DBB 28C. Co-prosperity sphere of happiness: Jorge (J) vs Revthought (A)

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Some news on my Japanese game!!

I am very happy to report the recapture of Edenbury island. Neither a great strategic asset nor crippling losses; but still I didn't want the Allies to have a base so close to the outer defense perimeter
there was also a destroyer parked there (got a 250kg bomb last) turn... probably will catch it tomorrow

Allies loses:
47th Construction Regiment
3rd US Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
4th US Naval Construction Battalion
1 Catalina squadron (13 planes)

You will notice lots of firepower committed for naval bombardment, it was an all or nothing operation, I mean better to overshoot and have an easy time than fail completely... now time to run away as I have little ammo and only 3 carriers (others rest are refitting or far away)

Amphibious TF included one APD carrying supplies, one LCD + one AK-t + one AMC carrying and 3 xAPs carrying support troops

Pre-Invasion action off Enderbury Island (154,143) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

59 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Tone
DD Yugao
AMC Asaka Maru
APD Nadakaze
xAP Manzyu Maru
TB Hayabusa
PB Taian Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Choun Maru #21
PB Choun Maru #18
SC Ch 7
E Shimushu

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Furutaka
CA Furutaka firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
CA Tone firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Tone
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Yugao
DD Yugao firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
AMC Asaka Maru firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at AMC Asaka Maru
APD Nadakaze firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at APD Nadakaze
155mm M1918 GPF Battery engaging xAP Manzyu Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Furutaka firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards
TB Hayabusa fired at enemy guns
PB Taian Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Kensin Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Hakkaisan Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Choun Maru #21 fired at enemy guns
PB Choun Maru #18 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops
DD Yugao fired at enemy guns
AMC Asaka Maru fired at enemy guns
APD Nadakaze fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Enderbury Island (154,143)

TF 230 troops unloading over beach at Enderbury Island, 154,143

Japanese ground losses:
397 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (0 destroyed, 13 disabled)

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /4

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Night Naval bombardment of Enderbury Island at 154,143 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 25 damaged

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Myoko
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu
CL Abukuma
DD Hayate
DD Kamikaze
DD Ushio
DD Shirayuki

Allied ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 19 (3 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 43
Port hits 5

CA Kako firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Kako
CA Kinugasa firing at Enderbury Island
CA Myoko firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Myoko
CA Chokai firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Chokai
CA Maya firing at Enderbury Island
CL Tatsuta firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
CL Abukuma firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
DD Hayate firing at Enderbury Island
DD Kamikaze firing at Enderbury Island
DD Ushio firing at Enderbury Island
DD Shirayuki firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Enderbury Island at 154,143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 17 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Mikuma
DD Mochizuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yayoi

Allied ground losses:
776 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 30 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (7 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 39
Port hits 3

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at Enderbury Island
BB Hiei firing at Enderbury Island
CA Mikuma firing at Enderbury Island
DD Mochizuki firing at 3rd US Naval Construction Battalion
DD Kikuzuki firing at Enderbury Island
DD Yayoi firing at Enderbury Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Enderbury Island at 154,143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Chikuma
DD Sagiri
DD Ariake
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hagikaze
DD Naganami

Allied ground losses:
335 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 31
Port hits 2

CA Aoba firing at Enderbury Island
CA Nachi firing at Enderbury Island
CA Haguro firing at Enderbury Island
CA Chikuma firing at Enderbury Island
DD Sagiri firing at Enderbury Island
DD Ariake firing at Enderbury Island
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Enderbury Island
DD Hagikaze firing at Enderbury Island
DD Naganami firing at Enderbury Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Enderbury Island (154,143)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Tone
DD Hokaze
AMC Asaka Maru
APD Nadakaze
PB Taian Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Choun Maru #21
PB Choun Maru #18
SC Ch 7
E Shimushu
DD Yugao

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Furutaka firing at 47th Construction Regiment
DD Hokaze firing at 47th Construction Regiment
APD Nadakaze firing at 47th Construction Regiment
PB Taian Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Kensin Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Hakkaisan Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Choun Maru #21 fired at enemy guns
PB Choun Maru #18 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy guns
DD Hokaze fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Enderbury Island (154,143)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Taian Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Choun Maru #21
PB Choun Maru #18
SC Ch 7
AMC Asaka Maru
E Shimushu
DD Yugao

PB Taian Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kensin Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Hakkaisan Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Choun Maru #21 fired at enemy troops
PB Choun Maru #18 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 47th Construction Regiment, at 154,143 (Enderbury Island)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
B5N2 Kate x 51
D3A1 Val x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged

Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 4th US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 3rd US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 47th Construction Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 3rd US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 47th Construction Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 47th Construction Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th US Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 47th Construction Regiment ...
Also attacking 4th US Naval Construction Battalion ...


