First, Yahoo to the rescue, as Quarks messages slip right in within minutes of him sending them.
Second, an accidental naval air strike has the IJN staff pondering if the gods are indeed against them................... and the insubordinate pilots yelling "Yahooo!!!"
Today’s combat action….
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/07/42
Weather: Rain
Air attack on 15th Aus Brigade, at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 70
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, as my blocking force of destroyers was spotted by a Val, but Quark had already committed the carrier’s planes to ground support
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Once again, I cringe, crying, “No! no! no!….um….wait….yes! Yes! YESSSSS!! I can only surmise the SBDs popped out of the clouds at just the right time, or perhaps the fighter pilots couldn’t believe the Allied commander would be brazen enough to send just 3 SBDs to attack them (you all believe I planned that strike, don’t you?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied Ships
SS S-37
Quark actually moved two tankers into GG, and thumbs his nose at the sub. Time for S-37 to come home, serious ASW is on the way to GG
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 55220 troops, 608 guns, 64 vehicles
Defending force 16472 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 6)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 109
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1163
Guns lost 2
The high losses are probably a result of the move, and I may have been able to leave them in defend mode and “retreat” to where I want to go, but I don’t want to take the chance of getting bottled up again
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quark must be scratching his head in the desert, wondering how 3 SBDs can fly into an area, slip past the CAP, and plant 2x1000 lb bombs into Suzuya – one of which destroyed a 5 inch secondary mount as well, knocking a tooth out of that tiger. One SBD didn’t come home, but last reports the accidental strike left the cruiser in flames.
I’ll take it.
Intentions follow.
Return to the Valley of the Sun: Condor (USN) vs. Quark (IJN)
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Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
yahooooooo!!!!!
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
Intentions
August 8th, 1942.
The situation at Cairns is still in the balance (but not in doubt), with the reported Allied troop losses yesterday probably giving the IJN commander cause to press his attack and end the dispute as soon as possible. I anticipate that, should the base fall either today or tomorrow, the Cairns defenders will “retreat” right where I want them – Innisfail.
TF orders:
SS Pickerel ordered 60 miles NW to hex 10,51 - last known IJN CV TF position.
TF 224 (4 x DD), assigned to block a possible FT TF move by the IJN from Cairns to Innisfail is now ordered back to RH.
TF218 (8 x DD) is formed at RH and now en route with elements of the 21st BDE from RH. Should the 3rd at Cairns retreat to Innisfail before TF 218 arrives, they will return the 21st to RH.
TF213 (6xAP) is at RH, unloading the 102nd BF.
TF234 (DM x 2) ordered to TV with 80 mines.
TF210 (CA x 3, CL, DMS) disbands at RH
TF211 (DD x 6) to RH
TF204 (DD, APD) to RH
TF231 (PT x 2) disbands at TV
TF221 (DD Smith) from Brisbane to Noumea to PH (SYS 32)
TF229 (SC x 11) ASW patrolling west of Noumea (Day 55, Night 44)
TF201 (DD x 5) Benson class ASW TF patrolling east of Noumea (Day 75, Night 50)
TF209 (CV TF) returns to Noumea (CV Saratoga, CL, CLAA x 2, CA x 3, DD x 3 (Arunta class AA = 560, ASW = 6) TF AA = almost 11000
Aircraft status:
Charter Towers is ready to begin around the clock bombing of Cairns and Cooktown. Once Cairns falls, two engine bombers will attack Cairns with F4F4 escort. Cooktown will be bombed by Fortress and Hudson four engine bombers without escort. Should results or losses dictate a change, the Cooktown raids will be halted and all bombers will target Cairns.
Brisbane will move its fighter bomber compliment of Wirraway,P-39 and P-400 aircraft, along with its dive bombers to RH for shuttle to/from TV for ground assault and naval attack missions. Once the move is made, a detailed disposition will be revealed to the audience.
After Brisbane clears its FB and DB units, 60 two engine bombers from Tomo will re-base at Brisbane, to shuttle to/from CT.
As already revealed, a B17 squadron and a Wirraway squadron will arrive at Brisbane within 2 days. They will be dispersed accordingly.
OZ GROUND FORCE STATUS
The combat force disposition will be as follows:
TV: Northern Command and 3rd Infantry Division
CT: New Guinea Force and combat engineer units, with the 1st Paratrooper Battalion remaining in place until further notice.
RH: 32nd Infantry Division and 2 BDEs of the 7th Infantry Division.
BR: 41st Infantry Division and 6th Infantry Division
OZ AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
A second BF will be airlifted into CT to increase its ability to launch missions. Two additional BF units are en route to RH. A fourth BF unit will probably go to TV when it arrives.
More to come…
August 8th, 1942.
The situation at Cairns is still in the balance (but not in doubt), with the reported Allied troop losses yesterday probably giving the IJN commander cause to press his attack and end the dispute as soon as possible. I anticipate that, should the base fall either today or tomorrow, the Cairns defenders will “retreat” right where I want them – Innisfail.
TF orders:
SS Pickerel ordered 60 miles NW to hex 10,51 - last known IJN CV TF position.
TF 224 (4 x DD), assigned to block a possible FT TF move by the IJN from Cairns to Innisfail is now ordered back to RH.
TF218 (8 x DD) is formed at RH and now en route with elements of the 21st BDE from RH. Should the 3rd at Cairns retreat to Innisfail before TF 218 arrives, they will return the 21st to RH.
TF213 (6xAP) is at RH, unloading the 102nd BF.
TF234 (DM x 2) ordered to TV with 80 mines.
TF210 (CA x 3, CL, DMS) disbands at RH
TF211 (DD x 6) to RH
TF204 (DD, APD) to RH
TF231 (PT x 2) disbands at TV
TF221 (DD Smith) from Brisbane to Noumea to PH (SYS 32)
TF229 (SC x 11) ASW patrolling west of Noumea (Day 55, Night 44)
TF201 (DD x 5) Benson class ASW TF patrolling east of Noumea (Day 75, Night 50)
TF209 (CV TF) returns to Noumea (CV Saratoga, CL, CLAA x 2, CA x 3, DD x 3 (Arunta class AA = 560, ASW = 6) TF AA = almost 11000
Aircraft status:
Charter Towers is ready to begin around the clock bombing of Cairns and Cooktown. Once Cairns falls, two engine bombers will attack Cairns with F4F4 escort. Cooktown will be bombed by Fortress and Hudson four engine bombers without escort. Should results or losses dictate a change, the Cooktown raids will be halted and all bombers will target Cairns.
Brisbane will move its fighter bomber compliment of Wirraway,P-39 and P-400 aircraft, along with its dive bombers to RH for shuttle to/from TV for ground assault and naval attack missions. Once the move is made, a detailed disposition will be revealed to the audience.
After Brisbane clears its FB and DB units, 60 two engine bombers from Tomo will re-base at Brisbane, to shuttle to/from CT.
As already revealed, a B17 squadron and a Wirraway squadron will arrive at Brisbane within 2 days. They will be dispersed accordingly.
OZ GROUND FORCE STATUS
The combat force disposition will be as follows:
TV: Northern Command and 3rd Infantry Division
CT: New Guinea Force and combat engineer units, with the 1st Paratrooper Battalion remaining in place until further notice.
RH: 32nd Infantry Division and 2 BDEs of the 7th Infantry Division.
BR: 41st Infantry Division and 6th Infantry Division
OZ AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
A second BF will be airlifted into CT to increase its ability to launch missions. Two additional BF units are en route to RH. A fourth BF unit will probably go to TV when it arrives.
More to come…
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Cairns falls
Today’s action:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/08/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 9,60
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships
DD Bagley
Wish I could bag another sub. A gutsy attack, taking on 4 destroyers inside the reef
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS S-45
Back from it’s delivery trip, S-45 reloads and helps the IJN staff planners out by giving them one less ship to worry about
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied Ships
SS S-37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied Ships
SS S-37
I knew I forgot something last turn. Got to get her out of there
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 54220 troops, 608 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 15674 troops, 118 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cairns base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 135
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1272
Guns lost 2
Other than the troop loss, the only bad news here is now the subs have to travel to TV to reload
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cairns falls, but the defenders didn’t retreat. Another 1200 souls lost, and I wince at the thought of the losses, but I have to get out of there. Innisfail is still open, and if Quark has an inkling of what I’m trying, he’d send the kitchen sink to Innisfail to bag the rest of Cairns’ defenders.
Another piece of good news, the IJN AP Kaito Maru was confirmed sunk today when she struk a mine sometime earlier. (I thought she was scuttled, but I did get 5 points for her - her cargo capacity listed at 1000, I think that's full value for a small maru). 2 more marus added to the list (54 IJN ships sunk, 36 of them APs). Both Kaito Maru and Manju Maru were also listed as empty when sunk.
Intentions follow.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/08/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 9,60
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships
DD Bagley
Wish I could bag another sub. A gutsy attack, taking on 4 destroyers inside the reef
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS S-45
Back from it’s delivery trip, S-45 reloads and helps the IJN staff planners out by giving them one less ship to worry about
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied Ships
SS S-37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied Ships
SS S-37
I knew I forgot something last turn. Got to get her out of there
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 54220 troops, 608 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 15674 troops, 118 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cairns base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 135
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1272
Guns lost 2
Other than the troop loss, the only bad news here is now the subs have to travel to TV to reload
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cairns falls, but the defenders didn’t retreat. Another 1200 souls lost, and I wince at the thought of the losses, but I have to get out of there. Innisfail is still open, and if Quark has an inkling of what I’m trying, he’d send the kitchen sink to Innisfail to bag the rest of Cairns’ defenders.
Another piece of good news, the IJN AP Kaito Maru was confirmed sunk today when she struk a mine sometime earlier. (I thought she was scuttled, but I did get 5 points for her - her cargo capacity listed at 1000, I think that's full value for a small maru). 2 more marus added to the list (54 IJN ships sunk, 36 of them APs). Both Kaito Maru and Manju Maru were also listed as empty when sunk.
