The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
The next turn began with some serious trepidation on my part. I first saw my four DDs tangle with a nasty Fletcher TF and manage to (mostly) get away.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
After this they managed to get into an amphib TF and I had some hope they'd mess a few up and also expend some BB and escort ammo. They ended up getting a bit shot to pieces but did get a few hits on APA U.S. Grant. The Yunagi went under.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Next some MTBs got into it, but these seemed highly ineffectual even though the moon was low at around 32%. I'll hand it to Sqz that his TFs are all really well configured with a good ratio of strong escorts.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
The little old DDs kept on coming, or rather retreated into the path of the coming onslaught, and got some more shots in on AKA Procyon before withering in a hail of 6" rounds from the CLs. One more in sinking condition after this.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Finally subs get involved with the sinking of an xAP at Munda.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Then the shocker of the day. He's coming right for Rabaul!!!
Mines and MTBs and midgets had virtually no effect here, and the DDs although plucky, didn't stand a chance to actually stop anything. I usually rely on them to slow invasions so the air strikes can hit nice full transports in the day phase, but this was not to be today ...
Mines and MTBs and midgets had virtually no effect here, and the DDs although plucky, didn't stand a chance to actually stop anything. I usually rely on them to slow invasions so the air strikes can hit nice full transports in the day phase, but this was not to be today ...
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Through all of this I'd begun to wonder if my BBs had gotten correct orders, but low and behold they found a sweet spot in the maelstrom of Fletchers and Clevelands, and got in their shots!
I would have hoped they could have caught one of the other CVE TFs with four CVE in it, but hey, I'll take it.
I would have hoped they could have caught one of the other CVE TFs with four CVE in it, but hey, I'll take it.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
At least here they were able to concentrate fire and put the two under, so no Allied damage control magic after this one. Unfortunately the escorts did a number on my old DDs here and all of them were left smoking and detached from the BBs after the engagement! [X(]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
They next ran into a tough CL TF just having bombarded at Kaveing (yes, the invasions hit anything of worth throughout the area) and unfortunately used up the rest of their main gun ammo and ops points right here. If they'd missed this TF they would have heading back to base and tangled with two big amphibs at Kaveing. What ifs, but that also might have lost them, as the Tennessee and other CA/CL are three embedded, so it may not have gone our way.
As it is they are relatively untouched sitting ducks one hex from Kaveing as the daylight dawns. No escorts, no main gun ammo, and about 100 Oscar III/A6M5 set to LR CAP.
As it is they are relatively untouched sitting ducks one hex from Kaveing as the daylight dawns. No escorts, no main gun ammo, and about 100 Oscar III/A6M5 set to LR CAP.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
This is one of the longest replays I've watched, with around 7-8 amphib landings at Rabaul alone (!!!) plus another two at Kaveing, two at Feni Islands and continuing landings at Shortlands and Torokina. There were countless hammerings of the midget subs and other not so silent service vessels, and numerous bombardments, including a nice CL hit on Rabaul destroying about 20 planes.
During the day it was more of the same as sweeps from Spits, T-Bolts and Corsairs tried yet again to clear the Rabaul airspace, and then the 4Es came in yet again. This time they had NO escorts, and did suffer some, but also took out many of the remaining CAP themselves and hit more on the ground, moving up to 15k to get out of some of the flak.
During the day it was more of the same as sweeps from Spits, T-Bolts and Corsairs tried yet again to clear the Rabaul airspace, and then the 4Es came in yet again. This time they had NO escorts, and did suffer some, but also took out many of the remaining CAP themselves and hit more on the ground, moving up to 15k to get out of some of the flak.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Lightning sweeps came in the afternoon luckily and the CAP rallied to give them a pasting! [:)]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
When the smoke cleared the bombardments on land began and I started to see the dire circumstances our roadblock efforts are in down here. Luckily no major units are committed, and the forts should keep the fields open for a day or two more, giving time to evac some things and get the fighters and transports moving out.
Rabaul will not stand long.
