GC Diary: L0ckAndL0ad (A) vs AI

[L0ckAndL0ad]

USN carrier force status on April 1, 1942

CV Enterprise still under repairs at Pearl.

CV Lexington and CV Yorktown, along with 4 CA and 10 DD were in separate CTF-1.1 (RADM Spruance) and 1.2 (RADM Sherman) near Canton, 9 hexes to the east. They joined Fletcher's somewhat depleted Saratoga there. Spruance was leading the pack from 1.1's Lexington (other tfs were on follow/0 reaction).

The supply of F4F-3, which had the longest range of all (7) was short. Newly arriving -4s and existing -3As had to be mixed in. TBD-1s were down to 10-12 per carrier. SBD-3s were plenty, but newly arrived Hornet had to wait for a while before switching its DBs to that model.

Speaking of. Half the pilots of Hornet's CAG weren't trained that well. VS-8 and VB-8 had SBC-4 Helldivers, that were as old and as slow as TBD-1s. So initially I hesitated on using Hornet. Leaving it at Pearl to train and gather freshly built SBD-3s was my first choice, but sudden reports of enemy carriers near Baker made me reconsider. So Hornet (under Halsey) was steaming to Baker-Canton area, trying to catch up with Spruance's combined carrier force.

CAGs:

Lexington: 26 F4F-4, 36 SBD-3, 13 TBD-1
Yorktown: 27 F4F-3, 36 SBD-3, 13 TBD-1
Saratoga: 25 F4F-3, 19 SBD-3, 9 TBD-1
Hornet: 26 F4F-3, 36+6 SBC-4, 8 TBD-1

TOTAL: 104 fighters, 133 dive bombers, 43 torpedo bombers. All, but Saratoga had full bomb racks and torpedo storages.

Mission settings:

Fighters:
Lex & Hornet 50% CAP @ 12K ft, escort range 5
York & Sara 60% CAP @ 10K ft, escort range 7

SBD-3:
ALL on Naval Attack @ 10K ft, range 7, 20% search

SBC-4 and all TBD-1:
ALL on Naval Attack @ 12K ft, range 5

So the idea is that modern SBD-3s would be escorted by -3s with max striking distance of 7 @ 10K ft, while older and slower SBC-4 and TBD would be able to reach range 5 max, escorted by -4 and Hornet's -3 @ 12K ft.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

The Battle of Canton Island, April 3-5, 1942

Japanese carriers were pretty... illusive. They did not attack, and were almost impossible to spot. Additional PBYs and a squadron of F-4 recon planes (that refused to recon already spotted enemy TFs) were sent to Canton, put on high alert. I barely managed to spot a single CV, escorted by a few CAs and DDs. ~50 fighters and about the same amount of bombers were reported. A bunch of transports were also spotted, which hinted at another invasion attempt of Canton. All of them tried but later avoided advancing on Canton, probably notified of my carriers' presence. They moved around for several days.

PBY-5 Catalina sighting report: Japanese AO at 149,134 near Howland Island , Speed 14 , Moving East
PBY-5 Catalina sighting report: Japanese CV at 149,134 near Howland Island , Speed 14 , Moving East

Next day:
Search OS2U-3 Kingfisher destroyed by CAP at (151,138)
Search SBD-3 Dauntless destroyed by CAP

Spruance's combined carrier group refueled from two oilers and lay in wait slightly south of Canton. Pretty much all the action, a duel between two large carrier groups, happened on the first day of the battle. Both simultaneously sent strike aircraft.

USN carrier group came under single, heavy attack. Large blob of targets was spotted 79 NM out @ ~13K ft (LOVE THE RADARS!). 229 planes were approaching, ETA 29 minutes. 59 F4Fs were on CAP duty that day. 29 A6M2 Zeroes escorted the strike. 92 of 104 D3A1 Vals and 83 of 96 B5N2 Kates reached the USN ships, spotting only two out of four carriers, four CA and nine DD. Wildcats shot down 4 Zeroes and 17 attackers in total, while losing only 4 planes. Not bad for them Wildcats, IMO!

CV Saratoga (1 bomb and 4 torpedo hits), CA Houston (6 bomb hits) and CA Indianapolis (5 bomb and 3 torpedo hits) were devastated so badly that they sunk immediately. Rear Admiral Jack Fletcher has been killed on his flagship Saratoga. Heavy cruisers Chicago and Northampton, along with destroyers Clark, Grayson and O'Brien were also seriously damaged, all on fire. Other ships of the group, including Yorktown and Hornet were left untouched. Doctrinal separation of carriers under attack worked.

