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

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]IJN Losses: Shikuka Bombardments[/font]

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Here is a list of the major ship losses for the recent op. I'll post the USN after, but for the whole campaign.

How many DDs lost. ... Truly a decisive battle

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[font="Times New Roman"]IJN Losses: CV/BB/CA-CL[/font]

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Here are the major losses for the IJN over the whole campaign. This was grabbed before Maya went down, so add her on too.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]IJN Losses: Shikuka Bombardments[/font]

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Here is a list of the major ship losses for the recent op. I'll post the USN after, but for the whole campaign.

How many DDs lost. ... Truly a decisive battle

At this point the DDs lost for that one don't matter: they will be lost eventually anyway. It's what I can get for them that matters. The two BBs (confirmed) and Repulse (unconfirmed) are worth about 600 VPs alone. The IJN DDs are also worth on average 10 VPs, or 5 B-29s. But the B-29 can win the war for the Allies, and DDs can't for Japan.

I'd trade 25 DDs for 125 B-29s at any point in game!! [;)]

[obvert]

One thing I haven't mentioned in a while is R & D. Hitting Shikuka, stalling the strat bombing campaign for a bit, and allowing both my pools and pilots to recover, will all be huge benefits of getting such a strong result there.

Here is the most recent addition to the Arsenal: the N1K5. This will bump George production to 231/month, almost doubling it. It also gives me one of the best IJN fighters available, adding both speed and an extra pair of CL MG in addition to the 4 x 20mm cannons. It should be a great bomber killer that can also withstand Allied sweeps for at least the next 6 months.

The Ki-84r (60/month plus the other 120 Ki-84a factories) should be available in Nov 44, so only a few more months, and the Ki-100-II Tony (60/moth plus the 100 Ki-100-I factories) will be about 1/45. I think the Ki-83 (90/month but I might increase this if the game is still competitive) will push to 2/45.

[PaxMondo]

Congrats!!

Epic!


[&o][&o][&o]

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ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Congrats!!

Epic!


[&o][&o][&o]

Thanks Pax!

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

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On the 5th all other ships made it to safety. a few MTBs were sunk by the mop-up crews near Shikuka.

I tried to set A6M8 to hit the PT bots, and they did fly. Not so successful in terms of sinking anything, but did a bit of damage.

The other new tactic was sweeping for bleeding CAP along the infantry line between Shikuka and Toyohara. I swept all hexes and got good dives on fighters in each. For the day destroyed about 65 Allied fighters for about 30 losses. Nice. [:)]

Most of the CAs need about 20-30 days to repair. A few will be more like 40 days.

The Allies have 285 fighters currently listed by recon at Shikuka, well down from 850 a few weeks ago. Only about 20 bombers and 20 auxiliary listed now compared to 400 and 300 respectively before the bombardments.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 5, 1944
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Toyohara at 126,46, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MGB G-877, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
MGB G-878, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
MTB G-880, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
MTB G-881, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DMS Perry
DMS Palmer
DMS Howard
DMS Chandler

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on 111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 125,43 , near Shikuka

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 36,440 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 25

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 2
F4U-1A Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 34440 feet

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Morning Air attack on 111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 125,43 , near Shikuka

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 37,440 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84b Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
B-24J Liberator x 10
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4
B-25J1 Mitchell x 4

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25J1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment, at 125,43 , near Shikuka

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 39,910 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M5 Jack x 41

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
F4U-1A Corsair x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x J2M5 Jack sweeping at 36910 feet

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PT-119
PT-224, Shell hits 2
PT-222, Shell hits 3
PT-227
PT-223
PT-121, Shell hits 1
PT-247
PT-120, Shell hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
40 x A6M8 Zero bombing from 100 feet

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

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I'm trying to catch up the last few quieter turns now. The pace has quickened and I sense a new interest in the game on both sides. This is a challenge for the Allies, but certainly nothing they can't rise to meet. I already see some signed of new activity.

The Allies continue to clean up the Central Pacific by invading Kweijalen and Wotje. Kweijalen falls, but the fortress guns take some ships and Wotje holds easily wiping out half of the infantry regiment that landed. I haven't touched the base in a year, so that's a fun result.