Intentions follow.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
Intentions
8/9/42
Turn 100. Yay! Okay, enough of that.
The evacuation of Cairns has begun. Non-combatants are already at Innisfail. The 3rd Infantry Division HQ and the 118th BF are ordered on to Townsville. Also, my 2 “divisions” of 1 squad each are also ordered to Cairns.
I think the ruse worked, but we’ll know soon. If the IJN commander examines Innisfail, his report should show 5 “Enemy INF”. Coupled with the 3 “Enemy INF” he sees at Cairns, and he may be considering setting his conquerors to Defend at Cairns. I hope so. He saw the FT TF into Innisfail, but assumed they were to pick the paras up. “Tokyo Quark” in his daily e-mail radio message asked if the Allied commander has a “death wish” by stationing so many troops at Innisfail <g>. And finally, Innisfail now has an assault strength of 61, and a fortification value of 1 as well. Respectable, especially since we’re simply holding the back door open.
Quark has already based aircraft at Cairns. I was surprised that he did so already. Perhaps he has to know the airfield won’t last long there. He inherited a level 5 airfield. It’s going to take his engineers a long time to fix a damaged airfield of that size. The bombing campaign will change its strategy and Operation Gopher commences tonight.
Operation Gopher is designed to hole the runways and ports at Cairns and Cooktown. First target is the runways at Cairns. 28 Hudsons on a night raid at 11000, followed by a daylight raid with 22 Fortresses, 16 Beauforts, and 16 Havocs at 9000. VF-42 will fly escort for the daylight raid with 26 F4F-4 Wildcats.
Townsville’s fighters are not recovering morale as fast as I had hoped, A P-40E Kittyhawk squadron is the best, at around 55. There are 2 P-39D Airacobra squadrons there, with 65 and 55 morale. I am going to change my strategy and send the naval aircraft back to Rockhampton and Brisbane and bring my US Army aircraft (6 FB squadrons, 1 A-20 squadron) up to Townsville. I will then alternate strategic strikes on Cairns and Cooktown from CT and TV. This should give the navy planes a chance to rest.
More shipping spotted by the coastwatchers at the IJN base at the Shortland Is. Does the IJN have the ground force strength (and, now, the transport capacity) to fight a major action in OZ and the Solomons?
Rockhampton has better AS capability, and more BF units are on the way. The 102nd BF is being airlifted to CT to join the 117th BF already there. The 117th deployed to CT without its radar (can’t move radar in a C47), which remains at RH. Mavis aircraft spotted multiple destroyers at RH, so Quark knows he can find a whole lot of shipping for his naval aircraft. I have CAP up, and don’t want a fiasco like Noumea happening again.
With the basing of aircraft at Cairns, I don’t know what he has in mind for his carriers. Support for a move to Luganville, perhaps? Or does he still need them to help at Cairns?
In the Solomons, Quark reconned my CV TF on its way to Noumea. Time to give him something else to think about, and I am sending my CV TF northwest into the open sea, towards his carriers. I anticipate his carriers are heading NE to refuel, possibly with the tankers at GG. I don’t want a battle, just want to be spotted and then scamper away. One ruse (at Innisfail) worked, why not another? And, if his carriers are on station still defending Cairns, can he resist a chance at a carrier battle?
Submarine dispositions changed. Major mixup as both S-37 and Drum were in GG at the same time. S-37 is ordered back to RH, and Drum and Pickerel are ordered 1 hex NE and E, respectively, of Darubia. S-43 deploys southeast of Cooktown, inside the reef.
Meanwhile, no release date for my carriers at PH. Currently at PH are 2 CV, 1 BB, 1 CA, 1 CLAA, 3 DD, 1 APD, 3 AV, 7 SC, 1 AP, 2 AK. I still need more combat vessels to form up with the CVs and BB so they can be released. Likelihood of ship release to area is HIGH, just not enough combat vessels to escort the big ships. A second battleship, the Washington is due into PH in 4 days.
More to come……
8/9/42
Turn 100. Yay! Okay, enough of that.
The evacuation of Cairns has begun. Non-combatants are already at Innisfail. The 3rd Infantry Division HQ and the 118th BF are ordered on to Townsville. Also, my 2 “divisions” of 1 squad each are also ordered to Cairns.
I think the ruse worked, but we’ll know soon. If the IJN commander examines Innisfail, his report should show 5 “Enemy INF”. Coupled with the 3 “Enemy INF” he sees at Cairns, and he may be considering setting his conquerors to Defend at Cairns. I hope so. He saw the FT TF into Innisfail, but assumed they were to pick the paras up. “Tokyo Quark” in his daily e-mail radio message asked if the Allied commander has a “death wish” by stationing so many troops at Innisfail <g>. And finally, Innisfail now has an assault strength of 61, and a fortification value of 1 as well. Respectable, especially since we’re simply holding the back door open.
Quark has already based aircraft at Cairns. I was surprised that he did so already. Perhaps he has to know the airfield won’t last long there. He inherited a level 5 airfield. It’s going to take his engineers a long time to fix a damaged airfield of that size. The bombing campaign will change its strategy and Operation Gopher commences tonight.
Operation Gopher is designed to hole the runways and ports at Cairns and Cooktown. First target is the runways at Cairns. 28 Hudsons on a night raid at 11000, followed by a daylight raid with 22 Fortresses, 16 Beauforts, and 16 Havocs at 9000. VF-42 will fly escort for the daylight raid with 26 F4F-4 Wildcats.
Townsville’s fighters are not recovering morale as fast as I had hoped, A P-40E Kittyhawk squadron is the best, at around 55. There are 2 P-39D Airacobra squadrons there, with 65 and 55 morale. I am going to change my strategy and send the naval aircraft back to Rockhampton and Brisbane and bring my US Army aircraft (6 FB squadrons, 1 A-20 squadron) up to Townsville. I will then alternate strategic strikes on Cairns and Cooktown from CT and TV. This should give the navy planes a chance to rest.
More shipping spotted by the coastwatchers at the IJN base at the Shortland Is. Does the IJN have the ground force strength (and, now, the transport capacity) to fight a major action in OZ and the Solomons?
Rockhampton has better AS capability, and more BF units are on the way. The 102nd BF is being airlifted to CT to join the 117th BF already there. The 117th deployed to CT without its radar (can’t move radar in a C47), which remains at RH. Mavis aircraft spotted multiple destroyers at RH, so Quark knows he can find a whole lot of shipping for his naval aircraft. I have CAP up, and don’t want a fiasco like Noumea happening again.
With the basing of aircraft at Cairns, I don’t know what he has in mind for his carriers. Support for a move to Luganville, perhaps? Or does he still need them to help at Cairns?
In the Solomons, Quark reconned my CV TF on its way to Noumea. Time to give him something else to think about, and I am sending my CV TF northwest into the open sea, towards his carriers. I anticipate his carriers are heading NE to refuel, possibly with the tankers at GG. I don’t want a battle, just want to be spotted and then scamper away. One ruse (at Innisfail) worked, why not another? And, if his carriers are on station still defending Cairns, can he resist a chance at a carrier battle?
Submarine dispositions changed. Major mixup as both S-37 and Drum were in GG at the same time. S-37 is ordered back to RH, and Drum and Pickerel are ordered 1 hex NE and E, respectively, of Darubia. S-43 deploys southeast of Cooktown, inside the reef.
Meanwhile, no release date for my carriers at PH. Currently at PH are 2 CV, 1 BB, 1 CA, 1 CLAA, 3 DD, 1 APD, 3 AV, 7 SC, 1 AP, 2 AK. I still need more combat vessels to form up with the CVs and BB so they can be released. Likelihood of ship release to area is HIGH, just not enough combat vessels to escort the big ships. A second battleship, the Washington is due into PH in 4 days.
More to come……
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
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Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Nothing up my sleeve..............and, presto!
I have to share the message from Quark he sent with the last turn:
“Okay, how in the blazes did you get FIVE!!! infantry units at Innisfail. Or are my troops exaggerating again. They will just have to starve <g>.”
I can’t believe it is working
He has unloaded an infantry unit with an estimated 540 troops at Innisfail via FT. I should just steamroll them, but then he’d get a read on my actual strength (remember, two of my “INF units” are just single squads from different BDEs at Cairns transported by sub). So we sit tight and hold the door open.
I would have paid (handsomely, mind you) to see facial expression when he got the report of 5 x ENEMY INF at Innisfail.
The 3rd division brigades are 11 miles, 13 miles and 14 miles out of Innisfail. Next, imagine the consternation of the IJN staff when the host brigade merges with its single squad at Innisfail, and what should be 8 infantry units merges down to six.
But that’s a few of days away.
Today’s combat:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/09/42
Weather: Overcast
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-45
A miss, to be sure – but it revealed the presence of 5 MSWs at Cairns joining the hunt for the sub. Oh for a couple of SBD squadrons…..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 11
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 11000 feet
8 x Hudson at 11000 feet
Getting used to the night air
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Innisfail, at 7,57
Nothing to hit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
Beaufort x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 21
B-17E Fortress x 20
A-20B Havoc x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
CPO P.Ogawa of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LT S. Mori of BII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 70
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
9 x Beaufort at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 9000 feet
5 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
No damage to the airfield, but 3 of his precious Zeroes gone, along with one of his aces. I’ll take the damage and whittle him down
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Myoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-45
The miss earlier is redressed. Gawd, I love these subs!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More LBA at CT, whose AS now at 250. I was tempted to force them to bomb Cairns the same turn as the transfer, but patience is called for here. Besides, I have another surprise for the IJN force at Innisfail who is supposed to cut off my retreat (assuming they don’t jump back on the boat and sail away, now that they know they’re up against 5 INF units
). My A-20 squadron at TV is set to bomb them at 6000 feet.
Oh yes. Almost forgot to mention – since the A-20s just transferred in to TV, they may need directions to Innisfail. 7 squadrons of P-39D and P-400 FBs at 100 feet will show them the way.
