Lambs to the slaughter (Lowpe (J) vs Jocke; BillBrown (A)) Finished

[Lowpe]

Midway...the object of this exercise....

and the Allies are REJECTED![;)]

A tank army with no infantry support suffers the wrath of a diverse group of defenders!

[Lowpe]

Early reports of losses...

[Lowpe]

For the grognards that wish to see the full report...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 158,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 27
A6M5c Zero x 183
B6N2 Jill x 149
D4Y1 Judy x 74
D4Y2 Judy x 113

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Casablanca, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Natoma Bay, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Idaho
AM Strive, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 12, and is sunk
DD Trathen
DD Philip
DD Stevens, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Harrison
DD Sigsbee, Bomb hits 2
CLAA San Juan
BB Maryland
PG Charleston, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wadsworth
DD Spence
DD John Rodgers
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 1
LSD Ashland, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Rathburne
DD Morris
AP William Ward Burrows, Bomb hits 1

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
18 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
24 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
14 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-214 /A with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-214 /B with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF-214 /C with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-1 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VMF-213 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VMF-216 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF-225 with F4U-1A Corsair (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Massive explosion on CVE Nassau
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Altamaha
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Natoma Bay
Massive explosion on DD Stevens
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Copahee
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Casablanca
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Nassau
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Stevens
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Casablanca
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Altamaha

[Lowpe]

And the afternoon strike...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Midway Island at 158,91

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 27
A6M5c Zero x 177
B6N2 Jill x 146
D4Y1 Judy x 69
D4Y2 Judy x 98

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 13 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 10 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 7, on fire
PG Charleston, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP William Ward Burrows, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sigsbee
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APA Sheridan
AKA Titania, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Edward C. Daly, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
APA Sumter, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DE Wileman, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Kane, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Libra, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
APA La Salle, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AKA Fomalhaut, Bomb hits 1
PC Taney
AM Sheldrake
APD Dickerson
DE Burden R. Hastings, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Hatfield, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Rathburne, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Gilmore, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LSD Carter Hall, Bomb hits 1
APD Lawrence, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Spence, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKA Bellatrix, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Bolivar, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSD Ashland, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (6 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
20 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
21 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
17 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Natoma Bay
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP William Ward Burrows
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Mississippi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Edward C. Daly
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AKA Titania
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB New Mexico
Magazine explodes on DE Burden R. Hastings
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APA Sumter
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA San Juan
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AKA Libra
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APA La Salle
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Lawrence

[Encircled]

Ouch!

2nd Army Tank Brigade is an Aus formation btw

[Lowpe]

Just a quick analysis...

Japanese violated the rules by stacking 10 carriers into one task force...but still launched two perfect strikes. This due to the high value targets, and Abe's excellent air ratings and of course a good roll.

Analysis of the Allied northern invasion fleet, which had done work in Alaska, showed it to be basically stripped of bombers and flying heavy CAP. Hence, the gamble to put almost all of the KB's fighters on escort duties.

The strike was set to go in at 15K, to avoid some of the first pass AA, and to get as high as possible and yet allow divebombing. The Allied CAP was out of position and all at 10K. Some of the CAP didn't even have time to join the fight.

I had about 5 dud torpedoes fail to explode, and I seriously doubt any of the Allied battleships went down. Way too many strikes on smaller ships. On further examination, one went down most like ole Miss. New Mexico is in trouble too...Idaho isn't there.

Words fail at my own stupidity in losing those nice Japanese ships. I still can't figure out how they got there.[:(] But really, they are dead ships anyhow and I doubt I will even miss in the longer run other than their victory points right now.

I think Jocke pulled off the ultimate cheese in having two tank units invade an atoll. Serves him right. In fact, a little baffled by the attack without the deathstar being present. I don't see the hurry yet.

Well, now Jocke knows where the KB is and I am sure to pay the price in a very aggressive move up New Guinea.[:(]

[Lowpe]

Well, I was going to rush to flip the turn for Jocke, I already sent the replay and combat report to him.

However, Jocke has kindly informed me to take my time...he is going drinking and it will be a late night for him.

[Lowpe]

Midway

[GetAssista]

Congratulations! Well done rebuff to an overconfident Allied war machine. Pursuit in order?

[Lowpe]

Burma

bombed heavily north of Shwebo again.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

Congratulations! Well done rebuff to an overconfident Allied war machine. Pursuit in order?

Not sure to the degree I pursue...I am worried about the deathstar...and I am also really light on combat ships and asw screens, and those ak and ap Jocke sank were going to refuel the KB so I am now not swimming in excess fuel in the area.

KB does have fuel for pursuit for a day or two. Plus I need to check torpedo stores, etc.

Allied ships are a long way from safety, and Midway is size 4 in perfect shape.[:)]

[Lokasenna]

Egads.

By the way, those BBs are fine. Mississippi might be slowed up a little, but without seeing any kind of "heavy damage" from 3 torpedo hits leads me to believe that at least 1 of them did nothing of note, probably more like 2.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Egads.

By the way, those BBs are fine. Mississippi might be slowed up a little, but without seeing any kind of "heavy damage" from 3 torpedo hits leads me to believe that at least 1 of them did nothing of note, probably more like 2.

4 Kingfishers destroyed but from ops...I misread it.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Egads.

By the way, those BBs are fine. Mississippi might be slowed up a little, but without seeing any kind of "heavy damage" from 3 torpedo hits leads me to believe that at least 1 of them did nothing of note, probably more like 2.

4 Kingfishers destroyed but from ops...I misread it.

That would imply that they had nowhere to land - if Sys or Float damage is over 30 (I think), flight ops will be disabled for the ship. With 4 of them lost to ops, I'd figure 2 BBs with damage over 30.

[Lowpe]

Finished the turn and off to the Allies...

What will happen on morrow? This games fortunes turn on a dime, so I suspect a shellacking.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Finished the turn and off to the Allies...

What will happen on morrow? This games fortunes turn on a dime, so I suspect a shellacking.

Nice work here!!! [&o]

Looks like you did your homework and read the tea leaves to perfection. This is the kind of op you dream of playing the Japanese. Saving the base, hitting the amphibs, destroying some CVEs and nailing his old BBs enough they won't be back for a long while!

So ... if fuel allows a day or two of pursuit is absolutely necessary, even if not with the entire KB. You know where the deathstar is located, and subs will be after your ass regardless of if you retreat or go forward. Move unexpectedly, I say, and get some more bounty. Those BBs aren't going anywhere fast and there strangely doesn't seem to be a lot of other surface cover here, right?

Anyway. Have a well earned snifter, sit back and look over the sunk ships report a few more times, and give at least some of your guys a chance to finish off those BBs. [:)]

[Lowpe]

Nov 7, 1943

Midget sub strikes...Allies left three juicy attack transports in Midway while the rest of their fleet scatters.

[Lowpe]

Clean up in aisle six.

[Lowpe]

We find our good friend the New Mexico...

[Lowpe]

And also the Colorado...more heavily damaged than thought, but she still made pretty good speed.

There is an Iboat in that hex...so perhaps we will get lucky.