LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

9-10 Jun 43

Highlights – KB air pounds Bathurst Is; IJA air conducts heavy sweeps over Akyab; Port Blair TFs begin final approach to target

Jpn ships sunk:
APD: 1 (Shimikaze - old)
AV: 1 (Kimikawa - old)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Sims)
SS: 1 (S-45)
SC: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 111
Allied: 105

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
(S-45 sunk by KB escorts)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

[uAllied Amph Inv:][/u] None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB CVs remain in support of Darwin area

West Coast/Admin: CV Essex arrives at LA; will proceed to San Fran to link up with CVL Independence shortly; once I resize some naval air groups (TBF and SBD) for training purposes I’ll decide where she’ll head.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Ailinglaplap Amph begins reloading the 34th In Reg as additional engineers are brought in. No IJN air or naval response. Bombers rest.

In SOPAC, DD Sims succumbs to her damages just off Vella, and DD Stack will likely follow suit next turn, as she’s losing ground fighting fires, but has made it to Vella. What a waste fine DDs through stupidity!! Anyway, B-25Ds exact some revenge, taking out a 7 barge convoy off the Feni Islands. A Zero LRCAP trap nails a flight of TBFs poorly protected by Boomerangs, and lost 11 TBF and 4 Boomers for no return. Fortunately, I had rested my Heavies, and perhaps avoided other CAP traps over Bougainville. Meanwhile, the Buin Amph TF continues on its way to stage at Tulagi and two additional fighter squadrons are brought in to provide cover - this time, I think L_S_T will through the kitchen sink at the Buin landings - and he has enough fighters to bull his way through the LRCAP out of Vella. Amph will link up with the BB Wash TF at Tulagi, then all will conduct a final stage at Vella - was going to head straight to land, but with the increased air threat, staging at Vella will be better able to provide CAP at the cost of a turn delay which isn’t an issue. Ground threat at Buin appears to only be an SNLF, the primary defense seems to be a third of the Imperial Gds Div at Torokina. Quiet over Kiriwina and Woodlark.

In SWPAC, the KB launches a major airstrike each day against Bathurst Is AF of over 400 planes each! This is met on the first day by a valiant F4F squadron of 15 planes which do remarkably well, all things considered, taking down 13 Zeros and 13 Jills at a cost of 8 planes. It doesn’t save the AF which is hit hard and closed. Sub S-45 fails to penetrate the KB screen and is sunk for its efforts. It’s the only sub in the vicinity as I’ve moved the other avail subs to intercept a possible KB move towards the Indian Ocean. As with all nasty KB airstrikes, the good news is that I know where the KB is.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, two AOs complete emptying their fuel to the US CV TFs as the Brit CV TF (Wasp and Victorious) prepares to make its run into close support of the Port Blair Amph TF. The two US TFs will hang back, hopefully putting some doubt into L_S_T mind of whether this is primarily a British venture or not - although IJN searches have sniffed that something is up. The Amph, Bombardment, Surface and minesweeping TFs will head to Port Blair and should arrive at the end of the 2nd day next turn. CAP will be provided by British fighters off the CVE Copahee in the Amph TF as well as Martlets off the CV Wasp. I haven’t flown recon over the Andamans in a while, so I’m finally changing that this coming turn with US LR recon focusing in on both Port Blair and Little Andaman. Intel has repeatedly picked up the 13th Naval Guard Unit as well as construction units and some airfield support at Port Blair - hopefully the G2 types have got this right! Will also start bringing in the B-24 support, starting with a group out of Akyab to hit Port Blair’s Level 1 AF. Speaking of Akyab, L_S_T surprised me with heavy fighter sweeps over the base last turn. Starting with a sweep by a Sentai of Georges and followed by Oscars and Tojos. CAP wasn’t extreme as the Spits and Corsairs were resting in Chittagong. Still P-40Ks, F4Fs, Hurris and a few P-38s didn’t do poorly. At the end of the fight 6George, 24 Oscar and 12 Tojo were lost in exchange for 16 F4F, 11 P-40, 10 P-38G, and 7 Hurris. Brit bombers also claimed 11 fighters destroyed on the ground at Magwe. If nothing else, this was a good step at attritting the IJA Burma based fighter strength on the eve of landing at Port Blair. Corsairs and additional P-40s are brought into Akyab just in case L_S_T tries to hit Akyab again, but I don’t think its likely with some Allied CVs sighted in the IO.

[IdahoNYer]

11-12 Jun 43

Highlights – Marines land at Port Blair; KB remains off Darwin.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Stack)
PT: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 34
Allied: 16

Subwar:
Jpn: 0Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Port Blair (Burma)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB CVs remain in support of Darwin area

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, 34th In Reg enroute via transports from Ailinglaplap to Abemama for its next mission. Fleet will move back to Tabit where CVEs will exchange their F4Fs for Hellcats - I need the F4Fs for the USMC squadrons. Once transports return to Tabit, will look to land at Maloelap. Truthfully, with Alinglaplap building up, I don’t need Maloelap, but with the current forces I have allocated to CENPAC, I’m certainly not ready to venture past the Marshalls for a while - so I’ll focus on reducing the Marshals with forces available.

