Return to the Valley of the Sun: Condor (USN) vs. Quark (IJN)

[Attack Condor]

The IJN commander makes the opening move of round two - a thrust directly towards Rose heading into the Jomard Passage. The CVL Ryujo was spotted in a CV TF by a PBY, and the BB Hiei was spotted just west of them. Leading the foray into the passage was a cruiser TF including a DD escort and a MSW. The results follow:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 27,35

Allied Ships
SS S-37


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Sub attack at 27,35

Japanese Ships
AG 111, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,38


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 9


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CA Suzuya
MSW W21, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,38


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 39
Wirraway x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 14 damaged
Wirraway x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W15
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yubari
DD Hibiki
DD Oshio


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 21,36


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,38


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 27


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Oshio
CA Suzuya, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,38


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 15


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Etamin, Bomb hits 2
AK Libra, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alchiba
DD Russell, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Alhena, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Adhara, Bomb hits 1


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Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Morris
AP Barnett
DD Phelps
AP Feland


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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1183 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24842 troops, 159 guns, 30 vehicles



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

Lots of damaged SBDs, and the BF personnel will be working through the night getting the planes ready for tomorrow, though one would envision nighttime bombardments from the SC TFs. (I suspect the move south was to get into position to do just that.)

Luck still favors the Allies, as an error at Rose almost cost my transport force dearly - I stood down the fighters and the base was wide open. Damage was taken by the transports in harbor, but it could have been much worse. The attack on the transports at Basilaki was completely fended off by the TF.

(BIG sigh of relief!)

The thorns of the Rose claim another ship. As a result of the action today, the IJN CL Yura was sunk by the SBDs. Although the SC TFs put up a better defense than the AP TFs earlier in the campaign, I'm still happy with the performance of the SBDs.

And I have plans for the nighttime bombardment "junkets" as well

The IJN commanders - and more importantly, their crews - now have a full understanding of what happens to ships entering the waters around the Rose while the SBDs keep their watch.

Now then, where will his real threat axis come from?

More to come......

[Attack Condor]

Today's action...:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/12/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack at 18,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-3

Allied Ships
AK Diomed, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Worden
DD Arunta


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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
D3A Val x 65

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

CPO W.Obuchi of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 33
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
14 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
8 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 22
SBD Dauntless x 3
PBY Catalina x 4
Wirraway x 4
F-5A Lightning x 1


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
Wirraway x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
DD Oyashio


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Air attack on TF at 22,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Harry Lee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Crescent City, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP George Clymer, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP John Penn, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP President Polk, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Monroe, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Adams, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 damaged

PO2 H.Ikeda of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
DD Morris
AP Barnett
AP Neville
AP Feland, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP McCawley, Torpedo hits 1


Just about the time the air attacks are over and the ground personnel look over the damage........

"Well, they are taking us seriously, aren't they? That last attack worked us over pretty good"

"Yeah, but we'll get the engineers right on it and.....what's that... on the horizon...more ships?? Didn't the warning go out to the supply ships to stay out of here!!??! They're gonna get creamed if they..... oh my god....... they're Japs!!"

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Nowaki
DD Ariake, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AO Cimarron, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Laramie, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Cuyama, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
AO Kennebec, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AO Merrimack, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Mutsu
CL Abukuma
DD Kagero
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AK Demodocus, Shell hits 28, and is sunk


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Mutsu
CL Abukuma
DD Kagero
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
DD Russell, Shell hits 43, and is sunk
AK Libra, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
AK Alhena
AK Alchiba
AK Etamin
AK Adhara
AK Almaack, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 3
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
DD Makinami
DD Oyashio
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
DD Anderson, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
AP Largs Bay, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 552


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 4
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 9
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Makinami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
DD Morris, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
DD Phelps, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
AP Barnett, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP McCawley, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AP Neville, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AP Feland, on fire, heavy damage


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Ashigara
DD Tanikaze
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
AK Libra, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Alhena, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AK Alchiba
AK Etamin, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
AK Adhara, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Almaack, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei
CA Ashigara
DD Tanikaze
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
AP Barnett, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
AP Neville, and is sunk
AP Feland, Shell hits 4, and is sunk


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei
CA Ashigara
DD Tanikaze
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
AK Alchiba, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AK Adhara, Shell hits 11, and is sunk


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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 24

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50


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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 19

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 19


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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20


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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1173 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24874 troops, 159 guns, 30 vehicles



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The minefields I laid were easily negated by a single MSW.