At Rangoon the Allies go to 18k to bomb, with poor results, and still lose 5-6 4E and 2E. The new 12cm AA guns really do the trick. [:)]

All major IJN forces gather around Ominato and Hakodate to refuel and replenish.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 6, 1944
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Pre-Invasion action off Wotje (135,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Blue, Shell hits 2, on fire
LSM-20, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-653, Shell hits 1

Wotje Naval Fortress firing at DD Blue

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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
B-24J Liberator x 2
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 2
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 18000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1042 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 523 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

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

Allied ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
102nd(Sep) Infantry Rgt /14

Defending units:
Wotje Naval Fortress

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Pre-Invasion action off Kwajalein Island (132,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

49 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 11
LCI(G)-373
LCI(G)-372
LCI(G)-220
LCI-626
DD Quality

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Sumatra firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
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The Allies are making some forays close to the Kuriles. I'm not sure if these are scouts preceding a CV relief of Shikuka or just annoying DDs looking to either pick off stragglers or run into the Sakhalin bases. Fletchers are quick, so they could make a run from quite far out. I've got DBs in the Kutiles, a few TBs, and a few mines. I've also placed ASW TFs between all of the islands so I'll at least know if he makes a run in.

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

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I saw five ships disbanded at Toyohara and thought I should at least test the flak to aim for them. Almost 120 Helens flew and about a dozen didn't come back. No ships spotted. Oh, well.

The Allies continue to bombard the IJA stack near Prome with just bout even results, although today went more toward the Allies. Troops again look to be moving to cross the river into the other major stack from near Bassein and near Prome. About 250k total with 80k of those being Chinese. Both tank divisions are dug in with two forts and a few other very good units are here. I hope he does decide to go for it. [8D]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 7, 1944
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Morning Air attack on Toyohara , at 124,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 151 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 69
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 26 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 destroyed by flak

Port hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 55,51 (near Prome)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 157232 troops, 1779 guns, 2072 vehicles, Assault Value = 4729

Defending force 97653 troops, 989 guns, 456 vehicles, Assault Value = 2819

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Guides Cavalry Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
5th Chinese Corps
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
46th Indian Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
50th Indian Para Brigade
23rd Chindit Brigade
193rd Tank Battalion
14th Chindit Brigade
1st New Chinese Corps
40th Infantry Division
25th Indian Division
754th Tank Battalion
255th Indian Tank Brigade
29th British Brigade
27th Infantry Division
5th Indian Division
88th Medium Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
8th Medium Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Indian AA Bde
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
197th Coast AA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
5th Division
18th Division
48th Division
55th Division
31st Division
14th Tank Regiment
2nd Division
16th AA Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
60th Field AA Battalion
70th Field AA Battalion
43rd Const Co
51st Field AA Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Medium Mortar Battalion
69th Field AA Battalion
32nd Air Defense AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

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This is odd. Two xAK lost "while building" at Kwalalein. That's very strange, since there is no shipyard there!! [:-][X(]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert

The Allies have 285 fighters currently listed by recon at Shikuka, well down from 850 a few weeks ago. Only about 20 bombers and 20 auxiliary listed now compared to 400 and 300 respectively before the bombardments.

So, they are all in toyohara? Much smaller AF ... closer ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert

This is odd. Two xAK lost "while building" at Kwalalein. That's very strange, since there is no shipyard there!! [:-][X(]

Were they pierside repairing?

[Lokasenna]

...Needs more Ki-83 and Karyu...

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

The Allies have 285 fighters currently listed by recon at Shikuka, well down from 850 a few weeks ago. Only about 20 bombers and 20 auxiliary listed now compared to 400 and 300 respectively before the bombardments.

So, they are all in toyohara? Much smaller AF ... closer ...

My guess is that the longer-legged ones transferred out. If the airfield wasn't closed, many of the SR1 fighters were probably in 'ready' status the next day and with drop tanks could make the jump back to the Aleutians.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

The Allies have 285 fighters currently listed by recon at Shikuka, well down from 850 a few weeks ago. Only about 20 bombers and 20 auxiliary listed now compared to 400 and 300 respectively before the bombardments.

So, they are all in toyohara? Much smaller AF ... closer ...