In SOPAC, DD Stack is the last of the DDs to be lost from the Vals, as it couldn’t control its fires even after making Vella. Three DDs wasted. Fortunately, I have a few to spare at the moment with the Fletchers now arriving in solid numbers. Buin Amph TF arrives at Tulagi where it is joined by the BB Washington TF which will provide escort. Both will depart to final stage at Vella next turn, along with minesweepers and ASW TFs. LSTs carrying Army Shermans will also depart for Vella. Will maintain a heavy CAP at Vella - certainly a good target for Rabaul based air, and I’d rather suffer the blow there than at Buin. Bombers rest and its fairly quiet elsewhere in Theater.

In SWPAC, the KB launches a single strike against Bathurst AF and a CA TF (3CA, DDs) bombardment keeps the AF shut down. A DD TF (3DDs) is sighted approaching Wessel/Gove anchorages, and I’ll clear shipping out as well as vector in some DDs and PTs - with the KB still off Darwin, any DD is going to be at risk, but CAP will be fairly heavy over Gove - not enough to prevent a KB strike, but perhaps make it costly - I don’t think L_S_T would launch a naval strike at Gove into heavy CAP though. Kinda surprised the KB has remained off Darwin - its slowed development of Bathurst, but unless he counter-invades (which is possible), Bathurst will eventually expand and cut the lifeline to Darwin. I’m in no real rush here anyway.

In WAUS, with the KB off Darwin, Corunna Downs AF reaches Level 2. Supplies still lacking, but at least, in theory, I’ll be able to launch fighters from Corunna offensively toward Broome. In time….in time.

In China, Chungking continues to get plastered from LBA.

In India/Burma, the Curtain Rises as the 3rd USMC Div comes ashore at Port Blair, defended, as expected by the 13th Garrison Unit. With the 3rd Div, two combat engineer battalions, two tank battalions and two artillery battalions land in the first landings. A second landing, centered around a Brit Bde, will offload next turn and the combined Allied force will attack. The intent was to land a force capable of defeating a Bde+ size defense; they should have no trouble in taking the base defended by a single garrison unit. B-24s clobbered the AF, destroying 7 Dinahs on the ground. The B-24s will provide ground support next turn, but the BB TF (2BB, 2CL, DDs) will instead bombard Little Andaman instead - which is a secondary target which 2/3s of the 9th IND Div will land on next turn. Intel says there is another Garrison Unit defending the base, so with only 2/3 of a fairly weak Div landing, this might be a tougher contest. Still, once Port Blair AF is operational in a few days, Allied air will dominate the Andaman Sea, choking off any reinforcements or supply to the Japanese outposts in the Andamans. At sea, the only threat to the Allied CVs are a pair of subs sighted closing in. The CVs were sighted by air search, so I’m pretty sure L_S_T realizes that this is more than a British venture at this point - will increase SBD ASW patrols. US CV TFs take on more fuel, and will move astride the route of the Little Andaman Amph TFs as well as the Port Blair Support TFs (carrying base and construction engineers) to provide cover for the approach to target.

[jwolf]

The real question IMHO is what LST will do with the KB in the wake of your invasion of Port Blair and vicinity. Does it still make sense for him to keep the KB around Timor and N Australis? I don't know, and I'm curious to see his answer.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Really looking forward to this

Lack of LBA opposition and recon planes caught in the ground means you achieved surprise.
And the KB in action somewhere else gives you an idea on how much time you have before he can react with full capabilities

[IdahoNYer]

Highlights – Port Blair taken, troops ashore at Little Andaman; KB remains off Darwin.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-176)
xAKL: 1

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 44
Allied: 10

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 1 ships hit (CA Cornwall dam)
Allies: 9 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAKL sunk, xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Little Andaman Is (Burma)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Port Blair (Burma)
Fergusson Is (SOPAC - flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: KB CVs and heavy surface units remain in support of Darwin area

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap Amph TF begins loading at Tabit, and Ailinglaplap AF operational. Mal Amph will move to stage next turn, then if all goes well land at the target the following turn. So LBA has a few days to soften up the target.

In SOPAC, Buin Amph and support TFs all congregate at Vella - making for a huge target, that is not attacked. Will cross the channel past Shortlands to land at Buin next turn, and while I do expect an large daylight air attack out of Rabaul, I don’t expect much else. Defenses are looking to be only an SNLF, the main defenses appear to be at Torokina - So I’m landing with too much firepower in a USMC Div +. But that is what was prepped when intel had a Bde sized force defending. The big question is how much airpower will be launched out of Rabaul.

