The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[Lowpe]

Shikuka, eh?

If he parks the deathstar one hex SW, then you can't selectively aerially strike the invasion beach. Even Jakes flying 0 hex from Shikuka will search out a couple of hexes (and be shot down). You could try flying Glens from Iboats to target the edge of Shikuka....and work a strike that way if you are so inclined.

But it might present an opportunity to race in a few destroyers at night thru the hex to the SE of Shikuka.

Even only 2 destoyers might cause a lot of reaction movements slowing down the invasion or causing collisions.

Wargamr just did this Sakhalin invasion against Mr. Kane, you might want to check his AAR.

Size 7 forts are pretty tough, if you have lots of units there to absorb the initial bombardments you might do ok. Here is a thought, break one division down into 1/3rds, the full division will bear the brunt of the naval bombardment, and the fractional division will be relatively unhurt. Another option would be to park some worthless planes there so the bombardments focus on the runways rather than the troops.

Of course you need lots of units there, especially artillery to stand any chance, and even armor. I doubt you have a lot there. Stopping what is most likely a 5 division invasion is super tough. I wouldn't feel bad about railing in troops from Toyohara...given the size 7 forts, no initial shock attack, etc.

You might get a shot at some ammo depleted surface groups after he bombards.

Your air lift should be around 500 AV or better by now per day.

Course local supply stockpiles will most likely determine your defense.

[Lokasenna]

That assumes that the USN CVs don't launch any strikes. If they launch strikes, they will be automatically detected and subject to strikes (in the PM phase) from obvert's LBA, regardless of obvert's search patterns.

Also, CVE CAP (if there is any here) would interdict air transport. LRCAP from the CVs is a little less reliable to intercept.

[obvert]

Both Shikuka and Toyohara are level 1 fields, so only FP could go there. I've not planned to defend in any way other than the 8cm DP guns, MTBs, midget subs and the forts, which by the way are almost level 7, but not quite. I think I'd need another to weeks to get them there, so probably won't get it. [:(]

Either way, if he wants it he'll take it without SL in mid-44. I'm happier for him to take 1-2 bases though that still need to be supported and then try as much as possible to strengthen the Kuriles against further invasions. Unless he has some of those still in mind and prepped as well, but it seems not for right this moment.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 4, 1944[/font]

---

The Allied fleet slowly move in on Shikuka. It's amazing to watch, even more so on this day. The USN DDs moved in first and took out the majority of the MTBs. One survived, burning, and fled into the ocean.

As MTB-846 fought it's fire it had a front row seat to watch what looks like the entire Allied armada slide past. Pics posted in succession below. Always good to have a view before complete annihilation.

The Allies flew and sank a retreating cargo TF. I'm kicking myself I didn't have better LR CAP here. Won't make that mistake again. Bleeding CAP just didn't arrive, and this was a golden opportunity to reduce the DS a bit. Mad at myself. [:@][:-]

At Prome the Allied bombardment destroyed two of their units! Siege guns doing their job![&o]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 4, 1944
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Shikuka at 126,45, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-846, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CV Hornet
CV Essex
CV Bunker Hill
CVL Independence
CVL Princeton
CVL Belleau Wood
BB Washington
CA Indianapolis
CLAA Atlanta
DD Sampson
DD Warrington
DD Benham
DD Ellet
DD Lang
DD Stack
DD Sterett
DD Clark
CL Houston II

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Shikuka at 126,45, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-846, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CV Yorktown
CV Intrepid
CV Emperor Norton I.
CVL Monterey
CVL Langley
CVL Bataan
BB Alabama
CA Salt Lake City
CLAA Juneau
CL Montpelier
DD Ingraham
DD Welles
DD Bailey
DD Henley
DD Craven
DD Gridley
DD Maury
DD Porter

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Shikuka at 126,45, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-846, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CV Franklin
CL Richmond
DD Isherwood
DD Johnston
DD Kidd
DD Kimberly
DD Knapp
DD Gansevoort
DD Gillespie
DD Hobby
CL Vincennes II

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Shikuka at 126,45, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-846, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey
DMS Long

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 18,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wakkanai at 123,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 160
SBD-5 Dauntless x 62
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Monji Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Yamabuki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC CHa-37, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Eihuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tateisi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hankow Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Mito Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Kensin Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bihoro at 124,49

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
J2M3 Jack x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 105
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-42, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-39, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5133 troops, 243 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 3897

Defending force 139199 troops, 1429 guns, 2149 vehicles, Assault Value = 4062

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 59 (52 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (15 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

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[obvert]

Looks like tomorrow will be D-Day.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 5, 1944[/font]

---

Sure enough, Shikuka is invaded!

