Back for the First Time – Allied AAR vs. AI - War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition

[BBfanboy]

Looks like you are on a roll everywhere.
I particularly like killing subs in port - then you know for sure they are gone!

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like you are on a roll everywhere.
I particularly like killing subs in port - then you know for sure they are gone!

Agreed...killing those subs in port was satisfying. There is a definite relief that comes with the realization that 12 fewer enemy subs will be stalking my supply routes.

[Schlussel]

Week 88: August 11th – August 17th 1943
North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu. No IJN activity.




Central Pacific:
Truk bombing motoring along nicely. I currently have 11 Liberator squadrons targeting the Airfield (no more shipping sighted in port). Reported damage to Truk at the end of the week is 65% Airfield and 33% port.

Satawal’s AF is slowly expanding…currently 64% of the way to level 1. It has 60 AV support, so it will be able to host CAP once at level 1.




Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity.




South-West Pacific:
Shipping gathering at Rabaul, preparing for Ulithi and Woleai invasions. Troop prep is in the mid 80’s, so the operation will load up in a little over a week.




DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, no IJN activity noted.




SE Asia/China:

Allied offensive continues after the fall of Moulmein. Small recon force (209 AV) advances 3 hexes down the coast towards Tavoy. IJA screening force is very weak (<20 AV), but preliminary reports show the Tavoy garrison is stout (7 units and almost 30K troops…including the 10th Division). In the air, this base has over 125 fighters and about 50 bombers, so a few Cruisers from Moulmein have been sent to bombard…let’s see if they can stir up some trouble. This base will definitely take more than what I have assigned; however, my immediate goal is to cut off the Japanese in Indochina…so advancing down the Malay Peninsula will have to take a backseat for now.

The bulk of the Allied Advance heads Southeast/East from Moulmein and encounters heavy resistance on the road to Rahaeng. Infantry support is currently being brought up from Mandalay…and the rail line in Burma is proving to be very valuable for this.

CAP over Rangoon has recovered somewhat, available planes are up to 85-ish. A few small IJAF raids materialize, but are easily dispatched.

In China, supply is healthy in the southern part of the country, but the front line areas in the north (around Loyang) are still borderline starving. Due to the lack of good roads connecting this area to Chunking, I have moved a few transport squadron from Burma to fly supply in. Won’t be much, but any little bit helps.




Notable Base Captures:
- None




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 5,835 [+116]
Biggest Losses (#): Hurricane IIc (471), P-40K Warhawk (410), SBD-3 Dauntless (363)

Japanese: 16,229 [+310]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (4,228), Ki-48 Lily (1,658), Ki-27b Nate (1,434)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 559 [+1]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Nassau, CVE Corregidor, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 1,217 [+11]
Notables: CV Soryu, CV Kaga, CV Junyo, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVL Ryuho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, BB Mutsu, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 10,465 [+8]
Japanese: 7,937 [+37]
A/J Ratio: 1.32 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 48,839 [+372]
Japanese: 30,015 [+175]
A/J Ratio: 1.63 to 1




Operation Forbearance:
Phase 1A: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Establish naval blockade of Truk using DD’s and submarines. - COMPLETE
-Knock out Truk airfield - COMPLETE [Airfield is 65% damaged]

Phase 1B: [May 1943 to July 1943]
-Assault & capture Kusaie – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Ponape – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Eniwetok. – COMPLETE.

Phase 1C: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Assault & capture Woleai - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 1 unit/4.6K troops/22 guns].
-Assault & capture Ulithi - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 2 units/10.2K troops/175 guns].
-Assault & capture Yap - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 2 units/2.5K troops/45 guns].
-Assault & capture Babeldaoab - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 4 units/12.2K troops/62 guns/61F/58B/27AUX].




