THE WAR COLLEGE-Rio Bravo (A) v. El Lobo (J)

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Wolfhunter107

I'm on the edge of my metaphorical seat right now--its going to get very real in a couple of turns here.

Wolfhunter-


Well put, Wolfhunter.

The Allies have been fortunate making it to 360 miles from its destination before El Lobo became fully aware of the magnitude of the invasion force bearing down upon the Marianas Islands.

I haven't a clue how El Lobo will respond. If he responds with the full weight of his Evil Naval Forces, I suspect it is going to get extremely ugly for the Allies. That fear leaves me more than a tad anxious and nervous.

I do know one thing; the Allied invasion of the four southern Marianas Islands is going to be more interesting than the present battles waging in Burma and China. *laughing hard*

I am prepared. I bought a bottle of scotch.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

I am prepared. I bought a bottle of scotch.

This happened to me. I got destroyed.[:D]

[CaptHaggard]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

I am prepared. I bought a bottle of scotch.

This happened to me. I got destroyed.[:D]

Lowpe de la luminaries:

Sir, when you say you got destroyed—do you mean to say by the battle, the scotch, or both?

My invasion sweats will be "cooled off" by a fat martini and then a fine bottle of cab... which I will have to slink into the cellar to nab, somehow diverting the patrols of Adjutant, since I don't plan on sharing or scrimping.

I don't know... I'm feeling not confident, exactly, but pretty easy about it for now. Last night was the first in which I didn't flash awake in "submariner terror" for some time.

It's amazing to me that we are literally hexes away from discovering whether my Admiral is a mad man... or a genius...

Most respectfully,

Hag

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

I am prepared. I bought a bottle of scotch.

This happened to me. I got destroyed.[:D]

Lowpe-

Lowpe advised that he got destroyed,
I thought as I nervously deployed,
Worried that I am next on the list,
To feel hammered by Japan's potent fist!

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: CaptHaggard

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

I am prepared. I bought a bottle of scotch.

This happened to me. I got destroyed.[:D]

Lowpe de la luminaries:

Sir, when you say you got destroyed—do you mean to say by the battle, the scotch, or both?

My invasion sweats will be "cooled off" by a fat martini and then a fine bottle of cab... which I will have to slink into the cellar to nab, somehow diverting the patrols of Adjutant, since I don't plan on sharing or scrimping.

I don't know... I'm feeling not confident, exactly, but pretty easy about it for now. Last night was the first in which I didn't flash awake in "submariner terror" for some time.

It's amazing to me that we are literally hexes away from discovering whether my Admiral is a mad man... or a genius...

Most respectfully,

Hag

Captain Haggard-

Well, we both know that I am a far stretch from being a genius as we have far too much history regarding your Confederate Cavalry destroying my Iron Brigade repeatedly over the course of numerous Civil War battles; not too mention The Solomons Campaign!

*laughing hard*

Your pal,

-Terry

[Bif1961]

Seeing he is asking for a delay to plan his next moves it would appear a major effort on his part to set things in order. Other working hard to pull things out to save or deciding how to wear down your invasions and counter-strike when you have suffered enough attrition to allow the KB to be deployed against elements of your forces and possibly not risk a death star response.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Seeing he is asking for a delay to plan his next moves it would appear a major effort on his part to set things in order. Other working hard to pull things out to save or deciding how to wear down your invasions and counter-strike when you have suffered enough attrition to allow the KB to be deployed against elements of your forces and possibly not risk a death star response.

Bifi-

Well, Les (El Lobo) has always been a methodical, detailed planner and he is meticulous with his execution of his plans. Les designed, built, operated, and owned a sizable Coffee House in Sacramento. The interior was stunning, simply amazing. He also built this amazing estate in Thailand, his home, where he lives with his wife and five dogs. His home and the land is beautiful.

Accordingly, as you mention, he could be spending a considerable amount of time setting things up one way or another.

