1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians

[Energisteron]

Day 24 - May 07

The outcome:-

Amazingly this is another quiet day. Why are the enemy TF delaying? Is the target really Attu? One enemy TF has now evaded contact!

There's an afternoon air raid on Kiska (not Attu?) during which we shoot down 1xMitchell for no loss, but generally very poor flying conditions massively curtail air operations. Our Bettys make no move.

Under the leaden sky we lose contact with the Allied TFs heading for Attu (or possibly Kiska?), although all our reactive naval manoeuvres have been implemented and units are in position.

Fortunately although our Supply Convoy received no orders to divert from Attu it is not intercepted by the enemy. It will divert south tomorrow!

This is the situation as we see it at the planning meeting for May 08. Our plans remain unchanged and we await the oncoming enemy!

[Energisteron]

Day 25 - May 08

Who is playing Cat and Mouse with whom?

The enemy Transports make no attempt at landfall and in bad weather it has proved difficult to keep track of their position.

Our sub, I-24, does intercept an enemy Transport TF (probably the second in column) but fails to get in an attack and is badly damaged in the depth-charge attack delivered by 2xDD. This sub is expected to escape back to base but it will be out of action for a very long time.

Perhaps the enemy has turned back because our Surface Combat TF (2xCA 2xCL 2xDD) arrives at the sub interception point but finds no targets.

During the afternoon there is another air raid on Kiska by Mitchells. Deprived of their Zero LRCAP which is now protecting Attu, the Rufes intervene alone and prevent any significant damage. We claim no kills.

To the east of Adak, 4xSS are now searching in vain for the supposed enemy Cruiser and Tankers / Freighters.

So, what is happening?

Assessment of intelligence so far would suggest the enemy originally had an Invasion Force of at least 3 TFs in column about 40-80 NM apart destined by the direct route for Attu (although it could so easily have changed course for Kiska). The leading TF was likely to have been composed of an Assault Wave in Destroyer Transports (5xAPD) accompanied by heavy equipment or supplies in a Freighter.

The second TF seems to have been the main Invasion Force (Second Wave) in 2+ xAPs with a 2+ DD escort, while the third TF for which there is scant information may have been a mix of support vessels and possibly a Surface Combat TF. Meanwhile there are still ill defined reports of at least 1xCA 80 NM east of Adak, plus, of course, 2x xAK / TK, which seem to have been stationary for about a week. Have any of these hit mines? Are they crippled?

There's absolutely no indication of an enemy CV on the loose although naval air support for any invasion would have been expected.

Tomorrow will be a worrying day!

[Energisteron]

Day 26 - May 09

On the presumption that the enemy invasion (or ruse) has turned back we change plans as follows:-

The 2xSST with relatively few torpedoes will abandon its position near Attu, meet the damaged sub I-24 and assist her back to P-jima.

Another CA arrives at Paramushiro-jima and is sent out immediately with the 4xAPD currently patrolling around Attu racing west to meet up with her as escort.

Our main Surface Combat TF will make a bold move eastwards before turning towards the long-standing CA contact 80 NM east of Adak. It is possible we could intercept a 'retreating' APA TF along the way. Meanwhile the 4xSS will continue to search for the same enemy Cruiser, assisted by Jakes and Bettys from Kiska.

The Supply convoy to the south will cautiously attempt to run into Attu again.

[Energisteron]

Day 26 - May 09

An exciting day but without a decisive result.

Jake Recon from Kiska seems to confirm enemy Invasion TFs have retreated towards Dutch Harbor. They are now approximately 160 NM NW of there. Our Surface Combat TF does not intercept the retiring APAs which make good their escape. Our Bettys find no targets.

However, our 4xSS 80 NM east of Adak produce a result! SS I-7 finds and hits a US Freighter, xAK George W. Julian and puts a torpedo in her side. She is now in flames and heavily damaged. The sub escapes unscathed.

No air attacks by the enemy on Kiska or Attu.

[Energisteron]

Day 27 - May 10

The newly arrived CA Myoko is joined by 4xAPD as escort, but with fuel running short 2xAPD are separated and sent back to P-jima to replenish. The CA Myoko then takes up station at Attu.

Our principal Surface Combat TF continues its sweep east of Adak and finally catches the enemy Suppy Tf that had been lurking there for over a week. Both Allied ships, the PG Charleston that had previously hit a mine, and the xAK Sacajewa are both sunk without loss or damage to ourselves.