In SWPAC, KB remains in the Timor Sea, but doesn’t launch any airstrikes. A BB TF (2BB, 3CA, DDs) bombards Bathurst without much effect, but the bombardment keeps the AF shut down. PTs are easily brushed aside without loss to either side, likely due to the 82% moonlight. PBYs and a few B-25s make low level night time attacks on the BBs, but come up empty, losing one B-25D to AA. Those IJN DDs sighted last turn apparently were hunting coastal barge traffic between Bathurst and Gove, and came up empty, returning to Darwin.

In WAUS, a fresh P-40K squadron is brought into Corunna Downs.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, 3rd USMC Div and supporting troops take two attacks to secure Port Blair and eliminate the 13th Garrison Unit, but do so with very minimal loss (less than 200 troops), despite the level 4 forts. At sea, at least three subs attempt to intercept the CV TFs, two are damaged and one claimed sunk, but one does penetrate the screen of Adm Boyd’s Wasp/Victorious TF, putting a fish into CA Cornwall (15/15(10)/1). She’ll detach with 2 DDs and head to Columbo for repairs. Could have been much worse. Strangely, no LBA made an appearance - either daylight or night. Troops go ashore at Little Andaman following the BB TF bombardment without issue. The two BBs don’t do much, so I figure the 15th Garrison unit is similarly dug in to a level 4 or so. In any case, I’m not planning on attacking at Little A until the rest of the Indian 9th ID is brought in, and I’ll also start ferrying some support troops (EN, FA and AR) from Port Blair. For both Amphib ops, the troops are all ashore, as is most of the supply. Port Blair has over 20K of supply and the AF is fully operational - F4Fs, Spitfires and Brit Catalinas are flown in. Most shipping will clear port and return to reload troops starting next turn. Support Troops TF will land at Port Blair and begin offloading construction engineers and Base Force troops. With the KB not moving yet, will continue to work the Andaman Sea area - CVs will move toward Sabang and south of Sumatra, and if all goes well, hitting shipping in the Malacca Straits and launch a large strike against the Oil/Refinery targets at Medan. Transports will return to Columbo and Madras and pick up the remaining IND 9th elements, additional support troops and I’m also now looking at landing at Trinkat and Car Nicobar - stepping stones toward Sumatra. I was planning on landing at Ramree, but I’m second guessing that - L_S_T looks to have already started pulling troops off the India-Burma frontier, so that defeats the purpose of landing at Ramree - which is also very close to mass air at Magwe. So, after looking at the map a bit closer, there is a lot of opportunity along the Burma coast from Pegu to Victoria Point - all lightly defended, and that would not only threaten Rangoon, but also Bangkok - and I’ve got 3 US and 1 Aus IN Divs available, not currently in the line. Plus the 3rd USMC Div. I realize I’m getting ahead of myself, but Port Blair has really opened up some possibilities - all depending on what the KB does or doesn’t do. First things first, finish off Little Andaman and take Trinkat to give me plenty of LBA cover in the Andaman Sea.

[jwolf]

CVs will move toward Sabang and south of Sumatra

Do note that the Japanese have several big airfields in that area of Sumatra and on both sides of the Malaya/Thailand border. I would be wary of trying any really deep carrier strikes into the Malacca Strait. Sabang itself is vulnerable, probably, if you want to hit that.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

CVs will move toward Sabang and south of Sumatra

Do note that the Japanese have several big airfields in that area of Sumatra and on both sides of the Malaya/Thailand border. I would be wary of trying any really deep carrier strikes into the Malacca Strait. Sabang itself is vulnerable, probably, if you want to hit that.

I'm thinking more of a threat than actual strikes - although if I do find something not well protected, will hit it. The overall goal is to open up all of Sumatra (which of course includes Palembang) to the "threat" of a large CV raid. Will hold back much fighter cover just in case.

[IdahoNYer]

15-16 Jun 43

Highlights – US CVs hit convoy at Medan, Sumatra; Marines ashore at Buin without interference.

Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 2
TK: 3 (sm)
xAK: 1
xAKL: 2

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (S-33 by escorts)
PT: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 65
Allied: 28

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (TK (sm) sunk)
S-33 sunk by convoy escorts after being forced to surface off Kavieng

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Buin (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: KB CVs and heavy surface still remain in support of Darwin area

West Coast/Admin: I’ve made to decision to reinforce the IO Adventure with the CV Essex TF as well as bolstering up the replenishment capability - 4 CVEs and AOs. Will take a while, but I think its worth it to mass the assets there than piecemeal the Essex (Essex, Independence and shortly the Long Island II (otherwise known as the Yorktown II)) TF in some raid.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap Amph TF finishes loading and will head to Makin along with CVEs and CA TFs in support to stage for Maloelap. BB Pennsy is detached from the CVE TF w/2 DDs to head back to PH and refit. Figure I can spare the Pennsy now that the two CVEs have Hellcats. Bombers continue to soften up the area, hitting the Maloelap fortress and Wotje AF without losses. Marshalls just look to have been abandoned by L_S_T - just the remaining ground forces need to be routed out.