My subs apparently couldn't pick out a single target with all the confusion.

In this one action, the IJN exacts retirbution by sinking nineteen Allied ships, most of them helpless transports and oilers unloading their cargo. I really thought he would wait one more turn so I took a gamble and set all the SBDs at Rose to Stand Down.

In the long run, it may have been for the best I did that, as his fighters were everywhere. The F4F3's gave a good account of themselves, but Round 2 of the Battle for Rose definitely goes to the IJN in a landslide.

Well done Quark! I think you worked out the timing thingie

(I sure hope that isn't Lady Luck fast disappearing in my rear view mirror...)

[Philwd]

This game is the most nerve-wracking, intense and the most frustrating I have been around for years. I love IT!!!
I could not get to sleep Thurs night after posting this turn. Everything I had tried in this game up to now was been doomed to failure or near disaster. If the same happened here the game would probably be lost.

Operation Summer Storm commences.

1)Initial Phase: isolation and suppression of GG. To be accomplished through a combination of air attacks, subs and surface bombardment forces.

This was accomplished by setting up a fast transport TF with 2 fast MSW in it set for GG. I left under cover of thunderstorms; the same ones I complained about last turn:D . Although 1 MSW got hit last turn the rest got through and swept up most of his minefields leading into GG. This was one of the most perilious parts of the opening as I didn't know the order my TF would show up. Plus arguably 2 of my most valuable assets were there: fast MSW. This one had to go first so all my BB could pound away. So I ran it a little further south the turn before hoping the air attacks would be blunted by the storms. It worked:D . It swept on the way in and on the way out.

The storms also masked my 3 BB TF and my air TF. He only found 1 CVL and 1 BB.

Woodlark also made it to level 2 base so it will now also cover the operation.

Lunga was reinforced to withstand anything short of the full 1st Mar landing.

Phase 2: Continue suppresion and isolation.

Partially accomplished. The loss of his transports will put a big crimp into his ability to move forces around. 7 of the ships were arriving from Noumea. I placed my CVs the turn before to be in a position to catch any TF on a direct Noumea to GG route.

Suppresion of the air base will continue by available assets.

Phase 3) Reduction of the garrison.

Too bad getting transports from Truk is like watching water boil. It takes forever. I moved now because all forward elements were in place, I saw all the AP and wanted to catch them and the storms would give me cover. However Phase 3 will commence shortly.

BTW I counted 23 ships sunk but what's 4 ships between friends:) ?

Now where are his CVs? Will they make an appearance or let his troops hang out to dry?:D

Quark

[Attack Condor]

Today's combat results:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 30


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Sub attack at 18,39

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari

Allied Ships
SS S-38


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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1173 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24907 troops, 159 guns, 30 vehicles



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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14622 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24137 troops, 260 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 147

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 345


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

The attack at PM was out of frustration over what happened at Rose: A few more emotional outbursts like that and the IJN won't have to worry about sending more troops into PM to take it.

What happened yesterday was like a bucket of cold water in the face. Complacency is a killer. Time to take stock of what's left.

More to come.....

[Philwd]

Well I didn't close GG yet. Condor tells me I got close. Hopefully next time.

Time for some scores:
IJN 5259
USN 3243

IJN ship losses 25 including 2 CL, 6 DD, 13 AP and 2 SS for a total of 231 points.

USN ship lossses 37 including 2 CA, 1 CL, 6 DD, 6 AO(that's got to hurt:D ), and 22 AP/AK for 381 points.

Army losses are almost even now 25 for IJN and 21 for USN.