However, I can also picture Les relaxing with mugs of coffee , perhaps even a few tequila shots, just thinking about the situation for hours on end; then concluding the best thing to do is nothing. If he chooses to do nothing, he will make the Allies pay for the Marianas Islands elsewhere. If he decides to come to the Marianas, I think he will come with everything he can muster.

In any event, we'll all find out soon.

*chuckling*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 21, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) The battle for the four southern Marianas Islands erupted today.

2.) Although Captain Haggard had warned me numerous times to be sure that the Invasion Fleet moving into the hex due east of Rota should be led by a Surface Combat Task Force, I forgot to do so. What otherwise may have proved to be a resoundingly successful day, turned into a nightmare and horrific losses for Captain Haggard's Mine-Sweeping Task Forces.

3.) At the beginning of the day, the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet was 160 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands. The Invasion Fleet proceeded toward their destination hex with Captain Haggard's four Mine-Sweeping Task Forces leading the way with only 36 Wildcat Fighters providing LRCAP over the hex due east of Rota.

4.) The Japanese overwhelmingly won the Sea Battle and the Allies overwhelmingly won the Air Battle.


Summary of Losses in the Vicinity of the Marianas Islands.


Japanese Ships and Aircraft Destroyed or Damaged


-1 CA lightly damaged; 1 Japanese Destroyer was sunk with 4 very lightly damaged; and 2 Japanese Submarines took substantial hits with 1 taking a light hit.

-54 Japanese Search Aircraft were destroyed (Combat Events Report).

-31 Japanese Fighters and Dive Bombers were destroyed and 1 was damaged.


Allied Ships and Aircraft Destroyed or Damaged


-10 Allied AMs sunk with 13 having heavy fires and heavy damage; 1 xAK sunk; 3 DMS sunk with two having heavy fires and heavy damage; and 31 YMS sunk with 3 having heavy fires and heavy damage.

-6 Allied Torpedo Bombers were destroyed and 5 were damaged.


Hopefully, the entire Combat Report will show as a link herein this post below.


Best Regards to All and Sincere Apologies to Captain Haggard for My major neglect in not remembering to lead with a Surface Combat Task Force to provide some cover for his Mine-Sweeping Task Forces,

-Terry

[Wolfhunter107]

How many minesweepers do you have left? Loosening 40-50 of those sounds like it's gonna hurt, at least in the short term.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Wolfhunter107

How many minesweepers do you have left? Loosening 40-50 of those sounds like it's gonna hurt, at least in the short term.

Wolfhunter-


Yes, I suspect that losing close to 50 Minesweepers will hurt; least it sure feels like it hurts. *chuckling*

I'm not sure how many Minesweepers we have left, but I'm guessing about 50. Captain Haggard can provide a better number for you.

In the long run, I don't believe the loss of the Minesweepers will significantly impact the war.

The good news is that we only lost one xAK, we are two hexes due east of Rota, and should be able to launch Amphibious Assaults today, June 22, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Interesting Notes

Regarding

Operation Sea Shark's Invasion Fleet Approach to the Marianas Islands

June 22, 1943[/center]


1.) Captain Haggard did an excellent job of clearing the path of Japanese Submarines from Pearl Harbor to where the Invasion Fleet presently sits at two hexes east of Rota.

2.) As Captain Haggard and I suspected and pursuant to an email from El Lobo, El Lobo began to detect a few of the Invasion Fleet Task Forces just after the Invasion Fleet passed Wake Island and that he didn't know the magnitude of the Invasion Fleet nor where it was headed until June 20, 1943 when the Invasion Fleet was but a mere 360 miles from its destination hex 360 miles due east of Rota. Further, El Lobo stated that he was a little surprised that the Allies would invade the Marianas Islands in June of 1943.

