An Aussie Affair: Re-Match!

[Raverdave]

I am back, and back for good! And what better way to celebrate than by bombing the cr@p out of Luskan........................again!:D

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/08/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 10
B-17E Fortress x 61
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 33


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 826
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 165

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
7 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

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

[Luskan]

The ratio of losses of ENG units : INF units is unusual to asy the least.

Raver sends a hundred heavy bombers to a base say, 10 times in 20 turns. The base gets blasted to bits, airbase, ports (no ground attack so far) and he kills thousands of my loyal troops. Now here is the problem. You'd think my INF boys were copping it too.

In fact, they're sunning themselves wondering why the bombs magically only land on eng units. Sure - if I start loosing transports there will be a supply problem on PNG, but at the moment I've got to say that my INF units are unbombed, and very close to 100%.

I think that after the sort of bombing I've copped, my base sizes should have been down graded (I've evacuated all air groups (still 30 damaged planes on PNG) and eng units from PNG, at least until Raver switches his attention somewhere else.

In other news, my AGs seem to have dodged an enemy surface group (probably PT boats on a long range suicide mission).

[AmiralLaurent]

Your INF units are in hard positions in the jungle or along the beach, and usually well hidden. If a GI was not able to see a Japanese dugout from 20m, a B-17 will not be able to bomb it. And they had not the capacity of B-52 to destroy big aeras of jungle to hit what was hidden under it.

So it's normal that units working on airfields and ports suffered the most from bombings. They just suffered huge losses, even while adding wounded and killed, they are far from historical numbers.

[SoulBlazer]

I've noticed that also in my games, Luskan. I can just imagine the conversation going on between my Japanese boys:

Eng unit: Stupid (!&(#! Yankee bombers! This is the forth time this WEEK we've had to patch up these bomb craters on the runways! All for you *()!&! flyboys! And I've lost half of my unit!
Zero pilot: What do you expect ME to do, try to shoot them down? They would blast me out of the sky before we could even get CLOSE to them!
Eng unit: So why the hell am I being ordered to get up with the sun every day and patch these holes?
Inf unit: So YOU guys can take the losses and we can play Go all day!

[Luskan]

[Raverdave]

Just sent a PT TF to Irau to try and hit some AGs....must have missed the bloody things by a bee's ****!

The really interesting thing is that I have been slowly stepping up operations in this area, upto and including the landing of commando units and I have yet be spotted! Infact I have sailed two BIG CV groups in the same area and Luskan failed to even SPOT them. Nice to see that the tables are turning!

[Raverdave]

Huh? How come the word D.I.C.K has been ***ed out? How the hell am I supposed to talk about people like **** Chenny(S?) or **** Tracy? Or **** Van Dyke?:(

[Drongo]

Posted by Raverdave

Huh? How come the word D.I.C.K has been ***ed out? How the hell am I supposed to talk about people like **** Chenny(S?) or **** Tracy? Or **** Van Dyke?

Because the moderators are all ****less wonders? :p

I've noticed that even some of our regular Aussie terms are being snuffed out over time.

At least we can still say bugger!

[Luskan]

I know I haven't posted a combat report for a while (Raver - hope you don't read tyhis before you check your turns)


Yes, Raver's PT boats are clearing mines by the simple expedient of running into them. Yes, I guessed that the enemy CVs would be floating around Luganville (his LRB are all on Oz - was a bit of a guess.).

But if my air searches are ****, then raver's are worse.

This is within 4 or 5 hexes of Rockhampton

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/13/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
A6M3 Zero x 19
D3A Val x 79
B5N Kate x 112
F1M2 Pete x 6
E13A1 Jake x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC 521
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP President Jackson, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Largs Bay, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Hayes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manunda
AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora
AK Arided, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Mungana, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Katoomba, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neville, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AP Esperance Bay, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SC 522, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wanganella


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 64


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 42

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Katoomba, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neville, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arided, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manunda, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wanganella, Bomb hits 4, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 11
F1M2 Pete x 6
E13A1 Jake x 4

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Arided, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanimbla, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manunda, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 27

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Largs Bay, on fire, heavy damage
AP Moreton Bay, on fire
AP Fuller, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arided, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 13
E13A1 Jake x 9
E7K2 Alf x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Wanganella, on fire
AP Heywood, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Largs Bay, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wanganella, on fire


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 53


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 13,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 11 destroyed
D3A Val x 17 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Chevalier
DD Aulick
CL Honolulu


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,68

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 131
B5N Kate x 153
F1M2 Pete x 12
E13A1 Jake x 19
E7K2 Alf x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neville, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC 521
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Largs Bay, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heywood, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Jackson, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manunda, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wanganella, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arided, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC 519


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 166
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kirakira

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1221 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kirakira base !!!