Our strike, although launched blindly, managed to spot FIVE enemy carriers. USN finally clashed with infamous KB. Along with 5 CV, 1 BB 1 CL and 2 DD were spotted. Strangely, Japanese had exactly the same amount of fighters assigned on CAP duty - 59. USN strike consisted of 39 F4Fs, 66 SBDs and 44 TBDs. Them torpedo bombers finally managed to get their shh together and arrived properly with the main strike. For some wierd reason, and not a single record shows why, but none of the Hornet's SBC-4s were launched. They were launching their search missions as usual, but were not sent with the rest of the boys.

All 66 SBD-3s (w/ 1000 lb SAP) reached their targets, and even 38 Devastators (w/ 22in Mk 13 Torp) managed to squish in. But only 7 bomb and 2 torpedo hits were reported, spread among four out of five enemy carriers. Zuikaku and Shokaku, reportedly, were hit the most, but pilots also said they've seen a fuel storage explosion on Kaga, after a single torpedo hit. Rather weak results so far. Or so I thought.

With two USN carriers out of the action, full retreat was ordered. The damage done to the enemy remains to be assessed.

Notable reports:

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 155,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
B5N2 Kate x 96
D3A1 Val x 104

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 45
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 9 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Balch
DD Russell
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Houston, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Clark, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Phelps
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Monssen
DD Grayson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Mustin
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Porter

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD O'Brien
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Houston
Magazine explodes on CA Houston


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 151,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 26
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 66
TBD-1 Devastator x 43

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna
CL Tenryu
CV Akagi
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hayate
DD Sanae

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
9 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Fuel storage explosion on CV Kaga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku

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CV Lexington sinks....
CA Indianapolis sinks....
RADM Fletcher Frank Jack has been KILLED
CA Houston sinks....

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[L0ckAndL0ad]

April 5, 1942

Two days later, Japanese advanced to Canton. Thing is, I put 150 naval mines there after the last invasion attempt. That's kind of not fair against the AI... but..

They've sent the brave DD Uzuki to check it out! What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out, nothing can stop DD Uzuki. So Japanese commander thought it's safe to send in the carrier also.

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TF 237 encounters mine field at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Ships
DD Uzuki

2 mines cleared


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TF 226 encounters mine field at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Ships
PB Eifuku Maru

1 mine cleared


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TF 290 encounters mine field at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze
DD Kamikaze
CV Akagi, Mine hits 1, on fire

3 mines cleared


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So uhm... Yeah... Rather questionable move on AI's part. But I'm sure USN engineers on the Canton were amazed of such a picture! They weren't that pleased when the invasion forces came, though. There was no garrison on Canton. So the whole thing ended pretty quick.

On April 6, Spruance's group was far enough to feel safe. Although the Japs sent another diversionary surface group to Pearl, I'm not scared of a couple CA after everything that's happened.

CV Lexington is in good shape and still limping to Pearl with the rest. CA Northampton is somewhat worse. Half the systems are down, so it's much harder to fight the damage. DD Grayson should be fine too. Others, who aren't at the bottom of the sea, are okay as well.

The official report says that the Japanese lost Shokaku, Kaga and Akagi. But I'm still not ready to draw any conclusions about the results of this battle. The Canton Island is lost, that's a fact. So is Saratoga, along with 3 heavy cruisers.



Okay.. Next up is general situation summary.. And then the current event reports can be posted. Stay tuned!

Notable reports of April 5:

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Night Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Atago

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Atago
CA Atago firing at Canton Island


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Amphibious Assault at Canton Island (153,143)

TF 226 troops unloading over beach at Canton Island, 153,143



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 175,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Nachi

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 175,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 498 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 534 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 5

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+), leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 56 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
61st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Canton USN CPNAB


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

[L0ckAndL0ad]

April 6 screenie: Spruance and Co are in full retreat.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Oh, what an idiot I am! The reason why 36 SBC-4 weren't part of the strike is because I set them to use drop tanks, forgetting that such config takes away their bombs. I really could have used additional 36x 1000 lb SAP bombs in that strike.. But what's done is done.. Will pay better attention next time.

VP wise, the Japanese are leading with almost 14000 VP vs allied 11522. That's mostly the bases. Port Moresby is barely hanging. Thinking about re-taking Canton Island.

