1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians

[Energisteron]

Day 30 -May 14

We undertake a satisfactory naval bombardment of Attu, and the 2xBB TF is well on its way by dawn.

But today, our CAP fails! Again 15x Bettys come from the west and 13 go on to attack our ground forces. We need to ship in some AAA in the next wave. Our ground units stay on the defensive to preserve supplies committing to just one Regiment bombarding the enemy positions.

At Kiska, air raids continue but are not spectacular.

Back at Dutch Harbor the 5xAPA and escorts arrive safely and begin routine repairs before loading up the second wave of troops for Attu.

[Energisteron]

Day 31 - May 15

Due to continuing bad weather, operational attrition and the fact that Kiska airfield looks to be out of action for the duration, all offensive air operations are scaled right back. Just 1xGp Mitchells from Adak attack Kiska port to little effect although they take no losses.

With CVE Nassau necessarily withdrawing to replenish and replace aircraft, the ground troops on Attu have to sit out another air raid by Bettys from Paramushiro-jima. Fortunately casualties are light. In better weather Lightnings from Adak can provide CAP over Attu Island.

On the ground at Attu, neither side makes a move, not even a bombardment. Our troops have held up well so far but they are beginning to fatigue so a totally defensive posture has been adopted.

Back at Dutch Harbor two CA bombardment TF are formed to attack Attu and Kiska, and the minor operational damage to the APAs is repaired. Zeilin which did take a shell hit at Attu will take a couple more days to repair and will miss this next trip. Reinforcements for Attu will load up tomorrow.

[Energisteron]

Day 32 - May 16

Except for the repetitive thunderclaps it is a very quiet day. Even the Bettys gave Attu a respite today!

But way back in the rear at Dutch Harbor there is plenty of activity. 4xAPAs begin loading another Infantry Regiment, a Combat Battalion and a Field Artillery Battalion all bound for Attu. They will disembark over the beach.

A freighter is also loading with supplies for Adak which our Engineers have improved further (level 5 port). Their efforts will revert to airfield construction.

[Energisteron]

Day 33 - May 17

We hit Attu with another naval bombardment. But on the ground there's nothing to report with both sides sitting it out.

No air activity except Recon from either side. No sign of those Bettys!

Loading of the second wave amphibious invasion force for Attu Island and additional supplies is completed. The TF will sail tomorrow.

[Energisteron]

Day 34 - May 18

This night Kiska gets hit by our naval bombardment.

The second wave Attu invasion TF sets out. It will be caught up by surface combat units and the CVE Nassau before reaching its target.

No air activity in continuing stormy weather.

[Energisteron]

Day 35 - May 19

No combat incidents to report. However, an enemy tanker is spotted approaching Kiska! A CA nearby can intervene tomorrow.

Weather continues stormy. All air ops are suspended. Invasion TF undetected is shadowed by CVE Nassau.

2xAPA including Zeilin and the newly arrived APA Doyen load up the Sea Bees and an AAA Battalion from Dutch Harbor. Their destination Adak from whence they'll collect Combat Engineers for transit to Attu.

[Energisteron]

Day 36 - May 20

The second wave of the Attu invasion supported by CVE Nassau, BB Pennsylvania and CA Indianapolis will commence its run to the beach tonight.

Dependent on the weather, a maximum effort will be made by all air units to support the invasion and protect it from air attack. Bettys are expected to intervene.

CA Louisville will attempt to disrupt the unloading of the tanker(s) at Kiska.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Day 29 - May 13

Action at Attu. The 2xBB TF continues towards Attu to bombard tomorrow. All offensive air ops are cancelled due to stormy weather.

However, the weather does not deter the Japanese who send a ground attack raid all the way from Paramushiro-jima (680 miles from Attu Island). CVE Nassau had split its Wildcats equally between its own CAP defence, and LRCAP over the Attu ground forces, and LRCAP over the approaching BB bombardment TF. Although within range Kiska was ignored. Escorts for raids on Kiska would be sent from Adak.

Consequently, we repulse the air attack with relative ease and inflict heavy losses on the enemy bombers.

On the ground, we simply bombard but other than causing loss of sleep it seems to have little effect.