In SOPAC, Buin Amph goes in and gets ashore without any response. I’m surprised here - I really thought Rabaul would have thrown the kitchen sink in an all out raid. Troops are ashore and defenders are only a small SNLF. So I’m going to have the 1st USMC Div a tank Bn and an FA Bn in reserve while the Engineers and other support attack - supported by a Naval bombardment and heavy airstrikes. With some luck, the SNLF will pull back towards Torokina and the Marines can follow up. Shipping offloaded, they’ll head to Tulagi to pick up the Torokina forces - 8th USMC Reg and most of the Americal Div. Estimated that Torokina is going to be a bit tougher with 1/3 of the Imperial Guard Div reported there. Off New Guinea, Kiriwina and Woodlark continue to expand without interference. Once the Torokina force is ashore at Bougainville, will shift operations to begin to seize Buna, continuing the pressure in SOPAC.

In SWPAC, KB or at least parts of it remain in the Timor Sea between Wyndam and Darwin. No strikes launched, but a CL TF (CL 3DD) engage and sink two of the PTs at Bathurst. L_S_T has shut down any forward progress to seize Darwin, but truthfully, a good size LBA element could have done that as well. KB is truly the 600lb gorilla here - but is it really needed? Not sure. I can wait - and I realize that this will allow most of the IJA forces at Darwin to pull out if that’s the plan, covered by the KB. I can’t fathom any other rationale for the KB staying put here. Anyway, P-38s sweep over Darwin and find KB Zeros - 17Z are lost in exchange for 9 P-38s. Although favorable loss ratio, I can’t afford to lose that many P-38Gs in a single sortie. Lastly, just to be a nuisance, the small oil targets in Western New Guinea area are hit - Boela (by B-24s) and Babo (by B-25s) with good effect, reports show Boela now at 2(24) and Babo 2(19) without losses to the bombers. L_S_T has been active there, likely pulling the oil out, so I figured I’d disrupt that a bit.

In WAUS, that P-40K squadron at Corunna Downs is immediately tested by Oscar sweeps, and does well against the sweeping Oscar IIbs; 23 are lost in exchange for 7 P-40Ks. But as a number of P-40s are damaged, I’m pulling them out and replacing them with Spits, Wildcats and P-39s - I figure a greater sweep is next. With the 41st Div slowly moving to Exmouth, supplies at Corunna Downs are ever so slowly increasing.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, its surprisingly quiet at Port Blair with no air strikes - although recon shows increasing air strength in the Rangoon and its satellite fields. Shipping is cleared, all transports empty. The CA TF will bombard Little A on its way out, and only an LSI, three LSTs and some light escorts will remain to shuttle supplies and troops between Port Blair and the beach head at Little A. Combat engineers are brought across, with an FA Bn next. PTs are there for some naval defenses while the fleet is away. Corsairs are added to the fighters at Port Blair and once the AF reaches Level 2, SBDs will be flown in. The CVs have cleared the Andamans, and just got to a position to launch a single strike at Medan by the end of the 2nd day. Only a single SBD squadron, escorted by F6Fs launched, but it was enough to tear up a small convoy at Medan. Without any CAP present, will close the range to 6 hexes to Medan next turn and launch a full strike against the Oil production there - hopefully the weather permits. The goal here isn’t just to disrupt production (which is nice of course), but to get L_S_T to stretch his air defenses to the breaking point - he’s still massed at Magwe/Rangoon area with over 500 fighters. Hopefully he’ll have to pull some of that to defend the DEI which is now potentially vulnerable to marauding CVs - at least until the KB comes into play. Will stay off Sumatra only if the KB is confirmed elsewhere - in any case, will have to pull off to refuel shortly and prepare for the next round of Amphib operations.

[IdahoNYer]

17-18 Jun 43

Highlights – US CVs hit Medan Oil with good effect, Buin taken.

Jpn ships sunk:
TK: 1 (sm)
AMc: 1

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 4

Air loss:
Jpn: 48
Allied: 25

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (TK (sm) sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Buin (SOPAC)
Namu (CENPAC - flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: KB CVs look to have departed Darwin area and are headed west.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap Amph TF links up with CVEs and CA TFs at Makin, will head to target next turn. Bombers hit Kusaie and Maloelap.

In SOPAC, Buin falls in the first attack, with the 1st Mar Div, a tank Bn and artillery “pursuing” which turns out to be a mixed bag - of course only the tanks, operating in thick jungle, advance all the way to Torokina! The division and artillery get about halfway there. So, I expect the Torokina garrison to attack the single armor battalion (Shermans no less) and send them back to Buin next turn. Buin itself is a wreck, both the port and AF heavily damaged - will take engineers a day or two to get the AF operational! Transports begin loading troops at Tulagi for Torokina (Regiment from the Americal Div) and will begin landing at Torokina in a few days. In the meantime, BB Washington TF will bombard, and will throw all the LBA against the ground troops there in order to weaken any attack on the Tk Bn.