At last count, that was 137 aircraft with 500 lb bombs and .50-cal machineguns. Welcome to Innisfail, boys.
(note: We’ll see how many actually fly, but it should make the impression on Quark I want to about my airpower. I think I have him beginning to doubt his moves)
Tomorrow should be interesting.
More to come… (Wish Nimitz would get off his arse and add the capital ships on R & R in PH to the “more to come” list!!)
“Okay, how in the blazes did you get FIVE!!! infantry units at Innisfail. Or are my troops exaggerating again. They will just have to starve <g>.”
I can’t believe it is working
He has unloaded an infantry unit with an estimated 540 troops at Innisfail via FT. I should just steamroll them, but then he’d get a read on my actual strength (remember, two of my “INF units” are just single squads from different BDEs at Cairns transported by sub). So we sit tight and hold the door open. I would have paid (handsomely, mind you) to see facial expression when he got the report of 5 x ENEMY INF at Innisfail.
The 3rd division brigades are 11 miles, 13 miles and 14 miles out of Innisfail. Next, imagine the consternation of the IJN staff when the host brigade merges with its single squad at Innisfail, and what should be 8 infantry units merges down to six.
But that’s a few of days away.
Today’s combat:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/09/42
Weather: Overcast
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-45
A miss, to be sure – but it revealed the presence of 5 MSWs at Cairns joining the hunt for the sub. Oh for a couple of SBD squadrons…..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 11
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 11000 feet
8 x Hudson at 11000 feet
Getting used to the night air
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Innisfail, at 7,57
Nothing to hit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
Beaufort x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 21
B-17E Fortress x 20
A-20B Havoc x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
CPO P.Ogawa of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LT S. Mori of BII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 70
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
9 x Beaufort at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 9000 feet
5 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
0 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 9000 feet
No damage to the airfield, but 3 of his precious Zeroes gone, along with one of his aces. I’ll take the damage and whittle him down
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
AP Myoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-45
The miss earlier is redressed. Gawd, I love these subs!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More LBA at CT, whose AS now at 250. I was tempted to force them to bomb Cairns the same turn as the transfer, but patience is called for here. Besides, I have another surprise for the IJN force at Innisfail who is supposed to cut off my retreat (assuming they don’t jump back on the boat and sail away, now that they know they’re up against 5 INF units
). My A-20 squadron at TV is set to bomb them at 6000 feet.Oh yes. Almost forgot to mention – since the A-20s just transferred in to TV, they may need directions to Innisfail. 7 squadrons of P-39D and P-400 FBs at 100 feet will show them the way.
At last count, that was 137 aircraft with 500 lb bombs and .50-cal machineguns. Welcome to Innisfail, boys.
(note: We’ll see how many actually fly, but it should make the impression on Quark I want to about my airpower. I think I have him beginning to doubt his moves)
Tomorrow should be interesting.
More to come… (Wish Nimitz would get off his arse and add the capital ships on R & R in PH to the “more to come” list!!)
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
8/10/42:
With the FT move of troops by the IJN to Innisfail, a new problem for Quark appears to loom - where did the extra BDEs defending Innisfail come from? I do have to wonder as to what his overall target is. Logically, I would have assumed TV for an auto-victory, but if I can get the 3rd out of Cairns, he'll almost certainly assume they're headed to help defend TV. Will he still come after it then? CT is a possibility, if only to then encircle TV. That's a lot of ground forces, however.
Another possibility, no matter how remote is that the IJN will descend on LV in force. The Americal Division is there with its 3 BDEs. The 1st Marine Division is almost entirely in place (in Noumea), and the 3 APDs en route from PH should open a few options.
As to yesterday's results, the level bombers performed well enough for their 1st day. Moving the 2nd BF unit to CT will greatly improve flexibility in strike planning, allowing more aircraft to be on the field at one time. I consistently review in my mind whether to mass strike or use small piecemeal strikes, continuously puting the pressure on his fighters and AA unit while continually cycling low morale and damaged units to Brissy.
I am looking forward to the reaction, if not the result of the mass strafing/bomb run. Will he keep his BB TF in the area for support or fear the aircraft and leave.
I am awful thin in SOPAC with a lack of SC. I am seriously considering just keeping the Oz/NZ ships in SWPAC and send the Americans home to Noumea, in preparation for a drive up the Solomons.
Of course, no driving until I get capital ships. I read the other AARs and wistfully wonder why I can't have a BB to play with as well
. All this smoke and mirrors routine is nice, but nothing beats a broadside salvo from 16' guns every now and then.
Guess it's more of the same, for at least another three weeks, at a minimum.
So nothing much new, just keep the transports sinking, the planes flying, the troops moving, and the e-mail happy.
(note: I hope I'm not innudating the readers with too much. One of the great things of PBEM is the chance to do things like AARs with others sharing the same interest )
With the FT move of troops by the IJN to Innisfail, a new problem for Quark appears to loom - where did the extra BDEs defending Innisfail come from? I do have to wonder as to what his overall target is. Logically, I would have assumed TV for an auto-victory, but if I can get the 3rd out of Cairns, he'll almost certainly assume they're headed to help defend TV. Will he still come after it then? CT is a possibility, if only to then encircle TV. That's a lot of ground forces, however.
Another possibility, no matter how remote is that the IJN will descend on LV in force. The Americal Division is there with its 3 BDEs. The 1st Marine Division is almost entirely in place (in Noumea), and the 3 APDs en route from PH should open a few options.
As to yesterday's results, the level bombers performed well enough for their 1st day. Moving the 2nd BF unit to CT will greatly improve flexibility in strike planning, allowing more aircraft to be on the field at one time. I consistently review in my mind whether to mass strike or use small piecemeal strikes, continuously puting the pressure on his fighters and AA unit while continually cycling low morale and damaged units to Brissy.
I am looking forward to the reaction, if not the result of the mass strafing/bomb run. Will he keep his BB TF in the area for support or fear the aircraft and leave.
I am awful thin in SOPAC with a lack of SC. I am seriously considering just keeping the Oz/NZ ships in SWPAC and send the Americans home to Noumea, in preparation for a drive up the Solomons.
Of course, no driving until I get capital ships. I read the other AARs and wistfully wonder why I can't have a BB to play with as well
. All this smoke and mirrors routine is nice, but nothing beats a broadside salvo from 16' guns every now and then.Guess it's more of the same, for at least another three weeks, at a minimum.
So nothing much new, just keep the transports sinking, the planes flying, the troops moving, and the e-mail happy.
(note: I hope I'm not innudating the readers with too much. One of the great things of PBEM is the chance to do things like AARs with others sharing the same interest
)"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
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Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Sometimes, ya jus' gotta laugh
Sigh.
All the preparation. All the anticipation. All the effort.
The close air support from Townsville never got off the ground. Pilots were being briefed when a freak storm closed Townsville, but not Charter Towers, 60 miles southwest. The lone A-20 squadron participating in the Innisfail raid expecting to join with the Townsville mob found itself very alone over a sky with LRCAP.
In a move I did not expect, Quark has a reported seven carriers at Cairns! Whatever the reason, my subs now have the entrance to the Barrier Reef covered. Can he intend to sail south to TV inside the Reef?? He launched his aircraft and, in spite of the limitation of CV operations in shallow water, still manages to get 40 Zeroes up in CAP, and another 15 over Innisfail.
I’m confident that had the TV missions flown, the 15 would be – at a minimum – undergoing repair right now.
Today’s rain-shortened action:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/10/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Sub attack at 9,53
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
Poor Grenadier can’t get a break, even in the open ocean.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 11000 feet
6 x Hudson at 11000 feet
The night raids, which will stop tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
CS Nisshin
DD Yamagumo
Allied Ships
SS S-43
First time in a while Quark’s ASW actually rolls d/c’s onto a sub of mine, fortunately, they blew the better part of a coral reef to hell instead of my sub.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 9
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 2 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged
PO2 V.Endo of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
I consider myself fortunate the damage wasn’t worse. Luck not with the Allies on this day, but perhaps she was on this aborted mission
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 83
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31
Not a bad air strike from carriers in port.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 20
Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 destroyed
Beaufort x 2 damaged
ENS M.Doigawa of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2
I get so caught up in my “evil genius” mode plotting the death of the Innisfail invaders, I forget the Ozzies are still in naval attack mode.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Innisfail , at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 1
no losses
This recon bird peeks behind the curtain of the magic show, effectively ending the illusion of the 5 INF units at Innisfail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 20
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
Beaufort x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 2 damaged
LTJG S.Minobe of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Sigh
An interesting development – Quark appears to be loading his Innisfail troops back onto 3 APs. I wonder if he now regrets it, knowing how little I have at Innisfail. “Get off the boats.” “Get on the boats.” “Get off the boats.”
Intentions, and a snapshot of Oz after sleep here.
More to come……
All the preparation. All the anticipation. All the effort.
The close air support from Townsville never got off the ground. Pilots were being briefed when a freak storm closed Townsville, but not Charter Towers, 60 miles southwest. The lone A-20 squadron participating in the Innisfail raid expecting to join with the Townsville mob found itself very alone over a sky with LRCAP.
In a move I did not expect, Quark has a reported seven carriers at Cairns! Whatever the reason, my subs now have the entrance to the Barrier Reef covered. Can he intend to sail south to TV inside the Reef?? He launched his aircraft and, in spite of the limitation of CV operations in shallow water, still manages to get 40 Zeroes up in CAP, and another 15 over Innisfail.
I’m confident that had the TV missions flown, the 15 would be – at a minimum – undergoing repair right now.
