3 Feb 43
No official combat today. Sub Scamp did get hit by a bomb today near Majuro, but the sub will make it to port with just moderate damage.
Just a day or two and I should start to load for Horn Island.
My first Marine F4U Corsair unit is filling out in Australia now. It will lead the sweeps of Merauke when it comes time. Showing 38 fighters there now, an increase.
See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
4 Feb 43
No combat again.
Ships for the invasion of Tabiteuea begin to load. Recon shows just one unit there. I think that the base is being used for search and isn't defended well. Tarawa, on the other hand, has been reinforced and appears more defended. I will take Tabiteuea and surrounding dot bases (some of which are still allied), and build up. This isn't a primary route of advance.
Interesting to see a task force of 4 enemy subs at Port Moresby. Could be mining, delivering supply, or taking troops off.
Loading for Horn Island is still a few days away. Waiting for the Brit division to make it to Townsville, then switch to combat mode.
I will be loading a huge number of ships for Buna then also, but that invasion is probably only going to occur if KB goes north around New Guinea to counter Merauke and Taberfane. I do note that KB has disappeared for two days now. I saw something leave Rabaul and head ENE, but that was unidentified. I see task forces at Rabaul now, fewer than before, and with compositions that are obviously wrong.
So, action is coming, just a little longer to wait and prepare.
No combat again.
Ships for the invasion of Tabiteuea begin to load. Recon shows just one unit there. I think that the base is being used for search and isn't defended well. Tarawa, on the other hand, has been reinforced and appears more defended. I will take Tabiteuea and surrounding dot bases (some of which are still allied), and build up. This isn't a primary route of advance.
Interesting to see a task force of 4 enemy subs at Port Moresby. Could be mining, delivering supply, or taking troops off.
Loading for Horn Island is still a few days away. Waiting for the Brit division to make it to Townsville, then switch to combat mode.
I will be loading a huge number of ships for Buna then also, but that invasion is probably only going to occur if KB goes north around New Guinea to counter Merauke and Taberfane. I do note that KB has disappeared for two days now. I saw something leave Rabaul and head ENE, but that was unidentified. I see task forces at Rabaul now, fewer than before, and with compositions that are obviously wrong.
So, action is coming, just a little longer to wait and prepare.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
5 Feb 43
A dozen B-25s forward deployed to Nauru and hit Tarawa's port, but a unit of Rufes are on CAP and 3 bombers are shot down. 1 Rufe is lost. The port is not hit.
Loading continues at Pago Pago and Christmas Island for Tabiteuea. The fleets leave tomorrow.
The Brit division will arrive at Townsville tomorrow, then change to combat mode. Then I'll load up for Horn Island, Merauke, and maybe beyond. I will load up for Buna simultaneously, ready to hit if KB goes away.
Speaking of which, it's now 3 days since I'd seen KB at Rabaul. I do have heavy detection levels on my subs northwest and southwest of Ponape. I suspect that KB is out that way, but it's just an educated guess.
A Dutch combat task force is moving to Perth. Perth is constantly watched by a Glen sub, so it will be spotted, which is my plan. I may have designs on Port Headland but this is way down on the priority list. I want to show activity here also.
3 C47 units, with 25 planes each, arrived in Australia from India and have since railed to the east coast, where they are repairing. Should I get a breakout past Merauke, these planes will be dropping lots of paras with that breakout.
3 Brit battleships and support also made the trip from India, and are on the east coast of Australia awaiting the coming battle. I don't want to lose more slow battleships, but I'll need everything I've got if I start landing in the Buna/Port Moresby area.
A dozen B-25s forward deployed to Nauru and hit Tarawa's port, but a unit of Rufes are on CAP and 3 bombers are shot down. 1 Rufe is lost. The port is not hit.
Loading continues at Pago Pago and Christmas Island for Tabiteuea. The fleets leave tomorrow.
The Brit division will arrive at Townsville tomorrow, then change to combat mode. Then I'll load up for Horn Island, Merauke, and maybe beyond. I will load up for Buna simultaneously, ready to hit if KB goes away.
Speaking of which, it's now 3 days since I'd seen KB at Rabaul. I do have heavy detection levels on my subs northwest and southwest of Ponape. I suspect that KB is out that way, but it's just an educated guess.
A Dutch combat task force is moving to Perth. Perth is constantly watched by a Glen sub, so it will be spotted, which is my plan. I may have designs on Port Headland but this is way down on the priority list. I want to show activity here also.
3 C47 units, with 25 planes each, arrived in Australia from India and have since railed to the east coast, where they are repairing. Should I get a breakout past Merauke, these planes will be dropping lots of paras with that breakout.
3 Brit battleships and support also made the trip from India, and are on the east coast of Australia awaiting the coming battle. I don't want to lose more slow battleships, but I'll need everything I've got if I start landing in the Buna/Port Moresby area.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
6 Feb 43
I applied maximum effort today at Buna, sweeping with P-40Ks and bombing with all of my Australian B-17s. No ranged CAP from Lae, twice now. Bombing results were good.
A token raid of 12 B-25s hit Port Moresby, finding no CAP, and doing some damage there.