Your bombardment attack was showing better than 3:1 in raw AV, and your bombardments have no doubt been disrupting him. Might be worth an exploratory deliberate attack. Can you tell from the flak whether he is out of supply yet? (flak stops when supply is used up).
I think Attu has a small port so that xAK and PB you sank would not have had time to unload much unless they were there a day previously.

[Energisteron]

Hi BBfanboy.

Yes, bombardment attacks on Attu must recommence. I was concerned about rising fatigue amongst ground units and the earlier necessity of resupply.

Not seen much flak for a while because the weather has been so bad there's been no air attacks. Certainly he's got plenty of shells for his coastal batteries. Even the Recon has lapsed because of the weather so it's entirely feasible a supply run got in unobserved. I agree about the unloading of the sunk freighter though. It had 12 hours maximum of unloading.

[Energisteron]

Day 36 - May 20 (*EDIT - date corrected)

CA Louisville fails to intercept the enemy fuel convoy which escapes westwards and although detected by SS S-35 the Japanese escort prevents our sub attacking. In the subsequent depth charge attack, S-35 sustains slight damage but it can continue on patrol.

CA Louisville proceeds to bombard Kiska to great effect.

[Energisteron]

Day 36 - May 20 (*EDIT - date corrected)

The second wave landings on Attu Island experience resistance just as heavy as the initial invasion. The enemy seemingly has an inexhaustible supply of shells and in addition to the troop casualties there are hits on DD Hull and APA Harris. Both ships have significant but not critical damage. The infantry are already ashore and only supplies remain to unload tomorrow.

There's no response from the Bettys from Paramushiro-jima (today at any rate!).

We conduct some offensive air missions: 7x Liberators escorted by Wildcats from CVE Nassau make 10 hits on the airfield at Attu, while at Kiska 17x Mitchells escorted by Warhawks from Adak score 6 hits on the port facilities.

On the ground at Attu, the enemy recommence bombardment of the beachhead causing minor casualties.

[BBfanboy]

You are doing fine - only one destroyed squad in the landings - the disabled ones will recover.
I wouldn't bother attacking the port if there are no ships in it. The enemy is likely using ampib TFs for supply anyway, and they do not need a port. Better to keep the airfields closed and bomb ground troops when you have a good d/l on them (the more detailed description of the troop types present will indicate good recon).

[Energisteron]

I agree, BBf. I attacked the port believing the Tankers may still have been there but they'd fled, successfully it seems.

However, it's possible they've doubled back! Read on . . .

[Energisteron]

Day 37 - May 21

A very busy day! In brief, the capital ships with CVE Nassau are detached and send a 'goodbye' bombardment to the Attu defenders; supplies completely unloaded across the beach, but some ships are hit again; Bettys inevitably try to intervene with the debarkation but are repulsed with some loss; LRCAP from CVE Nassau and Lightnings from Adak save the day, and we use all our expanded beachhead force to bombard the enemy preparatory to an attack tomorrow.

Kiska is raided by Venturas and Liberators from Dutch Harbor to maintain our stranglehold. We lose 1x Liberator damaged by flak. However, at sea, the IJN continues to attempt re-supply of the Kiska garrison. The tanker convoy which evaded us last night was possibly spotted briefly by one of our subs (we sent 4 subs to the SW hoping to intercept this convoy) but we fail to make an attack. Another Supply or fuel convoy reaches Kiska despite the presence of 2 of our subs. Whether this is the same convoy which has doubled back or a fresh attempt at resupply is unknown.

[Energisteron]

Day 38 - May 22

Another busy day!

The bombardment TF just north of Kiska is diverted to attempt interception of the discharging Tanker. The operation is wholly successful and both targets are sunk without loss to ourselves.

The invasion TF departs for Dutch Harbor.

Maximum effort air attacks are made against enemy ground forces on Attu Island from Adak, and on Kiska from Dutch Harbor. There is still no enemy fighter cover. A few bombers are damaged while the enemy ground forces are continually pummelled. No Bettys today.

Our force on Attu, now exceeding 3 Infantry Regiments makes a deliberate attack. It makes progress but is costly for both sides.