Today’s rain-shortened action:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/10/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Sub attack at 9,53
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
Poor Grenadier can’t get a break, even in the open ocean.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 11000 feet
6 x Hudson at 11000 feet
The night raids, which will stop tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese Ships
CS Nisshin
DD Yamagumo
Allied Ships
SS S-43
First time in a while Quark’s ASW actually rolls d/c’s onto a sub of mine, fortunately, they blew the better part of a coral reef to hell instead of my sub.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 9
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 2 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged
PO2 V.Endo of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
I consider myself fortunate the damage wasn’t worse. Luck not with the Allies on this day, but perhaps she was on this aborted mission
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 83
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31
Not a bad air strike from carriers in port.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 20
Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 destroyed
Beaufort x 2 damaged
ENS M.Doigawa of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2
I get so caught up in my “evil genius” mode plotting the death of the Innisfail invaders, I forget the Ozzies are still in naval attack mode.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Innisfail , at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 1
no losses
This recon bird peeks behind the curtain of the magic show, effectively ending the illusion of the 5 INF units at Innisfail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 20
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
Beaufort x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 2 damaged
LTJG S.Minobe of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Sigh
An interesting development – Quark appears to be loading his Innisfail troops back onto 3 APs. I wonder if he now regrets it, knowing how little I have at Innisfail. “Get off the boats.” “Get on the boats.” “Get off the boats.”
Intentions, and a snapshot of Oz after sleep here.
More to come……
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
8/11/42
Confirmation yesterday of two more IJN vessels listed as sunk: the transport Kasuga Maru and the fast transport APD 35.
The discovery of the carriers at Cairns was a bit of a surprise, but it tells me that, at least for the time being, Quark plans on staying in town. I was a bit concerned he may try to evacuate his troops and leave only a single division to hold the area, but it looks like he is going to try for TV, or possibly an end run around to RH. I doubt that, however – he has an awful lot of ground strength in Cairns and with his transports fading away, a land march may be necessary.
I had considered he may try to use his carrier aircraft to bomb CT or TV, but I believe he has given up trying to close airfields, especially at major bases where bulldozers are a phone call away. Consequently, he’ll probably use his planes where they are least effective – ground support. His strike yesterday at Innisfail netted only 31 causalities, and his pilots, especially his fighter pilots must be getting tired.
I have rotated one of the Hudson squadrons, the lone fighter squadron, a B-17 Fortress squadron and the Beaufort squadron out of CT and brought in 2 squadrons of B-26 Marauders and a fresh B-17 squadron with 11 aircraft. The 102nd BF is almost completely airlifted into CT, who now has an AS value of 250. More raids from CT later, but for now, TV is the center of my attention.
With the cancelled close air support raids yesterday, and the subsequent troop withdraw of the IJN ground force at Innisfail, I've decided to take a very big gamble and try to net the transports at Innisfail with the FBs at 100 ft. I know BBs are there, and their AA would probably damage the FBs significantly, but if he's loading troops, I'm sure his BBs are itching to get out of the Reef and back to open ocean. If this is successful, maybe I can take out the troops as well while they're on board the ships.
The appearance of a sub NE of Brisbane caused me to delay sending the American ships back to Noumea for a day, but sub or not, they’ll head back tomorrow. I’ll leave a few DDs in Oz for FT duties, but the cruisers come back.
As to the land battle, it’s ceased for now. Quark has reconned CT, TV, and Innisfail and now has a better idea of what the 5 “INF Units” are. Unfortunately, for him, his troop level went from 540 to 160, with LRCAP overhead, 2 BBs at Innisfail, and 3 APs apparently reloading the troops as fast as they can. More APs at Cairns.
The 3rd Division brigades have inched their way south – agonizingly slow progress, 4 or 5 miles at best per day. The closet unit is the 10th brigade, who is 7 miles away from safety at Innisfail. The 4th Brigade is 9 miles out, and the 15th Brigade is 10 miles away. Hopefully, all will be safe in 3 days. Then on to TV, reform and dig in, and let Quark take his best shot. With two divisions each in TV and RH I feel safe enough. If he starts a road march south, the FBs at TV could make that a very costly trip, whether there is LRCAP or not.
The two sinking confirmations again came from Cooktown, which is apparently Quark’s “elephant graveyard” where his damaged ships from this operation go to die.
In the next 10 days, the following reinforcements are due:
In Brisbane:
1 day #4 RAAF squadron 24 x Wirraway
2 days 14th Aus Eng
3 days 126th RCT(32nd Div)and 1/New Guinea HQ
6 days 7th Aus Cav Rgt
8 days #75 RAAF squadron 24 x P40E Kittyhawk
10 days #30 RAAF squadron 24 x Beaufighter VIC
In Noumea:
2 days AK Arided
5 days 9th Marine Defense Battalion (CD), 7th SeaBees and 14th SeaBees
The SeaBees will be nice to have, and there will be 3 battalions of them in SOPAC. I’m getting impatient and want to start “walking up the ladder” north of Luganville island hopping to Irau and eventually Lunga, but I don’t think I’m strong enough yet. Perhaps a move to Wunpuko and I can begin construction there, peeking out from the bunker, as it were.
More to come……
Confirmation yesterday of two more IJN vessels listed as sunk: the transport Kasuga Maru and the fast transport APD 35.
The discovery of the carriers at Cairns was a bit of a surprise, but it tells me that, at least for the time being, Quark plans on staying in town. I was a bit concerned he may try to evacuate his troops and leave only a single division to hold the area, but it looks like he is going to try for TV, or possibly an end run around to RH. I doubt that, however – he has an awful lot of ground strength in Cairns and with his transports fading away, a land march may be necessary.
I had considered he may try to use his carrier aircraft to bomb CT or TV, but I believe he has given up trying to close airfields, especially at major bases where bulldozers are a phone call away. Consequently, he’ll probably use his planes where they are least effective – ground support. His strike yesterday at Innisfail netted only 31 causalities, and his pilots, especially his fighter pilots must be getting tired.
I have rotated one of the Hudson squadrons, the lone fighter squadron, a B-17 Fortress squadron and the Beaufort squadron out of CT and brought in 2 squadrons of B-26 Marauders and a fresh B-17 squadron with 11 aircraft. The 102nd BF is almost completely airlifted into CT, who now has an AS value of 250. More raids from CT later, but for now, TV is the center of my attention.
With the cancelled close air support raids yesterday, and the subsequent troop withdraw of the IJN ground force at Innisfail, I've decided to take a very big gamble and try to net the transports at Innisfail with the FBs at 100 ft. I know BBs are there, and their AA would probably damage the FBs significantly, but if he's loading troops, I'm sure his BBs are itching to get out of the Reef and back to open ocean. If this is successful, maybe I can take out the troops as well while they're on board the ships.
The appearance of a sub NE of Brisbane caused me to delay sending the American ships back to Noumea for a day, but sub or not, they’ll head back tomorrow. I’ll leave a few DDs in Oz for FT duties, but the cruisers come back.
As to the land battle, it’s ceased for now. Quark has reconned CT, TV, and Innisfail and now has a better idea of what the 5 “INF Units” are. Unfortunately, for him, his troop level went from 540 to 160, with LRCAP overhead, 2 BBs at Innisfail, and 3 APs apparently reloading the troops as fast as they can. More APs at Cairns.
The 3rd Division brigades have inched their way south – agonizingly slow progress, 4 or 5 miles at best per day. The closet unit is the 10th brigade, who is 7 miles away from safety at Innisfail. The 4th Brigade is 9 miles out, and the 15th Brigade is 10 miles away. Hopefully, all will be safe in 3 days. Then on to TV, reform and dig in, and let Quark take his best shot. With two divisions each in TV and RH I feel safe enough. If he starts a road march south, the FBs at TV could make that a very costly trip, whether there is LRCAP or not.
The two sinking confirmations again came from Cooktown, which is apparently Quark’s “elephant graveyard” where his damaged ships from this operation go to die.
In the next 10 days, the following reinforcements are due:
In Brisbane:
1 day #4 RAAF squadron 24 x Wirraway
2 days 14th Aus Eng
3 days 126th RCT(32nd Div)and 1/New Guinea HQ
6 days 7th Aus Cav Rgt
8 days #75 RAAF squadron 24 x P40E Kittyhawk
10 days #30 RAAF squadron 24 x Beaufighter VIC
In Noumea:
2 days AK Arided
5 days 9th Marine Defense Battalion (CD), 7th SeaBees and 14th SeaBees
The SeaBees will be nice to have, and there will be 3 battalions of them in SOPAC. I’m getting impatient and want to start “walking up the ladder” north of Luganville island hopping to Irau and eventually Lunga, but I don’t think I’m strong enough yet. Perhaps a move to Wunpuko and I can begin construction there, peeking out from the bunker, as it were.
More to come……
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
AmiralLaurent
- Posts: 3351
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:53 pm
- Location: Near Paris, France
Just a note about your capital ships held in PH by lack of escort. Send DD and some cruisers to Noumea and send them back to Pearl can haste the arrival of major ships.
Cv and BB need 6 (sometimes 5) DD and AFAIK one cruiser to sail from PH to SW Pacific. You can see in your 'ship availibity' sheet when you will get those DDs. If you sent back DD and CA from Noumea, they will be available in PH 20-25 days later. If they arrived there before your planned reinforcements, you will advance your CV and BB arrival.
If you have still DD and cruisers with no AA upgrade (still AA MG for example), send them first. They will be available 5 days later but that is worth it.
Cv and BB need 6 (sometimes 5) DD and AFAIK one cruiser to sail from PH to SW Pacific. You can see in your 'ship availibity' sheet when you will get those DDs. If you sent back DD and CA from Noumea, they will be available in PH 20-25 days later. If they arrived there before your planned reinforcements, you will advance your CV and BB arrival.
If you have still DD and cruisers with no AA upgrade (still AA MG for example), send them first. They will be available 5 days later but that is worth it.
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Agreed. I saw in the manual about how CVs need to move from PH with TFs (no doubt BBs as well). This all started when I sent Lexington, Hornet, and Enterprise to PH for damage repair without their escorts they arrived with. Will have to make a note of that in the future.originally posted by AmiralLaurent
Cv and BB need 6 (sometimes 5) DD and AFAIK one cruiser to sail from PH to SW Pacific. You can see in your 'ship availibity' sheet when you will get those DDs. If you sent back DD and CA from Noumea, they will be available in PH 20-25 days later. If they arrived there before your planned reinforcements, you will advance your CV and BB arrival.