Interesting it's only Shikuka and not also Toyohara. Does he have it prepped? I can't imagine he wouldn't. I'm flying in troops fast, but increasing AV about 100/day there.

I think in the below landing report I count 6 x ID!! That will be a one and done shock and Shikuka will go to the Allies.

The coastal guns create a bit of disruption and hurt some LSTs, but other than that this is pretty smooth as landings go. All decent CD guns are on Hokkaido and in the Marianas. Those are moving up soon to Hokkaido and Honshu bases.

One mini-sub takes out an LST. That's it.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 5, 1944
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Amphibious Assault at Shikuka (126,43)

TF 483 troops unloading over beach at Shikuka, 126,43

Allied ground losses:
506 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 52 (1 destroyed, 51 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (5 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 25th Infantry Div
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div
3" Mortar 43 lost in surf during unload of 5th Australian Div /3
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 3rd Australian Div /7
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div /5
11 troops of a AIF Inf Section 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Australian Div /6
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 2nd Marine Div /9
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 accidentally lost during unload of 24th Infantry Div /4
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 93rd Infantry Div /5
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 98th Infantry Div
Motorized Support dropped into water during unload of 98th Infantry Div /8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Shikuka at 126,43

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-45

Allied Ships
LST-245, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

LST-245 is sighted by SSX Ha-45
SSX Ha-45 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-245

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Ground combat at Shikuka (126,43)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21735 troops, 233 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 731

Defending force 143426 troops, 1808 guns, 2924 vehicles, Assault Value = 4257

Japanese ground losses:
346 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
20th Division
109th Div /1
39th Const Co
26th Special Base Force

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
18th Combat Engr Rgt /1
93rd Infantry Division
3rd Regiment
12th NZ Brigade
112th Cavalry Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
208th USA Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
24th Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
25th Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
5th Australian Division
4th Armoured Brigade
2nd Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
98th Infantry Div /28
131st Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
147th Field Artillery Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp /1
148th Field Artillery Battalion
VII US Fighter Cmnd
V US Bomber Cmnd
227th USN Base Force /8
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /1
98th Field Artillery Battalion
31st Infantry Div /18
225th Field Artillery Battalion
South Pacific /2
I Corps Artillery
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
6th Infantry Div /31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 6, 1944[/font]

---

The Allies shock and take Shikuka. They are also smart and land at Toyohara, meaning the Shikuka troops do not retreat. No flying them out now. [:(]

Also, it looks like the rest of the kitchen sink at Toyohara. I will not have enough there in time to save that base either. The good part is that I'm attritting the DS CAP slightly (while also getting some 2E TB shredded for no hits) and I will try some sweeps. He landed a few units outside of the base as well, so I have a target. I'm hoping to catch bleeding CAP and then possibly, a KB strike!!

Night Frances attack but no hits on the DS. Nice to see them find the big boys though.

I also had Peggys and Judys going at Toyohara in the day, and they were slaughtered. Not unexpected though. I did get to see that the high setting didn't make much difference on its own, but might later with the addition of other low and mid level settings. Some did miraculously get through, but Allied flak is horrific at this point too.

The KB is ready, and will move to a distant possible attack position, well protected by extra LBA on LR CAP over the surface combat TFs. I won't throw all LBA at them too, since the strike position is not advantageous in case he holds back and they end up attacking alone. I don't think they'll move forward, but the sweeps and large KB strike on forward shipping could do well to weaken the DS.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 6, 1944
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Night Air attack on TF, near Shikuka at 125,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-2 Corsair x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 12 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 4 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Intrepid
CV Emperor Norton I.
CVL Bataan

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Shikuka at 125,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-2 Corsair x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CVL Bataan

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 25
J2M3 Jack x 36
N1K2-J George x 36
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 120
F6F-3 Hellcat x 264

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 18 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 5 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 81 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10
D4Y3 Judy x 25
J2M2 Jack x 27
N1K2-J George x 9
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 49