Plane losses 193 Allied vs 67 IJN.

No CVs lost on either side. Condor is hiding out. He has at least 3 in theatre now.

Now its time to close GG down once and for all.

Quark out

[Attack Condor]

originally posted by Quark

No CVs lost on either side. Condor is hiding out. He has at least 3 in theatre now.

Question for the audience................

Should I tell Quark I've sent Lexington back to Pearl for refitting?

Or should I let him think she's still here? Yorktown and Long Island stand ready to repel boarders :p

arghhhhhhh, matey!!!

[Attack Condor]

Sorry for the delay: lots of stuff going on now that weather's warmer

Unfortunately, as the weather turns, so does the Allies luck I knew the streak couldn't last forever, and it has come to a screeching halt.

Witness the combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 21,32

Japanese Ships
APD 35

Allied Ships
SS Greenling


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Sub attack at 19,40

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
SS S-41, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 225

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 100


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Sub attack at 20,31

Japanese Ships
AG 2049, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-37


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Sub attack at 20,31

Japanese Ships
AG 2052, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-37, Shell hits 3


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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
AP Azuma Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-39


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Even the S-boats are getting creamed. D3A Vals are on a turkey shoot. One of the CR files didn't make it thru the E-mail, and Quark informed me I scored a hit on Kaga for a whole 5 SYS damage :rolleyes: at a cost of almost my entire SBD attack force. He had 61 fighters on CAP and the attackers were mauled badly.

The move to retake Rose is in full swing, and although the runways remain operational even with the pounding they've taken, the decision has been made to evacuate the aircraft from Rose.

Looks like the Coastwatchers will get some new volunteers

Well done Quark!

More to come...

[Philwd]

Thank you for the platitudes Condor. You are making it very tough this game.

Wow. I didn't think it could be done. My new ASW strategy seems to be paying off.

Its actually two pronged and the first is paying off. Its placing CS and AV in my convoys aka the escort ASW concept used in the Atlantic. My scouts are just meant to find the subs so they can't attack. Any hits are gravy. Lots of gravy this turn:D 4 subs total hit or sunk. I'll defer discussion of the second prong as its just starting up.

I am quite disappointed to learn I couldn't shut down GG. After 295 runway hits in 2 days its still open. I can't do much better. I really don't like those eng units. Why can't I capture the bulldozers when he runs??:D

Kaga was hit turn before last covering the transports. That was one brave attack by the USN. Around 65 planes went in. I had CAP at 60% and had 61 fighters up. I counted 10 planes leaving. Coupled with another earlier attack GG lost 67 planes to 4 of my Zeros.
The replay showed Kaga getting creamed by a SBD's 1000 lb'r. But she only got an additional 5 sys and 1 flot. Seems like a 250lb hit not 1000lb. Can FOW also mislead you as to which plane got the hit?

The transports are lined up in Milne Bay. I hit 3 of his subs at GG last turn so hopefully they won't be much more of a threat to this landing. Condor has 1 inf unit, AA, HQ and 3 eng.

Condor put alot of troops and planes in PNG as a forward defense. How many will get out?

Quark

[Attack Condor]

The withdraw from Rose continues.... Less than 8000 supplies remain on the base. The 7th division headquarters has been successfully relocated to Townsville, and will rejoin their units at Rockhampton shortly.

As to the runway repair, I didn't have any bulldozers at GG. Two engineer units - the 91st (?) Engineer Battalion and the 46th Engineer Regiment were all that was there. They performed brilliantly in their assigned task.

I am under no illusion about my ability to successfully withdraw all forces at GG. Some will not be able to be saved. I am hoping that the bombardment forces have used their ammunition and retired to Woodlark for reloading... giving me a window to use the runways whilst I can.

GG bought time for PM to build up (the whole point of Operation Rose), and build up it has.

No combat report to post today... no combat occurred - with the exception of IJN minesweeping operations at GG. The mines finally paid off (even a little bit) as the IJN DD Kagero hit a Mk 16 mine. A little late, but something is better than nothing

In retrospect, I should have left GG sooner and avoided the massacre of my transports caught in harbor by a IJN BB TF.