Every DD w/o the AA upgrade is back at PH now (or en route). I have a few escorts in place ready to go ( 1 x CA, 1 x CLAA, 3 x DD) - not enough to form up a TF. I have a couple of DDs en route to PH and should be there in a few days. Additionally, the CLAA Van Heemsereck(sp?)will be at PH in 2 days. Maybe in about 10 days or so, we'll have enough to get the CVs out here, but - truth be told - I'm doing okay on defense without them so far (the IJN CVs lounging at Cairns isn't hurting my cause either
) but I can't even think of any offensive moves with a solitary carrier, 3 cruisers and some DDs (no matter how many IJN BBs they want to take on and force to abort a mission) in my corner. I'll post again a shipping list for y'all to comment on if you desire. As always, comments are welcome, and my ego has been surgically removed
Thanks for the post, Amiral.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Dirty little secrets.......
A summary of active TFs as of 8/9/42
Allied Task Forces
Carrier Task Force 209:
CV Saratoga, CA Vincennes, CL Achilles, CLAA Juneau, San Diego DD Aaron Ward, Laffey, Buchanan
Surface Combat Task Forces:
TF 201 (ASW) DD x 5 Gwin, Grayson, Meredith, Monssen, Swanson
TF 208 (ASW) PG Tui, SC x2
TF 229 (ASW) SC x 11
TF 234 (MW) DM x 2 Gamble, Montgomery
Submarine Task Forces
TF 203 Pickerel
TF 205 S-46
TF 206 S-45
TF 207 Grenadier
TF 215 S-47 ( at TV)
TF 216 S-42
TF 217 S-43
TF 219 S-37 (at RH)
TF 225 Drum
TF 227 S-40 (at Noumea)
TF 233 Tautog
I had 33 ships (mostly DDs) at RH, but am now reforming TFs. Achilles will be detached for service in SOPAC, and the CL St. Louis will take her place in TF209.
Depending on levels of SYS damage to the mass of DDs, I’ll probably send them home (probably the Mahan class, they’re not as good as Gridleys for SC, not as good as Porters for AA, and not as good as Bensons for ASW) to repair a bit, possibly upgrade their AA, and escort the big ships across.
Also, a list of what’s expected at PH for the next 20 days, first surface, then submarine in order of scheduled arrival:
BB Washington and CLAA Van Heemskerck 2 days out
CL Boise and DD Monaghan 3 days out
DD Fletcher 6 days out
DD Worden 9 days out
DD Dewey 11 days out
DD Duncan 13 days out
CL Helena and DD Perkins 15 days out
DD Aylwin, Cushing 16 days out
CA San Francisco 17 days out
CL Leander and DD McCalla, Wilkes 19 days out
DD Shaw 20 days out
Submarines
Grayling 1 day out
Flying Fish 8 days out
Sculpin 9 days out
Wahoo 12 days out
Sailfish 14 days out
Sturgeon 19 days out
Finally, a picture of the situation at Oz, concentrating on Townsville. The red arrows are the paths my subs will take to try and bottle the IJN CVs inside the reef.
More to come…
Allied Task Forces
Carrier Task Force 209:
CV Saratoga, CA Vincennes, CL Achilles, CLAA Juneau, San Diego DD Aaron Ward, Laffey, Buchanan
Surface Combat Task Forces:
TF 201 (ASW) DD x 5 Gwin, Grayson, Meredith, Monssen, Swanson
TF 208 (ASW) PG Tui, SC x2
TF 229 (ASW) SC x 11
TF 234 (MW) DM x 2 Gamble, Montgomery
Submarine Task Forces
TF 203 Pickerel
TF 205 S-46
TF 206 S-45
TF 207 Grenadier
TF 215 S-47 ( at TV)
TF 216 S-42
TF 217 S-43
TF 219 S-37 (at RH)
TF 225 Drum
TF 227 S-40 (at Noumea)
TF 233 Tautog
I had 33 ships (mostly DDs) at RH, but am now reforming TFs. Achilles will be detached for service in SOPAC, and the CL St. Louis will take her place in TF209.
Depending on levels of SYS damage to the mass of DDs, I’ll probably send them home (probably the Mahan class, they’re not as good as Gridleys for SC, not as good as Porters for AA, and not as good as Bensons for ASW) to repair a bit, possibly upgrade their AA, and escort the big ships across.
Also, a list of what’s expected at PH for the next 20 days, first surface, then submarine in order of scheduled arrival:
BB Washington and CLAA Van Heemskerck 2 days out
CL Boise and DD Monaghan 3 days out
DD Fletcher 6 days out
DD Worden 9 days out
DD Dewey 11 days out
DD Duncan 13 days out
CL Helena and DD Perkins 15 days out
DD Aylwin, Cushing 16 days out
CA San Francisco 17 days out
CL Leander and DD McCalla, Wilkes 19 days out
DD Shaw 20 days out
Submarines
Grayling 1 day out
Flying Fish 8 days out
Sculpin 9 days out
Wahoo 12 days out
Sailfish 14 days out
Sturgeon 19 days out
Finally, a picture of the situation at Oz, concentrating on Townsville. The red arrows are the paths my subs will take to try and bottle the IJN CVs inside the reef.
More to come…
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"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
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AmiralLaurent
- Posts: 3351
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:53 pm
- Location: Near Paris, France
Given the list of reinforcements, you will have at least 6 DD in PH in 15 days, so could except CV or BB sail the same day to Noumea, and then another force some days later (with remaining CV or BB). So big reinforcements in one month. No need to send DD back here, except for AA upgrades.
It can be a good idea to watch the next reinforcements and see if any capital ship will arrive in PH from USA without enough DD to escort him. So you send back some DD 20 days before.
You can select the 6 DD you want to send back for that and have them based in Noumea, doing FT or ASW, and then send them back one month before the release of the capital ship you're interested into.
I see that you have 11 subs, at least 9 operationnal. That is more that I have ever managed to have in August 1942 in a PBEM after a major battle. By reading in the AAR I was surprised to see that Quark didn't escort its AP.... IJN sank not many subs but may damage more. Now that IJN held Cairns, your subs will score less here. When I play Allied, my primary target is IJN tankers. They are few and burn so well that any hit in open sea sinks them. And IJN needs them because BB sucks fuel very quickly.
So, I will send 3 subs chase convoys between Truk and Rabaul/Shortlands, 3 others chase the TK resplenishment fleet following the CV and 3 other patrol off Cairns.
Or you can have a sub (one of the newest) bring supplies to an Allied dot in the middle of IJN waters (in Solomons or in the islands off Gili Gili, it there is one left). Once there are supplies and you have a clear day, send a PBY squadron at 100% naval search. It is very useful to see the IJN convoys and send your subs working. At the end of the day, put your PBY back to Australia. You may lose 1 or 2 planes to breakdown but that is worth it. You can also have a sub wait here when the Japanese will came to take the dot.
The idea is to put pressure on IJN rear aera so you have less DD to fight off Australia.
It can be a good idea to watch the next reinforcements and see if any capital ship will arrive in PH from USA without enough DD to escort him. So you send back some DD 20 days before.
You can select the 6 DD you want to send back for that and have them based in Noumea, doing FT or ASW, and then send them back one month before the release of the capital ship you're interested into.
I see that you have 11 subs, at least 9 operationnal. That is more that I have ever managed to have in August 1942 in a PBEM after a major battle. By reading in the AAR I was surprised to see that Quark didn't escort its AP.... IJN sank not many subs but may damage more. Now that IJN held Cairns, your subs will score less here. When I play Allied, my primary target is IJN tankers. They are few and burn so well that any hit in open sea sinks them. And IJN needs them because BB sucks fuel very quickly.
So, I will send 3 subs chase convoys between Truk and Rabaul/Shortlands, 3 others chase the TK resplenishment fleet following the CV and 3 other patrol off Cairns.
Or you can have a sub (one of the newest) bring supplies to an Allied dot in the middle of IJN waters (in Solomons or in the islands off Gili Gili, it there is one left). Once there are supplies and you have a clear day, send a PBY squadron at 100% naval search. It is very useful to see the IJN convoys and send your subs working. At the end of the day, put your PBY back to Australia. You may lose 1 or 2 planes to breakdown but that is worth it. You can also have a sub wait here when the Japanese will came to take the dot.
The idea is to put pressure on IJN rear aera so you have less DD to fight off Australia.
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Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Day of the little knives
(This post dedicated to the FBs and PT boats who did some damage to the IJN this turn)
The subs strike again. I don’t know where Quark’s ASW escorts are, and, frankly – I have no compunction about culling the APs if he will leave them unprotected. The carriers seem to be gone, no airborne ASW – that’s the one aspect of Quark’s ASW effort that does scare me.
Well, that, and the 16 barges at GG. No way will I send a sub into that deathtrap.
Today’s combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/11/42
Weather: Thunderstorms
Sub attack at 8,55
Allied Ships
SS S-42
When in doubt, dive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,55
Japanese Ships
AP Keisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-43
When not in doubt, shoot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 9 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x Hudson at 6000 feet
This is the very last of the Hudson raids for a couple of weeks. All Hudsons are at Brisbane for R&R.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 8,55
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-42
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 23
Another sub commander not in doubt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 9,54
Japanese Ships
AP Tokai Maru
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
In every navy, there is usually one albatross. Methinks poor Grenadier is ours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 14
G4M1 Betty x 15
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
14 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
Another ground attack raid, yielding only experience and fatigue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Innisfail at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 48
P-39D Airacobra x 93
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 7 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
PO2 E.Minami of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 20, on fire
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ariake, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Nothing as spectacular as a 1000 lb bomb tearing open an ammunition storage locker or anything, but every weapon on these aircraft penetrated the ships’ armor. As Quark put it when he hit Yorktown, “How do you like the new skylights?”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Innisfail at 7,57
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
PT 38
PT 60
Wounded by the strafing attacks, the destroyers face a new threat. The coordination here was beautiful to see. One can imagine the sailors watching the planes fly away, only to hear a cry of “torpedo!!” as the little plywood craft zoom in, launch their torpedoes and speed away without a scratch(btw, my first PT boat attack in U/V)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something new, there are now 2300+ IJN troops at Innisfail, probably brought in by the destroyers my planes chewed up. Fortunately, 2 of the 3 INF BDEs should be there at Innisfail by morning, and the third by the following day. I expect Quark to use a shock attack and try to re-take Innisfail. I wonder how many of the 2300 are combat troops.