12 B-26s bomb the troops on Horn Island, causing almost 200 casualties. I do this very rarely as both me and my opponent don't like destroying units outright by bombing on clear terrain. I will bomb again when I actually invade. I wanted to see what units are still there today.
12 B-17s in the Solomons bomb troops on Woodlark Island. Almost no casualties caused in the jungle terrain. 21 Division/B is there, along with the 6th Indpt Coy. I want to show interest here but I'm not counter-counter-invading. I'll bomb and starve them out, eventually, or he'll pull out the troops. It's just another island and not worth countering 1/3 of a division in jungle terrain.
Near Manado, sub Tarpon spots a tanker group, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. I've been using Ndeni and Townsville as sub bases. I have sub patrols from there all the way up toward Mindanao. From Midway, I have a few subs south of the Japanese home islands. But with the long transit, there stay is short. Besides hopefully sinking a few things, I'm trying to show my subs everywhere I can, and force the enemy task forces to be escorted. And they have been, from what I've seen.
Ships start to head toward Tabiteuea. I made a mistake with my planning here, and neglected having sufficient combat ships for protection and bombardment. I now have a few cruisers and destroyers on the way from Australia, doing full speed runs to get to the area. I'll take some damage but I need a few combat ships.
KB is still missing. High detection levels are now between Ponape and Enewetok. Maybe KB?
The Brit division arrives at Townsville, and starts 3 days of switching to combat mode. Then we start loading for Horn Island and Merauke. And beyond.
I applied maximum effort today at Buna, sweeping with P-40Ks and bombing with all of my Australian B-17s. No ranged CAP from Lae, twice now. Bombing results were good.
A token raid of 12 B-25s hit Port Moresby, finding no CAP, and doing some damage there.
12 B-26s bomb the troops on Horn Island, causing almost 200 casualties. I do this very rarely as both me and my opponent don't like destroying units outright by bombing on clear terrain. I will bomb again when I actually invade. I wanted to see what units are still there today.
12 B-17s in the Solomons bomb troops on Woodlark Island. Almost no casualties caused in the jungle terrain. 21 Division/B is there, along with the 6th Indpt Coy. I want to show interest here but I'm not counter-counter-invading. I'll bomb and starve them out, eventually, or he'll pull out the troops. It's just another island and not worth countering 1/3 of a division in jungle terrain.
Near Manado, sub Tarpon spots a tanker group, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. I've been using Ndeni and Townsville as sub bases. I have sub patrols from there all the way up toward Mindanao. From Midway, I have a few subs south of the Japanese home islands. But with the long transit, there stay is short. Besides hopefully sinking a few things, I'm trying to show my subs everywhere I can, and force the enemy task forces to be escorted. And they have been, from what I've seen.
Ships start to head toward Tabiteuea. I made a mistake with my planning here, and neglected having sufficient combat ships for protection and bombardment. I now have a few cruisers and destroyers on the way from Australia, doing full speed runs to get to the area. I'll take some damage but I need a few combat ships.
KB is still missing. High detection levels are now between Ponape and Enewetok. Maybe KB?
The Brit division arrives at Townsville, and starts 3 days of switching to combat mode. Then we start loading for Horn Island and Merauke. And beyond.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
ORIGINAL: apbarog
...sub Tarpon spots a tanker group, fires on a patrol boat, and misses.
/headdesk That's got to be really frustrating, all the more so now that your torpedoes actually more or less work.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
January 1943 brought a slight increase to torpedo effectiveness. The large increase will be in October 1943.
7 Feb 43
No combat today.
Ships from Christmas Island and Pago Pago are heading to a rendezvous point southeast of Tabiteuea. CV Lexington and 6 CVEs are providing air cover. Not spotted so far, but Baker Island is starting to get some search attention. I have a couple of xAKs there unloading. I did have an AS at Baker for sub support, but there's a high detection level northwest of Baker, so I'm evacuating the port for now. I'm not using Baker for the Tabiteuea invasion, but KB has been missing for almost a week now. High detection remains up by Ponape also.
2 days more for the Brit division at Townsville to get into combat mode. Then the Horn Island and Merauke troops start loading up.
7 Feb 43
No combat today.
Ships from Christmas Island and Pago Pago are heading to a rendezvous point southeast of Tabiteuea. CV Lexington and 6 CVEs are providing air cover. Not spotted so far, but Baker Island is starting to get some search attention. I have a couple of xAKs there unloading. I did have an AS at Baker for sub support, but there's a high detection level northwest of Baker, so I'm evacuating the port for now. I'm not using Baker for the Tabiteuea invasion, but KB has been missing for almost a week now. High detection remains up by Ponape also.
2 days more for the Brit division at Townsville to get into combat mode. Then the Horn Island and Merauke troops start loading up.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
8 Feb 43
Ships for Tabiteuea are gathering mid-ocean. Will be a few days until the reserve regiment arrives from Christmas. By then the combat ships from Australia will have arrived. It is worth noting that I see a surface group at Mili. I see 5 ships, spotting a CA and 2 DDs. My guess is that this is the area rapid reaction force, maybe the same one that decimated my first Tabiteuea invasion. I'm doing more recon to see what I can see.