Live and learn.

More to come.....

[Philwd]

All combat troops ashore. We start the attack next turn.

Kageo hit the last mine at GG:( She might make it back to port.

Not much else to report. Thunderstorms last couple turns shut down air ops.

I saw a CV force making an end run around San Cristobal 2 turns ago. A nice welcoming committee has been formed. If you are still up north of Lunga that's one sunk CV:D .

Quark

[Attack Condor]

Combat troops splashed ashore at GG... 8 separate infantry units were counted.

Another round of bombardment as the BB TFs returned with full ammunition lockers.

The carcasses of the air force left on the ground sink in the mud as the BF personnel quickly re-orient themselves with their weapons.

Today's report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Dakota x 1 destroyed
C-47 Dakota x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 36

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18


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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 45

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40


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Sub attack at 50,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 10 damaged

LCDR F.Nikaido of G2/Genzan Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
DD Arunta
DD Perkins

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Dakota x 2 destroyed
C-47 Dakota x 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 53

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 30


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a result of the torpedoing, Sims sinks 60 miles from safe harbour

The transport President Hayes succumbed to her wounds and sunk as well in the middle of the Coral Sea.

Efforts at PM have been re-doubled, as their forward line of defense is about to crumble....

Barring a miracle, that is

More to come...

[Attack Condor]

Today, GG fell to the IJN. The details:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42

Weather: Overcast

Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34159 troops, 370 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13096 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Gili Gili base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 287

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10383
Guns lost 3


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Lessons learned:

1. Initial success of the SBDs from GG ravaging the IJN transports early in the game was a double edged sword I failed to recognize. The success forced the IJN to mount a serious operation to take GG (which he did) but it also gave me false hope the base could be held.

2. Timing. As I pointed out earlier (and my opponent numerous times) timing is everything. The disaster in GG harbour where my own transports were shredded by an IJN BB TF could have been avoided if I pulled out of GG a week earlier. I did decide to pull out, but was late with my decision (the transports were there to evacuate the troops - rather demoralising to see your ride home shot to he**).

3. Finally, I believe the overall plan was sound, but my failure to act quickly enough to get out of harm's way cost men and ships. Operation Rose did indeed buy time for PM to consolidate. Holding GG for almost two months into the campaign had to have set back the IJN plans at least a little bit.

More to come.....

[Philwd]

This week's been busy for the both of us but managed to get a few turns in.

After taking GG the rains have set back in. Operation Summer Storm has been successfully completed. GG fell much easier than anticipated. Although even 1 fewer regiments would have made it a drawn out battle. I really wanted to catch his carrier squadrons on the ground. While I did extensive damage they escaped to reform. I will have to re-think what it takes to keep an airfield closed.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/21/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33958 troops, 370 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4212 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5770
Guns lost 39


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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1183 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25991 troops, 167 guns, 30 vehicles



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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 49,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
SC 637


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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1183 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 26024 troops, 167 guns, 30 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/42

Weather: Rain

Some thoughts on the GG campaign. Having never played the Allies I have not been on the other side trying to decide to hold GG or not. Condor made as valiant an effort as I've seen. To hold ~ 3 weeks he paid with over 100 planes and 16000 troops. To me the kicker is I don't think I could have improved getting ready for PM by more than 4 days if GG wasn't there as the troops just weren't there earlier to reinforce the ones getting tans on the beach at PM.
I landed, took GG in 2 turns and am now almost re-loaded. So Condor paid the price for only 4 days.

Before I played this one out as Allies I would have tried holding GG. Now I'm pretty sure I wouldn't.

Other thoughts: I hit GG's airfields with over 200 runway hits in one day and didn't shut down the fields. Another 70 the following day. Just what does it take now to shut down an airfield if the USN opponent has 3 eng units? I hit Condor with 4 bombardment TFs. 2 centered on BBs and 2 CA centric. These TFs stayed the night and hit in the morn also. I also hit him with carrier and LBA followups. Wasn't enough.