In SWPAC, a CA TF (3CA, DDs) bombards Bathurst and sinks the remaining PTs (one to a mine), and as the PTs found out Bathurst was also mined. No apparent air remaining at Darwin, and it looks like the KB is headed to the IO, as subs just east of Java get repeated sightings of carrier a/c, but make no contact with any ships. With the KB presumably gone, will resume shipping to Gove and Wessel, and look to resume pushing supplies to Bathurst - but first will send an AM to sweep the mines….as well as see if it draws fire. Supplies inland from Darwin are still in very short supply - to take Darwin, supply, and perhaps additional troops, will have to come in by sea.

In WAUS, a US minesweeping effort (DD, AM) fines mines and an IJN CL at Port Hedland, but no engagement follows. Will turn the strike aircraft at Exmouth to daylight and see if they can interdict whatever is going on at Port Hedland next turn, with fighters out of Corunna Downs hopefully contributing some LRCAP.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, CVs hit Medan in Sumatra with only one good strike (40F, 36D, 90T) due to weather but the effects weren’t too bad - 86 Oil damaged. No CAP and no real AA. No planes lost. CVs will hit Medan Oil again next turn, then head back west to take on fuel and prep for the KBs arrival. To that, CV Wasp is detached from CV Victorious TF and joins Enterprise and Saratoga giving the US two balanced CV TFs. Victorious TF will not stay for the Medan strike, but instead will head directly to the AOs to refuel. On the Andamans, another FA Bn is brought over from Port Blair and the Br In Bde will begin shuttling over. Jpn response so far has been limited to mining Port Blair and a few night time Nell sorties hitting the AF which destroyed a single Corsair at the cost of 7 Nells to AA. Despite the raid, Port Blair AF now at level 2, and a squadron of “Beasts” are brought in as well as some Beaufighters for night CAP. AF is a bit overloaded, but will get to level 3 soon. In Colombo, the first transports return and refuel from Port Blair and begin loading remaining Port Blair and Little Andaman forces. At Madras, an Indian Bde begins loading to land on Car Nicobar. Holding off on Trinkat to give the troops more time to prep and the CVs to deal with the KB.

[IdahoNYer]

19-20 Jun 43

Highlights – US CV air mauled over Medan in CAP Trap

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-27, I-165)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 47
Allied: 193

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit (Sara missed with 6 torps!!)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: No sign of the KB - assume it’s in the Java Sea

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap Amph TF with CVEs and CA TFs arrive at target, will begin amphib ops next turn. Bombers continue to hit Kusaie and Maloelap.

In SOPAC, engineers get Buin AF operational, and a squadron of F4Fs are moved in. IJA forces at Torokina only bombard the Army Tank Bn, and now that L_S_T realizes its only a battalion, hopefully he’ll elect to attack - as I’m landing an Army Regiment and support at Torokina next turn - followed by the 8th Marine Reg from Vella, hopefully on the second day. The only “catch” here is the surface cover is light, one CA in the Amph TF and two DD TFs, plus the usual PTs. US airforces will continue to hit ground targets at Torokina. While the AKs and APs are fully engaged in the Bougainville operations, xAKs and xAPs are busily engaged in moving troops forward to Rossel Is to stage them for the next phase of SOPAC’s offensives landing on New Guinea.

In SWPAC, its quiet, no sign of the IJN. The lone AM sent to Bathurst sweeps all the mines and isn’t attacked. Will send in a DD TF (4DDs) to see what they draw, and stage some LSTs to make a run. Not sure what exactly L_S_T has remaining here - I do think the KB has sailed, but even that isn’t positively confirmed. Most likely he’s got some CAs or CLs available. At any rate, will continue to press towards Darwin, slowly.

In WAUS, the IJN CL TF departed Port Hedland without being engaged by air, and its also quiet here.

In China, “X” Squadron arrives, a fully equipped P-38H squadron which I moved to Kumning. If I can get enough supplies ferried into Kumning, I’ll bring another P-38 squadron in and try a CAP Trap over Chungking. I just don’t know if I can air transport enough supplied into Kumning to allow for LRCAP.