Rabaul will not stand long.
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
[font="Times New Roman"]19 January, 1944[/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Our subs managed only to hit one xAP during this massive show of strength. Lots of ASW air messages from the Allies, who seem to be flying SBD and Avengers on this mission. Hmmmm. Scratches chin.
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] Overall this was a well planned and massive effort from the Allies that was completely overwhelming to the Japanese defenses. In spite of the fact I'd always planned for So Pac to be only a roadbump, I still feel somehow like I should have done more to make sure it couldn't all fall down in one big rolling invasion. I guess it should though, by design, as this also means his prep for all of these units will take another two months to get ready for the next targets. I'd better be ready too.
For the 20th I'll take a few shots, trying to direct strikes at 0-1 hex range to avoid some CAP. The DS has backed off it seems and is not flaying strikes?!? My BBs ended up one hex outside Kaveing and had no strikes against them. I'll take a quick road to Truk for tomorrow (if lucky enough to avoid the Fletchers).
Other than that the KB is still steaming into the area and will take up station nearby, but not act unless something becomes obviously available for a quick hit.
I've included below many of the landing exchanges to show the scope of the turn and also the quality of the 15th Base Force CD guns! Those guys really did their job, much more effective than the Wake CD guns, of which I only have the 20cm and 8cm guns here, the rest being at Umboi Island. Too bad, as those 15cm guns would have been really useful here.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 19, 44
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 108,126, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Harukaze
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 6
DD Kalk
DD Meade
DD Satterlee
DD Harding
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 1
DD Doyle, Shell hits 3, on fire
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
APA Heywood
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA Neville
APA Harry Lee
APA John Penn
APA U.S. Grant, Shell hits 3, on fire
APA Doyen
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alchiba
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
LST-468
xAP Wanaka, Shell hits 2
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 11,000 yards
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 108,126, Range 5,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
MTB G-155
MTB G-156, Shell hits 1
MTB G-157
MTB G-158
MTB G-159, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-160, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
DD Kalk
DD Meade
DD Satterlee
DD Harding
DD Baldwin
DD Doyle, on fire
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
APA Heywood
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA Neville
APA Harry Lee
APA John Penn
APA U.S. Grant, on fire
APA Doyen
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alchiba
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
LST-468
xAP Wanaka
Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 5,000 yards
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 1
DD Helm
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis
AK Alamosa
AK Alcona
AK Amador
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Jupiter
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Empress ' Scotland
xAP Empress ' Australia
xAP Duchess of Bedford
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 11,000 yards
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Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 8 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 16 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 10 damaged
Ki-56 Thalia: 6 destroyed on ground
L2D2 Tabby: 4 damaged
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 8 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 7 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 2 damaged
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Montpelier
Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 29
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Mobile
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Amphibious Assault at Feni Islands (108,126)
TF 162 troops unloading over beach at Feni Islands, 108,126
Allied ground losses:
1057 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 170 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 75 (0 destroyed, 75 disabled)
Vehicles lost 41 (0 destroyed, 41 disabled)
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 37th Infantry Div /9
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 37th Infantry Div /12
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Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
577 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CA Wichita, Shell hits 4
DD Rapid
DD Picking
xAP Golden Eagle
DD Quadrant
LSI(L) Westralia
Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
BC Repulse firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
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Amphibious Assault at Rabaul (106,125)
TF 271 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125
Allied ground losses:
849 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 70 (0 destroyed, 70 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (0 destroyed, 34 disabled)
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost in surf during unload of 4th Marine Div /18
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Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
302 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BC Repulse
CA Wichita, Shell hits 6
DD Quadrant, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Golden Eagle, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Picking
LSI(L) Westralia
DD Rapid
Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
BC Repulse firing at 15th Base Force
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 107,124, Range 25,000 Yards
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 41 destroyed
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hishu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
CVE Prince William, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lang
DD Stack
DD Sterett, Shell hits 2
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 109,126, Range 24,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
E Wakatake, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Kuretake, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
E Karii, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu
DD Helm
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis
AK Alamosa, Shell hits 1
AK Alcona, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
AK Amador
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Jupiter
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon
xAP Empress ' Scotland