Operation Summer Wind is now under way. The objectives are similar to Summer Storm. Isolate the target(geesh where will that be?
), neutralize the base and wear down the fortifications.

Originally the hope was to complete the conquest of NG by end June. I will be close. The key there has been very variable reinforcements with a late 38th division.

I will be in Herbieh's situation soon with deciding where to go from here but for now the focus is on Summer Wind.

And where are those USN CVs????

Quark

[Attack Condor]

Today's combat result, with comments below:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 2
DD Maikaze

Allied Ships
SS S-40, Shell hits 1


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Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei
CA Mikuma
CA Furutaka
DD Oyashio
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
AK Barwon, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AK Mildura, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Murada, Shell hits 13, and is sunk


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Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 14


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Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 23


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Nice to have hit the battleship with the sub, and a "critical damage result" displayed as well.

I was able to get most of the transports out of PM, but tried to offload the last of the supplies with one TF, and paid dearly

Quark sent three battleships into PM to shut down the airfield. Time to go on half-rations and duck into the hidey-holes until his invasion force shows up.

From the damage reports, a few fighter bombers are being damaged and/or destroyed at PM...but my SBDs are long gone. They are actually in Townsville, recovering from the mauling they took earlier. They are back at full strength, and I'm debating whether or not to send them to PM....... Rain is ever-present, and I'm not sure I want to send my dive bombers on a flight north just yet.

Looking at my available shipping, nothing afloat can take on the BB TF sitting at PM. A general order to return to home ports has been given for Allied cargo shipping attempting to supply PM. It's up to the subs at PM to do what they can, but the IJN ASW TF of AV and CS shipping is headed west, and will probably be in a position to make life for my submarines difficult by tomorow.

LBA is available in Australia, but training flights have been reduced due to the weather. Not a lot they can do to help beyond Search and ASW.

Will Quark make a mistake? It would be helpful.

More (I'm sure) to come

[Philwd]

Quark sent three battleships into PM to shut down the airfield. Time to go on half-rations and duck into the hidey-holes until his invasion force shows up.

Actually 4:D . 3 more on the way. Not sure if they will make the trip to PM or sit back as a response force. Mutsu only had her paint scratched. Gawd don't you love FOW:D . And the DD that hit S-40 in return only had a ASW rating of 2. Maybe the fortunes are turning.

I expected to see a lot of mines. Maybe Condor didn't have time to mine both PM and GG. His DMs showed up late.

Its nice to hear the SBDs are back in Oz. I wonder what the pilot exp was of his replacements?

The ASW TF has been doing very well at spotting subs. I hope they keep it up for a few more days.

And more is coming:D

Quark

[wobbly]

Originally posted by Quark


I will be in Herbieh's situation soon with deciding where to go from here but for now the focus is on Summer Wind.

And where are those USN CVs????

Quark

Where indeed are they Herbie? I am of course on the other side of the coin: where will he attack?

This is a great AAR - I so look forward to how things are going with you two. Condor gave me some excellent advice and so now I look at what he is doing as to how things pan out. He decided to try and hold Gili and hence PM - where I did not try so hard. It is therefore extremely interesting to see how his moves are panning out.

[Attack Condor]

The Quark Question (sorry - couldn't resist) "Where are the CVs" is answered in today's combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/25/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack at 10,41

Japanese Ships
CA Tone

Allied Ships
SS S-47


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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Allied Ships
SS S-40


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Air attack on TF at 22,40


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1


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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
SBD Dauntless x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AV Kimikawa Maru
AV Kamikawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF at 21,40


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2


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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Kasumi, Bomb hits 1


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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
AP Horaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-40

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39


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The carriers managed to sneak in close enough to GG to launch a raid north towards the BB TF retiring from PM and a raid west to GG. The raid west was long enough so that the SBDs had to carry 500 lb bombs instead of their usual 1000 lb payload. Fortunately, that was enough. I was hoping that the IJN CAP at GG would rise to meet the attack, figuring 72 F4Fs would have the upper hand, but no fighters intercepted any raids. Of course, with the AA put up by the battleships, who needs CAP? I felt fortunate to have only 2 SBDs lost. Lots of damage, but that can be repaired.