Also, I did get the heavy activity SigInt at Ponape. This could be where KB is now. It would confirm the heavy detection levels I'm seeing around Ponape.
The Brit division at Townsville comes out of Strat mode tomorrow, so loading will begin for Horn Island and Merauke.
Townsville did get a high detection level today, and not from recon. I have many ships in port here, lots of transports, and some combat ships. The loading begins tomorrow, as I said, so today I formed up a bunch of task forces just to get them out of the port. None of my already formed task forces were spotted at Townsville, just the base itself.
At Munda, I'm still seeing a slow but steady increase in enemy troop levels, now approaching 6000 men.
And I have noticed a moderate decrease in the numbers of fighters at New Guinea and Solomons bases. There's still a lot here, but at least a couple of squadrons worth are missing. Truk is now defended with fighters, so that explains at least part of that.
So we wait for tomorrow.
Ships for Tabiteuea are gathering mid-ocean. Will be a few days until the reserve regiment arrives from Christmas. By then the combat ships from Australia will have arrived. It is worth noting that I see a surface group at Mili. I see 5 ships, spotting a CA and 2 DDs. My guess is that this is the area rapid reaction force, maybe the same one that decimated my first Tabiteuea invasion. I'm doing more recon to see what I can see.
Also, I did get the heavy activity SigInt at Ponape. This could be where KB is now. It would confirm the heavy detection levels I'm seeing around Ponape.
The Brit division at Townsville comes out of Strat mode tomorrow, so loading will begin for Horn Island and Merauke.
Townsville did get a high detection level today, and not from recon. I have many ships in port here, lots of transports, and some combat ships. The loading begins tomorrow, as I said, so today I formed up a bunch of task forces just to get them out of the port. None of my already formed task forces were spotted at Townsville, just the base itself.
At Munda, I'm still seeing a slow but steady increase in enemy troop levels, now approaching 6000 men.
And I have noticed a moderate decrease in the numbers of fighters at New Guinea and Solomons bases. There's still a lot here, but at least a couple of squadrons worth are missing. Truk is now defended with fighters, so that explains at least part of that.
So we wait for tomorrow.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
Is it possible he pulled some air groups back to Truk in order to upgrade them?
Looking forward to the next op. [8D]
Looking forward to the next op. [8D]
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
I do think fighters got pulled back to Truk, but to protect the base, not to upgrade. There had been almost no fighter cover there until I started long range recon of the base.
9 Feb 43
No combat today. My ships are still gathering south of Tabiteuea, unspotted, best I can tell. It will be a couple of days more until they start the run to invade.
On the Australian east coast, many ships start to load troops for Horn Island, Merauke, and the islands on the Australian coast southeast of Darwin. There's more ships at Townsville loading than can dock, so it will take a few days to load up everything.
I once again get the heavy activity SigInt for Ponape Island. My recon didn't see ships, but I continue to look.
Things are going to get really interesting in a few days. Sorry for the recent apparent slow pace to the war, but it does take some time to get everything positioned. Waiting for the Brit divisions will help me push things further past Merauke, potentially.
9 Feb 43
No combat today. My ships are still gathering south of Tabiteuea, unspotted, best I can tell. It will be a couple of days more until they start the run to invade.
On the Australian east coast, many ships start to load troops for Horn Island, Merauke, and the islands on the Australian coast southeast of Darwin. There's more ships at Townsville loading than can dock, so it will take a few days to load up everything.
I once again get the heavy activity SigInt for Ponape Island. My recon didn't see ships, but I continue to look.
Things are going to get really interesting in a few days. Sorry for the recent apparent slow pace to the war, but it does take some time to get everything positioned. Waiting for the Brit divisions will help me push things further past Merauke, potentially.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
10 Feb 43
Some sub activity today. S-36 finds a cargo task force near Victoria Point, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. A few hexes east south-east of Truk, Wahoo finds a bunch of xAKs, fires on one, but misses. And the most interesting combat was just a few hexes south of Japan, southwest of Kobe. Pompon finds a surface group with BB Kongo, 6 CA/CLs, a CS, and 7 DDs. There's a decent chance that this is really a carrier task force. I don't know if it is inbound or outbound from Japan (guessing inbound), but it's a huge piece of intel that a significant task force is not near Rabaul, or near New Guinea, or Tabiteuea. Maybe the enemy finally pulled back some ships for upgrades?
Lots of my shipping leaves Townsville and Rockhampton today, headed north toward Horn Island. Invasion shipping for Merauke is with them. Carriers leave Rockhampton and will catch up.
In a couple of days, all ships for Tabiteuea will be gathered and will start the route direct to the invasion.
It looks like my invasions will occur at or near the same time. Wasn't really part of the plan but I'm ok with that.
I'll start providing some detailed maps tomorrow, as my ships approach their targets.
Some sub activity today. S-36 finds a cargo task force near Victoria Point, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. A few hexes east south-east of Truk, Wahoo finds a bunch of xAKs, fires on one, but misses. And the most interesting combat was just a few hexes south of Japan, southwest of Kobe. Pompon finds a surface group with BB Kongo, 6 CA/CLs, a CS, and 7 DDs. There's a decent chance that this is really a carrier task force. I don't know if it is inbound or outbound from Japan (guessing inbound), but it's a huge piece of intel that a significant task force is not near Rabaul, or near New Guinea, or Tabiteuea. Maybe the enemy finally pulled back some ships for upgrades?