Other Notes:
-Army fighter pools for Spitfire Vc, P-40N, and Hurricane IIc are dangerously low (at or below 20 and falling). These are my workhorse fighters in Burma, so I am curtailing offensive missions as much as possible while still supporting the general offensive. In addition I have turned off upgrades for some P-40K squadrons to ease the strain on the P-40N pools. The good news is naval air pools are doing quite well, I’ve got over 300 Hellcats, 200 Dauntless’, and 200 Devastators [Edit: Avengers]. The upcoming invasions in the Central Pacific will rely almost solely on Carrier air support, so strong reserve pools will be vital to allow me to keep up the pressure and pace of operations.

[Bif1961]

200 Devastators or Avengers?

[Schlussel]

DOH, good catch Bif1961. I meant Avengers. [&o]

[Andy Mac]

note to self plan surprises for Burma front

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

note to self plan surprises for Burma front

I like your thinking. Maybe the Allied capture of Rangoon could trigger a giant booze-fueled party (with an appropriate supply loss at the base) along with the surrender of all Japanese troops in Burma/Indochina. Sounds like a good surprise to me. [:D]

[Schlussel]

Week 89: August 18th – August 24th 1943
North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu. No IJN activity.




Central Pacific:
Truk bombing campaign is progressing better than expected (Reported damage to Truk at the end of the week is 100% Airfield and 36% port). I currently have 11 Liberator squadrons targeting the Airfield, although some will be diverted to hit Woleai to support amphibs operations there.

Satawal’s AF is slowly expanding…currently 80% of the way to level 1. At the current rate, I should reach that in a little over a week.

Woleai invasion fleet is three hexes southeast of its target. Tonight a few CA/DDs will attempt to soften up the beaches, and then we put boots on the ground. CB’s and base forces are in the initial wave, so this base should be up and running quickly…and with any luck it will be available to support the Yap/Ulithi invasions late next week.
Speaking of that, the Yap/Ulithi invasion fleets have just finished loading @ Rabaul. With 3 concurrent invasions going on, I have a shortage of APA/AKA ships at Rabaul, so I prioritize them for Ulithi since it is the Atoll. I’ll need to get everyone unloaded the first day so the auto-shock attack only happens once. Other than that, both invasions are very similar. Both have a combined-arms makeup (Infantry/Armor/Artillery, and Combat Engineers) and will have BB bombardments and CV support (both offensive and defensive). No signs of KB, but I have small DD groups on early warning picket duty.




Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity.




South-West Pacific:
Slowly reducing the Japanese pocket on Northern New Guinea. 2EB and bombardment TFs visit multiple times a week to pay their respects.




DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, no IJN activity noted.




SE Asia/China:
The Allied advance towards Rahaeng runs up against a large IJA presence SE of Moulmein. Currently Allied forces are a little spent from the effort to capture of Moulmein, so the advance will take a short breather to allow the infantry to recuperate.
The slow advance on Rahaeng is contrasted by the lightning quick progress the Allies are making down the coast towards Tavoy.

By the end of the week, advance elements blow through a small Japanese force 46 Miles NE of Tavoy, and the Allies are now marching on Tavoy itself. Tavoy will be quite the fortress, as it is inhabited by at least 1 division (the 10th ID). In addition, a reported 150 fighters and 80 bombers are now based there. I begin a concerted effort to whittle the enemy air in Tavoy with a combination of sweeps/bombing runs, and CA/DD bombardments. Rangoon is 7 hexes from Tavoy, and it is proving to be a perfect base from bombardment runs. I am able to conduct nightly runs by a CA/DD force that is helping to destroy/damage Japanese airpower in Tavoy.

Another big IJAF raid on Rangoon. This time, 45 Sally’s are escorted by nearly 100 fighters. The force bullies its way past the Allied CAP and hits the base…but the damage was minor. Despite getting through, Allied fighters made the enemy pay…over 30 aircraft are shot down (20 are bombers).

In China, troops are in a defensive posture. The supply situation is improving drastically. So much so, that I have moved some Chinese P-66’s from Chunking to frontline bases at Kweilin and Kanhsien. These squadrons are now enjoying escort-free intercepts of Betty’s/Lily’s. It’s free lunch time…NOM-NOM. China is starting to turn from a Japanese training ground into an Allied one.