LCDR E.King of VF-26 bails out and is RESCUED

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

That is some serious experience for my CV pilots. There are lots of juicy, undefended targets around - a tf of CAs at Townsville, 4 BBs in port at Cairns, a CL and 7 DDs that briefly got attacked in the turn above, a tanker tf headed south (I spotted a few transports at Cairns a few turns ago, and sent my CVs to try and intercept them and instead ran into this pearl of a fleet. The 828th EAB just drowned in waters off Oz, and his transport fleet just took a helluva hit. I'll finish them off next turn - and then see if I can't find a few enemy CVs to beat up on

[Raverdave]

This will now be known as Black Saturday, 13th of March 1943....on this day some 15 ships were lost and over 2000 men perished.
Already the Parliment is in uproar over this tragic event and calls are being made for a Royal commission. MacAthur was said to have exclaimed "This heavy loss of transport shipping may well cost us New Guinea".
Mean while intellegence chiefs or scrambling to try and figure how such a large Jap TF could get so close to the Australian coast un-detected.

With the war causing a large drain on Allied transport shipping this great loss is now seen as a disaster for the theater, and some unnamed officals are privately expressing concern as to how they can be replaced, and more importantly, what inpact this will have of future operations.

[Bradman]

Now that is one **** (:p) of a good turn for the Japs!

[Raverdave]

Whoop whoop whoop Battle stations! Battle stations! Whoop whoop whoop !

Uber CV TF is being shadowed by long range aircraft and reports that the Jap TF is heading for Luganville making full speed.

Large Bombardment TF consisting of 5 BBs sighted on a bearing heading directly for Cairns!:eek:

Whoop whoop whoop Battle stations! Battle stations! Whoop whoop whoop !

[Luskan]

Well, that was the longest combat replay ever. Lots of highlights and lots of nastiness to make up for recent slow going of turns.

Each naval combat resolved in two phases, but the first two battles were condensed into one combat report entry, or the first one was left off (they were pretty much the same etc.).

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 9,54

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo
CA Chikuma
DD Terusuki
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

- Nice try


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 7,56

Tanaka races in, surprises the Allies who are tracking him on radar and then all of his ships fire before Raver's guys even load their guns ! This combat was at 4000 yards, and then at 2000 yards - up close and nasty.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 3
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
BB Yamato, Shell hits 4
BB Musashi
CA Tone, Shell hits 2
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 5
CA Chokai, Shell hits 6
CA Myoko, Shell hits 6
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
DD Terusuki, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Tanikaze
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Arare

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
DD Radford, Shell hits 22, and is sunk - You'd bloody hope so, this damned ship copped 20 14 inch shell hits from the haruna at 2000 yards!!!
DD LaValette
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Waller, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage - sunk.
DD Taylor, Shell hits 17, and is sunk - Go Yamato!
DD Mullany, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage, 16 inch hits, she'll sink
DD Beale, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage, sunk
DD Hutchins, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholson, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Monssen, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lansdowne, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage sunk
DD Anderson, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Mugford
DD Ellet, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Maury, Shell hits 1
DD Drayton, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 7,56

This time they seperate a little bit to about 4000yards (if I remember right) and the allied destroyers catch my two damaged DDs with torps. not without cost - again most of Raver's ships didn't engage, while all of mine did.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 8, on fire
BB Haruna, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB Hiei
BB Yamato, Shell hits 2
BB Musashi
CA Tone
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage all 8 inch hits.
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3
DD Terusuki, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Tanikaze
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Arare

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Washington, Shell hits 1
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Indiana, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2 Love it.
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 8, on fire
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Nicholas, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage later sunk.
DD Ammen
DD McCalla
DD Fanning