That base shows only 15 auxiliary. Shikuka was never closed, so after the 550+ airframes destroyed in bombardments and air strikes, I assume he flew the ones that could out to the Aleutians, left the others, maybe shuttled them continually back and forth on the rail? Who knows.

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ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

This is odd. Two xAK lost "while building" at Kwalalein. That's very strange, since there is no shipyard there!! [:-][X(]

Were they pierside repairing?

No, nothing has visited there or been stationed there in a long while. Since two game partners ago really!

Torsten went for Marcus in October 43, and that was the last time I used these bases for search and recon, but after thatI began to evacuate the ground forces and let them go to seed with whatever supply was in base.

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[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 8, 1944[/font]

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The Allies find our fighters at Pegu and sweep them with everything they have. Surprisingly, they do well, getting about 1:1.5 on the day (about 60 A to A kills to about 90 losses, of course over our base though, so IJ pilot losses are very low). I'll pop them over to a suddenly patched up Rangoon for tomorrow to see if continues sending unescorted bombers in. This area is mysterious to me. It feels like he's trying to keep my attention while planing a decisive move behind these forces. I'm in a scaled retreat, but I'd just love one more shock across a river here to wreck some Allied troops before pulling back farther.

Wotje is taken as the Allies pour in more troops. A few ships may be in trouble from the 15cm CD gun hits landed.

I'm considering another bombardment run to Shikuka. I will only have two CAs and two CLs available to lead the rush in front of the BBs, plus of course about 50 Es, PBs, MTBs and SCs. I'll not send in lots of subs this time around, but I'm sure the Allies have beefed up and added to existing minefields at Shikuka. The rollover also shows a lot of 1 ship TFs in hex, so I could be facing 20-30 single PT boat TFs, which I have no idea if our forces would be able to bombard around.

He's using SCs now on patrols that were once DEs and DDs, so I think the decent escorts are now limited ad probably with the cruisers that are left. There should only be about 3-4 CA/CL here now, and no BBs. I also see some AK and TK indicators, which might mean he's been keeping fuel and supply on ships in port so it can't be depleted by bombardments, and is now offloading it. Interesting.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 8, 1944
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Pre-Invasion action off Wotje (135,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

150 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 11, on fire
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 7
LST-270, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Quality
LCI(G)-398
LCI(G)-82
LCI(G)-81
LCI(G)-80
LCI-622

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Wotje Naval Fortress firing at CL Caradoc
CL Caradoc firing at Wotje Naval Fortress

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Shikuka at 125,45, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Hasu
E Kuri
E Tsuga

Allied Ships
PT-119
PT-120
PT-121
PT-222
PT-223, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-224
PT-227, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-247

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...

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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 37,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 20
N1K2-J George x 15
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 73
Ki-84a Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 4 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 42,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 17
N1K2-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 67
Ki-84a Frank x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Spitfire VIII x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 41500 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 20
N1K2-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21
Ki-84a Frank x 11

Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 4 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 48,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 15
N1K2-J George x 10
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 10
Ki-84a Frank x 9

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt I: 3 destroyed

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Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1657 troops, 36 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Defending force 387 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 13

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
572 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
102nd(Sep) Infantry Rgt /7

Defending units:
Wotje Naval Fortress
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[font="Times New Roman"]Shikuka: What's left[/font]

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Before I crash my remaining IJN forces into a field of new mines many miles deep, I thought I'd take a look at what is there now. How would I know?

Well, I went through the past 9 days of combat reports and looked for every ship that took part in every battle and every hit it took. A bit mind numbing but also really informative, and I wish I'd done it after each turn. I learned that more ships were sunk for the Allies than I'd thought (and of course more than have yet made the lists) but also that there are a few more operational DDs than I'd thought.

The Allies did have a substantial force here, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten through on Sept 1. Here is a list of all ships and their damage.

Right now it looks like a CL TF with Nashville and a somewhat damaged Santa Fe will be patrolling, and possibly CA Astoria. At least 17 DD, and probably more like 21 DD, many of them Fletchers, will be available. (It looks like about 20 were sunk). Only 4-6 DE will be there. PT boats seem endless, and there are hundreds for sure. How many do the Allies have at this point in the war, though?

