Pat vs Ronnie GW AAR

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. Jan/Feb 1943. Allied #6. Marianas. Round 1.

The IJN successfully avoids combat.

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. Jan/Feb 1943. Allied #6. Bismarck Sea. Round 1.

Both sides successfully find each other. The USN air to air is lethal resulting in the downing of the Japanese fighter. However, in return, the Japanese AA blunts all but 1 USN bomb. The Japanese then use their 2 SP to shift the attack column down to ineffective.

The USN stays. Do the Japanese stay? If so, do they wish to react out any additional air?

[ashkpa]

The USN stays. Do the Japanese stay? If so, do they wish to react out any additional air?

React out the A6M3 (Reisen) to the 2-box.

[ashkpa]

I will be out for the next couple of hours.

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. Jan/Feb 1943. Allied #6. Bismarck Sea. Round 2.

Searches go the USN's way. Air to air goes slightly in favor of the Japanese with the American fighter shot down but with both bomber units getting through.

The USN has 4 surprise points. They use 2 to reduce IJN AA to no effect and 2 to increase expected damage from X, A to X, D and A. The Japanese make all three of their damage rolls.

With the IJN transport damaged, which was the goal of this raid, the USN leaves the area (i.e., aborts) before a round 3. With the exception of the USS Hornet, which has no planes, all ships return to Brisbane, AUS. The Hornet returns to Pearl.

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. Jan/Feb 1943. Allied #6. USSR Rail. Blue Factory.

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. Jan/Feb 1943. Axis #7. Weather Roll.

[ashkpa]

JF43 i7 Axis Actions

[ashkpa]

Many naval moves by the Italians and Japanese. Italians flew a bomber and fighter to the 1-box of the BoB.
Here is the list of potential naval actions.

[ashkpa]

Started with the E. Med.
The allies find on rolls of 6/3. What do you wish to do?

[ashkpa]

While awaiting your decision, I went on to the N. Atlantic. Here the rolls of 4/2 resulted in both of us finding. You have 3 SP and can spend them either to increase your damage to me from ne to 2A or decrease the damage to you from A to ne. What is your choice?

[rkr1958]

E. Med. Select box 0. Use SP to avoid combat.

N. Atlantic. Use SP to increase damage against Italian subs.

[ashkpa]

All engaged forces aborted. I sent the CA back to Ponta Delgado, Azores.

[ashkpa]

Onto the Bay of Biscay.
Italians reacted another fighter and the Germans three fighters, all to the 1-box.

What will be your reactions? Possible units shown.

[rkr1958]

0-box. US P-38 fighter. CW Hurricane fighter.
1-box. CAN Hurricane fighter. US P-38 fighter.

[ashkpa]

All that and search rolls of 6/6 resulted in no combat.

[ashkpa]

Arabian Sea, rolls of 1/10 result in me finding you. I will engage both boxes. I will not make it an A-Sea, will you?

[rkr1958]

Yes, I will make it an air to sea. Gladiator flies as a fighter and targets the NAV. Will stay until status of IJN NAV is determined.

[ashkpa]

Air battle went the axis way big time (spend 2 SP to lower allied A-A).
8 SP used to increase attack columns (AA was ineffective against 1 bomber).
I'm assuming you will not stay with transport and a CA damaged and the CV and other CA aborted. Nobody will be in the zone after the combat.

[ashkpa]

Axis did not initiate in the Bay of Bengal.
In Cape Naturaliste the rolls again went he axis way 1/8, resulting in both CP's being sunk.