[Energisteron]

Day 27 - May 10

Of course, it was something of a calculated risk sending our heavier Naval units so close to Allied Air Bases, and sure enough, as it withdraws from surface combat, the TF comes under heavy air attack by level bombers from Dutch Harbor.

However, no damage is done. All ships emerge unscathed but also our flak fails to hit any of the attacking aircraft.

The enemy also made a raid on Ground Forces on Kiska to little effect but again we damage none of the attacking Mitchell bombers.

We are relieved to report that SS I-31 that torpedoed another Freighter east of Adak after being badly damaged limps into Paramushiro-jima harbour. Its Commander, LCDR Kokura is nominated for a medal citation.

[Energisteron]

Day 28 - May 11

With the Allied Invasion apparently driven off and Adak Island looking virtually defenceless, our Surface Combat TF (2xCA 2xCL 2xDD) takes the opportunity whilst nearby to bombard Adak overnight. With a three-quarter moon, and no response from the shoreline, we inflict significant damage on the Allied base at no cost to ourselves.

Our subs which had concentrated to attack the enemy Supply Convoy are dispersed to interception positions north of Adak.

There is another ineffectual air raid against Kiska with no losses on either side. The Rufes have been heavily engaged for a while and have been replaced with a fresh group from P-jima. We also sent a Group of Oscars forward to Attu to join the Zeros there. Both Attu and Kiska have been fortified to level 3 and resouces will now build up the airbase.

However, our Recon spots renewed enemy activity later in the day and it would seem the enemy Invasion Force has turned about and is heading for Attu and possibly Kiska also! Clever, our heavy naval units have just used up most of their ammunition on Adak and need to replenish back at P-jima. The round trip including re-arming will take about 5 days.

[Energisteron]

Day 29 - May 12

Here's the position when planning today's orders.

Despite a relative shortage of ammunition our primary Surface Combat TF must surely intervene and head towards the enemy TF approaching Attu. The CA Mayo at Attu already will be joined by 2xDD released from the escort of the Freighters currently unloading there. The Supply convoy now escorted by just 2xE will stop unloading and again try to evade enemy action but keep handy for a return supply run by heading into the wide waters to the south.

We have just 6xBettys on Kiska which will intervene weather permitting.

[Energisteron]

Day 29 - May 12

The action? Well, there's virtually nil activity except Recon by both sides. Despite better weather we again lose track of many of the enemy TFs but certainly none arrive at Attu or Kiska!

It appears the large Supply / Transport TF (APDs and AKs) has docked at Adak having evaded our subs. There's also Minesweepers operating there now too. Now that's a surprise!

Other than at Adak all we can spot is a couple of enemy DDs 160 NM north of Adak. Everything else has disappeared from the plot!

[Energisteron]

Day 30 - May 13

Tonight might just decide the outcome of this entire battle!

Have the Allied Invasion TFs turned back again? Are they trying to draw us too far east so they can hit us with land-based aircraft and an as yet undetected threat from a CV and Capital Ships? Or have they estimated we are too strong and fallen back again?

Our Surface Combat TF, despite its shortage of ammunition, will use its speed and head 200 NM east to chase after any retreating enemy convoys and hopefully intercept them. The solitary CA at Attu will remain there to protect against an invasion while our subs remain vigilant east of Adak.

Bettys based at Kiska will attempt to attack the enemy ships unloading at Adak and we will maintain a CAP over both our bases and surface ships as best as we can. These will include our Supply TF down south which will attempt to put in at Kiska.

Back at Paramushiro-jima we get a new DD and a couple of Subs.

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

In the event, the night action opened with a damp squib! Our SS, I-34, spotted an enemy Convoy approximately 200 NM NE of Adak, and was detected by the Escort before she could make an attack but escaped unharmed. We do learn, however, that xAP North Coast and DD Frazier were part of this TF and it was still moving WEST!!

[Energisteron]

Day 30 - May 13

Later that night a decisive Naval Action is fought 160 NM north-east of Kiska Island.

Our principal Surface Combat TF (2xCA 2xCL 2xDD), tasked with heading east at high speed to intercept any retreating enemy convoys, locates an enemy Transport TF but in poor visibility the enemy evades combat for a few hours. Our TF's superior speed enables a re-engagement with spectacular results. Totally out-gunned the enemy TF is scattered with great loss but not before Canadian Merchant Cruiser AMC Prince Robert had fought a brave yet futile rearguard action which damaged CA Maya, and very badly damaged DD Wakaba. Both were on fire although fires have since been brought under control.