xAP Empress ' Australia
xAP Duchess of Bedford
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tabar Island at 107,123, Range 24,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 19, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 33, on fire
Allied Ships
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Reid, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Flusser, Shell hits 1
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
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Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 12
J2M2 Jack x 15
N1K1-J George x 32
N1K2-J George x 15
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed
CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
263 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
263 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
301 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Hiryu-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
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Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 11
J2M2 Jack x 14
N1K1-J George x 24
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet
1 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet *
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Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
A6M5b Zero x 7
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 13
N1K2-J George x 9
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
H8K2-L Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 2 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
N1K1-J George x 1
N1K2-J George x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 2 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
A6M5b Zero x 8
J2M2 Jack x 6
N1K1-J George x 12
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 5 destroyed
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Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5b Zero x 7
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 10
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 5 destroyed
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Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
589 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 3
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 7
DD Harding, Shell hits 1
DD Kalk, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST-468
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
APA Doyen
DD Doyle
Allied ground losses:
426 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Tennessee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
714 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 6
BB New Mexico
DD Morris, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 2
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 8
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1
APA Custer
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
BB Mississippi firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
627 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Astoria, Shell hits 8
DD Sampson, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAP Tai Sang, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Maury
xAP Tak Sang, Shell hits 6
xAP Anglo Canadian, Shell hits 11
AK Sterope
DD Warrington
Allied ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
CA Minneapolis firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
530 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Hong Kheng, Shell hits 23, heavy fires
DE Wileman
DE William C. Miller
DE Engstrom
DE Duffy
LST-480
LST-479
LST-482
LST-481
LST-484
LST-483
Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Hong Kheng at 7,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
612 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 7
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 7
DD Laffey, Shell hits 7
LST-459
LST-472
LST-473
LST-469
DD Bailey
LST-478
LST-474
Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
15th Base Force firing at CL Phoenix
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
577 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Biloxi, Shell hits 15
CL Cleveland
DD Lewis Hancock, Shell hits 3
LST-26
LST-18
LST-28
LST-19
LST-29
DD Ingersoll
LST-27
Allied ground losses:
192 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
CL Biloxi firing at 15th Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
630 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 9
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Leander, Shell hits 6
DD Perkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Cushing, Shell hits 4
DD Shaw, Shell hits 3
LST-24
LST-16
LST-45
LST-38
LST-119
LST-120
LST-123
15th Base Force firing at CA Australia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
266 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Golden Eagle, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Wichita
DD Quadrant
DD Picking
xAP Golden Gate, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Knapp
LSD Epping Forest, Shell hits 5, on fire
LSI(L) Westralia
DD Rapid
Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Golden Eagle at 11,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
633 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Dale, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Worden, Shell hits 4, on fire
LST-39
LST-40
LST-41
LST-42
Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
15th Base Force firing at DD Monaghan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13193 troops, 130 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 532
Defending force 51382 troops, 604 guns, 1491 vehicles, Assault Value = 1759
Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
5th South Seas Det.
1st South Seas Det. /1
8th Garrison Unit /2
34th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
Ikaiei SNLF /1
15th Base Force
37th JNAF AF Unit
61st Field AA Battalion
13th JAAF Base Force
41st Field AA Battalion
68th Field AA Battalion
4th Fleet
67th Field AA Battalion
43rd JNAF AF Unit
38th JNAF AF Unit
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
1st Naval Construction Battalion
50th JNAF Coy
4th Field AF Construction Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
25th Air Flotilla /1
Defending units:
1st Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Rgt /3
2nd Australian Div /1
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Infantry Div /1
1st Regiment
3rd Regiment
3rd Motor Brigade
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
767th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Div /7
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2nd Rgt /3
2nd RAA Jungle Rgt /4
41st Aviation Base Force /1
612th Cst AA Rgt /4
114th USAAF Base Force /4
131st Field Artillery Battalion
607th Cst AA Rgt /7
177th USAAF Base Force /2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1093 troops, 10 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 68
Defending force 28404 troops, 370 guns, 334 vehicles, Assault Value = 808
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Tank Co
4th South Seas Det.