IJN Watch:
-No capital ship sightings this week.




Notable Base Captures:
- None




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 5,952 [+117]
Biggest Losses (#): Hurricane IIc (475), P-40K Warhawk (441), SBD-3 Dauntless (365)

Japanese: 16,513 [+284]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (3,832), Ki-48 Lily (1,404), Ki-27b Nate (1,399)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 559 [+0]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Nassau, CVE Corregidor, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 1,227 [+10]
Notables: CV Soryu, CV Kaga, CV Junyo, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVL Ryuho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, BB Mutsu, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 10,479 [+14]
Japanese: 7,997 [+60]
A/J Ratio: 1.31 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 49,252 [+413]
Japanese: 30,197 [+182]
A/J Ratio: 1.63 to 1




Operation Forbearance:
Phase 1A: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Establish naval blockade of Truk using DD’s and submarines. - COMPLETE
-Knock out Truk airfield - COMPLETE [Airfield is 100% damaged]

Phase 1B: [May 1943 to July 1943]
-Assault & capture Kusaie – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Ponape – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Eniwetok. – COMPLETE.

Phase 1C: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Assault & capture Woleai - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 1 unit/5.1K troops/30 guns. D-Day is 8-25].
-Assault & capture Ulithi - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 2 units/8.7K troops/66 guns. D-Day in approx. 1 week].
-Assault & capture Yap - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 2 units/2.1K troops/41 guns. D-Day in approx. 1 week].
-Assault & capture Babeldaoab - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 4 units/11.6K troops/41 guns/71F/57B/23AUX. 12 ships in port, mostly DD’s].




Other Notes:
-All eyes are focused on the Central Pacific near Woleai. The next turn or two will give me some good feedback on the accuracy of my long range recon, and shape how much I can rely on it in the future.

[Schlussel]

Week 90: August 25th – August 31st 1943

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu. No IJN activity.




Central Pacific:
Truk bombing campaign hit a bit of a lull, when a bunch of bombers had to stand down to recover from fatigue. Now only 3 squadrons are hitting the airfield, and the rest are on port and ground attack missions. 3-4 squadrons will be transferred to Hollandia early next week to begin hitting those CD guns.

Satawal’s AF is slowly expanding…currently 96% of the way to level 1. Should get there the day after tomorrow. Then I can bring in a fighter squadron and not have to worry about pesky Betty raids damaging my Catalinas based there.

Woleai invasion went off smoothly. Less than 10 disabled squads on the landing and the auto-shock attack took the base, with the cost of only 15 disabled squads. The Japanese had a base force and a small SNLF detachment, and both were wiped out, in all the Japanese lost 27 combat squads, 283 Non-Combat squads, and 28 Guns.

At the end of the week, the Yap and Ulithi invasions made landfall, and both couldn’t have gone any better. Yap was lightly defended and the Marines easily dispatched them on the first day. Not to be outdone, the two Aussie brigades (plus combat engineers) took the more heavily defended Ulithi just as easily. Total losses on these two islands were about 3,000 for the Japanese (151 Combat Squads, 215 Non-Combat, and 42 Guns) and 340 for the Allies (16 Combat Squads, 10 Non-Combat, and 4 Guns).

Babeldoab is next, but it will require some help from the air force to silence (or a least disrupt) the costal defense guns believed to reside there. The tentative plan is to use carrier support to sweep away the CAP, and then use Liberators based in Hollandia to cause as much disruption as possible so that bombardment TFs can go in. ETA for the land invasion is about two weeks, so the air force should have enough time to complete their mission.




Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity.




South-West Pacific:
Slowly reducing the Japanese pocket on Northern New Guinea. 2EB and bombardment TFs keep the pressure on.




DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, no IJN activity noted.




SE Asia/China:
The Allied advance towards Rahaeng resumes, as fatigue and disruption are down to “normal” malaria-zone levels. The Japanese stack just west of Raheng is sizeable (15 units/21K troops/219 Guns/67 AFVs), however, movement ticks indicate at least a portion of the stack is moving into Raheng proper. Well played Mr.AI, defending behind a river is in your best interests.