He still has an awful lot of troops at Cairns, and it looks like he’s settling in for the duration, and planning a victory on points (he’s about 6000 points ahead of me).
Intentions (and sub use doctrine) to follow.
The subs strike again. I don’t know where Quark’s ASW escorts are, and, frankly – I have no compunction about culling the APs if he will leave them unprotected. The carriers seem to be gone, no airborne ASW – that’s the one aspect of Quark’s ASW effort that does scare me.
Well, that, and the 16 barges at GG. No way will I send a sub into that deathtrap.
Today’s combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/11/42
Weather: Thunderstorms
Sub attack at 8,55
Allied Ships
SS S-42
When in doubt, dive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,55
Japanese Ships
AP Keisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-43
When not in doubt, shoot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 9 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x Hudson at 6000 feet
This is the very last of the Hudson raids for a couple of weeks. All Hudsons are at Brisbane for R&R.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 8,55
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-42
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 23
Another sub commander not in doubt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 9,54
Japanese Ships
AP Tokai Maru
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
In every navy, there is usually one albatross. Methinks poor Grenadier is ours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 14
G4M1 Betty x 15
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
14 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
Another ground attack raid, yielding only experience and fatigue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Innisfail at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 48
P-39D Airacobra x 93
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 7 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
PO2 E.Minami of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 20, on fire
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ariake, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Nothing as spectacular as a 1000 lb bomb tearing open an ammunition storage locker or anything, but every weapon on these aircraft penetrated the ships’ armor. As Quark put it when he hit Yorktown, “How do you like the new skylights?”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Innisfail at 7,57
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
PT 38
PT 60
Wounded by the strafing attacks, the destroyers face a new threat. The coordination here was beautiful to see. One can imagine the sailors watching the planes fly away, only to hear a cry of “torpedo!!” as the little plywood craft zoom in, launch their torpedoes and speed away without a scratch(btw, my first PT boat attack in U/V)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something new, there are now 2300+ IJN troops at Innisfail, probably brought in by the destroyers my planes chewed up. Fortunately, 2 of the 3 INF BDEs should be there at Innisfail by morning, and the third by the following day. I expect Quark to use a shock attack and try to re-take Innisfail. I wonder how many of the 2300 are combat troops.
He still has an awful lot of troops at Cairns, and it looks like he’s settling in for the duration, and planning a victory on points (he’s about 6000 points ahead of me).
Intentions (and sub use doctrine) to follow.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
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Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
8/12/42
First, to respond to AmiralLaurent’s post concerning subs. I appreciate your input and suggestions. I especially like the one about using the PBYs deep into the enemy’s backyard with a sub dropping off supplies (fuel barrels, I would imagine) on one of the dots. Maybe two subs, one supplies, one a squad of troops. This way it could be a red dot too.
As far as tankers, I certainly am not averse to setting one ablaze. One of the things I like to try and do is sit on a convoy route, rather than sailing from point to point. Staying in one location also gives the boat a chance (however small it is) to repair SYS damage as well. Personally, I think APs are easier to go for, since their whole existence necessitates a predictable route I can stake out. If you note the disposition of the last map I attached, it’s already paid off with 2 more damaged APs in one turn. Setting up “hunting preserves” hex by hex lets the enemy come to me. Also, by moving at high speed, SYS damage increases. If I can sit tight, I won’t take as much damage as a speeding convoy trying to get out of danger (or suffer by sailing longer around a known sub location). The risk of ASW is larger, but if it gets too bad, a move in any direction be a hex or two is usually sufficient to shake off the hunters.
Please note, my comments are what simply work for me, and what I’m comfortable with. This is the first PBEM game I’ve taken this deep (my fourth PBEM overall, counting one Scenario 1), so I’m still learning from my mistakes. Keep the advice coming. I’ll take everything under consideration.
With the attack on the IJN DDs by the FBs from TV completed, time to rotate the more beat-up squadrons to RH. Two SBD squadrons and 1 TBF squadron are now in TV. One SBD squadron is in CT. They’re all set to Naval Attack. I have the US Army FBs set to Escort, and one FB squadron set to Sweep at Innisfail. Two half strength Wirraway squadrons have also transferred up to TV from RH and are also set to Naval Attack from 17000 ft. This may or may not have escort, as my F4F-4s are all wiped out (best morale in SOPAC is 55) and back at Brisbane. The US Army FBs are the only ones capable of protection for this raid.
I’m toying with the idea of using the Marine F4F-4 squadrons from SWPAC as front line fighters and the Navy fighters as reinforcements while they wait for their carriers to return. To that end, Saratoga and her TF have been ordered west again, and could slingshot planes from Noumea-Saratoga-Brisbane, while taking the combat-weary F4F-4s from Brisbane back to Noumea using the same “mid-ocean” landing strip concept. With only one carrier, this would take a few days to accomplish, but I’m liking the idea.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of Quark’s ground attack at Innisfail, two B-25 Mitchell squadrons and two A-20B Havoc squadrons from CT are set to Ground Attack at Innisfail from 6000 ft. All four squadrons full strength and have 80+ morale.
Hudsons and the Beaufort squadrons rotate back to Brissy for R & R.
At RH, TF 204 is created. A SC TF with 15 ships sets sail for Noumea. Included are the cruisers Northampton, Louisville, and Astoria. The light cruiser St. Louis is also in the TF, along with 11 destroyers from the Benham, Sims, and Farragaut classes. Astoria will return to PH for an AA upgrade, and I’m sending the 6 of the 11 destroyers with her.
I plan the following disposition for my destroyers by class:
Benson........ASW TFs
Bristol..........CV escorts very good ASW (8) and AA (560)
Porter..........CV/SC escorts AA (500)
Gridley..........SC attack craft (16 torpedoes)
Mahan..........SC attack craft (12 torpedoes)
The other classes will be relegated to PH/Noumea escort, transport escort, etc.
Tomorrow will be a very critical day for my ground troops at Cairns and Innisfail.
First, to respond to AmiralLaurent’s post concerning subs. I appreciate your input and suggestions. I especially like the one about using the PBYs deep into the enemy’s backyard with a sub dropping off supplies (fuel barrels, I would imagine) on one of the dots. Maybe two subs, one supplies, one a squad of troops. This way it could be a red dot too.
As far as tankers, I certainly am not averse to setting one ablaze. One of the things I like to try and do is sit on a convoy route, rather than sailing from point to point. Staying in one location also gives the boat a chance (however small it is) to repair SYS damage as well. Personally, I think APs are easier to go for, since their whole existence necessitates a predictable route I can stake out. If you note the disposition of the last map I attached, it’s already paid off with 2 more damaged APs in one turn. Setting up “hunting preserves” hex by hex lets the enemy come to me. Also, by moving at high speed, SYS damage increases. If I can sit tight, I won’t take as much damage as a speeding convoy trying to get out of danger (or suffer by sailing longer around a known sub location). The risk of ASW is larger, but if it gets too bad, a move in any direction be a hex or two is usually sufficient to shake off the hunters.
Please note, my comments are what simply work for me, and what I’m comfortable with. This is the first PBEM game I’ve taken this deep (my fourth PBEM overall, counting one Scenario 1), so I’m still learning from my mistakes. Keep the advice coming. I’ll take everything under consideration.
With the attack on the IJN DDs by the FBs from TV completed, time to rotate the more beat-up squadrons to RH. Two SBD squadrons and 1 TBF squadron are now in TV. One SBD squadron is in CT. They’re all set to Naval Attack. I have the US Army FBs set to Escort, and one FB squadron set to Sweep at Innisfail. Two half strength Wirraway squadrons have also transferred up to TV from RH and are also set to Naval Attack from 17000 ft. This may or may not have escort, as my F4F-4s are all wiped out (best morale in SOPAC is 55) and back at Brisbane. The US Army FBs are the only ones capable of protection for this raid.
I’m toying with the idea of using the Marine F4F-4 squadrons from SWPAC as front line fighters and the Navy fighters as reinforcements while they wait for their carriers to return. To that end, Saratoga and her TF have been ordered west again, and could slingshot planes from Noumea-Saratoga-Brisbane, while taking the combat-weary F4F-4s from Brisbane back to Noumea using the same “mid-ocean” landing strip concept. With only one carrier, this would take a few days to accomplish, but I’m liking the idea.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of Quark’s ground attack at Innisfail, two B-25 Mitchell squadrons and two A-20B Havoc squadrons from CT are set to Ground Attack at Innisfail from 6000 ft. All four squadrons full strength and have 80+ morale.
Hudsons and the Beaufort squadrons rotate back to Brissy for R & R.
At RH, TF 204 is created. A SC TF with 15 ships sets sail for Noumea. Included are the cruisers Northampton, Louisville, and Astoria. The light cruiser St. Louis is also in the TF, along with 11 destroyers from the Benham, Sims, and Farragaut classes. Astoria will return to PH for an AA upgrade, and I’m sending the 6 of the 11 destroyers with her.
I plan the following disposition for my destroyers by class:
Benson........ASW TFs
Bristol..........CV escorts very good ASW (8) and AA (560)
Porter..........CV/SC escorts AA (500)
Gridley..........SC attack craft (16 torpedoes)
Mahan..........SC attack craft (12 torpedoes)
The other classes will be relegated to PH/Noumea escort, transport escort, etc.