In India/Burma, bad, bad day over Medan. After playing this game against a well seasoned opponent like L_S_T, I should know better than try to hit a milk run target multiple times in a row without taking out the AF - against the AI, you can get away with it, against a good PBEM player, its going to be painful. I know this!!! Yet….I do it anyway. And of course, L_S_T has the weather gods in his pocket, so instead of only the one raid I got last turn, my boys fly on both days and get slaughtered by his CAP Trap. 34 Georges and 64 A6M5s were stacked up at 15k waiting - which shouldn’t have been terrible odds, but my 26 F6F Sweepers got mauled, and the rest of the strikes coming in at 2000ft got massacred. Total losses were appalling: 54 F6F, 57 TBF and 64 SBDs against 13 Zeros and 3 Georges. Ouch! On the bright side, Medan Oil was hit again and is now at 65(146). Also on the bright side, if I have to get trounced in a CAP trap, Navy a/c were a good choice, I actually have spares (OK, I’m reaching here on the positives!) in the pool. Pilot losses were about 50+, which could have been much worse. I have pilots replacements too, and should be no loss in effectiveness once I get the squadrons back up to strength. That’s going to be the tough part, I flew a few squadrons off the decks to Colombo to get replacements, but of course, the logistical cyber officers want to delay F6F replacements even though they’re in the pool. In any case, the CVs will head toward Colombo for fuel and replenish the air. Effect on Port Blair operations? Hopefully not much, but it gives L_S_T some breathing room as the US CVs won’t be roaming looking for targets - he know’s my CVs will have to head back to port to re-equip fully. Until the CVs are ready again, future amphibs on Car Nicobar and Trinkat are on hold - which isn’t terrible since the troops can use more prep. What also is on hold is the next reinforcements to Port Blair/Little A - They are sailing from Colombo and will loiter in the IO while I see how long it will take to re-equip the planes, or confirm where the KB is, or isn’t.

[jwolf]

With Jap air in control for the moment, and maybe KB en route, might he try a counter-invasion at Port Blair?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

With Jap air in control for the moment, and maybe KB en route, might he try a counter-invasion at Port Blair?

I could only hope!!! I doubt it - he'd need a few divisions to dislodge the USMC!!

[IdahoNYer]

21-22 Jun 43

Highlights – Jpn air mauled over Torokina as troops are landed; Maloelap taken

Jpn ships sunk:
xAKL: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
BB: 1 (Kongo - BLAST!!!)
DD: 1 (Asashio)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 128
Allied: 29

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAKL sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Torokina (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Maloelap (CENPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: Essex TF heads to Panama where it will link up with Long Island II, then head to Aden via the Med.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap seized in the first attack, although of all the islands so far, this has been the most costly with 350 US casualties. On the Jpn side, the 51st Naval Guard Unit as well as the Maloelap fortress was destroyed, totaling 1968 casualties. Amph TF will remain to begin re-loading the troops to get them some R&R at Tarawa. AF not significantly damaged, and will become operational shortly. Next on the list is Roi-Namur, but will need to re-organize a bit first.

In SOPAC, two USMC Regiments and a third of the 37th ID are landed at Torokina without problems - was expecting the IJA to attack the lone tank battalion, but it didn’t happen. Instead, LRCAP out of Rabaul tried to provide top cover, but was mauled by US strikes, the Hellcat redeeming itself from the poor performance over Medan last turn; 21Z, 23 OscarIII, 17 Nick in exchange for 4 FM-1s and 2 Hellcats. Troops landed need some time to recover fatigue, so not in any rush to attack next turn - may even wait for the 1st Mar Div still moving up from Buin. Transports will begin to head back to Tulagi to re-organize for the next operation.

In SWPAC, Allied air hits reported shipping off Hansa Bay on the north coast of New Guinea. P-38 sweepers do well against the Zero CAP, downing 12 for 4 P-38s. B-24s hit the AF in support, shutting it down and destroying 12 on the ground. B-25s and strafing Beaufighters find targets, hitting 3xAPs and 2xAKs with bombs, leaving three burning. Probably not sunk, but they were still offloading, so will attempt another attack next turn. On the Darwin front, its quiet. Two LSTs heading toward Bathurst will reach next turn, and DDs will come in to support and provide cover. Have really no idea what L_S_T has in naval strength remaining here in Theater.

In WAUS, I’ve decided to renew the ground advance to Port Hedland. Supplies are still minimal at Corunna Downs, but if the IJN isn’t here in strength, I may be able to bring supply via LST - as was my original plan many, many turns ago. As for the turn, pretty quiet.

In China, it looks like L_S_T has finally got the troops to try and encircle Chungking as an attack to the west pushes across the river against token Chinese opposition. With no supply, troops on the flanks of Chungking are just speedbumps. Kumning supply totals slowly climb, so maybe I can pull off this P-38 CAP Trap over Chungking in a few turns. Will still need a lot of luck - like good weather and an absence of the sometime Oscar escorts.