The Allied drive down the coast towards Tavoy is going well. Advance elements (1 Recon btn. & 3 small armor regiments) arrive in Tavoy and hold off a determined Japanese assault. Both sides have resigned to sit back and lob artillery shells at one another. Raw AV is 213:462 in favor of the Japanese, but I have a few British brigades and an Indian division en route (~900AV). I’ll just hold on for about a week, using the allied air force to keep the Japanese disrupted.

Allied air power flexes its muscles and overwhelms the Japanese CAP over Tavoy. The sweeps came in first and wore the enemy fighters down, and then the Mitchells/Liberators came in and plastered the airfield. At the end of the day, the airfield was 76% damaged and 45+ enemy planes were destroyed on the ground.

Mid-Week, a strong IJN surface force (BB Kirishima/BB Nagato + 4 CAs) appears near Tavoy. Their arrival coincided with a planned night time bombardment by 5 Allied CAs and 4 BBs (The 4 R’s – Revenge, Resolution, Royal Sov, and Ramilles). What resulted was a pretty intense naval engagement. First the enemy surprised the 4 BBs and while both sides got in their shots, Revenge got the worst of it (40+ system damage) with the other Allied ships only taking minor (<10) system damage. Then the Japanese force intercepted the Allied Cruisers, but after a brief firefight (without any hits), the Allies broke off the engagement. In the end, neither of my bombardment TFs were able to hit Tavoy, with both opting to retreat north under the Allied cap umbrella near Rangoon/Moulmein. In the morning, the Allies had their chance at a counter blow, as recon sighted the Japanese TF one hex north-west of Tavoy. Two squadrons of veteran Albacores (a 6 plane and an 18 plane) attacked and put two torpedoes into the Kirishima and 1 into CA Myoko. Not bad, but then I was delighted to see that both Albacore squadrons sortied again in the PM phase…and here they delivered the coup de grace…putting another fish into BB Kirishima and FOUR into BB Nagato. No sinking sounds, but both BBs showed up on the sunk ship list the next day. Recon the following day only sighted the 4 cruisers (Myoko in Tavoy and the other 3 retreating southwest), so I think it’s safe to say “Scratch two more IJN battlewagons”.

Another big IJAF raid on Rangoon. This time, 75 Sally’s are escorted by nearly 80 fighters (I don’t know how they can keep this up). This time I have a stiffer CAP up, and the Japanese force is demolished. Over 65 enemy planes are shot down (mostly bombers) and none of them make it to release their bomb loads. In all, 145 Japanese planes were lost that day.

In China, troops are in a defensive posture, and the supply situation is still improving. Transport planes are flying supply from Chunking to Sian, and it is really helping the supply situation in the Loyang area, which has been borderline starving for a while now.




IJN Watch:
-2BB/4CA spotted near Tavoy




Notable Base Captures:
- Woleai [Central Pacific] captured by the Allies (8/25)
- Yap [Central Pacific] captured by the Allies (8/31)
- Ulithi [Central Pacific] captured by the Allies (8/31)




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 6,089 [+137]
Biggest Losses (#): Hurricane IIc (482), P-40K Warhawk (470), SBD-3 Dauntless (366)

Japanese: 17,015 [+502]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (4,013), Ki-48 Lily (1,650), Ki-27b Nate (1,552)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 559 [+0]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Nassau, CVE Corregidor, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 1,231 [+4]
Notables: CV Soryu, CV Kaga, CV Junyo, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVL Ryuho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, BB Mutsu, BB Kirishima, BB Nagato, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Aoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 10,501 [+22]
Japanese: 8,289 [+292]
A/J Ratio: 1.26 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 50,166 [+914]
Japanese: 30,343 [+146]
A/J Ratio: 1.65 to 1




Operation Forbearance:
Phase 1A: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Establish naval blockade of Truk using DD’s and submarines. - COMPLETE
-Knock out Truk airfield - COMPLETE [Airfield is 100% damaged]

Phase 1B: [May 1943 to July 1943]
-Assault & capture Kusaie – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Ponape – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Eniwetok. – COMPLETE.