Later in the day, a short distance further east, the Canadian Corvette KV Vancouver, damaged and apparently abandoned by the faster Destroyers, DD Farragut and Balch, is sighted and promptly sunk.

Information, perhaps from survivors recovered from the water, indicates that two LSTs definitely sank with the estimated loss of 26 Guns and 24 Vehicles and an unknown number of troops. We do not determine, however, to which Allied unit they belonged.

There are no retaliatory enemy air attacks in response and our victorious TF turns for home to replenish.

There is the usual air raid on Kiska. Mitchells attack at 15k ft to little effect, losing 2 damaged air-to-air and one destroyed by flak.

The second of our badly damaged subs, SS I-24, reaches P-jima safely.

[Energisteron]

Now, my question for all you veteran players out there is this:

How could a human player, perhaps anticipating interception by our Cruisers, have better defended the Transports?

In that situation I would probably have detached the Merchant Cruiser and one or both Destroyers and trailed behind the Transports as they retreated eastwards hopefully fighting a delaying action and giving the slow boats time to slip away. Equally, one could have considered dispersing the convoy north, south and east in the hope that fewer would be detected and sunk.

Is there any way, in the orders phase, in which that could be done without actually splitting the convoy? In other words by using the correct settings to permit the TF Commander's initiative to do the trick?

Would the AI, friendly or as in this case my opponent, have been capable of doing that?

[BBfanboy]

If the enemy had intel on your cruisers before they made contact he should have kept the convoy together but sent it off toward Nome or someplace away from assumed retreat routes towards DH. Unless you had FPs on night search they would likely dodge interception. At the same time, his bombers should have been set to naval attack at low level - you likely had no CAP. Thus when your FPs on search found the convoy during the day, your TF might retreat anyway because of the bomber threat, or he might score some hits on you in retaliation.

Knowing the Allied OOB from your playing the other side, the big weakness of the AI was inadequate escort. The US BBs should have been with that convoy.

At any rate - well done on the intercept!

[Energisteron]

Hi BBfanboy

Thanks for your review of the situation.

Yes, I had my rag-tag collection of 8 Float Planes, 2xJakes, 2xAlfs and 4xPetes, set-up 50:50 Day/Night all flying at 6k ft with half checking for ships at Adak Island and half checking a 90 degree arc dead ahead due east.

The TF did not react, it simply collided with the oncoming enemy and gave chase. In fact, initially, it seems the Allied TF sought contact after radar detection but then evaded!

[Deathifier]

ORIGINAL: Energisteron
How could a human player, perhaps anticipating interception by our Cruisers, have better defended the Transports?

In that situation I would probably have detached the Merchant Cruiser and one or both Destroyers and trailed behind the Transports as they retreated eastwards hopefully fighting a delaying action and giving the slow boats time to slip away. Equally, one could have considered dispersing the convoy north, south and east in the hope that fewer would be detected and sunk.

Is there any way, in the orders phase, in which that could be done without actually splitting the convoy? In other words by using the correct settings to permit the TF Commander's initiative to do the trick?

Would the AI, friendly or as in this case my opponent, have been capable of doing that?

If surface forces are expected you send surface forces greater in power than what is expected.

Those surface forces work best if detached from the transports.

Splitting off the DD's wouldn't really do much (and splitting off the KV and AMC even less) - they might skirmish with your force and might cause enough of a distraction to prevent an intercept of the transports, however if they get in a fight and get hit they are no match for CA's and thus there is no way for them to force your surface TF away from the transports.

Now the AI does escort their invasion fleets so it is possible heavier units are around but are escorting the APA transports that have been sighted.
CA's and BB's are hard to confuse with a transport so if they are around I'd expect at least some reports of them amongst whatever it is they are escorting.

As for knowing or not knowing what is around the AI TF's already appear to have retreated once from spotted or suspected surface forces.
Transports will also retreat from air forces however I don't think you have enough in the area to be scary - check the air balance (airbal) value over the various front line bases.

There are also no specific settings you can give the transport TF to help them avoid the encounter.
What you are expected to do is re-route the TF out of harm's way (the auto re-route to avoid hostiles demonstrates this idea), escort it properly if you are sending it in to harm's way, or otherwise get rid of whatever it is trying to cause harm.

For this encounter BBfanboy pointed out the AI's problem quite clearly - insufficient escort.