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 93
F6F-3 Hellcat x 208

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 17 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Santa Inez

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 198 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 96
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 62
F6F-3 Hellcat x 129

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Sophocles

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 31000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Toyohara (124,46)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12920 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Defending force 40811 troops, 672 guns, 1245 vehicles, Assault Value = 1569

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
109th Div /2
Karafuto Mixed Brigade
72nd Div /1
38th Const Co

Defending units:
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
711th Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Bn /1
6th Infantry Div /15
I Corps Cmbt Engr Rgt /6
31st Infantry Div /7
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
194th Tank Bn /1
5th USMC Tank Battalion
15th NZ Bde /10
223rd USN Base Force /1
XI Corps Artillery
51st Marine Def Bn /4
11th USMC FA Bn /1
Southwest Pacific /3
2/198th Coast AA Bn /1
12th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV Corps Artillery /1
119th USAAF Base Force /2
VII US Bomber Cmnd /1
224th USN Base Force /5
177th USAAF Base Force /4
17th Marine Def Bn /3

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

Ground combat at Shikuka (126,43)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 138839 troops, 1809 guns, 2882 vehicles, Assault Value = 4305

Defending force 24567 troops, 254 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 674

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 4999

Japanese adjusted defense: 86

Allied assault odds: 58 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shikuka !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
9516 casualties reported
Squads: 330 destroyed, 208 disabled
Non Combat: 53 destroyed, 126 disabled
Engineers: 132 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 150 (123 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (31 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
4461 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 357 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 72 disabled
Guns lost 71 (4 destroyed, 67 disabled)
Vehicles lost 90 (13 destroyed, 77 disabled)

Assaulting units:
98th Infantry Division
24th Infantry Division
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
766th Tank Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
3rd Regiment
2nd Marine Division
18th Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
4th Armoured Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
3rd Australian Division
208th USA Battalion
25th Infantry Division
93rd Infantry Division
5th Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
12th NZ Brigade
4th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
31st Infantry Div /18
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
147th Field Artillery Regiment
227th USN Base Force
Provisional GMC Grp
South Pacific /2
I Corps Artillery
VII US Fighter Cmnd
V US Bomber Cmnd
98th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /1
6th Infantry Div /31
XI US Corps /6

Defending units:
20th Division
109th Div /1
39th Const Co
26th Special Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

I forgot to copy the air loss totals. We lost about 260+ planes, mostly Judys, Oscars and Peggys. All planes I have massive pools for which is nice. Not bad actually for hitting the DS unexpectedly.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 7, 1944[/font]

---

The 7th starts with the Frances again finding the DS. They're like the guard dogs, barking at the fences that alert everyone to the position of the intruder. On this night they may have helped guide subs to their target. Initially this resulted in two subs being crushed by ASW and one getting hit by a USN boat with 3 fish. Ouch.

After this the old BBs bombard Toyohara, an IJN sub hits a mine and then gets crushed by ASW, and the IJN dishes a bit of payback by hitting SS Guitarro with one. [:'(]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 7, 1944
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Sub vs Sub: SS Mingo attacking SS I-185 at 126,48 - near Toyohara

Japanese Ships
SS I-185, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Mingo

SS Mingo launches 6 torpedoes at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Shikuka at 125,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-176, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Weaver
xAK George Middlemas
xAK Benjamin Waterhouse

SS I-176 launches 6 torpedoes at DE Weaver
DE Weaver fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Night Air attack on TF, near Shikuka at 125,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-2 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Shikuka at 125,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-2 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay
CVE Liscome Bay

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Toyohara at 124,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 27, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CA Wichita
CL Nashville
DD Halsey Powell
DD Renshaw
DD Remey
DD Abner Read

SS I-18 is sighted by escort

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Toyohara at 124,46

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 8 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CA Wichita
CL Nashville
DD Renshaw
DD Remey
DD Abner Read
DD Pringle
DD Prichett
DD Halsey Powell

Japanese ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled

Manpower hits 7
Light Industry hits 1
Fires 4876
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17
Port hits 19
Port supply hits 2

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Mississippi

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Sub vs Sub: SS I-183 attacking SS Guitarro at 127,46 - near Shikuka

Japanese Ships
SS I-183

Allied Ships
SS Guitarro, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-183 launches 6 torpedoes at 3,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Shikuka at 126,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-179, hits 34, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CA Wichita
CL Nashville
DD Prichett
DD Renshaw
DD Remey
DD Abner Read

SS I-179 is sighted by escort
DD Renshaw attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 7, 1944[/font]

---

After a night of tracking, daybreak reveals the entire USN DS in the periscope sight of I-183!!