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 7,56

IJN doesn't really want to fight this time, and so sort of dont.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
DD Terusuki, and is sunk
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Tanikaze
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 2
CL Montpelier
DD Preston
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 1
DD Balch
DD Dewey
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Worden
DD Dale
DD Monaghan
DD Alwin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 7,56

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 7, on fire
BB Haruna, on fire
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tanikaze
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Montpelier
DD Preston
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 3
DD Balch
DD Dewey
DD MacDonough, on fire
DD Worden
DD Dale
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 1
DD Alwin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3
Hudson x 3
Beaufighter VIC x 5
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 5
B-26B Marauder x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
2 x Hudson at 1000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 18
Hudson x 7
Beaufighter VIC x 9
P-40E Kittyhawk x 34
P-40E Warhawk x 14
P-38G Lightning x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 38
B-26B Marauder x 47
B-17E Fortress x 55
B-24D Liberator x 38


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Yamagumo, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x Hudson at 1000 feet
1 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 8,55


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6


no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 14,51


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, on fire
DD Hamakaze

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 24
Hudson x 6
Beaufighter VIC x 15
P-38G Lightning x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 34
B-26B Marauder x 39


no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x Hudson at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 1000 feet
3 x Hudson at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
B-17E Fortress x 12


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 8
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 16


no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, on fire, heavy damage
BB Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 8,55


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 8,55


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,53


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 8,55

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Cabrilla


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,43

Allied Ships
SS Scamp


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


On review, I think I came out a little in front.

I will loose the Haruna - she's done for, as is the Chokai. Chikuma already sank, and I lost Hayashio, Wakazuki, Terusuki, and will probably loose another DD to bombing next turn. My CVs will be on hand to shepard the other ships home.

So, 1 BB, 2 CAs, 4 or 5 DDs, and moderate damage to 1 BB, 2 CA and 3 DD.

Raver on the other hand . . . well, I'm guessing but I counted at least 8 destroyers sunk messages - hopefully more that didn't get reported. Hopefully Honolulu sank and Indiana was hit by two long lances (should be enough to fix her for a while). I'm hoping he's lost 15 DDs and a CL, as well as damage to half a dozen DDs, a CA or two, and a messed up BB.

Tanaka has done a pretty damned good job in the face of determined enemy opposition. He didn't bombard Cairns and end the bombing, but he has certainly made a mark on the USN they won't forget. Hopefully Raver's sunk transports will slow the supply to the bombers down, and hopefully hinder any invasions planned.

Besides, until Raver's surface ship performance increases, he won't be willing to have a night combat battle in one of my harbours My bombers would get the last word in instead of his, and we all know who's ships would win!

Enemy CVs sighted east of Gavigamana. My CVs will nip home, replace their 21 losses so far, and then maybe go ahunting for them depending on the weather

[Raverdave]

At first blush things looked grim in the combat results for the Allies, and the DDs wore the brunt, a total of 8 sunk. However NONE of my major ships were sunk, and all of the BBs that were hit (only two)will be full operational once the flooding has been patched.
I would say that there are some ships (maybe 5 in all) that will have to sail for Pearl. I must admit to being shocked at the close range of the combat....I would have more comfortable to the action had of started at 6 to 8,000 yards rather than 4,000


This is far from the overwelming victory that Luskan would have you all believe and this action show more than anything just how desperate Luskan is. Even his mighty Super CV TF now runs for home with it's tail between it legs.

The war is turning so keep buying those war bonds!

[SoulBlazer]

Mixed results for both sides, it seems, although being able to finish off the Haruna will be a nice victory. In a few months Corsairs and Hellcats and Helldivers will come onboard and make life miserable for the Japs. Just keep your navy together till then.

What's the status of the Washington and the South Dakota, the best American battleships?

[Raverdave]

I had 4 BBs in action, two which came through with not even the paint scratched namely the USS Colorado and USS Washington. The USS Sth Dakota took 28 in sys damage and 14 in float. Nothing too bad as as I said in a day or two she will be ready for operations again if only as escort or shore bombardments. The USS Indiana took less sys damage with 23 but more in float damage at 29, but again, float damage is easy to fix in a level 9 port!

Luskan knows that the writing is on the wall and so this is why he is launching these hair-brained attacks...it is a sign of desperation !

Buy more war bonds!