3.) But for two events that I did not anticipate, the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet could have Amphibious Assaulted the four southern Marianas islands on June 15, 1943. My first miscalculation was how long it would take to load all the troops on transports. I figured it would only take two days and it took four days. My second mistake was refueling the Invasion Fleet from the Replenishment Task Force on three separate occasions. Each time the Replenishment Task Force refueled the Invasion Fleet, the Invasion Fleet slowed down from its 12 knot pace; one time the Invasion Fleet only moved 40 miles.

4.) The Intelligence Report of June 20, 1943 lists the Japanese Carrier Junyo as being sunk and Allied Victory points did jump dramatically on that date.

5.) The Wildcats and Hellcats are doing an awesome job downing Japan's Search Aircraft, Fighters, and Bombers. Japanese Bombers have only sank two Allied xAKs.

6.) Had I not made the two mistakes set forth above and the mistake of not having a Combat Task Force leading the Invasion Fleet, to date, Operation Sea Shark would have been a resounding success: Catching El Lobo completely off-guard and at a date as early as June 15, 1943, potentially sinking a Japanese Carrier, overwhelmingly dominating the air battles, and only suffering the loss of two xAKs.

7.) At this time, it is known that El Lobo has brought considerable Naval Assets (including Carriers) to fight in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands. It remains unknown as to the degree to which he intends to fight.

8.) Consequently, to date, Operation Sea Shark would have been and I think remains a good plan. Only my mistakes in its implementation has daunted the caliber of its present success.

Operation Sea Shark is a long way from being over, I suspect that the Allies will continue to suffer some heavy losses, and it is too early to tell whether Operation Sea Shark will be worth the Allied losses incurred during its effort to capture the four southern Marianas Islands during mid 1943.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Ian R]

I think you will get a lot of those minesweepers back anyway under the auto replacement routine (although that may be scenario dependent).

Your minesweepers may have, albeit at considerable cost, absorbed his opening air surge. So as long as you still have enough to clear some paths (if he's put scarce mines there) it could turn out to be the best result you might have had. Better to lose a bunch of YMS than APAs full of Marines.

The other point is the air losses -how many enemy aircraft were in the air? If 1000 were committed, you just splashed 8% of them (possibly, seeing as it was the combat report numbers). That is not a sustainable loss rate.



-

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen,

After that debacle at OER ("One East Rota"), I noticed the bottle of Haig & Haig Pinch was empty. At some point shortly thereafter, I believe my verbal report to the Admiral was "Thir, I o-fficially declare OER clear of mines! *hiccup*"

Currently, we're left with 6 DMS, 8 AM & 10 YMS at OER. We also have up to 12 AMs in reserve/patrol at Wake & Midway, too late to participate in D-Day, and anyway, they are acting as detection-pickets north of those islands.

The rubber meets the road on this next turn. We just gotta get some boys over the reef and onto the sand, put a ring of iron around the joint and hang on.

*Salute*

Hag

[pontiouspilot]

...."ring of iron around the joint"...sounds kinky, or maybe like a medieval chastity device. As it is I'm longing for the climax after 1.5 yrs of foreplay!

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Ian R

I think you will get a lot of those minesweepers back anyway under the auto replacement routine (although that may be scenario dependent).

Your minesweepers may have, albeit at considerable cost, absorbed his opening air surge. So as long as you still have enough to clear some paths (if he's put scarce mines there) it could turn out to be the best result you might have had. Better to lose a bunch of YMS than APAs full of Marines.

The other point is the air losses -how many enemy aircraft were in the air? If 1000 were committed, you just splashed 8% of them (possibly, seeing as it was the combat report numbers). That is not a sustainable loss rate.



-

Ian R-


Actually, El Lobo crushed Captain Haggard's Mine Sweeping Task Forces with two Combat Surface Task Forces. I am hoping those two TFs are out of bullets.

I believe that we still have enough Mine Sweepers left to clear some mines at Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

I don't believe that we have seen many, if any, of El Lobo's Carrier Aircraft. I think that most of the Japanese Aircraft destroyed came from land bases within the Marianas Islands.