Lots of my shipping leaves Townsville and Rockhampton today, headed north toward Horn Island. Invasion shipping for Merauke is with them. Carriers leave Rockhampton and will catch up.
In a couple of days, all ships for Tabiteuea will be gathered and will start the route direct to the invasion.
It looks like my invasions will occur at or near the same time. Wasn't really part of the plan but I'm ok with that.
I'll start providing some detailed maps tomorrow, as my ships approach their targets.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
11 Feb 43
Enemy sub spotted near Canton Island again. Subchasers don't hit it, but SBDs based at Canton do later in the day.
Vals escorted by Zeros attack my PTs at Vangunu. I thought that you had to strafe PTs to get planes to attack but I am mistaken. No bombs hit. Tojos sweep Vangunu afterwards but find no CAP. I'm sure that these Tojo pilots are excellent but this unit always seems to be late to the party.
About 30 B-17s bomb Port Moresby's airfield, keeping it damaged. No CAP. Enemy search/recon planes do show up here during the day though, and immediately see lots of my task forces on the Australian coast. Port Moresby has been empty for months, bad timing for me.
Here's the situation for Tabiteuea. My task forces are starting to approach from the south. Enemy ships are at Tarawa. I moved bombers and escort to Nauru and hope to hit this task force before my task forces are seen to the south. Remember, my first Tabiteuea invasion was nixed by a few cruisers and destroyers, sinking 2 of my old battleships and some of my transports. Can't let that happen again.
My task forces to the southeast are a bit behind schedule, and need to move more northwest before my other task forces start their move.
Enemy sub spotted near Canton Island again. Subchasers don't hit it, but SBDs based at Canton do later in the day.
Vals escorted by Zeros attack my PTs at Vangunu. I thought that you had to strafe PTs to get planes to attack but I am mistaken. No bombs hit. Tojos sweep Vangunu afterwards but find no CAP. I'm sure that these Tojo pilots are excellent but this unit always seems to be late to the party.
About 30 B-17s bomb Port Moresby's airfield, keeping it damaged. No CAP. Enemy search/recon planes do show up here during the day though, and immediately see lots of my task forces on the Australian coast. Port Moresby has been empty for months, bad timing for me.
Here's the situation for Tabiteuea. My task forces are starting to approach from the south. Enemy ships are at Tarawa. I moved bombers and escort to Nauru and hope to hit this task force before my task forces are seen to the south. Remember, my first Tabiteuea invasion was nixed by a few cruisers and destroyers, sinking 2 of my old battleships and some of my transports. Can't let that happen again.
My task forces to the southeast are a bit behind schedule, and need to move more northwest before my other task forces start their move.
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RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
11 Feb 43
Now for Horn Island.
Lots of my ships at Cooktown were spotted today. Not the best news, but we continue. 5 US carriers move up from the south. Fighters inland cover the transports moving along the coast. B-17s move to Cooktown and will bomb Merauke. B-24s move to Cloncurry and will bomb bases south of Darwin. Note that my invasion task forces have troops not only for Horn, but for Merauke also. 2 divisions for Merauke!
And to top things off, I started loading troops for Taberfane and Dobo, targets further northwest of Merauke.
KB is not to be seen, and has been absent from Rabaul for over a week. I really hope that my spotting of a big task force very near to Japan yesterday means that KB is back at the Home Islands. That would be great timing for me.
I'm reserving the option for loading for Buna also. My troops and ships are in place should I decide to do that. I would consider it if there is a reaction to Merauke/Taberfane/Dobo, reactions on the west side of New Guinea. Then I'll go all out for Buna and Port Moresby.
As a diversion, a Dutch surface group is at Perth and will move up the western coast of Australia. Enemy subs have been watching here for quite awhile. Unfortunately, my ships weren't spotted today.
Back in Burma, where nothing has been happening for a long time. my B-17s will attack Medan's airfield. I'm seeing about 40 fighters and about the same number of bombers. No plans here, just hitting out of the blue.
There's been a lull in the fighting as these ops were being prepared, now it's time for some action.
Now for Horn Island.
Lots of my ships at Cooktown were spotted today. Not the best news, but we continue. 5 US carriers move up from the south. Fighters inland cover the transports moving along the coast. B-17s move to Cooktown and will bomb Merauke. B-24s move to Cloncurry and will bomb bases south of Darwin. Note that my invasion task forces have troops not only for Horn, but for Merauke also. 2 divisions for Merauke!
And to top things off, I started loading troops for Taberfane and Dobo, targets further northwest of Merauke.
KB is not to be seen, and has been absent from Rabaul for over a week. I really hope that my spotting of a big task force very near to Japan yesterday means that KB is back at the Home Islands. That would be great timing for me.
I'm reserving the option for loading for Buna also. My troops and ships are in place should I decide to do that. I would consider it if there is a reaction to Merauke/Taberfane/Dobo, reactions on the west side of New Guinea. Then I'll go all out for Buna and Port Moresby.