Phase 1C: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Assault & capture Woleai - COMPLETE [Development-PORT: 2(1) AIR: 2(0) Damage-Runway:60 Service:45 Port:87].
-Assault & capture Ulithi - COMPLETE [Development-PORT: 4(3) AIR: 0(0) Damage-Runway:0 Service:0 Port:77].
-Assault & capture Yap - COMPLETE [Development-PORT: 1(1) AIR: 2(3) Damage: Runway:15 Service:51 Port:91].
-Assault & capture Babeldaoab - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 4 units/11.6K troops/55 guns/44F/12B/28AUX. 12 ships in port, mostly AMC’s].




Other Notes:
-Over 500 Japanese planes were lost this week, including 145 on one day alone. Allied planes took some elevated losses as well, but I am happy with the ratio this week. The grind continues on the ground, sea, and in the air.

[BBfanboy]

Congrats on your successes last week! Sinking 5 IJN BBs already is great progress! Hope you can finish off Myoko. Please change the name of the last CA in your IJN ship sunk list to Aoba!

[Taxcutter]

Great progress.

I keep trying to jump start my operations up to your tempo.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Congrats on your successes last week! Sinking 5 IJN BBs already is great progress! Hope you can finish off Myoko. Please change the name of the last CA in your IJN ship sunk list to Aoba!

Thanks BBF for the kudos and the fact checking! I updated those ship names on my previous post.

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter

Great progress.

I keep trying to jump start my operations up to your tempo.

Don't worry about keeping pace, you are dealing with Ironman AI. With all the extra goodies Japan gets in that mod, I fully expect you to have a tougher go than I do. Good news is you look to have stemmed the Japanese tide, I will eagerly follow your upcoming DEI excursion. [8D]

[jwolf]

My bet is that neither of the IJN BBs sank. But even if that's right, they are both out of action for a very long time. In my game I found out -- partly the hard way -- that the Japanese AI will make vigorous attempts to maintain naval superiority in the Andaman Sea area, and in turn the Malacca Strait when the action moves down there. They do have a great facility at Singapore and good lines of communication. My prediction is that you will see, at one time or another, every BB the Japanese have, including Yamato and Musashi, in that theater. Just make sure you have good naval and/or air assets to match them. The Brit Albacore squadrons are very good but they are highly vulnerable to enemy CAP if you make a mistake.

[Schlussel]

You're right on jwolf. At this point in the war, as long as those BBs are laid up in the yards, that's almost as good as a sinking....almost...as the VP haul for a sinking would be even nicer.[:D]

Thanks for the heads up on the AI's tactics in SE Asia, I will make sure to keep my eyes peeled for IJN surface assets.

[Schlussel]

Situation Report – September 1st 1943





Central/North Pacific:

Capital Ships: 6-CV, 1-CVL, 4-CVE, 1-BB (@Pearl Harbor)
Fuel Reserves: 2,940K @ Pearl Harbor
Near-Term Plans: Continue developing bases in Aleutians. Operation to secure critical bases in Marshalls/Gilberts. 27th, 43rd, and 7th Inf. Divisions are prepping for Tarawa, Kwajalein, and Roi Namur respectively.
Long Term Plans: Advance on Marianas.




SW Pacific:

Capital Ships: 2-CVE, 1-CVL, 13-BB
Fuel Reserves: 1,701K @ Noumea
325K @ Milne Bay
273K @ Rabaul
Near-Term Plans: Secure bases near Biak on New Guinea coast.
Long Term Plans: Develop bases to be used as launch points for two axis advance towards Marianas/Philippines.




SE Asia/China:

Capital Ships: 4-BB (@Colombo)
Fuel Reserves: 1,706K @ Colombo
1,405K @ Rangoon
Near-Term Plans: Advance down the coast and capture Tavoy/Mergui. Separate Allied advance to head inland and capture Bangkok via the Rahaeng road.
Long Term Plans: Threaten Singapore/Saigon. Link up with Chinese in Indochina.