In India/Burma, Bettys hit Port Blair at night, and are met by Brit Beaufighters which shoot down 4 and 9 are lost to AA fire in exchange for 2 F4Fs destroyed and minor damage to the field which is repaired. At sea, a medium Brit tanker begins unloading fuel at Port Blair along with 2xAKs - I’m surprised that this small naval target wasn’t hit by air. At sea, the CVs are heading toward Colombo and squadrons are shuttled back and forth as replacement planes are acquired. TBFs are back to almost full strength, but the cyber supply guys are holding up some needed F6Fs and SBDs. I can still pretty much fill the decks with the added Brit planes avail (the Wasp’s TBFs and SBDs remained at Colombo as well), but I still need to replenish the fuel - so I might as well continue to head to Colombo for most of the force - One CV TF has lagged somehow and will take fuel from a tanker. Little A reinforcement convoy and a CA Bombardment TF is heading to the target, and I really don’t want them to get caught by the sudden appearance of the KB. That said, should the KB come calling, I want full CV decks. Lastly, my two Brit subs will lay mines in the Malacca Straits next turn, so should the KB attempt this route, they may have a surprise. More likely, when they do show, they will sail south of Sumatra - where more subs lie in wait.

[jwolf]

Essex TF heads to Panama where it will link up with Long Island II, then head to Aden via the Med.

Thanks for the reminder! In my game I'm in August 43 but I forgot [:o] about the Med being open, so I've been sending ships and air units from the US to Capetown still. Arrgh!

Too bad about the Kongo, but at least you knocked it out of action for a long time.

[IdahoNYer]

23-24 Jun 43

Highlights – Lady Lex takes a fish; heavy ground loss near Akyab

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-64)

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (RO-106)

Allied ships sunk:
TK: 1 (sm)
LST: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 25
Allied: 16

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 2 ships hit (TK sunk, CV dam)
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Troops begin to come off of Maloelap, but it will take a few shuttle loads. Will take some turns to do some reorganizing and housekeeping before launching against Roi-Namur, as well as giving the ground troops some additional prep time. Still no sign of IJN air or naval activity.

In SOPAC, 1st Mar Div reaches Torokina, so will attack next turn with about two divisions worth of troops and support. I expect a tough fight with the Bde+ defenders who should be pretty well dug in. The fleet is starting to assemble in Tulagi/Lunga area for the New Guinea landings. In the air, most Allied air rest, and P-38s sweep Rabaul, shooting down 4 Nicks and an Oscar for no loss. Once Torokina falls, air forces be able to range Rabaul with good effect, with single engine fighters ranging. The only Jpn air has been a number of ineffective night time Val attacks, losing 3 to AA.

In SWPAC, LSTs drop supplies off at Bathurst without interference, so will increase the tempo of shuttles to include engineers in the coming days. Supplies still dog any landward advance on Darwin, but if the IJN isn’t going to be active, once Bathurst reaches AF Level 2, troops can also be landed. In the meantime, bombers will start working over the Darwin defenders.

In WAUS, a US minesweeper, escorted by 2DDs continues to sweep mines off Port Hedland for the last two days without being attacked by air or sea. Kinda surprised here - with so much effort into defending the base, a few DDs could sweep my minesweeping effort aside. That said, perhaps the noose is indeed tightening around Port Hedland.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, not a good day. Starts off well enough with two IJN subs being pounded by DDs off Ceylon, but then a third puts a single torp into Lexington which does a heck of a lot of damage (20/32(30)/0). She should make Colombo in Ceylon where she’ll still be out for a while. While painful as it will restrict some freedom of maneuver for the CVs, I’ll want to stay closer to Port Blair aircover now that I’m short a CV, I can use the Navy Air off of Port Blair’s AF till Lex is back in action. Elsewhere, but still in the sub category, had the strangest naval engagement yet…at Port Blair, IJN sub RO-64 launches two torps at DD Rotherham which miss, and the DD proceeds to pound the offending sub to the surface where it should be effectively engaged by the DD’s guns and sunk. But NOOOOOO, the sub surfaces and engages the tanker that Rotherham was escorting! Where the DD went to is unknown, but the crippled sub manages to score two torps into the small tanker which sinks - fortunately the fuel had been offloaded. The sub then “slips beneath the waves” Amazing! Also interesting, an LST was lost at Little Andaman for unknown reasons. Cost of business I guess. Lastly at sea, Brit sub Truant and Trusty drop mines in the Malacca Straits, and enroute home the Trusty wonders through an IJN convoy and is pounded by depth charges - she’s crippled, and probably won’t make it. In the air, nighttime Nells destroy a Corsair on the ground at Port Blair while Brit Lib IIs hit ground units at Little A with little effect. Ground troops will attack on Little A next turn, supported by a CA TF bombardment run. On the ground, east of Akyab, the 7th IND Div and two Bdes crosse the river into what was supposed to be a single division, but turns out to be a pair of divisions and support, and the 7th ID is mauled - 7000 casualties, but mostly disabled squads. What will be critical here is whether L_S_T attacks to push them back across the river or just bombards. If they can hold, two more divisions and armor will follow in the coming days, establishing (hopefully) a firm foothold to push SE towards Magwe.