As a diversion, a Dutch surface group is at Perth and will move up the western coast of Australia. Enemy subs have been watching here for quite awhile. Unfortunately, my ships weren't spotted today.
Back in Burma, where nothing has been happening for a long time. my B-17s will attack Medan's airfield. I'm seeing about 40 fighters and about the same number of bombers. No plans here, just hitting out of the blue.
There's been a lull in the fighting as these ops were being prepared, now it's time for some action.
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RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
Back in Burma, where nothing has been happening for a long time. my B-17s will attack Medan's airfield.
Magwe? Medan is on Sumatra. Or can you reach that far?
Anxious to see the results of your invasions.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
Yep, Magwe. 
I'm anxious for the next couple of days also.
I'm anxious for the next couple of days also.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
12 Feb 43
Sub Whale finds some xAKs southeast of Babeldaob, fires on one, and hits it. Probable sunk.
Very much out of the blue, 12 Bettys attack ground troops in China at Tsuyung. This is in the mountains near Burma. Looks like an intel gathering mission.
At Horn Island, I send a token force of 12 Wirraways to bomb the troops, but they hit nothing.
At Merauke, however, all of my Australian B-17s bomb the airfield, doing heavy damage. 30 Ki-43IIc Oscars are on CAP, but they are brushed aside. I suffer 2 bomber ops losses.
My Indian B-17s bomb Magwe's airfield, finding 28 Oscars and 3 Nicks. Damage to the airfield is moderate, and a Dinah is destroyed on the ground. I forget to stand down today so the bombers go again tomorrow.
A squadron of B-25s and one of B-26s bomb the enemy troops at Port Moresby, hitting nothing. Just a small attempt to show interest here with my shipping on the move.
I also sent 12 B-17s from the Solomons to Gasmata on a nuisance raid. Damage is light to moderate on the airfield, and no CAP is encountered.
B-24 attacks at Katherine and Fenton do light damage and find no CAP.
None of my Tabiteuea invasion shipping is seen yet. It'll be a few days till the invasion. There is a cruiser force still at Tarawa, and my bombers didn't fly today. I try again. I also spot what looks like a cruiser task force north of Ontong Java, southbound. Could be a bombardment task force or just going to the Solomons. It could change directions toward Nauru too.
As for my Horn Island shipping, a few of the task forces are spotted on the Australian coast. Doesn't necessarily look like an invasion yet, but tomorrow everything will stop 2 hexes south of Horn Island. My carriers were not spotted today.
Sub Whale finds some xAKs southeast of Babeldaob, fires on one, and hits it. Probable sunk.
Very much out of the blue, 12 Bettys attack ground troops in China at Tsuyung. This is in the mountains near Burma. Looks like an intel gathering mission.
At Horn Island, I send a token force of 12 Wirraways to bomb the troops, but they hit nothing.
At Merauke, however, all of my Australian B-17s bomb the airfield, doing heavy damage. 30 Ki-43IIc Oscars are on CAP, but they are brushed aside. I suffer 2 bomber ops losses.
My Indian B-17s bomb Magwe's airfield, finding 28 Oscars and 3 Nicks. Damage to the airfield is moderate, and a Dinah is destroyed on the ground. I forget to stand down today so the bombers go again tomorrow.
A squadron of B-25s and one of B-26s bomb the enemy troops at Port Moresby, hitting nothing. Just a small attempt to show interest here with my shipping on the move.
I also sent 12 B-17s from the Solomons to Gasmata on a nuisance raid. Damage is light to moderate on the airfield, and no CAP is encountered.
B-24 attacks at Katherine and Fenton do light damage and find no CAP.
None of my Tabiteuea invasion shipping is seen yet. It'll be a few days till the invasion. There is a cruiser force still at Tarawa, and my bombers didn't fly today. I try again. I also spot what looks like a cruiser task force north of Ontong Java, southbound. Could be a bombardment task force or just going to the Solomons. It could change directions toward Nauru too.
As for my Horn Island shipping, a few of the task forces are spotted on the Australian coast. Doesn't necessarily look like an invasion yet, but tomorrow everything will stop 2 hexes south of Horn Island. My carriers were not spotted today.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
13 Feb 43
RO-65 takes a shot at Dutch sub KXV near Milne Bay but misses.
Sub Snook spots 2xAKs, 2 PBs, and a DD northwest of Marcus Island, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. The enemy is starting to see my subs all over the place.
Enemy subchasers go after Wahoo near Ponape Island, but get no hits. This has been a high detection level area for quite awhile.
Wildcats sweep Merauke, but find that the Oscars left. I stood down my B-17s in Australia.
But I forgot to do so in Burma, and they go back to Magwe. This time there's Tojos, and 6 B-17s are lost. B-17s do great against Oscars but not so well against Tojos. Some airfield damage is done but this is a distraction that has run its course.
An enemy cruiser task force is found at Jaluit, maybe the one that was at Tarawa before. B-25s fly a low level bombing mission, find no fighter CAP, but all bombs miss.
As for today, it was one of those turns that takes a lot of time but is extremely enjoyable to do. All of those turns of logistics and now it's time for a turn or two of excitement.
First Horn Island.