- Deathifier

[Energisteron]

Thanks, Deathifier

I will take note of all that. I was especially unaware of the 'AirBal' button. I'll look out for it!

I would agree Capital Ships would be expected to operate best as a Surface Combat TF not encumbered by slower vessels, and knowing (from memory of my play of the Allied side) that by now the AI must have CAs and BBs and I think 4xCLs I was fully expecting them to appear ahead of and not behind any Transports! I thought they may come up now and really hammer me, but I've just got through the next turn and they don't. The AI simply repeats its mistake!

It would be easy to say the AI is broken at this point (having seen what happens next!) but I will play on. Play up, play up, play the game as they say!

[Energisteron]

Day 31 - May 14

In game terms I've just scored a LOT of Victory Points! I've just gained about 30 points for sinkings (mainly the AMS since the LSTs are worth only 3 points), but, of course, they were loaded to the gills and went down with about 40 Troop points. That is a disaster which I'm so pleased I avoided when playing as the Allies.

So, we need to consolidate first, and then hopefully sweep up. But we'll see.

Plans for today: the main Surface Combat TF severely depleted of all ammunition (except for AAA) must return to P-jima to repair and replenish. That leaves just one Cruiser and its two Destroyer escorts guarding Attu Island itself. It will be under orders not to stray further than 40 NM out from the coast. Zeros will provide a CAP for the island and the Cruiser. The Oscars will roam a bit further up to 200 NM out including Kiska.

At Kiska we have nothing as intimidating as a Cruiser. There's just 4 midget subs and six Bettys! Plus there's Jake Recon and Rufe float fighters for CAP. Thankfully the AI in its wisdom attacked Attu first. Suspecting we have a window of opportunity, our Supply TF will put into Kiska to unload.

Back at P-jima, we load up fuel for Attu on 2xSST. Attu has no fuel at all! But then again there's just the one SSX based there so it doesn't 'eat' much. 4xAPD load supplies, and 4xSS (2 of them new and all shiny) will set out for patrol zones NE of Attu and Kiska. We've done with mining Adak where there seems to be a considerable force of enemy vessels of all types.

We have only one definite enemy contact currently: a Transport / Supply Convoy nearly 400 NM NE of Kiska, and we know there must be the escaping 2xDD somewhere near also.

So this is how our plot looked just now.

[Energisteron]

Day 31 - May 14

There's a night air raid on Kiska. It is inconsequential.

[Energisteron]

Day 31 - May 14

And then the AI attempted to commit suicide!

In broad daylight, and with visibility under a clear sky (yes, a big surprise!) nearly 30,000 yards, a previously undetected Allied Transport TF nonchalantly steams into Attu Bay and inevitably meets CA Myoko, DD Shirakumo and DD Hatsushima.

The Allied TF consisted of 3 Transports (1xLS(M), 1x xAP and 1x xAK) and 3 Destroyers (one being a Minesweeper) and it came on bold and strong, taking fire from CA Myoko from 24,000 yards, but closed to 8000 yards and with its Destroyers launched salvo after salvo of torpedoes to no avail. Nevertheless both CA Myoko and DD Shirakumo suffered hits from 5 inch guns before all three enemy Transports, our primary targets, were set ablaze. The Allied Destroyers did a great job of shepherding their charges away from under the guns of our TF and when the engagement was broken off, due to lack of ammunition, all the enemy ships were still afloat!

It seems highly likely that the Transports will struggle to make port. Unfortunately, DD Shirakumo was in such a bad state she was detached fro the TF to limp home with DD Hatushima alongside her, leaving CA Myoko unescorted and totally out of ammunition except for AAA shells and a solitary torpedo! Under these circumstances CA Myoko departs her designated patrol zone and leaves Attu undefended!

[Energisteron]

Day 32 - May 15

It was tempting to write, 'nothing happened', but I can report that (edit : omission) DD Shirakumo failed to control escalating damage and sank thus freeing up DD Hatsushima to reunite with CA Myoko on their return journey to Paramushiro-jima, the APD and SST fast convoys set-out for Kiska and Attu respectively, and CVL Zuiho arrives back at P-jima. Now there's a carrot that can catch the rabbit! If I deploy CVL Zuiho and lose her then that's 129 points to the enemy. It's just not worth the risk at the moment.

No enemy air raids night or day, and neither do our Bettys find anything to chase around despite having some very smart looking torpedoes now!