.

[Justus2]

Tinian’s defenders do well again today, even after he reinforced. More casualties for the Allies, with almost 30 squads destroyed. I have a small ‘relief convoy’ moving into range, just an AMC with another fragment of the 14th ID, mostly support troops and about a dozen combat squads, and some supply. The support squads should help recover disablements better. It should be in position for a high-speed night run day after tomorrow (while his CVs are chasing mine). [8D]

Pagan is a lost cause, I just can’t recoup my disabled squads and so raw AV continues to dwindle (see chart in lower left). Now I’m losing more destroyed each turn, I probably only have a few days left. [:(] I shifted the recon planes to Saipan, just a couple ASW float planes left now.