There's no surprise here, I'm coming and it's obvious now. I sent a minesweeper to the straits south of Horn, and no mines were found. A small task force with 1 CA, 1 CL, and 1 DD will bombard Horn and stay there. An invasion task force will arrive at night. Some light bombers will hit the enemy troops during the day. My Merauke invasion forces will move 2 hexes WNW of Horn. My carriers will move just west of Horn, providing ranged CAP for all ships. Another task force will bombard Merauke. It has the same makeup as my Horn bombardment task force. A big cruiser task force escorts my Merauke shipping.
Other ships, destined for the dot bases stretching from Normanton up toward Darwin, will pass by Horn and follow the coast south. 3 dots bases that are still Allied will be occupied. Wesel Island (barely visible on the west edge of the map) will be invaded, but after the other landings. That task force will refuel at Normanton first, and will take advantage of my carriers in a few days. I am starting to airlift a base unit to Groote Eylandt. I will base some Cats there tomorrow.
Shipping for Taberfane and Dobo (off the map to the northwest) are headed north from Townsville now.
I'm sending several squadrons of B-24s to hit Hansa Bay's AF. I've never reconned this base, and it is now a large airbase. I'm hoping for surprise here. This base is almost as big a threat as Lae. As for Lae, I've never bombed it, as it has over 100 fighters. Today, my B-17s go after it, hopefully after multiple fighter units sweep from Milne Bay. I expect this to be very ugly. My fighter squadrons are small. I know that losses will be high. But I want to put a few holes in the runway there and maybe lessen the effectiveness of bombers basing there. Like I said, it will be ugly but I accept that for today. Maybe I'll have some luck and find a bunch of fighters on escort duty instead of CAP. Could happen. I haven't attacked here before.
2 P-38 squadrons have unloaded in southwestern Australia and are hitting the rails for northeast Australia. It'll take 6 days to arrive, then more time to repair. They have the best of the best pilots, and will come in handy very soon.
SigInt says that there's heavy activity at 63,109. This is southeast of Java, north of the island chain. I strongly suspect that this is a reaction force that was at Soerbaja. It will probably go to Koepang or Darwin. I got the same message for Babeldaop.
RO-65 takes a shot at Dutch sub KXV near Milne Bay but misses.
Sub Snook spots 2xAKs, 2 PBs, and a DD northwest of Marcus Island, fires on a patrol boat, and misses. The enemy is starting to see my subs all over the place.
Enemy subchasers go after Wahoo near Ponape Island, but get no hits. This has been a high detection level area for quite awhile.
Wildcats sweep Merauke, but find that the Oscars left. I stood down my B-17s in Australia.
But I forgot to do so in Burma, and they go back to Magwe. This time there's Tojos, and 6 B-17s are lost. B-17s do great against Oscars but not so well against Tojos. Some airfield damage is done but this is a distraction that has run its course.
An enemy cruiser task force is found at Jaluit, maybe the one that was at Tarawa before. B-25s fly a low level bombing mission, find no fighter CAP, but all bombs miss.
As for today, it was one of those turns that takes a lot of time but is extremely enjoyable to do. All of those turns of logistics and now it's time for a turn or two of excitement.
First Horn Island.
There's no surprise here, I'm coming and it's obvious now. I sent a minesweeper to the straits south of Horn, and no mines were found. A small task force with 1 CA, 1 CL, and 1 DD will bombard Horn and stay there. An invasion task force will arrive at night. Some light bombers will hit the enemy troops during the day. My Merauke invasion forces will move 2 hexes WNW of Horn. My carriers will move just west of Horn, providing ranged CAP for all ships. Another task force will bombard Merauke. It has the same makeup as my Horn bombardment task force. A big cruiser task force escorts my Merauke shipping.
Other ships, destined for the dot bases stretching from Normanton up toward Darwin, will pass by Horn and follow the coast south. 3 dots bases that are still Allied will be occupied. Wesel Island (barely visible on the west edge of the map) will be invaded, but after the other landings. That task force will refuel at Normanton first, and will take advantage of my carriers in a few days. I am starting to airlift a base unit to Groote Eylandt. I will base some Cats there tomorrow.
Shipping for Taberfane and Dobo (off the map to the northwest) are headed north from Townsville now.
I'm sending several squadrons of B-24s to hit Hansa Bay's AF. I've never reconned this base, and it is now a large airbase. I'm hoping for surprise here. This base is almost as big a threat as Lae. As for Lae, I've never bombed it, as it has over 100 fighters. Today, my B-17s go after it, hopefully after multiple fighter units sweep from Milne Bay. I expect this to be very ugly. My fighter squadrons are small. I know that losses will be high. But I want to put a few holes in the runway there and maybe lessen the effectiveness of bombers basing there. Like I said, it will be ugly but I accept that for today. Maybe I'll have some luck and find a bunch of fighters on escort duty instead of CAP. Could happen. I haven't attacked here before.
2 P-38 squadrons have unloaded in southwestern Australia and are hitting the rails for northeast Australia. It'll take 6 days to arrive, then more time to repair. They have the best of the best pilots, and will come in handy very soon.
SigInt says that there's heavy activity at 63,109. This is southeast of Java, north of the island chain. I strongly suspect that this is a reaction force that was at Soerbaja. It will probably go to Koepang or Darwin. I got the same message for Babeldaop.