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BB

BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 7, and is sunk

BC

BC Repulse, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage

CA

CA Wichita, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

CA Baltimore, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Boston, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 3 (2 x 800kg), on fire, heavy damage

CA Astoria, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1

CL

CL Columbia, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

CL Trenton, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1

CL Nashville, Shell hits 1

DD

DD Remey
DD Prichett
DD McGowan
DD Mullany
DD Halford

DD McKee, Shell hits 1
DD Murray, Shell hits 1
DD Stembel, Shell hits 1
DD Strong, Shell hits 2
DD Miller, Shell hits 2
DD Hunt, Shell hits 3
DD Hutchins, Shell hits 1
DD Chauncey, shell hit 1
DD Fullam, Shell hits 1
DD David Taylor, Shell hits 4
DD Abner Read, Shell hits 4
DD Bradford, Shell hits 7

DD Halsey Powell, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Abbot, Shell hits 3, on fire

DD Newcomb, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 6, heavy fires

DD Hale , Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
DD Boyd, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

DD Lamson, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Monaghan, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mertz, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Irwin, Shell hits 10, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

DD Clarence Bronson, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Brown, Shell hits 39, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Brownson, Shell hits 52, and is sunk
DD Yarnall, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
DD Swanson, Shell hits 49, and is sunk
DD Worden, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 18, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hopewell, Shell hits 18, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Black, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Stuart, Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Owen, Torpedo hits 1, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
DD Philip, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Picking, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


DE

DE Emery
DE Crouter, Shell hits 1

DE Dempsey, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

DE Edward C. Daly, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

DE Austin, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Canfield, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE James E. Craig, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage

DE Darby, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DE Eichenberger, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE England, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DE Eisele, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Levy, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DE Samuel S. Miles, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DE Parks, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DE Riddle, Shell hits 42, and is sunk
DE Swearer, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Waterman, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DE Bowers, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DE Harmon, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Loeser, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DE Neuendorf, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DE Martin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE William C. Miller, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

PT Boats

11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 = 100

Oddly, I counted exactly 100 PT boats sunk! (including those with heavy fires, heavy damage).
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[Lokasenna]

Well, considering there are 500-some PT boats for the USN and this is late 1944... several hundreds.

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Well, considering there are 500-some PT boats for the USN and this is late 1944... several hundreds.

Just through search and recon I can count about 50 in roughly ten TFs now outside Shikuka. As the moonlight gets lower again, this looks prohibitive along with the Fletchers and the mines and the subs. I might hang for a bit and see what he does. If he resumes the bombing campaign then it may be worth it regardless to get another hit on 4E on the ground.

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[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 9, 1944[/font]

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On the 9th the Allies sweep Pegu but continue to strike at Rangoon with some 4Es. Good timing for my reintroduction of fighters there. This shell game moving fighters around these three bases in Burma has been fun, and he's essentially let me decide so far when and how to engage. I can take turns off to recover my service 3 airframes and then pop back in at near full strength.

Today around 20 more 4E were shot down, mostly the main production variant, the B-24J. I'm guessing that the pools are now getting depleted, and this won't help him catch up. Dan seems to use whatever he has, regardless of if groups are filled out or smaller, which can work to my advantage as the Allied groups are already smaller. I'm seeing a lot of 11-16 sized fighter sweeps, even from USAAF groups that should be 25 strong. None of the RAF groups are sweeping with 16.

He's also started bombing from 28k to avoid flak. This of course means the runs will be much less effective. A few planes this turn were still hit by the high ceiling 12cm guns.

Two Aussie brigades have walked into Hollandia. I'd evacuated most of what was there, but have now flown a garrison unit in to hold the base. With 6 forts and 12k supply, it'll be a while to wear this down. I'll put one more SNLF unit in to shore it up further. I don't want anything, even down here, to be too easy if I can stall it without too much effort or loss.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 9, 1944
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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-38L Lightning sweeping at 40000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 44,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 41500 feet



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Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 42,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 41500 feet

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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 4
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 28
Ki-84a Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 destroyed
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 3
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 20
Ki-84a Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 28000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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[Lokasenna]

Not going to hit anything from up there when there's CAP around.