Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

But you can't argue with 80+ heavy bombers leaving their calling cards on your field.

Great line! I'm anxious to see what the latest Allied move will bring, and how you reconfigure your defenses. The Allied op at Denpasar seemed to go pretty well and left you scrambling. If he's able to push much farther into the DEI that looks like big trouble ...

Indeed jwolf, Makassar and Kendari have both been rendered inoperable with 95-98 airfield damage over the last two days so its proving difficult to mount a more spirited defence. The op taking Denpasar was certainly key, especially as the KB 'went off at half cock' which meant that I couldn't execute my plan to coordinate the defensive response with LBA based on Java.


10 - 11 July

Apbarog launches a major invasion of the Celebes, landing at Makassar, and all four bases immediately to the north. Makassar has held out for two days but the other bases were unoccupied.

On the 10th, I had managed to position two unspotted SCTFs southwest of Denpasar and planned to run these in to attack Apbarog's back door before retiring under Soerabaja's air umbrella. Annoyingly, they failed to move as ordered and were spotted on the 11th so I will now have to withdraw them as I can't risk a counter-strike from the Allied carriers.

The airfields at Kendari and Makassar are shut down and with the Celebes effectively neutralised, Balikpapan must now be considered under threat.

[jwolf]

Can't you still try a SCTF attack at Denpasar from Soerabaja? With a small, fast force you'd have a decent chance to get back close to Soerabaja before the daytime air attacks.

What is the balance of forces like at Makassar? Can you hold for very long there? I'm assuming that putting in more ground troops there is a bad idea.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Can't you still try a SCTF attack at Denpasar from Soerabaja? With a small, fast force you'd have a decent chance to get back close to Soerabaja before the daytime air attacks.

Yes, in fact four fast battleships, three cruisers and destroyer escorts transferred to Soerabaja and, joining up with a cruiser force heading south from Balikpapan, have made two naval bombardments of Denpasar plus two bombardments of Makassar. Details to follow in my next post.


What is the balance of forces like at Makassar? Can you hold for very long there? I'm assuming that putting in more ground troops there is a bad idea.

You will see in my update. The Allies attacked once but failed to lower the forts so Apbarog has reverted to naval and air bombardment to soften my troops up before going in again. Given Makassar's isolation putting more troops there would be futile and I reckon it will fall within about a week.

[Walker84]

12 - 15 July 1943

The focus on the DEI continues, with Apbarog's withdrawal of his carriers providing the opportunity for Japanese bombardment TFs to get some hits in against Allied troops dug in at Denpasar and Makassar. Navy bombers also hit the Allied ground troops at Makassar who are currently without any air cover.

The first Allied ground attack at Makassar on 13 July is inconclusive so Apbarog holds off attacking again for a few days, while continuing to bomb my troops.

Ground combat at Makassar (65,106)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13268 troops, 203 guns, 239 vehicles, Assault Value = 418

Defending force 12147 troops, 112 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 245

Allied adjusted assault: 52

Japanese adjusted defense: 105

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
888 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 43 (19 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
512 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
2/543rd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
48th Div /3
25th Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
12th Garrison Unit /1
1st Base Force
144th JAAF AF Bn
2nd JAAF AF Coy
16th JNAF AF Unit
17th JNAF AF Unit
64th JNAF AF Unit
23rd Air Flotilla
21st Port Unit /1

On 14 July a naval TF bombards Denpasar after sinking two PT boats from the screen protecting the island.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Denpasar at 58,108

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 8 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 2 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 10 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kako
CA Haguro
DD Yugiri
DD Shirakumo
DD Arashi
DD Takanami
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo

Allied ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 39
Port fuel hits 1

BB Haruna firing at 2nd British Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 2nd British Division
CA Kako firing at 2nd British Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Haguro
CA Haguro firing at Denpasar
DD Yugiri firing at Denpasar
DD Shirakumo firing at 2nd British Division
DD Arashi firing at 2nd British Division
DD Takanami firing at 2nd British Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 2nd British Division
DD Akigumo firing at 2nd British Division

Then a further bombardment on the night of the 15th July is only marred by one of the destroyer escorts being damaged by a mine ...