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RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
13 Feb 43
And now for Tabiteuea. My ships have been spotted. As I said, an enemy cruiser force was spotted at Jaluit and ineffectively bombed. It will move elsewhere today, that I am sure of.
My plan is to move everything to 2 hexes south of Arorae today. Tomorrow, Arorae will be occupied. It is still Allied. My carriers and ships destined for Tabiteuea will move to just west of Arorae.
So far, I've been fairly predictable with my landings. I like to move to a point where I can invade during the night phase, to unload the maximum number of troops. Last time at Tabiteuea, the enemy cruisers ruined the party, sinking 2 slow battleships and aborting my invasion before any troops had left the ships. This time, I am going to pause in place when I'm at and adjacent to Arorae, and just send in a small cruiser task force. It is very likely that they will run into those enemy cruisers, or a similar task force that I'm not seeing. My combat task force is small, and that battle may not go well, but it won't be with my invasion shipping. If any of his ships linger after the battle, my carriers will take care of them. Then I should invade.
Onotoa will be invaded by a small force then also.
It could be a couple of days until I get a turn back. My opponent's busy part of the week is the latter half of the week, and he senses that big things are about to happen, and he'll need more time than usual.
I replied that if he saw anything, the ships are just native fishermen trying to earn a living.
And now for Tabiteuea. My ships have been spotted. As I said, an enemy cruiser force was spotted at Jaluit and ineffectively bombed. It will move elsewhere today, that I am sure of.
My plan is to move everything to 2 hexes south of Arorae today. Tomorrow, Arorae will be occupied. It is still Allied. My carriers and ships destined for Tabiteuea will move to just west of Arorae.
So far, I've been fairly predictable with my landings. I like to move to a point where I can invade during the night phase, to unload the maximum number of troops. Last time at Tabiteuea, the enemy cruisers ruined the party, sinking 2 slow battleships and aborting my invasion before any troops had left the ships. This time, I am going to pause in place when I'm at and adjacent to Arorae, and just send in a small cruiser task force. It is very likely that they will run into those enemy cruisers, or a similar task force that I'm not seeing. My combat task force is small, and that battle may not go well, but it won't be with my invasion shipping. If any of his ships linger after the battle, my carriers will take care of them. Then I should invade.
Onotoa will be invaded by a small force then also.
It could be a couple of days until I get a turn back. My opponent's busy part of the week is the latter half of the week, and he senses that big things are about to happen, and he'll need more time than usual.
I replied that if he saw anything, the ships are just native fishermen trying to earn a living.
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RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
I replied that if he saw anything, the ships are just native fishermen trying to earn a living.
Heh. I don't think he's going to buy it. [:)] Good luck with the landings and related ops. Will be very interesting to follow the next few turns.
RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
14 Feb 43
One of my carrier task forces runs over I-156 near Horn Island. I-156 takes 2 good depth charge hits and is badly damaged if not sunk. No carriers are spotted by the sub. A similar encounter occurs with I-20, with I-20 being moderately damaged.
Horn Island is bombarded by my 3 ship task force, and does tremendous damage to the enemy troops in the clear terrain.
Merauke is bombarded by a similarly sized task force, with even better results to the troops, with the bonus of some airfield and port damage.
Then the Horn Island unloading begins.
During the day, some B-26s bomb enemy troops on Horn Island, doing moderate damage.
B-25s bomb troops at Merauke, but hit nothing in the jungle terrain.
28 B-24s attack Hansa Bay and its big airfield, finding just 6 Dinahs on CAP. Damage to the airfield is light to moderate, with a Dinah and a Thalia destroyed on the airfield.
12 B-24s bomb Port Moresby's AF, doing moderate damage. No CAP.
Buna is swept by a small unit of Kittyhawks, finding no CAP.
My big sweeps of Lae do not fly. All of my B-17s in Australia do not fly to Lae. Weather. I decide not to try again today. Horn is taken and I don't see bombers moved into Lae.
Finally, Horn Island is shock attacked, and the island is taken with 14 to 1 odds. Only 3 units were at Horn: Kure 2nd SNLF, 37 Construction Company, and part of the 3rd JNAF Coy. Some enemy troops remain on the exposed island and won't last long. A minefield appears on the map. None of my ships hit a mine, fortunately. It may be that the minefield was just dropped by sub. I send minesweepers into Horn and the surrounding area.
It's worth noting that Horn was taken with the same 13 Australian Brigade that failed at Horn back when I tried earlier. The brigade was rebuilt and it returned to finish the job.
What was the difference this time? I unloaded more troops faster. Last time, I had to leave with only half of the brigade unloaded. Then enemy battleships showed up and destroyed my troops on the exposed beach. Also, enemy paras reinforced the base after that first day. Not this time.
Merauke will be invaded today. My carriers will support just to the southwest. My big cruiser force will sit at Merauke, just in case. 2 divisions plus support will unload at Merauke.
Cats have been moved to Groote Eylandt, and I'm flying support in. Task forces head to Groote and Mornington. The Wesel invasion task force heads to Normanton to refuel, then it will go to Wesel. My carriers should be passing by there about that time, on the way to support the invasions of Taberfane and Dobo, along with the occupation of Timoeka, the Allied dot base east of Dobo on the New Guinea coast.