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Invasion Support action off Enderbury Island (154,143)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Taian Maru
PB Kensin Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru
PB Choun Maru #21
PB Choun Maru #18
SC Ch 7
AMC Asaka Maru
E Shimushu
DD Yugao

PB Taian Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kensin Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Hakkaisan Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Choun Maru #21 fired at enemy troops
PB Choun Maru #18 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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

Ground combat at Enderbury Island (154,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3618 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Defending force 2253 troops, 42 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese adjusted assault: 16

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Enderbury Island !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 5 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1783 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 165 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 113 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 57 (57 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 78 (78 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
47th Construction Regiment
3rd US Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
4th US Naval Construction Battalion

[Jorge_Stanbury]

another important development

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This is D-Day minus 2

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This is D-Day minus 1

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And this is what I will bring to the party...

to my previous estimate, I might add Hermes... not 100% sure, and I don't think it is wise to mix a slow ship with fast carriers, but who knows.

My key assumptions remain the same:
- Hornet, Wasp and Illustrious, escorted by North Carolina and San Juan (all these confirmed) are the target. Lexington sank months ago(confirmed), Indomitable withdrew a few days ago (likely), Enterprise, Saratoga, Yorktown and Formidable in the Pacific (best guess)
- around 100 plane advantage for Japan
- I will be a total surprise for my opponent
- I have the advantage of DL=0 while I have been tracking him for the last 3 turns

- Key one: It is already mid July and there are few months left for carrier battles under advantageous scenarios. I expect heavy loses, but if I can sink Hornet, Wasp and somehow the 2 Kakus survive, it will be a victory

So now time to fix me a drink and open the turn

[Jorge_Stanbury]

OK.. so I needed to change the subject line as there was no carrier battle. IMPORTANT: PLEASE ANY REPLY OVER THIS POST... The last thing I want is that my opponent reads that there was a potential carrier battle

he reversed east and bombed Akyab with pretty much everything available, as far as I can tell, the Japanese carriers are not yet discovered

[Anachro]

Fun times ahead

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And these are the combat reports... heavy losses [:(] but at least I was able to hit a couple destroyers

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 22, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CA Devonshire
CA Northampton

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Warspite firing at 2nd Division
CA Exeter firing at 2nd Division
CA Cornwall firing at 2nd Division
CA Devonshire firing at 2nd Division
CA Northampton firing at 2nd Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Devonshire
DD Lang
DD Isaac Sweers, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wilson

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 1
DD Wilson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Cornwall

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (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 10000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

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Morning Air attack on 6th Tank Regiment, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4
Hurricane I Trop x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Blenheim IV bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 15th Army ...
Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...


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Morning Air attack on 6th Tank Regiment, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 7th Tank Regiment, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 1

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on 15th Army, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 77
TBF-1 Avenger x 36

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd Mortar Battalion ...
Also attacking 15th Army ...
Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 15th Army ...
Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd Mortar Battalion ...
Also attacking 15th Army ...
Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Tank Regiment ...


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Afternoon Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Swordfish I bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

[traskott]

Suscribed.... Nice AAR!

[walkerd]

Great AAR, interesting reading

Can I ask where you obtained the ground unit bmp?

[Lowpe]

About a 50/50 split between fighters and bombers on your KB. You might want to think about upping the number of fighters and diminishing the number of bombers a bit...perhaps you feel you need the Kates to make up for the Vals?

You might also want to look at adding Rufes to the mix...22 Rufes flying low does add a good bit of insurance.

You did the potential attack right...no dl on your ships and good multiple day dl on Allies.

What settings did you use on your strike package?

[Chickenboy]

Am I reading your TF 337 correctly? You have all the CVs, CVLs, and CVEs in one TF? 7 in total?

With an air combat TF of some 350+ aircraft and 7 CV/L/E in one TF, you may suffer coordination penalties-even as the Japanese. Also, Hosho and Junyo's 25 knots will drop a hex movement off of your TF-it may be worth omitting them or peeling them off into a slower TF. I'm also not crazy about the Junyo leadership. Is that the best available captain for that ship at this time?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Am I reading your TF 337 correctly? You have all the CVs, CVLs, and CVEs in one TF? 7 in total?

With an air combat TF of some 350+ aircraft and 7 CV/L/E in one TF, you may suffer coordination penalties-even as the Japanese. Also, Hosho and Junyo's 25 knots will drop a hex movement off of your TF-it may be worth omitting them or peeling them off into a slower TF. I'm also not crazy about the Junyo leadership. Is that the best available captain for that ship at this time?

"may" is the critical word there...often times running one larger carrier force makes a lot of sense...especially if a flank surprise attack like here.

Junyo's Captain is a 70 naval -- good at dodging torpedoes.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I am more afraid of reacting and no follow, than the coordination penalty, I have actually a great example in this turn; Captain Abe was following in a 4-destroyer ASW TF. I like to have ASW TFs following big fleets, and Abe is a good "spare" Admiral in case Yamaguchi decides to hara-kiri himself after a drawback. Well, Abe reacted to something and now he is far far away (if you see the map, he is west of Rangoon). Not a big deal here, and of course flank speed movement did compound the issue, but even 2 or 3 hexes of separation due to one segment of the fleet reacting can be crippling if it then gets the full combo attack with no support. So, I prefer to go big on air combat TFs.