Except for 6 Dauntless Squadrons flying search, I have stood down our Dive Bombers. I am concerned that El Lobo is sending in PGs and DDs in an attempt to draw our Carrier Dauntless Dive Bombers to expend bombs on those ships and after he thinks the Dive Bombers are out of ordinance, then he will attack with his Carriers. It is just a guess.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot

...."ring of iron around the joint"...sounds kinky, or maybe like a medieval chastity device. As it is I'm longing for the climax after 1.5 yrs of foreplay!

pontiouspilot-


The extended foreplay ends tonight.

*chuckling*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Amphibious Assault

The Four Southern Marianas Islands

June 22, 1943[/center]


Gentlemen of The War College-


Thank You


At the outset I want to thank each of you for your criticism, compliments, and sage advice.

Without the help you have provided to Captain Haggard and to myself, Operation Sea Shark would not have been possible.

Your assistance is sincerely appreciated.


Intelligence


Allied Recon and Search Aircraft have sighted the following troops and aircraft on three of the following four southern Marianas Islands:


Saipan

12,850 Troops
81 Guns
45 AFVs

9 Fighters
53 Bombers
54 Auxilary


Tinian

Either the Recon Aircraft went astray or Tinian is empty of Japanese Troops and Aircraft.

Rota

1 Unit

Guam

23,560 Troops
99 Guns
0 AFVs

7 Fighters
2 Auxilary


Location of Operation Sea Shark Invasion Force


Hex 109,95; 80 miles due east of Rota.


ASW, Carrier, and Surface Combat Groups to Hex 108,95


I have ordered four ASW Groups, the four Allied Carrier Groups, and one Surface Combat Group to Hex 108,95; 40 miles due east of Rota.


Aircraft Support


I have ordered Allied Aircraft to support the Amphibious Assaults and to cover the Carriers as follows:

1.) The four Bombardment Task Forces Aircraft are on Night Recon (altitude 7,000 feet) of their respective Objective (i.e., Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam).

2.) The two Surface Combat Task Forces Aircraft are on Daytime Search (Altitude 7,000 feet, Range 3) covering the four southern Marianas Islands.

3.) Six Dauntless Dive Bomber Squadrons are on Daytime Search (Altitude 10,000 feet, Range 7) covering from 160 to 40 Degrees over the Marianas Islands (the blind spot is 40 degrees to 160 degrees).

4.) All Fighters are on CAP and LRCAP as follows:

CAP Over Carriers (hex 108,95)

5 Wildcat Squadrons at 25,000 feet.
5 Wildcat Squadrons at 17,000 feet.
5 Wildcat Squadrons at 10,000 feet.

Selected Targets

1 Hellcat Squadron at 15,000 feet over Saipan.
1 Hellcat Squadron at 15,000 feet over Tinian.
1 Hellcat Squadron at 15,000 feet over Rota.
1 Hellcat Squadron at 15,000 feet over Guam.

LRCAP

6 Hellcat Squadrons at 25,000 feet; Range 4.
3 Wildcat Squadrons at 15,000 feet; Range 3.


Amphibious Assaults


I have ordered Mine Sweeping, ASW, Bombardment, Surface Combat, and Amphibious Assault Task Forces to Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam (Tinian and Rota do not have Surface Combat Task Forces).


End Note


The medical personnel will be busy tonight while I drink scotch from the bridge of my computer chair.

Map of the Marianas Islands Region below.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptHaggard]

The medical personnel will be pouring my scotch.

... Oh, I see.

You're not counting Nurse Lola.

[Ian R]

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

ORIGINAL: Ian R

I think you will get a lot of those minesweepers back anyway under the auto replacement routine (although that may be scenario dependent).

Your minesweepers may have, albeit at considerable cost, absorbed his opening air surge. So as long as you still have enough to clear some paths (if he's put scarce mines there) it could turn out to be the best result you might have had. Better to lose a bunch of YMS than APAs full of Marines.