Night Naval bombardment of Denpasar at 58,108

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 3 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 8 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson III (LR): 5 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 7 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F-5A Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Mikuma
CL Oyodo

Allied ground losses:
192 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

BB Kirishima firing at 2nd British Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hiei
BB Hiei firing at Denpasar
E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at 2nd British Division
CL Oyodo firing at 2nd British Division

Makassar is also bombarded...

Night Naval bombardment of Makassar at 65,106

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Mogami
CL Kinu
DD Yunagi
DD Hayate
DD Kamikaze
DD Hatsushima
DD Hatsuharu
DD Umikaze
DD Naganami
DD Makinami
DD Makigumo

Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (1 destroyed, 34 disabled)

CA Aoba firing at 41st Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Mogami
CA Mogami firing at 41st Infantry Division
CL Kinu firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Yunagi firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Hayate firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Kamikaze firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Hatsushima firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Hatsuharu firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Umikaze firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Naganami firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Makinami firing at 4th USMC Tank Battalion
DD Makigumo firing at 41st Infantry Division

But a second bombardment TF is caught in the open in daylight and suffers attacks from Helldivers and strafing Beaufighters. Damage to Haruna is moderate, mainly SYS so she will survive unless there is a bad sub encounter...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 7, on fire
CA Kako, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, on fire
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 65,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 14

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 4 damaged
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna, on fire
DD Kazegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

The Task force carries on to complete its mission...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Makassar at 65,106

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kako
CA Haguro
DD Yugiri
DD Arashi
DD Takanami
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo

Allied ground losses:
590 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)

BB Haruna firing at 41st Infantry Division
BB Kongo firing at 41st Infantry Division
CA Kako firing at 41st Infantry Division
CA Haguro firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Yugiri firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Arashi firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Takanami firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 41st Infantry Division
DD Akigumo firing at 41st Infantry Division

And navy bombers get in on the action...

Morning Air attack on 41st Infantry Division, at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
G3M3 Nell x 33
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/543rd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 2/543rd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 41st Infantry Division, at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th USMC Tank Battalion, at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th USMC Tank Battalion ...

All this will probably only stall Apbarog at Makassar for a few days but it was made possible by the perhaps premature withdrawal of the Allied carrier force which our naval search pinpointed. It would have been difficult to achieve this level of interdiction otherwise given the current disparity in naval forces, especially in available carrier air. Incidentally, Allied carriers are spotted south of Koepang on the 15th, heading northwest...

[jwolf]

Incidentally, Allied carriers are spotted south of Koepang on the 15th, heading northwest...

Hmm ... if true, I guess the party's over. At least your bombardments bought you a few days more time.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Incidentally, Allied carriers are spotted south of Koepang on the 15th, heading northwest...

Hmm ... if true, I guess the party's over. At least your bombardments bought you a few days more time.

Yes, although the Allied carriers end the day just north of Lautern with LSTs and other transports spotted in the same hex it looks like a further invasion is on the cards. That said, I will have to wait a turn to see which direction the Allied carriers go in before I can risk my naval assets again.


16 July 1943


Heading north after bombarding Makassar, the IJN TF meets the unfortunate APD Parrott which was presumably returning from one of the landings further up the coast.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Madjene at 65,103, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro
CA Kako
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami
DD Arashi
DD Shirakumo
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
APD Parrott, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Kongo engages APD Parrott at 20,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages APD Parrott at 20,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages APD Parrott at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 16,000 yards
CA Kako engages APD Parrott at 16,000 yards
DD Takanami engages APD Parrott at 16,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages APD Parrott at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Kako engages APD Parrott at 13,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages APD Parrott at 13,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages APD Parrott at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 7,000 yards
CA Kako engages APD Parrott at 7,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages APD Parrott at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Kako engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages APD Parrott at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 10,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages APD Parrott at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages APD Parrott at 8,000 yards
APD Parrott sunk by DD Arashi at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

And a rare ASW success...