Base Supply/Construction Status:

Attu:
Port Size: 3.60 (+0.10)
Airfield Size: 3.77 (+0.09)
Supplies: 1K (10 Weeks of normal operations)

Eniwetok:
Port Size: 4.66 (+0.49)
Airfield Size: 1.13 (+0.10)
Supplies: 27K (25+ Weeks of normal operations)

Hollandia:
Port Size: 6.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 31K (10+ Weeks of normal operations)

Milne Bay:
Port Size: 6.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 7.60 (+0.28)
Supplies: 126K (100+ Weeks of normal operations)

Manus:
Port Size: 7.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.00 (+0.02)
Supplies: 65K (20+ Weeks of normal operations)

Mussau:
Port Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 7.29 (+0.62)
Supplies: 25K (3 Weeks of normal operations)

Pago-Pago:
Port Size: 4.01 (+0.11)
Airfield Size: 6.41 (+0.08)
Supplies: 46K (20+ Weeks of normal operations)

Rabaul:
Port Size: 7.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 32K (1.5 Weeks of normal operations)
*Large supply drop due to Woleai/Yap/Ulithi invasions. Supply ships with approx. 140,000 supply are docked in Rabaul harbor and unloading.

Rangoon:
Port Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 357K (20+ Weeks of normal operations)

Ulithi:
Port Size: 4.53
Airfield Size: 0.56
Supplies: 5K (1 Week of normal operations)
*Supply offloading

Yap:
Port Size: 1.00
Airfield Size: 2.00
Supplies: 7K (3 Week of normal operations)
*Supply offloading

[Schlussel]

**FLASH REPORT September 3, 1943**

**FOR YOUR EYES ONLY**

Situation: Early on 2 Sept, PBY search aircraft spotted Japanese carriers north of Satawal, heading North West toward the beaches at Ulithi and Yap. Allied command was surprised at this development, as local naval search out of Satawal was focused in a 90 degree arc from Babeldoab to the Marianas. The Japanese TF approached from the east, and attacked 3 xAK anchored at Satawal. The strike consisted of 40 Judys and 40 Jills, escorted by over 50 Zeroes...the American xAKs had no chance, but they served to warn the larger TFs to the north west. Now the Japanese are poised to strike at the Ulithi/Yap invasion beaches, which are jammed with AKs/LSTs offloading supply.

Plan: Allied command has decided to turtle with all local carrier strength near Yap/Ulithi to cover the critical re-supply effort on both islands. Dauntlesses and Avengers are standing down from naval strikes and instead focusing on ASW and naval search. Assuming CAP can attrit Japanese carrier air, the carriers will then look to switch to an offensive stance.

As the Allies wonder how their improved equipment and training will match up against the cream of the Japanese air force...the first major carrier clash of 1943 looms large...

**END TRANSMISSION**

[jwolf]

Did the Japanese carriers come from Truk? Seems weird considering how badly damaged Truk's facilities are. How many enemy carriers, do you think? From the strike I would guess at least 2, but could be more. Do you have a good surface force around there? If you can choreograph it so that the SCTF hits the KB during the night, they will be much more vulnerable to a daytime strike from your CVs. Looks like fun. Good luck!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Did the Japanese carriers come from Truk? Seems weird considering how badly damaged Truk's facilities are. How many enemy carriers, do you think? From the strike I would guess at least 2, but could be more. Do you have a good surface force around there? If you can choreograph it so that the SCTF hits the KB during the night, they will be much more vulnerable to a daytime strike from your CVs. Looks like fun. Good luck!

Funny - I was thinking the opposite - that the USN should be concerned about IJN SCTFs and set some of the SBDs/TBs to search and some to short range naval strike, both day and night. Of course that might dilute the CAP available for USN carrier defence.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Did the Japanese carriers come from Truk? Seems weird considering how badly damaged Truk's facilities are. How many enemy carriers, do you think? From the strike I would guess at least 2, but could be more. Do you have a good surface force around there? If you can choreograph it so that the SCTF hits the KB during the night, they will be much more vulnerable to a daytime strike from your CVs. Looks like fun. Good luck!