With regards to 25 knot speed.. I wish. [;)] after 2 runs at flank speed, my carrier TF is at 23knt speed... I am not too concerned because I already achieved a good position for tomorrow's battle (see the map)
That being said, I am not sure if it is only the ship speed, or the TF speed, or both what impacts the defense/ maneuverability of a ship. If so, then I am fu$% because I already send the turn.

Last turn's bombing also gave me very good intelligence on the enemy's fleet composition, the puzzle is now complete and I have an exact idea on what kind of opposition I will face tomorrow.. To be continued

[Lowpe]

I think you may miss him...what is the dl on the Allied subs? Too high, and he knows you are coming...or even from spotting messages.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I have no # DL, just Enemy TF sighted

In the combat replay, it was not too obvious that there is a carrier TF... no sightings or attacking subs. I also have multiple Netties doing naval search since 4 turns ago, so it is not as suspicious as it could be

we will see... and to answer your question, I am currently at 167 Zeros, 73 Vals, 87 Kates active, that is 51% fighter ratio... this after adding another "guest star" 3-S Ku /C and dangerously overloading Shokaku

My opponent is at 27 Wildcats-3, 27 Wildcats-4, 9 SeaHurricanes, 16 Fulmars, 90 Dauntless-3, 36 Avengers and 12 Swordfish, 36% fighter ratio.

I will expand this later on today

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I have no # DL, just Enemy TF sighted

Excellent!

Jocke liked to run his ships literally into the ground hexes right along the coastline...

[Bif1961]

His bombing of Akyab with 77 SBDs and 36 TBFs would indicted more American carriers than the Hornet and Wasp, he may have a 3rd American carrier.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

His bombing of Akyab with 77 SBDs and 36 TBFs would indicted more American carriers than the Hornet and Wasp, he may have a 3rd American carrier.

No, he just embarked one additional SBD squadron. Two reasons why I believe so:

- I have been tracking him for 4 turns, and the TF report showed 10 ships: this matches the ships I already saw (in a bloody, failed strike executed by Army planes), which are: Hornet, Illustrious, Wasp, North Carolina, San Juan, and it makes sense to have additionally 5 DDs as escort


- More important, I did the math already:

Wasp = 81 planes
27 Wildcats F4 (VF-71) --> seen doing CAP 2 turns ago
36 SBD-3 (VS-71, VS-72, each with 18 planes)
18 TBD (VT-71)

Hornet = 99 planes
27 Wildcats F3 (VF-8) --> did LRCAP last turn, probably fatigue is over 25 now [;)]
54 SBD-3 (VS-8, VB-8, plus another navy or marines squadron, each with 18 planes)
18 TB (VT-8)

Illustrious = 37 planes
12 Swordfish I (No 810 FAA) --> bombed last turn
16 Fulmars (No.273 Sqn RAF) --> seen doing CAP 2 turns ago
9 Sea Hurricane (No.880 FAA) --> seen 2 turns ago

--> I don't have confirmation on the exact VS/ VB/ VT squadrons, but the strike size tells me 90 SBDs in total, which is five 18-plane squadrons; substract 10% for naval search and 4 for maintenance and you get 77
--> 36 TBDs and 12 Swordfish fits the existing TF #
--> All ships slightly over capacity, but within the 15% limit.. I would had raised an alarm if I couldn't fit them, but even then, the most likely scenario would had been Hermes or possibly Formidable, USN carriers available in Jul 42 are simply too big an elephant to hide

Some additional things I learnt from yesterday's strike
- Dive bombers came at 13K feet, Torpedo bombers at 5K... I obviously adjusted my CAP to these altitudes, with a healthy # of fighters in between (layered approach)
- His fighter component is small, 79 planes according to my analysis, and this includes Fulmars [8|] why not Martlets?? so, he doesn't have enough planes to be strong in either CAP or escort. He will probably split his Wildcats (27 for escort, 27 for CAP), then use short legged Sea Hurricanes for CAP and long ranged but crappy Fulmar for escort.
It is based on this potential combo, a very heavy bomber punch/ inadequate fighter cover, that I adjusted my escort to CAP ratio. Last turn I had it close to 45:55, I changed it 59 escorts and 108 CAP which is a ratio of 35:65

To Lowpe: these are my settings:
- Cells in yellow are Allies, hypothetical, maximum numbers, it won't include reserves, maintenance or attrition
- All other cells are Japan, only showing active planes, I have significant reserves on bombers, but these won't count tomorrow and of course I also have 10 fighters under repair, so I will probably get 3 or 4 more tomorrow
- Bombers are on naval attack, torpedo 10K maximum range (9 hexes)
- Some but not all squadrons are at 10% search, this because I am confident on my +100 Netties at Magwe/ Pt Blair
- Fighter squadrons are either doing CAP or escort, never both
- Under ideal conditions, my strike pack will be ~211 planes; should be fine in terms of coordination penalty... hopefully

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: walkerd

Great AAR, interesting reading

Can I ask where you obtained the ground unit bmp?

So long ago.. I think it is Fremen's art. you should find it in this forum

EDIT: check here:
tm.asp?m=2913555