Quark admitted to me that Hiei will be sent back as a result of SYS damage, but the battleships of the IJN are formidible targets, even for a fully rested and experienced SBD squadron.

Now, of course....like the kid who just threw a rock through the neighbor's window, my CVs are running for cover (stay with me, thunderstorms...for a couple of more turns...). The only question is whether the IJN will try to hunt them down or just move south to block a repeat performance.

And FWIW, Long Island played her role as bait well enough, being spotted east of Lunga one turn before the raids were launched.

Guerilla warfare, naval style

(it's all I got left )

More to come.....

[Philwd]

I asked for it .

Well as it turns out my CV TF ended up 11 hexes away from his 2 carriers. The one time I wish I had react on . I was trying to cover both GG and the landings at the same time. I had my CAP down as it had flown the last 2 rain turns thinking Condor might show up as I was loading up.

The BBs were not supposed to be where they ended up. I had them set to stay at PM. I figured out my mistake was leaving bombardment mission on so they ran home. Only Hiei took damage and will likely end up heading back to Japan. Maybe I'll get my last carrier . However this just means Hiei gets replaced down south by Yamato .

Only good news was 3 TF headed out from GG last turn. The Kinu had just arrived; part of a new SC force to cover GG. Back she goes also. Furutaka got scuttled.

However these casualties are well within expected for the push on PM. No transports got hit.

Now that Condor has come out to play; I'm 11 hexes away with react on. Who's faster Condor? Do you feel lucky?

Oh and BTW first reinforcement convoy arrived at PM.

Quark

[Attack Condor]

Today's combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/26/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Kinugasa
CL Yubari

Allied Ships
SS S-47


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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
AP Mikage Maru #20

Allied Ships
SS S-47


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Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1

Runway hits 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 170th Regiment, at 10,40


Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 38
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21


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The sub S-47 is performing wonderfully in the face of so many ASW platforms. Lookouts report fire burning on a IJN cruiser at PM.

Meanwhile, in the Solomons, an attempt at a quick bombardment at Lunga doesn't work out so well. Astoria is hit by a coastal defense battery while Portland hit a mine going into the BB area and coming out again :rolleyes: As I told Quark, I have to hit the IJN ships, but mine just plow into warheads without any help from the IJN at all.

What to do about PM? Seems a moot point now. The last airstrikes represented every available plane that could fly and shoot, and the results were not impressive, to say the least. The troops cannot be evacuated (unless Quark wants to give me a week of no combat - righhhhhttttt ) and will have to make do with what supplies they have.

My regret here is the shipping loss on my part. I have to keep a more watchful eye on the cargo ships...if this keeps up, my holdings will be limited to Australian bases with paved roads connecting them together.

My carriers ran due south to try and keep the IJN CVs at bay. LBA set to naval attack in Oz... who knows, they may get lucky.

More to come....

[Philwd]

Oh well I missed Condor's carriers. Next time.

I had hoped his BB force would hit a mine. I saw them the turn before. From turn 1 I have been heavily mining the approaches to Lunga. Now if I saw the message correctly one of the mines Portland hit at Lunga was a USN Mk 16!!! Thank you for helping me sweep Lunga . Hopefully Portland is listing heavily and won't make port. His force is well within range of Lunga's LBA and next turn is party cloudy .

First reinforcement regiment off loaded at PM. 2nd and 3rd will be by end of this turn. I have to admit S-47 is a pain. One thing I noticed is an escort saw S-47 earlier that turn. I thought that once a sub was sighted it couldn't attack that turn. Maybe its how the sighting occured.

Last carriers released by Toyko so Hiei will just put up in Truk for repairs.

One thing variable reinforcements has done is delay base forces. its making developing new bases tough.

Quark