2nd JNAF AF Unit
75th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
33rd Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]The air losses aren't terrible for the day, and again almost even for VPs since a good number of 4Es were hit again. I'll be taking the first significant troop losses in a while very soon though. I'll try to fly a few out. [/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Our subs managed only to hit one xAP during this massive show of strength. Lots of ASW air messages from the Allies, who seem to be flying SBD and Avengers on this mission. Hmmmm. Scratches chin.
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SW PAC: [/font] Overall this was a well planned and massive effort from the Allies that was completely overwhelming to the Japanese defenses. In spite of the fact I'd always planned for So Pac to be only a roadbump, I still feel somehow like I should have done more to make sure it couldn't all fall down in one big rolling invasion. I guess it should though, by design, as this also means his prep for all of these units will take another two months to get ready for the next targets. I'd better be ready too.
For the 20th I'll take a few shots, trying to direct strikes at 0-1 hex range to avoid some CAP. The DS has backed off it seems and is not flaying strikes?!? My BBs ended up one hex outside Kaveing and had no strikes against them. I'll take a quick road to Truk for tomorrow (if lucky enough to avoid the Fletchers).
Other than that the KB is still steaming into the area and will take up station nearby, but not act unless something becomes obviously available for a quick hit.
I've included below many of the landing exchanges to show the scope of the turn and also the quality of the 15th Base Force CD guns! Those guys really did their job, much more effective than the Wake CD guns, of which I only have the 20cm and 8cm guns here, the rest being at Umboi Island. Too bad, as those 15cm guns would have been really useful here.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 19, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 108,126, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Harukaze
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 6
DD Kalk
DD Meade
DD Satterlee
DD Harding
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 1
DD Doyle, Shell hits 3, on fire
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
APA Heywood
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA Neville
APA Harry Lee
APA John Penn
APA U.S. Grant, Shell hits 3, on fire
APA Doyen
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alchiba
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
LST-468
xAP Wanaka, Shell hits 2
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 11,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 108,126, Range 5,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
MTB G-155
MTB G-156, Shell hits 1
MTB G-157
MTB G-158
MTB G-159, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-160, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
DD Kalk
DD Meade
DD Satterlee
DD Harding
DD Baldwin
DD Doyle, on fire
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
APA Heywood
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA Neville
APA Harry Lee
APA John Penn
APA U.S. Grant, on fire
APA Doyen
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alchiba
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
LST-468
xAP Wanaka
Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 5,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 1
DD Helm
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis
AK Alamosa
AK Alcona
AK Amador
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Jupiter
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Empress ' Scotland
xAP Empress ' Australia
xAP Duchess of Bedford
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 11,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 8 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 16 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 10 damaged
Ki-56 Thalia: 6 destroyed on ground
L2D2 Tabby: 4 damaged
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 8 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 7 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 2 damaged
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Montpelier
Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 29
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Mobile
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Feni Islands (108,126)
TF 162 troops unloading over beach at Feni Islands, 108,126
Allied ground losses:
1057 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 170 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 75 (0 destroyed, 75 disabled)
Vehicles lost 41 (0 destroyed, 41 disabled)
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 37th Infantry Div /9
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 37th Infantry Div /12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
577 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CA Wichita, Shell hits 4
DD Rapid
DD Picking
xAP Golden Eagle
DD Quadrant
LSI(L) Westralia
Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
BC Repulse firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Rabaul (106,125)
TF 271 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125
Allied ground losses:
849 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 70 (0 destroyed, 70 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (0 destroyed, 34 disabled)
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost in surf during unload of 4th Marine Div /18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
302 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BC Repulse
CA Wichita, Shell hits 6
DD Quadrant, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Golden Eagle, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Picking
LSI(L) Westralia
DD Rapid
Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
BC Repulse firing at 15th Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 107,124, Range 25,000 Yards