[BBfanboy]

Good work! The ground combat stats are quite favourable for the good guys. He lost about 14% of his AV destroyed and another 10% disabled. You lost about .6 % destroyed and 15.6 % disabled. You also reduced his forts one level. You should do another deliberate attack immediately. Your odds on the next attack should be about 4:1 and that will take the base.

[Energisteron]

Thanks, BBfanboy

Certainly I intended to stay on the offensive for a second and possibly a third day, but that decision was based more on a 'feeling' that the defenders were about to break and that they're low on supply rather than cold-blooded statistics like you have quoted.

How did you calculate those figures?

The one concern I had was the very large number of our 'disabled' squads (59). Discounting non-combat troops, the enemy lost 26 squads (10 infantry destroyed, 9 engineer destroyed and just 7 disabled), whereas our figures were 61 squads affected (2 destroyed and 59 disabled). Our combat values by comparison for this upcoming turn / last turn:-

159th - - - 78 / 90

17th - - - 95 / 91

4th - - -117 / 130

7th - - - 36 / 35

Total - - -326 / 346 (100 / 106 %)

So, yes, I lost 6% assault value (AV). But how did you make that calculation with the figures you had from my illustration?

How do I go about calculating reduction in the enemy's AV without having specific details?

[Energisteron]

Day 39 - May 23

Today's plan is more of the same! We will attack again on Attu, but the Combat Battalion will be kept in reserve.

[Energisteron]

Day 39 - May 23

The action : we fly 58 bomber sorties over Kiska (targeting the airfield which is under repair) and Attu (targeting ground troops) with satisfactory results. We lose 3x Mitchells and 1x Liberator damaged. There were no outright losses and no enemy fighters. A few enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.

Naval operations continue as planned without any interference from the enemy.

A raid by Bettys from Paramushiro-jima is intercepted and repulsed. We claim 1x Betty destroyed. Our ground forces on Attu were the intended target.

On the ground on Attu, we make another attack with 3 Infantry Regiments, with the Combat Battalion held in reserve. It's a hard fought battle and we take significant casualties but the Japanese defenders are forced to retreat from their base and we take possession destroying aircraft left behind on the airfield. The enemy do not submit however and will continue to contest the Island. It is imperative now that we prevent any resupply or reinforcement by the enemy.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Thanks, BBfanboy

Certainly I intended to stay on the offensive for a second and possibly a third day, but that decision was based more on a 'feeling' that the defenders were about to break and that they're low on supply rather than cold-blooded statistics like you have quoted.

How did you calculate those figures?

The one concern I had was the very large number of our 'disabled' squads (59). Discounting non-combat troops, the enemy lost 26 squads (10 infantry destroyed, 9 engineer destroyed and just 7 disabled), whereas our figures were 61 squads affected (2 destroyed and 59 disabled). Our combat values by comparison for this upcoming turn / last turn:-

159th - - - 78 / 90

17th - - - 95 / 91

4th - - -117 / 130

7th - - - 36 / 35

Total - - -326 / 346 (100 / 106 %)

So, yes, I lost 6% assault value (AV). But how did you make that calculation with the figures you had from my illustration?

How do I go about calculating reduction in the enemy's AV without having specific details?

The combat report shows your raw AV was 369 and the Japanese raw AV was 77. He lost 10 squads destroyed or about 1/7th for raw AV for 14% that you can be certain will not be facing you next time, and 7 disabled which is 1/11th or 9% disabled. You don't know how many of the disabled ones will recover in time for the next round of combat but if he is low on supply and support and the base is not built very big, I would estimate no more than 3 will be there next combat - so his raw AV next time will be about 63.
I calculated your % similarly on raw AV but since you probably brought lots of supply I think recovery will be fairly good and you should have about 20 of those squads for the next combat.
The estimation part comes from the reduction in forts from 2 to 1. In your initial combat you achieved 2:1 at fort level 2, so with his loss of AV and loss of a fort level plus the disruption from your bombing/bombardments next turn I guesstimated 4:1.

BTW, if "Combat Battalion" means Combat Engineers, they should have been included in your next attack to destroy the last remaining fort level and save you many casualties. Do you have more combat engineers for the Kiska attack or do you need to use that battalion?