Submarine attack near Dinagat at 81,87

Japanese Ships
E W-23
E W-22, Shell hits 1
E W-12

Allied Ships
SS Shark, hits 18, and is sunk

SS Shark is sighted by escort
E W-23 attacking submerged sub ....
SS Shark forced to surface!
E W-23 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-22 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-12 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-23 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-22 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-12 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-23 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-22 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-12 firing on surfaced sub ....
E W-22 firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

Burma

Sudden flury of activity as Allied bombers hit Magwe airfield hard. Fortunately the fighter sweeps arrive late so losses are about even (I had a training squadron at the base as the front had been quiet for so long). Guess this could be another diversion but Apbarog has about 75 P-40s and enough B-17s and Blenheims to make mischief here.

Beaufighters also sink a solitary xAK unloading at Akyab but lose 6 of their number to the base CAP.

But it looks like the main action will continue in the DEI, where Allied carriers and landing ships are spotted. Possible targets include Kendari and Ambon...

[jwolf]

I have to admit I'm impressed with Apbarog's relentless pace. He's taken some losses, but he is very good at keeping you under a lot of pressure almost constantly.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I have to admit I'm impressed with Apbarog's relentless pace. He's taken some losses, but he is very good at keeping you under a lot of pressure almost constantly.

Yes, I was pretty amazed by the pace he keeps up as well, and it's certainly been an education playing him. I do know from our chats that he's a very detailed planner and also uses tracker a lot. I expect that his planning for this wave of invasions goes back months as his units seem well-prepped in advance so he clearly has a very good idea where he is going. What is particularly impressive is that after he has captured a base he already has the next wave prepped for the target beyond and is there in a matter of days with all the logistics, carrier support etc. That's superior planning for you.

[Crackaces]

I believe the DEI is one of the hardest paths to the empire .. if the IJ build bases and have enough supplies and support ready to deploy.
Once the Allies figured out that the path was not well defended .. its Katy Bar the door ..

Many have commented .. but the IJ have to figure out where to build a line of interlocking bases that are well stocked with supplies
If this is not done soon the Allies with start STRAT bombing oil and interdicting oil from getting to the home islands and the prognoses
grim .. My main focus is to spur thought where that line could be drawn dependent on how fast can the Allies advance and how long does it take to build bases in strategic positions
What would be bad is to build forward .. but without enough and simply be overwhelmed while losing precious time needed to build a defendable line...

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

I believe the DEI is one of the hardest paths to the empire .. if the IJ build bases and have enough supplies and support ready to deploy.
Once the Allies figured out that the path was not well defended .. its Katy Bar the door ..

Many have commented .. but the IJ have to figure out where to build a line of interlocking bases that are well stocked with supplies
If this is not done soon the Allies with start STRAT bombing oil and interdicting oil from getting to the home islands and the prognoses
grim .. My main focus is to spur thought where that line could be drawn dependent on how fast can the Allies advance and how long does it take to build bases in strategic positions
What would be bad is to build forward .. but without enough and simply be overwhelmed while losing precious time needed to build a defendable line...

Thanks for the comments Crackaces,

Apbarog launched his DEI push earlier than anticipated but I still managed to put at least 250 AV and Air HQs into all the major bases, such as Makassar, Ambon, Koepang etc. The problem I have found is that the bases are too far apart to mutually support each other fully with LR CAP and can be ground down piecemeal with 80+ heavy bomber raids. After the first or second day the airfield is almost unusable and the CAP can't repair quickly enough.

Overall, Apbarog has approached the DEI cleverly - using a kind of swarming process where he bypasses my strongpoints and captures multiple small bases simultaneously which can be built quickly to provide air support. Often he lands in the night so there is nothing for my LBA to hit the next day. His largest landings are massively supported with carrier, surface combat and ASW TFs to make large scale naval counter-attacks very risky indeed. Maybe in hindsight I could have managed the defence differently but the way Apbarog approached this a DEI strategy can certainly pay off.

[Crackaces]

Something I have comment on before .. but the subtle change of 10% of supplies derived from refining -- even though the home islands gets more LI .. is a lack of supplies in the DEI. If the Allies choose this route I believe it is key to already have stockpiles in strategic locations ..
else not enough supplies to keep resistance up .. a problem not found in stock scenarios ..