The other point is the air losses -how many enemy aircraft were in the air? If 1000 were committed, you just splashed 8% of them (possibly, seeing as it was the combat report numbers). That is not a sustainable loss rate.



-

Ian R-


Actually, El Lobo crushed Captain Haggard's Mine Sweeping Task Forces with two Combat Surface Task Forces. I am hoping those two TFs are out of bullets.

I believe that we still have enough Mine Sweepers left to clear some mines at Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

I don't believe that we have seen many, if any, of El Lobo's Carrier Aircraft. I think that most of the Japanese Aircraft destroyed came from land bases within the Marianas Islands.

Except for 6 Dauntless Squadrons flying search, I have stood down our Dive Bombers. I am concerned that El Lobo is sending in PGs and DDs in an attempt to draw our Carrier Dauntless Dive Bombers to expend bombs on those ships and after he thinks the Dive Bombers are out of ordinance, then he will attack with his Carriers. It is just a guess.

Best Regards,

-Terry

Still, absorbing some surface threats is of use. He can probably rearm them close by though.

Sounds like you need to take steps to close his runways - 51% is the magic number. Starting with any level 4s (for the 2E threat) and then any 2s and 3s. What level are the airfields at?

I stated earlier that it is best not to damage/fatigue the fast carrier strike aircraft groups in low-diminishing-returns base attacks. If you have detected any IJN carrier groups lurking, all the more so.

That leaves your CVE groups and the old slow BBs to do the job. Fortunately you are not landing on a bunch of atolls so have time to set up a replenishment lagoon to re-arm them.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Ian R

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

ORIGINAL: Ian R

I think you will get a lot of those minesweepers back anyway under the auto replacement routine (although that may be scenario dependent).

Your minesweepers may have, albeit at considerable cost, absorbed his opening air surge. So as long as you still have enough to clear some paths (if he's put scarce mines there) it could turn out to be the best result you might have had. Better to lose a bunch of YMS than APAs full of Marines.

The other point is the air losses -how many enemy aircraft were in the air? If 1000 were committed, you just splashed 8% of them (possibly, seeing as it was the combat report numbers). That is not a sustainable loss rate.



-

Ian R-


Actually, El Lobo crushed Captain Haggard's Mine Sweeping Task Forces with two Combat Surface Task Forces. I am hoping those two TFs are out of bullets.

I believe that we still have enough Mine Sweepers left to clear some mines at Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

I don't believe that we have seen many, if any, of El Lobo's Carrier Aircraft. I think that most of the Japanese Aircraft destroyed came from land bases within the Marianas Islands.

Except for 6 Dauntless Squadrons flying search, I have stood down our Dive Bombers. I am concerned that El Lobo is sending in PGs and DDs in an attempt to draw our Carrier Dauntless Dive Bombers to expend bombs on those ships and after he thinks the Dive Bombers are out of ordinance, then he will attack with his Carriers. It is just a guess.

Best Regards,

-Terry

Still, absorbing some surface threats is of use. He can probably rearm them close by though.

Sounds like you need to take steps to close his runways - 51% is the magic number. Starting with any level 4s (for the 2E threat) and then any 2s and 3s. What level are the airfields at?

I stated earlier that it is best not to damage/fatigue the fast carrier strike aircraft groups in low-diminishing-returns base attacks. If you have detected any IJN carrier groups lurking, all the more so.

That leaves your CVE groups and the old slow BBs to do the job. Fortunately you are not landing on a bunch of atolls so have time to set up a replenishment lagoon to re-arm them.

Ian R-


You sound like me, the eternal optimist. Captain Haggard and I watched the June 21, 1943 Combat Animations together and about half-way through El Lobo's slaughter of Captain Haggard's Mine Sweeping Task Forces I mentioned, "He must run out of bullets soon."

Allied Bombardment Task Forces are targeting each of the four southern Marianas Islands.

I did remember your advice and did not order any aircraft to attack any Japanese base.

Exactly, each of the four southern Marianas Islands can accommodate thousands of troops.

Best Regards,

-Terry