I think the carriers came down the east side of the Marianas and then turned west to arrive at their current position. Due to the bombing campaign, I have a constant 9/10 detection on Truk and haven't seen a single ship there for the last week.

Allied surface strength is just CAs/DDs for CVTF defense. Ive got a 4 BB group north of Manus, but they recently bombarded Ulithi and are heading to Rabaul to rearm. For the next turn or two, only the silent service will attempt offensive actions. The plan is to flood the probable path of the enemy CVs and hope a sub captain (or four[:D]) gets a shot at an enemy flat top.

I agree with your carrier assessment jwolf, there were 80 bombers + 50 fighters in the IJN strike on Satawal and I'm betting another 50 fighters were on CAP, so approx. 180 planes...which translates into 2-3 carriers or thereabouts. If this assessment is correct, then I have the CV/plane number advantage, but the Japanese caught me in the middle of an amphibious operation, so protecting my supply ships is job one. Plus there are another 3-4 Japanese carriers out there somewhere.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Funny - I was thinking the opposite - that the USN should be concerned about IJN SCTFs and set some of the SBDs/TBs to search and some to short range naval strike, both day and night. Of course that might dilute the CAP available for USN carrier defence.

You're right BBf, while I haven't spotted any IJN capital ships, I am leary of a surprise appearance by a few enemy BBs...its happened before. With this in mind, I have 80% CAP (range 1) up. SBDs and Avengers primary mission is naval strike (range 1) with patrols at 20% (Avengers performing ASW and SBDs performing search).

[Schlussel]

Week 91: September 1st – September 7th 1943

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu. No IJN activity.




Central Pacific:
Truk bombing campaign is back in motion, and Truk Damage is 100% Airfield and 69% Port. 3 Squadrons of B-24s have been transferred to Hollandia, but an influx of enemy fighters at Babeldaob (approx. 100 total now) is causing a pause so my CVs can sweep the skies a bit.

Satawal’s AF reaches level 1…finally! A squadron of Corsairs transfers in and sees immediate action as a few 20+ plane Betty raids come in over the next few days. The CAP performs admirably and no hits on the AF are registered, while over 15 enemy bombers are downed during the course of the week.

The Japanese respond to the Yap/Ulithi invasions with a coordinated multiple day KB/LBA strike on the Allied armada. Allied command felt job #1 was protecting the amphibious fleet, so the American CVs played defense, putting up higher CAP and using their Dauntlesses and Avengers for ASW and search missions only. In the PM phase of Sept 3rd, 100 bombers escorted by 45 Zeroes vectored towards the main Allied CV TF of 6 CVs protected by about 75 Hellcats on CAP. 34 bombers got through the Allied fighter screen and hit Hornet with 1 Bomb (13SYS/8FLT/5ENG) and Lexington with one as well (3SYS). For their effort, the Japanese lost 70 Bombers and 7 Fighters. Additionally, three (30 bomber+escort) land based raids by the Japanese came in the same evening, a few bombers get through from each raid, but no hits were scored, and the raids were savaged by CAP and AA fire…only escorts returned to the Japanese bases. The following day, smaller attacks were attempted (both CV and land based) but these were considerably smaller and no bombers got through the Allied CAP. Over two days, an estimated 150 Japanese planes were smoked near Ulithi, causing many to call this event “The Great Mediocre Yap/Ulithi Turkey Shoot and/or Clay Pidgeon Jamboree”. It’s wordy, but I’m sure the American media wordsmiths will come up with something more succinct and catchy.[:D]

After the two failed days of enemy attacks, the Allied high command shifts to the offensive (sensing the weakness of the Japanese carrier arm) and devises a plan of attack. They order the 3CVEs + CVL Beallau Wood to maintain defense of the amphibs, while all 6 fleet CVs steam North by Northeast to hopefully intercept the Japanese carriers. Escorted strikes were given priority with ranges set so that they wouldn’t blunder into land based CAP from the Marianas if the KB headed back that way. Unfortunately, the KB high tailed it back to the relative safety of Tinian and its 150+ land based fighter CAP. Seeing the opportunity has been missed, the Allied CVs return back to the Yap/Ulithi area empty handed.