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 41 destroyed
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hishu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
CVE Prince William, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lang
DD Stack
DD Sterett, Shell hits 2
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 109,126, Range 24,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
E Wakatake, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Kuretake, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
E Karii, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu
DD Helm
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis
AK Alamosa, Shell hits 1
AK Alcona, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
AK Amador
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Jupiter
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon
xAP Empress ' Scotland
xAP Empress ' Australia
xAP Duchess of Bedford
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tabar Island at 107,123, Range 24,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 19, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 33, on fire
Allied Ships
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Reid, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Flusser, Shell hits 1
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 12
J2M2 Jack x 15
N1K1-J George x 32
N1K2-J George x 15
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed
CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
263 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
263 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
265 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
301 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Hiryu-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 11
J2M2 Jack x 14
N1K1-J George x 24
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet
1 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
A6M5b Zero x 7
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 13
N1K2-J George x 9
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
H8K2-L Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 2 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
N1K1-J George x 1
N1K2-J George x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 2 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
A6M5b Zero x 8
J2M2 Jack x 6
N1K1-J George x 12
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5b Zero x 7
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 10
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
589 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 3
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 7
DD Harding, Shell hits 1
DD Kalk, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST-468
LST-460
LST-461
LST-462
APA Doyen
DD Doyle
Allied ground losses:
426 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Tennessee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
714 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 6
BB New Mexico
DD Morris, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 2
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 8
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1
APA Custer
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
BB Mississippi firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
627 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Astoria, Shell hits 8
DD Sampson, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAP Tai Sang, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Maury
xAP Tak Sang, Shell hits 6
xAP Anglo Canadian, Shell hits 11
AK Sterope
DD Warrington
Allied ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
CA Minneapolis firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
530 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Hong Kheng, Shell hits 23, heavy fires
DE Wileman
DE William C. Miller
DE Engstrom
DE Duffy
LST-480
LST-479
LST-482
LST-481
LST-484
LST-483
Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Hong Kheng at 7,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
612 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 7
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 7
DD Laffey, Shell hits 7
LST-459
LST-472
LST-473
LST-469
DD Bailey
LST-478
LST-474
Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
15th Base Force firing at CL Phoenix
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
577 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Biloxi, Shell hits 15
CL Cleveland
DD Lewis Hancock, Shell hits 3
LST-26
LST-18
LST-28
LST-19
LST-29
DD Ingersoll
LST-27
Allied ground losses:
192 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
CL Biloxi firing at 15th Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
630 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 9
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Leander, Shell hits 6
DD Perkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Cushing, Shell hits 4
DD Shaw, Shell hits 3
LST-24
LST-16
LST-45
LST-38
LST-119
LST-120
LST-123
15th Base Force firing at CA Australia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
266 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Golden Eagle, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Wichita
DD Quadrant
DD Picking
xAP Golden Gate, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Knapp
LSD Epping Forest, Shell hits 5, on fire
LSI(L) Westralia
DD Rapid
Allied ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging xAP Golden Eagle at 11,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
633 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Dale, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Worden, Shell hits 4, on fire
LST-39
LST-40
LST-41
LST-42
Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
15th Base Force firing at DD Monaghan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13193 troops, 130 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 532
Defending force 51382 troops, 604 guns, 1491 vehicles, Assault Value = 1759
Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
5th South Seas Det.