[jwolf]

Elsewhere, but still in the sub category, had the strangest naval engagement yet…at Port Blair, IJN sub RO-64 launches two torps at DD Rotherham which miss, and the DD proceeds to pound the offending sub to the surface where it should be effectively engaged by the DD’s guns and sunk. But NOOOOOO, the sub surfaces and engages the tanker that Rotherham was escorting! Where the DD went to is unknown, but the crippled sub manages to score two torps into the small tanker which sinks - fortunately the fuel had been offloaded. The sub then “slips beneath the waves” Amazing!

I had a similar encounter once. DDs escorting a transport TF spotted a sub and blasted it with DCs, forcing it to surface ... where the dying sub torpedoed one of the transports before getting killed off by the surface escorts. Frustrating as I lost about 1/3 of a regiment, but at least that sub was confirmed killed.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

what is Lex's damage? is it going home or would you risk her?

[jwolf]

... but then a third puts a single torp into Lexington which does a heck of a lot of damage (20/32(30)/0).

Apparently 30 major float damage; that will take a long time to repair. [:(]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I missed it... well she is gone for a long time

[IdahoNYer]

25-26 Jun 43

Highlights – Torokina and Little Andaman taken; IJN sighted in the Malacca Straits heading west

Jpn ships sunk
CL: 1 (Oi - old)
DMS: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
CL: 1 (Jintsu)
DD: 1 (Amatsukaze)
SS: 1 (I-35)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Truant)

Air loss:
Jpn: 19
Allied: 10

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 1 ship hit (CA Dam)
Allies: 6 Attacks, 3 ships hit (DMS sunk, xAK and PB dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Torokina (SOPAC)
Little Andaman (Burma)

SIGINT/Intel: Subs make contact (but fail to hit) IJN TFs in the Malacca Straits - Likely KB and heavy units moving west toward the Andamans.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, it took two attacks, but Allied troops seize Torokina with minimal losses (3000 IJA to less than 200 US). IJA troops - B/Imperial Gds Div and support remain in the hex. AF seized intact and Wildcats move in. Will rest the troops and likely use Army troops to mop up while pulling out the USMC for future operations. Jpn air opposition limited to ineffective nocturnal strikes.

In SWPAC, its quiet, so barges will load engineers at Gove for the run to Bathurst and will increase tempo of reinforcement if things stay quiet. Still a sizeable IJA force at Darwin, and will start using air to reduce the defenses.

In WAUS, mines cleared at Port Hedland as Australian troops arrive at the hex - well supplied by barge. Once an additional Bde and artillery arrive from Corunna Downs, will begin the attack to take the base. So far, so good.

In China, supplies at Kumning get to the point to support extended range capabilities of the P-38, so a second P-38 squadron is flown in. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can pull off the Chungking CAP Trap in a turn or two. Meanwhile, the IJA’s “PanzerKorps” - an armored Div and three tank regiments, remains SW of Chungking - I’m assuming its going to push east to cut off the city, but it can also send some troops SW towards Kumning.

In India/Burma, some good, some not so good. On the positive side, the first attack on Little Andaman succeeds and takes the base. Kinda surprised here as the 9th Indian Div was not fully present (2/3rds) and not the best unit experience wise. Also on the plus side, Port Blair's Helldiver Squadron debuts by hitting two convoys hugging the coast off Tavoy. In two strikes, half a dozen xAKs are left burning, but none reported sunk. Still, good work for a single squadron. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that naval engineers at Colombo have determined it will take about 3 months to get the Lady Lex repaired!!! From one torp! Ouch! She will be missed, but her air contingent will be used off Yorktown, while VT-5 and VB-5 will eventually wind up being used off Port Blair (VF-42 was left behind and is in the Solomons). Also on the negative side, CA Dorsetshire takes a single torp off Little Andaman and will need yard work - she’ll head to Calcutta with a DD escort, fingers crossed she can avoid additional subs and get to the yards. Also, a Brit DD finds a mine the hard way at Little Andaman and is heavily damaged (70float) - she’ll also head to Calcutta, but the odds are long that she’ll get there. Lastly, subs spot the IJN heading west through the Malacca Straits. SS O-16 misses CA Atago from a TF which consisted of 2BB, 2CA, CL, DDs and the SS Stingray couldn’t penetrate the screen of a TF, but spotted a CA, CLAA, 5DD - with the CA Chikuma and the CLAA Tatsuta, I’m betting this is the KB. So the Big Boys have arrived! I’m betting they are heading directly to pound Port Blair by both sea and air, so I’m clearing some shipping in the area, but 3 xAKs are just arriving, which I’m leaving to offload supply. Probably not a smart move, but I have additional xAKs. The three squadrons of fighters at Port Blair are put on 80% CAP which may give the KB flyers a hard time. For naval defenses, I’m limited to PTs - about 18 in three squadrons with some Brit boats as well. Not much against a major IJN bombardment attempt, but the Allied fleet is still reorganizing in Colombo.