Tomorrow will be a very critical day for my ground troops at Cairns and Innisfail.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
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AmiralLaurent
- Posts: 3351
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:53 pm
- Location: Near Paris, France
Thinking more of it, you can do two things. Send a sub with a squad and another with supplies take an empty enemy base (not dot), like the ports on North New Guina coast or the Admiralties Island. Base your PBY here. IJN should retake it quickly.
During the same time, you could also put supplies in a green dot, that will be a secret supply point for your subs. Supplies are enough for torpedoes. You can use it to have S-boats remain in Solomon waters. Use of the newest subs (Grenadier for example) with their almost useless Mk14 torps to refuel them at sea, so they can remain longer in situ. Problem is the SYS damage that will rise.
I try to create a base like that in the first turns of the campain, by FT for example from Luganville when Solomons waters are still safe (no airfield in Shortlands or Lunga). Never tested it, but it should be also possible to bring supplies with PBY. Slow but you won't be seen.
On the other hand, when I play IJN, I send barges with naval troops take every dot in the Solomons. If only they could also find some coastwatchers...
As an IJN player, I take special care of ASW. I have some ASW ships in Truk and many in Shortlands and Kavieng. A convoy left Truk to an open sea hex (changing from each convoy), with patrol/do not retire status on. He has escorts for the first 1 or 2 days, then most of them quit and return to Truk or join a northbound convoy to cover it in the vicinity of Truk.
When the convoy arrives near its target hex, an ASW force leaves Shortlands or Kavieng to meet it here and then merge with it, then the convoy is given a new destination (the base where it will unload) with retire orders (so it will unload at arrival and then return to Truk). Strong escort will return to its base one day after the convoy has sailed back to wards Truk.
Works also on Allied side between Noumea and Brisbane or Luganville for example. As I use only big convoys in safe waters, that is not so much time-consuming management.
I don't remember seing Quark's IJN subs score much in your AAR.
During the same time, you could also put supplies in a green dot, that will be a secret supply point for your subs. Supplies are enough for torpedoes. You can use it to have S-boats remain in Solomon waters. Use of the newest subs (Grenadier for example) with their almost useless Mk14 torps to refuel them at sea, so they can remain longer in situ. Problem is the SYS damage that will rise.
I try to create a base like that in the first turns of the campain, by FT for example from Luganville when Solomons waters are still safe (no airfield in Shortlands or Lunga). Never tested it, but it should be also possible to bring supplies with PBY. Slow but you won't be seen.
On the other hand, when I play IJN, I send barges with naval troops take every dot in the Solomons. If only they could also find some coastwatchers...
As an IJN player, I take special care of ASW. I have some ASW ships in Truk and many in Shortlands and Kavieng. A convoy left Truk to an open sea hex (changing from each convoy), with patrol/do not retire status on. He has escorts for the first 1 or 2 days, then most of them quit and return to Truk or join a northbound convoy to cover it in the vicinity of Truk.
When the convoy arrives near its target hex, an ASW force leaves Shortlands or Kavieng to meet it here and then merge with it, then the convoy is given a new destination (the base where it will unload) with retire orders (so it will unload at arrival and then return to Truk). Strong escort will return to its base one day after the convoy has sailed back to wards Truk.
Works also on Allied side between Noumea and Brisbane or Luganville for example. As I use only big convoys in safe waters, that is not so much time-consuming management.
I don't remember seing Quark's IJN subs score much in your AAR.
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
A mixed bag...
Good news mostly from today’s action, however one bungle was very costly to my Navy’s dive bombers. Two additional IJN transports listed as sunk: the Gosei Maru and the Keisho Maru, The first was empty, but Keisho Maru sunk with 726 supplies on board. The IJN sunk ship (confirmed) count is now 60 compared to 67 Allied vessels gone. 21 of the IJN ships lost are combat vessels, 39 of them are transports (all APs – does the IJN have AKs?).
Today’s combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/12/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 7,55
Japanese Ships
AP Cuba Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-43
Talk about a prime hunting area, the only thing stopping the subs so far is when they run out of bullets and have to reload.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
no losses
The sweep raises no enemy fighters. We’re about to find out why in a bit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 24
A-20B Havoc x 24
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 119
Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
5 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
Out of the 95 bombers assigned to the mission, 71 are able to make the trip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 61
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 54
The IJN naval aviators are getting better in a CAS role.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 24
Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x G4M1 Betty at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 31
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 12 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
LTJG S.Sakai of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5
I honestly don’t know about this one. I guess I rationalized myself into another less than intelligent move. Fighter bombers trying to escort SBDs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 30
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 13
Wirraway x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged
Wirraway x 2 destroyed
LTJG S.Minobe of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 5
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Good news – while the CAP was decimating one group of SBDs, the other flight gets through relatively unharmed (for having no escort). Bad news – the only target left is the smoking hulk of a destroyer. All of that sacrifice, for what?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 8
P-400 Airacobra x 20
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 9 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 8 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 destroyed
LTJG S.Sakai of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LT J. Yamashita of F2/1st Daitai is KILLED
Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
BB Mutsu
Looks like the FBs can keep up with the TBFs. Got to start paying attention to the Aircraft Data on these planes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 38055 troops, 451 guns, 116 vehicles
Defending force 11077 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
PO2 H.Ikeda of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 106
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 427
Guns lost 2
Here they come again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Innisfail
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1781 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2694 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 310
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 21
Just in time, the 10th BDE from Cairns arrives in Innisfail to help defend against the IJN efforts to retake the base and seal the defenders at Cairns up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions follow.
Today’s combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/12/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 7,55
Japanese Ships
AP Cuba Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-43
Talk about a prime hunting area, the only thing stopping the subs so far is when they run out of bullets and have to reload.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
no losses
The sweep raises no enemy fighters. We’re about to find out why in a bit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 24
A-20B Havoc x 24
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 119
Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
5 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
Out of the 95 bombers assigned to the mission, 71 are able to make the trip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 61
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 54
The IJN naval aviators are getting better in a CAS role.
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Air attack on 21st Aus Brigade, at 7,57
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 24
Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x G4M1 Betty at 1000 feet
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Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 31
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 12 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
LTJG S.Sakai of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5
I honestly don’t know about this one. I guess I rationalized myself into another less than intelligent move. Fighter bombers trying to escort SBDs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 30
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 13
Wirraway x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged
Wirraway x 2 destroyed
LTJG S.Minobe of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 5
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Good news – while the CAP was decimating one group of SBDs, the other flight gets through relatively unharmed (for having no escort). Bad news – the only target left is the smoking hulk of a destroyer. All of that sacrifice, for what?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 7,57
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 7,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 8
P-400 Airacobra x 20
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 9 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 8 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 destroyed
LTJG S.Sakai of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LT J. Yamashita of F2/1st Daitai is KILLED
Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
BB Mutsu
Looks like the FBs can keep up with the TBFs. Got to start paying attention to the Aircraft Data on these planes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 38055 troops, 451 guns, 116 vehicles
Defending force 11077 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
PO2 H.Ikeda of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 106
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 427
Guns lost 2
Here they come again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Innisfail
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1781 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2694 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 310
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 21
Just in time, the 10th BDE from Cairns arrives in Innisfail to help defend against the IJN efforts to retake the base and seal the defenders at Cairns up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions follow.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
8/13/42
The subs patrolling the Reef have taken a fearful toll of the IJN transports, and no reason to stop now. A small change in plans, however, is called for.
I moved a PBY squadron to TV, and it painted a picture of nine IJN TFs outside the reef. Of particular interest is a group of 4 TFs in the same hex. They contain a total of 15 ships, all are DDs, APs, APDs, etc. (remnants of the invasion force?) I think those are cripples. They are currently 150 miles ahead of my subs Pickerel and Grenadier. The targets are moving NE, towards GG. I am going to give chase, and try to put a few out of their misery. I’m sure Grenadier can use some easy targets. Depending on the severity of the damage to the TFs, I may get a few shots off before they make port. With the operation at Cairns about to wind down, I’m sure Quark will try to salvage what transports he can from the bloodbath.
Meanwhile, my two uber-boats have tasks. S-43 is out of ammo and must leave her hunting grounds and return to TV for supplies. S-46, however has been quietly sitting at Innisfail, and will move into the target area at the break in the reef. Prime real estate for a sub – a deep-water chokepoint.
On the ground, the forces left at Cairns are 4 miles away from Innisfail. As mentioned earlier, the 10th BDE has already arrived. No time to rest, though, and everyone at Innisfail has been ordered to TV immediately. I’m not going to risk a FT move with Mutsu in the area. I don’t need the destroyers shot to pieces with troops on board. The troops march. Once they get to the pavement, the trip should be quick.
In TV, the two PT boats will arrive tomorrow. I wonder if stationing a sub with hi SYS damage half-way between TV and Cairns would serve as a refueling point for the PT boats while possibly repairing its own damage. We’ll have to try that.
Air assets at TV down to five FB squadrons (3 of which are understrength), a PBY squadron, and a single fighter squadron. All naval TBFs and SBDs relocated to RH.
At CT, two B-17 squadrons and 1 B-26 squadron will make a night raid on the airbase at Cairns. 46 IJN aircraft reportedly based there. The only planes flying have single digit fatigue with morale 70+. I have a few squadrons with fatigue in the teens, but they will continue to rest. Until I get fighter escort, it’s night raids only. I have badly underestimated the IJN CAP. The escort will be in the form of VMF squadrons and Oz fighters.
Saratoga is in place, and has transferred her air wing to Noumea, while taking on 3 Marine squadrons (one VMF and two VMSB) to transfer to Oz. Two VMF squadrons (one from Efate, and one from Luganville) have transferred to Noumea, in preparation for a move to OZ via Saratoga. The Navy fighters and attack planes will shuttle east, eventually to Luganville and Efate to recover while their carriers try to get back to the theater.
Patience is indeed a virtue.
Virtuosity, however, sometimes seems to elude me.
More to come.
The subs patrolling the Reef have taken a fearful toll of the IJN transports, and no reason to stop now. A small change in plans, however, is called for.