1st South Seas Det. /1
8th Garrison Unit /2
34th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
Ikaiei SNLF /1
15th Base Force
37th JNAF AF Unit
61st Field AA Battalion
13th JAAF Base Force
41st Field AA Battalion
68th Field AA Battalion
4th Fleet
67th Field AA Battalion
43rd JNAF AF Unit
38th JNAF AF Unit
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
1st Naval Construction Battalion
50th JNAF Coy
4th Field AF Construction Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
25th Air Flotilla /1
Defending units:
1st Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Rgt /3
2nd Australian Div /1
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Infantry Div /1
1st Regiment
3rd Regiment
3rd Motor Brigade
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
767th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Div /7
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2nd Rgt /3
2nd RAA Jungle Rgt /4
41st Aviation Base Force /1
612th Cst AA Rgt /4
114th USAAF Base Force /4
131st Field Artillery Battalion
607th Cst AA Rgt /7
177th USAAF Base Force /2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1093 troops, 10 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 68
Defending force 28404 troops, 370 guns, 334 vehicles, Assault Value = 808
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Tank Co
4th South Seas Det.
2nd JNAF AF Unit
75th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
33rd Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]The air losses aren't terrible for the day, and again almost even for VPs since a good number of 4Es were hit again. I'll be taking the first significant troop losses in a while very soon though. I'll try to fly a few out. [/font]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
Well, wow. I did say, shortly after this AAr resumed, that you opponent would try to surprise you.
And in a way he did! I don't think you expected such a massive invasion all concentrated in the same spot. Probably impossible to defend against.
Still, he landed anywhere that matters in the entire area, all in one fell swoop. Now you really need to harden your defenses and try to guess where he will strike you next [:)]
One question, I notice you didn't have many ships in the area, aside from that BB TF. Especially DDs, you only had 4 down here. Though I'm not sure how much they would have helped, perhaps they could have sunk transports and the like. Where are your naval assets deployed mainly? I don't think you wrote about them recently.
And in a way he did! I don't think you expected such a massive invasion all concentrated in the same spot. Probably impossible to defend against.
Still, he landed anywhere that matters in the entire area, all in one fell swoop. Now you really need to harden your defenses and try to guess where he will strike you next [:)]
One question, I notice you didn't have many ships in the area, aside from that BB TF. Especially DDs, you only had 4 down here. Though I'm not sure how much they would have helped, perhaps they could have sunk transports and the like. Where are your naval assets deployed mainly? I don't think you wrote about them recently.
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
ORIGINAL: Drakanel
Well, wow. I did say, shortly after this AAr resumed, that you opponent would try to surprise you.
And in a way he did! I don't think you expected such a massive invasion all concentrated in the same spot. Probably impossible to defend against.
Still, he landed anywhere that matters in the entire area, all in one fell swoop. Now you really need to harden your defenses and try to guess where he will strike you next [:)]
One question, I notice you didn't have many ships in the area, aside from that BB TF. Especially DDs, you only had 4 down here. Though I'm not sure how much they would have helped, perhaps they could have sunk transports and the like. Where are your naval assets deployed mainly? I don't think you wrote about them recently.
He did surprise with his scope and depth here. I did think I had enough in area to slow the forward motion just a bit more, but he simply went for it. That was new and surprising, but also teaches me about my opponent's playing style, quirks, blind spots and potential mistakes I can use in the future.
Assuming he'll have these bases before the end of February it just about catches him up for the missed months as he re-worked the poor position he inherited. Still, the Allies have a ways to go, and I've not used the full defensive power of Japan so far. A lot now depends on how fast his forces will recover, re-prep, replenish lost planes and troops, and also he'll most likely want to upgrade LCUs. Many of his ships will be in the drydock for a month or two after tangling with the Rabaul CD guns.
My naval forces are in two locations. The DEI, mostly at Soerabaja, and in the Home Islands. I most feared a move on the oil (hence the pre-emptive strike on West Oz) and on the North, but also wanted to upgrade and conserve fuel. I'd rather not give up valuable forces so far from home either, trying to learn from Japan's major mistakes in the war. I am holding my breath the BBs make it back safely, and if they do i'll consider it a good defense. I'll lost some LCU VPs, and I'm down a bit on the airframes VPs for the last few months, but not by too much, but in terms of ships sunk, I've been positive for these months. I'd like to keep it that way for a while, only striking with the IJN when I have a chance to save damaged ships or when the stakes are so high I simply can't hold back.