Meanwhile, engineers quickly repair the base facilities at Woleai and Ulithi. Amphibs are finishing offload of the final bits of supply, then it is back to Rabaul to load up the Babeldaob invasion forces. Recon indicates Babeldaob has about 12K troops…I assume most of these are support troops, but I’m not taking any chances. A quick capture of this enemy base will open the way to the Philippines/Eastern DEI.




Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity.




South-West Pacific:
Slowly reducing the Japanese pocket on Northern New Guinea. 2EB and bombardment TFs keep the pressure on.




DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, no IJN activity noted.




SE Asia/China:
The Allies try a deliberate attack West of Rahaeng late in the week. Losses are even on both sides (16 disabled/80 destroyed squads), but the Allies’ AV is about 4x the Japanese. The best part is the attack seemed to halt the enemies’ withdrawal into Rahaeng proper. Now the stage is set to launch one final shock attack and bleed the enemy before they can consolidate behind the river at Rahaeng.

The Allied drive down the coast towards reaches Tavoy, and allied raw AV is about twice the Japanese. A probing attack suffers disproportionately high Allied casualties, but the forts are reduced to 5. Troops are resting up and will try again this week.

Allied air power continues to suppress the Tavoy airfield. Intel reports 93% damage and only 15 enemy fighters are left.

Late in the week, KB junior (3CV-46F/80B) appears South of Addu and launches a few strikes on the island, causing about 35% runway and service damage. Limited fighter availability in the region means the Allied garrison will just have to hunker down and weather this storm.

In China, troops are in a defensive posture, and the supply situation is still improving. Transport planes are still flying supply from Chunking to Sian, and it is really helping the supply situation in the Loyang area.




IJN Watch:
-3 CV (46F/80B) spotted near Tavoy
-5 CV (97F/120B) spotted near the Southern Marianas




Notable Base Captures:
-None




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 6,267 [+178]
Biggest Losses (#): Hurricane IIc (496), P-40K Warhawk (492), SBD-3 Dauntless (366)

Japanese: 17,746 [+731]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (4,867), Ki-43 IIb Oscar (2,091), Ki-48 IIb Lily (2,005)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 559 [+9]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Nassau, CVE Corregidor, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 1,238 [+7]
Notables: CV Soryu, CV Kaga, CV Junyo, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVL Ryuho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, BB Mutsu, BB Kirishima, BB Nagato, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Aoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 10,520 [+19]
Japanese: 8,334 [+45]
A/J Ratio: 1.26 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 50,989 [+823]
Japanese: 30,618 [+275]
A/J Ratio: 1.67 to 1




Operation Forbearance:
Phase 1A: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Establish naval blockade of Truk using DD’s and submarines. - COMPLETE
-Knock out Truk airfield - COMPLETE [Airfield is 100% damaged]

Phase 1B: [May 1943 to July 1943]
-Assault & capture Kusaie – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Ponape – COMPLETE.
-Assault & capture Eniwetok. – COMPLETE.

Phase 1C: [May 1943 to August 1943]
-Assault & capture Woleai - COMPLETE
-Assault & capture Ulithi - COMPLETE
-Assault & capture Yap - COMPLETE
-Assault & capture Babeldaoab - IN PROCESS [Recon sights 4 units/11.8K troops/60 guns/97F/15B/18AUX. 12 ships in port, mostly DD’s].




Other Notes:
-Over 700 planes lost this week, add that to enemy losses last week, and the Japanese have lost over 1,200 planes in the last 14 days. An estimated 75% of those losses were bombers, so this should give the Allies more freedom of movement ion the future.