[Luskan]

Haruna is still afloat (somehow) although I don't think it will last. Chikuma made it, but Chokai got to GG and was hit by two sub launched torps which ended her life. Pity - otherwise I would have only lost a BB and 2 DDs for the whole raid.

USN BBs are limited. I always seem to have too many when I play as the USN - would much prefer CVs.

Of course, when I post the ship sunk totals, there will be a BB in my column . . . but the totals are all way in my favour - I only need to cripple one "branch" of his navy, and the rest will be rendered useless. A few DDs with his uber transport group, and I'd have lost a few more planes etc, instead of having the best pilot training available.

Will go add the totals up now.

[Luskan]

IJN Lost: USN Lost:
AO 1 9
TK 0 4
AP 6 22
AK - 27
APD 4 0
AG 1 -

PT - 29
SC - 19
PC 6 -
PG 0 1
MSW 1 3

SS 6 2

DM/ML 1 3
DMS - 2
DD 14 37
CL 4 3
CA 9 3
BB (1)0 0 - (Haruna hasn't sunk just yet, but will)

AV 0 1
CV 0 2
CVE 0 0
CVL 0 0
CS 0 -

USN has lost 1834 points worth of ships.
IJN has lost 760 + 135 (Haruna) = 895 points worth of ships.

Despite Raver's ASW and sub intercept success, he is way behind in the transport game, both in fuel transport and troop/supply transport. Raver's subs and sub placed mines have cost me 4 APDs, but the rest of the ships torpedoed have all survived.

No subs have been lost on either side in months - so Raver still has a telling lead on the sub sunk scores.

Each side still has fairly good compliments of minesweepers - Raver probably has 3 or 4DMS escorts to shephard invasions and bombardment TFs through mines, which will probably make my life much more difficult.

Raver has lost 37 destroyers, to my 14 needless to say that when invasion time comes I'm expecting lots of his CAs and BBs to be screening those transports wihtout many destroyers for protection. My destroyers will whip in in twos and threes, launch long lance torpedo attacks (all my ships have very high exp, should be fairly common) and blast Raver's screening ships AND transports to hell. This is where I hope to stop hte USN invasion juggernaut.

I've lost 9 CAs, to Raver's 3. This is because I consistently have to engage Raver in his own harbours, my CAs cop a few hits, but are slow enough for his bombers to finish the following day. This score should (hopefully) even up towards the end of the game.

2 CVs . . . Probably not enough of a lead here, but having crippled two of them at the start of the game gives me a bit of hope. My CV pilots are all very, very, very good - but once they're gone (again) I won't be able to retrain replacements. I only have to keep hitting Raver while not taking losses for a little bit more to push the totals far enough in my favour that he can't come back without some hair brained tactics of his own.

[Raverdave]

I am still in the buildup stage of the game.......this takes time and a lot of it....moving supplies to forward bases to support the invasions....moving troops....moving support troops to clean up and expand Islands as I take them. It all takes time. And though some may think that I am leaving my run late (it is currently mid March 1943) the fact is that once I roll forward it will not stop with just one invasion...indeed I am planning multible attacks at the sametime to flood the Jap defence......Luskan cannot be in two places at the same time I can!

But his spoiling attacks are nothing but a pain......yes the recent loss of transport ships hurt, but Pearl responded almost strait away, and has released 14 new AK/APs, so I have "only" lost a few points in ships and maybe 20 days.

If anything, Luskans' wild excursions into my area of operations only shows how desparate he is to force contact. He knows full well that I can shut down ANY airfield or port within range of my bombers and there is nothing that he can do about it. It must be painful to watch, and also frightening, hence Luskans desire to carry-out mad attacks into my ports!

For Luskan time is running out and he knows it, and this is well demonstrated by his posting of IJN Vs Allied losses, it is nothing but an attempt to convince and reasure himself that everything is still all right in the world .

[Luskan]

Mr play it safe can congratulate himself all he wants.

Sooner or later he'll be shifting CVs from A to B along the Aussie coast or south of Noumea and have 0 CAP up and BAM!!! my CVs will appear (undetected by his float planes for the millionth time this game) and smack him.

If Raver is planning twin invasions, well, he's right, I can't be in two places at once. I'll just be wherever his CVs are and make certain that they don't make it home. After that, I should be able to hold his bombers off by staying well out of reach.