You may remember Capt Cruft's defensive strategy. I would like to play a modified version of that, getting very prepared close to home and playing more of a prevent defense farther out. Not too much on the line of scrimmage. A mobile reactionary force behind the linebackers.
My issue now is LCUs. I've again got so many tied to Burma that it's tough to have enough elsewhere. I'm buying out all I can but it's a slow process. Every 9-10 days I can buy a brigade and some of those become divisions later, so those are the focus for now. I'll be reinforcing the Marianas, of course, and then the Bonins. Then the Ryukus. Then Hokkaido in time for Spring, Then the PI.
I'll detail more soon.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
That's a nice big operation! [&o]
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
ORIGINAL: obvert
He did surprise with his scope and depth here. I did think I had enough in area to slow the forward motion just a bit more, but he simply went for it. That was new and surprising, but also teaches me about my opponent's playing style, quirks, blind spots and potential mistakes I can use in the future.
Assuming he'll have these bases before the end of February it just about catches him up for the missed months as he re-worked the poor position he inherited. Still, the Allies have a ways to go, and I've not used the full defensive power of Japan so far. A lot now depends on how fast his forces will recover, re-prep, replenish lost planes and troops, and also he'll most likely want to upgrade LCUs. Many of his ships will be in the drydock for a month or two after tangling with the Rabaul CD guns.
My naval forces are in two locations. The DEI, mostly at Soerabaja, and in the Home Islands. I most feared a move on the oil (hence the pre-emptive strike on West Oz) and on the North, but also wanted to upgrade and conserve fuel. I'd rather not give up valuable forces so far from home either, trying to learn from Japan's major mistakes in the war. I am holding my breath the BBs make it back safely, and if they do i'll consider it a good defense. I'll lost some LCU VPs, and I'm down a bit on the airframes VPs for the last few months, but not by too much, but in terms of ships sunk, I've been positive for these months. I'd like to keep it that way for a while, only striking with the IJN when I have a chance to save damaged ships or when the stakes are so high I simply can't hold back.
You may remember Capt Cruft's defensive strategy. I would like to play a modified version of that, getting very prepared close to home and playing more of a prevent defense farther out. Not too much on the line of scrimmage. A mobile reactionary force behind the linebackers.
My issue now is LCUs. I've again got so many tied to Burma that it's tough to have enough elsewhere. I'm buying out all I can but it's a slow process. Every 9-10 days I can buy a brigade and some of those become divisions later, so those are the focus for now. I'll be reinforcing the Marianas, of course, and then the Bonins. Then the Ryukus. Then Hokkaido in time for Spring, Then the PI.
I'll detail more soon.
I can totally get behind a "soft and mobile block" strategy compared against a "hard block" one. You simply cannot stop him cold if he comes with everything he has, and it seems your opponent is biased towards big operations, at least from this. And high value targets.
Java and the DEI seems a likely next candidate, if he goes for a big thrust. Or he could use that expectation to move somewhere else...
Seems certain he will seriously go for Burma though. [:)]
P.S:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 19, 42 <<<-- this was hilarious [8D] Don't be so pessimistic, you don't have 4 more years of war ahead of you [:D]
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
I think you have a great temperament to play the modified nest...just don't forget it.
It is so easy to be distracted away from your primary goal...and then the KB vanishes.
I think the Allies are still a little bit behind the curve, timing wise.
It is so easy to be distracted away from your primary goal...and then the KB vanishes.
I think the Allies are still a little bit behind the curve, timing wise.
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
I agree with Lowpe that the Allies are a bit behind. You are still fighting in the South Pacific in Jan 1944.
I think you are wise to prepare close to home and build out. I would do it this way if I played the Japanese again.
And move as much oil and fuel as possible! [:D]
Wa
RE: The Elephant Vanishes :: obvert (J) vs SqzMyLemon (A)
ORIGINAL: obvert
I've again got so many tied to Burma that it's tough to have enough elsewhere.
I dislike this trend, but I guess it is natural since most JFB's take China.