The skipper does the quick calculations, waits just that extra moment to be sure, then lets fly with a spread of 6 Type 95 torpedoes. The wait is agonising, but at last a flash of water shoots above the flight deck and the sound man yells a "Banzai!"

Only one hit, but as the commander continued to monitor for a few lasts moments before crash diving, maybe a moment too long, there was a secondary explosion that rocked the carrier and sent debris flying out across the water.

Exhilerated and shaking, he ordered a dive and immediate change of course. Sadly, it was too late for this crew ...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 7, 1944
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Sub attack near Shikuka at 125,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-183, hits 21, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Franklin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Vincennes II
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort
DD Knapp

Fuel storage explosion on CV Franklin
SS I-183 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Franklin
DD Hobby fails to find sub and abandons search
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

An ammo storage explosion should make this hit debilitating enough to require a trip back to the yards. That means essentially 4-6 months without CV Franklin, which is fantastic. [8D][&o]

[ny59giants]

While sinking an Allied CV would be great, at this point in time just damaging one enough to require it to be withdrawn from the DS is enough, IMO.

BANZAI!!

If you have the time, can you lay out your plans for defending the Kuriles??

Can you do anything about his staging bases in western Aleutians?

[Lowpe]

France Invaded! Sakhalin Invaded! Those Allies are busy.[:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

France Invaded! Sakhalin Invaded! Those Allies are busy.[:)]

Hahaha!! Didn't even think about the date connection. They are stressing out in Washington right now. [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 7, 1944[/font]

---

Next up sweeps and strikes hit the area around Toyohara. I left LBA 2E strikes on here with a lot of LR CAP after setting high sweeps. The Georges and Jacks absolutely tore it up, dominating Allied CV air for about 5:1 in A to A kills. These are all 70+ exp pilots and the Allied bleeding CAP was all set 15k or below aside from one 20k Corsair group.

Eventually the CV air was no longer able to supply air cover, which sucks, since I had 3-4 sweeps hit empty air in spite their ability to hang over Toyohara 1 hex away. There the carnage was again horrific, but at least may have had a point today. [:)]
Strikes came in after but in spite of
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 7, 1944
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Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 39,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 45

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 48
F6F-3 Hellcat x 132

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 15 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-38 with F4U-1A Corsair (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 39,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 43

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 60
F6F-3 Hellcat x 83

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 8 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 35300 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 26

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 43
F6F-3 Hellcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 29

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 33
F6F-3 Hellcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 38

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 7 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 34000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 124,45 , near Toyohara

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 38

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
38 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 34000 feet

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..[:-]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
A6M5b Zero x 15
A6M5c Zero x 12
A6M8 Zero x 22
P1Y1 Frances x 13
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 95
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12
Ki-100-I Tony x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 112

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 7 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Speelman, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
A6M5 Zero x 1
P1Y2 Frances x 13
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 34
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 149 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5b Zero x 13
A6M5c Zero x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 9
Ki-100-I Tony x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 34
F6F-3 Hellcat x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Santa Elisa
xAK Arkansan

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 31000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 128 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 12
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 6
Ki-100-I Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 125,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Acree, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Vireo, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
A6M5 Zero x 2
A6M5b Zero x 8
A6M8 Zero x 6
P1Y1 Frances x 13
P1Y2 Frances x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 42
Ki-100-I Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 118

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 8 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
AK Livingston

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

and then ...

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 7, 1944[/font]

---

The main event!!!

The KB moves into position for a long range strike, and lo and behold, the Allies DS moves up and into range. The CAP is still ferocious and immense, nearly 700 fighters and 300 of those Corsairs. [X(]

How did my sweeps destroy nearly 200 and leave this many still here?!? Makes me feel like a LOT of extra fighter groups might be added here, which would explain the lack of return strikes on any but the first few days of the move into the area, and those were not huge. I guess with ALL of the CVs and CVEs he could accumulate this many for a CAP at this point in the war. I'm guessing all CVE have only fighters and the big CVs have at least a Marine group added.