All of this, of course, assumes that the enemy does nothing to interfere.
The enemy has a tough time of things, here, I think. Merauke is just a size 1 airfield. Darwin is big but fairly far away. Hansa Bay is big but distant also. Everything is within Betty range, of course, but my carriers are supporting. Taberfane and Dobo is not built up. There just isn't a big prepared defense here.
I have sent some naval bombers to the Milne Bay area, just in case the Japanese try to run some combat ships past Milne Bay to threaten Horn from behind me.
One of my carrier task forces runs over I-156 near Horn Island. I-156 takes 2 good depth charge hits and is badly damaged if not sunk. No carriers are spotted by the sub. A similar encounter occurs with I-20, with I-20 being moderately damaged.
Horn Island is bombarded by my 3 ship task force, and does tremendous damage to the enemy troops in the clear terrain.
Merauke is bombarded by a similarly sized task force, with even better results to the troops, with the bonus of some airfield and port damage.
Then the Horn Island unloading begins.
During the day, some B-26s bomb enemy troops on Horn Island, doing moderate damage.
B-25s bomb troops at Merauke, but hit nothing in the jungle terrain.
28 B-24s attack Hansa Bay and its big airfield, finding just 6 Dinahs on CAP. Damage to the airfield is light to moderate, with a Dinah and a Thalia destroyed on the airfield.
12 B-24s bomb Port Moresby's AF, doing moderate damage. No CAP.
Buna is swept by a small unit of Kittyhawks, finding no CAP.
My big sweeps of Lae do not fly. All of my B-17s in Australia do not fly to Lae. Weather. I decide not to try again today. Horn is taken and I don't see bombers moved into Lae.
Finally, Horn Island is shock attacked, and the island is taken with 14 to 1 odds. Only 3 units were at Horn: Kure 2nd SNLF, 37 Construction Company, and part of the 3rd JNAF Coy. Some enemy troops remain on the exposed island and won't last long. A minefield appears on the map. None of my ships hit a mine, fortunately. It may be that the minefield was just dropped by sub. I send minesweepers into Horn and the surrounding area.
It's worth noting that Horn was taken with the same 13 Australian Brigade that failed at Horn back when I tried earlier. The brigade was rebuilt and it returned to finish the job.
What was the difference this time? I unloaded more troops faster. Last time, I had to leave with only half of the brigade unloaded. Then enemy battleships showed up and destroyed my troops on the exposed beach. Also, enemy paras reinforced the base after that first day. Not this time.
Merauke will be invaded today. My carriers will support just to the southwest. My big cruiser force will sit at Merauke, just in case. 2 divisions plus support will unload at Merauke.
Cats have been moved to Groote Eylandt, and I'm flying support in. Task forces head to Groote and Mornington. The Wesel invasion task force heads to Normanton to refuel, then it will go to Wesel. My carriers should be passing by there about that time, on the way to support the invasions of Taberfane and Dobo, along with the occupation of Timoeka, the Allied dot base east of Dobo on the New Guinea coast.
All of this, of course, assumes that the enemy does nothing to interfere.
The enemy has a tough time of things, here, I think. Merauke is just a size 1 airfield. Darwin is big but fairly far away. Hansa Bay is big but distant also. Everything is within Betty range, of course, but my carriers are supporting. Taberfane and Dobo is not built up. There just isn't a big prepared defense here.
I have sent some naval bombers to the Milne Bay area, just in case the Japanese try to run some combat ships past Milne Bay to threaten Horn from behind me.
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RE: See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28
14 Feb 43 (continued)
Now for Tabiteuea.
I will land combat engineers on the still Allied dot base of Arorae. I will not be landing at Tabiteuea today. My invasion shipping and carriers will sit just west of Arorae.
The enemy cruiser task force keeps moving between islands, and is now at Makin. It could rush into Tabiteuea tonight. I won't be there.
The deceptive part of my plan will be tomorrow, when I will sit in place and still not invade Tabiteuea. I will wait a day, then move in.
I figure that I didn't have surprise with all of this. I know that that cruiser force will be the problem. I hope to either get lucky and have it move to Tabiteuea before I get there, and be a target for my carriers, or have it move to Tabiteuea, at night, looking for me, then run back north at full speed.
When I do land at Tabiteuea, I will be landing at Onotoa also.
Now for Tabiteuea.
I will land combat engineers on the still Allied dot base of Arorae. I will not be landing at Tabiteuea today. My invasion shipping and carriers will sit just west of Arorae.
The enemy cruiser task force keeps moving between islands, and is now at Makin. It could rush into Tabiteuea tonight. I won't be there.
The deceptive part of my plan will be tomorrow, when I will sit in place and still not invade Tabiteuea. I will wait a day, then move in.
I figure that I didn't have surprise with all of this. I know that that cruiser force will be the problem. I hope to either get lucky and have it move to Tabiteuea before I get there, and be a target for my carriers, or have it move to Tabiteuea, at night, looking for me, then run back north at full speed.
When I do land at Tabiteuea, I will be landing at Onotoa also.
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