I moved a PBY squadron to TV, and it painted a picture of nine IJN TFs outside the reef. Of particular interest is a group of 4 TFs in the same hex. They contain a total of 15 ships, all are DDs, APs, APDs, etc. (remnants of the invasion force?) I think those are cripples. They are currently 150 miles ahead of my subs Pickerel and Grenadier. The targets are moving NE, towards GG. I am going to give chase, and try to put a few out of their misery. I’m sure Grenadier can use some easy targets. Depending on the severity of the damage to the TFs, I may get a few shots off before they make port. With the operation at Cairns about to wind down, I’m sure Quark will try to salvage what transports he can from the bloodbath.
Meanwhile, my two uber-boats have tasks. S-43 is out of ammo and must leave her hunting grounds and return to TV for supplies. S-46, however has been quietly sitting at Innisfail, and will move into the target area at the break in the reef. Prime real estate for a sub – a deep-water chokepoint.
On the ground, the forces left at Cairns are 4 miles away from Innisfail. As mentioned earlier, the 10th BDE has already arrived. No time to rest, though, and everyone at Innisfail has been ordered to TV immediately. I’m not going to risk a FT move with Mutsu in the area. I don’t need the destroyers shot to pieces with troops on board. The troops march. Once they get to the pavement, the trip should be quick.
In TV, the two PT boats will arrive tomorrow. I wonder if stationing a sub with hi SYS damage half-way between TV and Cairns would serve as a refueling point for the PT boats while possibly repairing its own damage. We’ll have to try that.
Air assets at TV down to five FB squadrons (3 of which are understrength), a PBY squadron, and a single fighter squadron. All naval TBFs and SBDs relocated to RH.
At CT, two B-17 squadrons and 1 B-26 squadron will make a night raid on the airbase at Cairns. 46 IJN aircraft reportedly based there. The only planes flying have single digit fatigue with morale 70+. I have a few squadrons with fatigue in the teens, but they will continue to rest. Until I get fighter escort, it’s night raids only. I have badly underestimated the IJN CAP. The escort will be in the form of VMF squadrons and Oz fighters.
Saratoga is in place, and has transferred her air wing to Noumea, while taking on 3 Marine squadrons (one VMF and two VMSB) to transfer to Oz. Two VMF squadrons (one from Efate, and one from Luganville) have transferred to Noumea, in preparation for a move to OZ via Saratoga. The Navy fighters and attack planes will shuttle east, eventually to Luganville and Efate to recover while their carriers try to get back to the theater.
Patience is indeed a virtue.
Virtuosity, however, sometimes seems to elude me.
More to come.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Intentions.....
Combining both the CR and Intentions post…
Today’s combat action is limited to night raids against the Cairns airfield
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/13/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 4
B-17E Fortress x 9
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 16000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 11000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
Staggered altitude, just in case of CAP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions:
8/14/42
All Allied personnel have evacuated Cairns. Innisfail, then TV. I’m sending a FT TF of Mahan class DDs and the one APD to TV and see if I can sneak a few back to TV from Innisfail. Quark appears to be loading up as well. 8 APs at Cairns. 300 IJN troops at Innisfail. Now that I’ve escaped, he’s probably pulling out. All level bombers from CT will execute a night raid on the ports at Cairns, from 6000 feet. Let’s see if I can slow down the loading process.
One last SBD attack from TV planned – a night raid with 30 SBDs at 70+ morale from 17000 feet. Let’s see what this does. Never tried a night attack with SBDs.
PT-38 and PT-60 will raid Cairns again (only DD and AP vessels reported there), with a sub standing by near Innisfail to refuel the attackers on their trip home. A third PT should be joining them within a couple of days.
VMF squadrons at Brisbane and RH, ready to head to CT and TV. Mauled SBD and TBF squadrons transfer to Saratoga en route to Noumea.
Efate Port Vila has carrier air wing #6 stationed at the base. VF-6, VB-6, VS-6, and VT-6 rest up and await their carrier.
PH has released the carriers Lexington and Wasp. They, and their escorts (CA, CL, 2xCLAA, 4xDD), will arrive in 19 days. North Carolina and Washington await their escorts.
Transferred back to PH are most of the Benham, Sims, and Farragaut class DDs. All three cruisers from RH are sent back as well.
Tomo is a level 8 airfield, 59% complete to level 9. The BF engineers can finish the job, and 3 ENG units ordered from Tomo to Basse-Poya to repeat the process. One B-17 unit transferred to Tomo for Naval Search while it waits for replacements.
More to come…
Today’s combat action is limited to night raids against the Cairns airfield
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/13/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on Cairns , at 7,56
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 4
B-17E Fortress x 9
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 16000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 11000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
Staggered altitude, just in case of CAP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions:
8/14/42
All Allied personnel have evacuated Cairns. Innisfail, then TV. I’m sending a FT TF of Mahan class DDs and the one APD to TV and see if I can sneak a few back to TV from Innisfail. Quark appears to be loading up as well. 8 APs at Cairns. 300 IJN troops at Innisfail. Now that I’ve escaped, he’s probably pulling out. All level bombers from CT will execute a night raid on the ports at Cairns, from 6000 feet. Let’s see if I can slow down the loading process.
One last SBD attack from TV planned – a night raid with 30 SBDs at 70+ morale from 17000 feet. Let’s see what this does. Never tried a night attack with SBDs.
PT-38 and PT-60 will raid Cairns again (only DD and AP vessels reported there), with a sub standing by near Innisfail to refuel the attackers on their trip home. A third PT should be joining them within a couple of days.
VMF squadrons at Brisbane and RH, ready to head to CT and TV. Mauled SBD and TBF squadrons transfer to Saratoga en route to Noumea.
Efate Port Vila has carrier air wing #6 stationed at the base. VF-6, VB-6, VS-6, and VT-6 rest up and await their carrier.
PH has released the carriers Lexington and Wasp. They, and their escorts (CA, CL, 2xCLAA, 4xDD), will arrive in 19 days. North Carolina and Washington await their escorts.
Transferred back to PH are most of the Benham, Sims, and Farragaut class DDs. All three cruisers from RH are sent back as well.
Tomo is a level 8 airfield, 59% complete to level 9. The BF engineers can finish the job, and 3 ENG units ordered from Tomo to Basse-Poya to repeat the process. One B-17 unit transferred to Tomo for Naval Search while it waits for replacements.
More to come…
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
-
Attack Condor
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: Chicago
Submarines
Sub Statistics
Because of my success with them I took some time and reviewed all sub contacts during the campaign up to 8/12. Results:
79 contacts resulted in 60 attacks, or 75.9% of the time a sub makes contact, it gets a shot off. Of the 60 attacks, torpedoes were used 85% of the time. Of all torpedo attacks made, hits were recorded 56% of the time.
Examining the info on just the S-boats reveals the following – 40 torpedo attacks with 25 hits (62.5% hit percentage). One of the most interesting stats I see is that out of the eleven S-boats reviewed, only 4 times did they surface to engage the target with their deck gun (3 with S-37, and 1 with S-46).
Examining the info on the newer Tambor class boats reveals the following – 10 torpedo attacks with 3 hits (30% hit percentage), but 5 times they surfaced and engaged their targets with their deck gun (Greenling surfaced 3 times and Tautog twice). Not coincidentally, both of those boats are in for repair.
And now, the torpedo stats by boat:
Boat____________Attacks_____Hits_____Percentage
S-37.........................3.................3...............100%
S-38.........................1.................0...................0%
S-39.........................3.................1.................33%
S-40.........................3.................3...............100%
S-41.........................1.................0...................0%
S-42.........................3.................3...............100%
S-43.........................5.................2.................40%
S-44.........................0.................0..................N/A
S-45.........................6.................4.................67%
S-46.........................7.................5.................71%
S-47.........................8.................4.................50%
Greenling...................2..................1.................50%
Grenadier..................7.................2...............28.5%
Tautog......................1.................0....................0%
FWIW, it appears any "special ops missions" aren't going to be given to the S-boats - they're too darn good at hurting ships.
(note: Drum is in theater, but has made no contacts yet).
Staying away from surface battles is always a good idea. Seems like if you stay out of shallow or coastal hexes, there's less of a chance the IJN commander will send AGs your way.
Comments welcome
More to come...
Because of my success with them I took some time and reviewed all sub contacts during the campaign up to 8/12. Results:
79 contacts resulted in 60 attacks, or 75.9% of the time a sub makes contact, it gets a shot off. Of the 60 attacks, torpedoes were used 85% of the time. Of all torpedo attacks made, hits were recorded 56% of the time.
Examining the info on just the S-boats reveals the following – 40 torpedo attacks with 25 hits (62.5% hit percentage). One of the most interesting stats I see is that out of the eleven S-boats reviewed, only 4 times did they surface to engage the target with their deck gun (3 with S-37, and 1 with S-46).
Examining the info on the newer Tambor class boats reveals the following – 10 torpedo attacks with 3 hits (30% hit percentage), but 5 times they surfaced and engaged their targets with their deck gun (Greenling surfaced 3 times and Tautog twice). Not coincidentally, both of those boats are in for repair.
And now, the torpedo stats by boat:
Boat____________Attacks_____Hits_____Percentage
S-37.........................3.................3...............100%
S-38.........................1.................0...................0%
S-39.........................3.................1.................33%
S-40.........................3.................3...............100%
S-41.........................1.................0...................0%
S-42.........................3.................3...............100%
S-43.........................5.................2.................40%
S-44.........................0.................0..................N/A
S-45.........................6.................4.................67%
S-46.........................7.................5.................71%
S-47.........................8.................4.................50%
Greenling...................2..................1.................50%
Grenadier..................7.................2...............28.5%
Tautog......................1.................0....................0%
FWIW, it appears any "special ops missions" aren't going to be given to the S-boats - they're too darn good at hurting ships.
(note: Drum is in theater, but has made no contacts yet).
Staying away from surface battles is always a good idea. Seems like if you stay out of shallow or coastal hexes, there's less of a chance the IJN commander will send AGs your way.
Comments welcome
More to come...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"