At any rate, the 8 hex range was probably unnecessary. If I'd ben really bold, as I'd originally planned, the target hex for the KB would have been 7 hexes from the DS and probably led to more coherent strikes and more damage. I have to be happy with this though, anyway, as essentially all fighter groups are intact with their golden boy 80+ exp veterans still flying, and only the strike planes are really reduced. I do have lots of Naval Bombing and Torpedo trained pilots.

It looks like the Essex is gone, the Belleau Wood in need of some time in the yards, and the Yorktown and Bataan lightly damaged. Another poorly escorted strike came in after, plus some dribs and drabs, which luckily turned around almost all of their planes.

The KB will head back to Honshu to replenish. I contemplated moving in for another with LBA added DBs for tomorrow, but I'll not risk after this turn's relative successes.

The Franklin is also listed as sunk, which after only 1 torpedo hit usually means float damage at least increased, so I'm guessing she'll be out of the battle line as well. The Allies will have to get more fighters from somewhere, and I am wondering if Shikuka and it's level 1 field will do that for them yet? It'll be an interesting next few turns. [8D]
[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 7, 1944
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 125,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
A6M5c Zero x 23
A6M8 Zero x 87
B6N2 Jill x 50
B7A2 Grace x 64
D4Y3 Judy x 90
D4Y4 Judy x 30

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 33
F4U-1A Corsair x 271
F6F-3 Hellcat x 386

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 17 destroyed, 7 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
B7A2 Grace: 29 destroyed, 5 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 33 destroyed, 11 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 12 destroyed by flak
D4Y4 Judy: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 8 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Emperor Norton I.
CV Intrepid
BB Washington
CV Enterprise
CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Hornet
CV Saratoga
CVL Langley
BB Alabama
CL Houston II
CV Bunker Hill
CVL Independence
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Princeton
CVL Bataan, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Ammo storage explosion on CV Essex[&o]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

While sinking an Allied CV would be great, at this point in time just damaging one enough to require it to be withdrawn from the DS is enough, IMO.

BANZAI!!

If you have the time, can you lay out your plans for defending the Kuriles??

Can you do anything about his staging bases in western Aleutians?

So, the bases in the Aleutians are beyond me unless the balance of air power drastically changes. I'm thinking I could potentially keep getting lucky enough to chip away, but I doubt I can beat the Death Star at this point. So I'll not even think about the Aleutians for now.

As to the Kuriles, several of the bases are very built up, with 6 forts and good troop levels. Here is a basic synopsis of the current situation.

As the pic below shows, each base has decent defences, but these can get a lot better. Supply is the concern, so it's about how to get it there with marauding Allied DDs on the loose. I can fly in troops though for now. I'll add at least a brigade to each base, with more emphasis on the closer bases. I do want to add defences to the little clear dot off of Hokkaido, but at least if he takes that it'll be a struggle to keep it functional.

Etorofu and Urruppa will be the first priorities. There are a lot of troops coming this month, plus some shifting back from the rest of the Empire. I can put another division on both of those while still adding to defences on Hokkaido. Wakkanai needs 2 x divisions now. Bihoro needs another one plus more CD guns. Kushiro needs another one, and I need a good reserve in Sapporo. I hope to do some of this while the Allies build up the Sakhalin bases and before anything is re-prepped to move in.

I'll only have about a month's window before the real battle becomes defending industry. The big cull of IJN air groups happens in a month too, so that won't help.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Both Shikuka and Toyohara are level 1 fields, so only FP could go there.

Huh?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

Both Shikuka and Toyohara are level 1 fields, so only FP could go there.

Huh?

To strike anything

[Lowpe]

Sweet, in severe storms no less.[&o]

I guess he will complain about those 8 hex strikes, like some other AFBs.[;)]

Allies have those baby carriers/fighter replenishment groups that automatically forward fighters if in range, so you always need to kill more than you think.

PS: I wouldn't count the Essex out unless you see it in the plane losses for the day.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

Both Shikuka and Toyohara are level 1 fields, so only FP could go there.

Huh?

To strike anything

I thought the comment was about searching, not striking.