So.. total score on April 6, 1942. I'll try to report only those that I'm confident about:

Japanese ship losses:

2 CVL
1 BB
2 CA
4 CL
8 DD
1 TB
15 PB/SC
2 SS
1 LSD
1 AK
2 APD
2 CM
1 AMC
2 xAP
40 xAKL
~100 xAK

Damage to KB CVs remains to be assessed properly.

Allied ship losses:

1 CV (Lexington-class)
2 BB (Dec 7)
3 CA
1 CL
7 DD
2 SS
4 PG
9 PT
~30 misc ML
2 CM
2 DM
3 AM
1 ACM
3 TK
2 AO
9 xAP
7 misc Aux
20 xAKL
40 xAK

Other stats:



Okay.. now I can actually continue playing the game

[BBfanboy]

Your assessment of IJN losses is a bit high. I would only bet on one CA sunk (Aoba), the others may have survived their damage. Same with a couple of the CLs and about half the DDs. For example, Yubari was hit at Vigan and if the Japanese have that base or one within a couple of hexes, she could disband in port and have a chance of beating the HF/HD that your aircraft saw.

The KB CVs likely all survived. Shokaku and Zuikaku are fairly large and modern vessels, while Akagi and Kaga are very large and started out as battlecruisers, so they are quite tough. The Allied mines in the early war are small and nerfed in their effect so Akagi might have negligible damage. The AI automatically assumes any ship hit by a torpedo or mine is sunk, which of course is over-optimistic.

That said, KB took enough damage and aircraft losses that it should retire, but the AI might just split off the damaged ships and keep the rest in the area.

Overall you are doing well and you should retreat, repair and replenish and gather your strength. It is too early to worry about Autovictory happening, that is not possible until Jan. 1, 1943 and the Japanese would need 4:1 in VPs by then. They are not going to get it.

You have invested enough in Port Moresby that you should try and keep it. That means flying in reinforcements if you can (PBYs are good for this) and increasing your air campaign in northern Oz by bringing in US fighters and air support. The Japanese troops there should be short on supply because of all the ships you sank, so they will not be able to sustain attacks for much longer.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

Oh, I knew for a while that the reports are often over-optimistic, but had no idea that torps and mines have such an effect. But yeah, that's just the official list that the game shows, minus CVs. I am 99% sure about both CVLs though, because the reports on them came only week or two later.

Also note that I don't post every single combat report that involves damage of combat ships though. I try to limit report spam here as much as possible, to make this AAR more readable.

Yes, I'll do my best to defend PM. Most units of the 5th AF are in Oz by now, some of them had ~ 6 weeks of training. I'm trying not to use US units with less than 60-65 in primary skills, but I guess that I'll have rush some. My current plan is to have 50% of 5th units on training in Wagga Wagga (building a dedicated US base there), while others, most skilled ones would be fighting. Then switch them up when needed (due morale/losses/equipment).

But I gotta think hard about the nearest future of USN air units and how to apply carrier task forces better. One thing I learned the hard way is that patrolling CTFs should have oilers following them in the same hex, and not go separately (as I always did). This way I'd be able to replenish said CTFs immediately, on the same day I decide to use them offensively. I've lost at least two days on replenishment during the last battle, which I shall not repeat.

USN pilot skills and their performance are also under question. While I think that my fighters did a very good job, the bombers weren't that good. Even if all hits were reported correctly, my boys scored only 10% accuracy with 1000 lb SAP bombs and 5% accuracy with torpedoes. Yes, the duds are at fault as well, but there's nothing I could do about that.

The Japanese scored way better, with 27% accuracy using bombs and 12% accuracy using torps. Even though I already train USN pilots at every opportunity, I need to invest even more in training.

There's also a question of range. I'm pretty much limited with fighter/escort range of 6 for the next six months. While I'd like to keep sending SBDs on patrols at max range (8). Using single dedicated squadron for search only is an obvious choice, but it can turn ugly if said carrier gets hit in the morning, the whole fleet may turn blind in the afternoon. CVLs that can be dedicated to search duty are also far out. So I'm not 100% sure how to handle this.

I read Thomas C. Hone's "REPLACING BATTLESHIPS WITH AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE PACIFIC IN WORLD WAR II" article. Separation of carriers into smaller, single CV task forces, but using them from the same general area (in the same hex) for combined CAP is a good early war strategy and it already paid off. That 229 a/c Japanese strike could've easily decimated my entire carrier force.

I'm really glad for all this feedback. Means a lot!

[BBfanboy]

Completely agree the two CVLs did not survive, that is why I didn't mention them in the over-optimism comments.

Refuelling your carriers on the turn they are going into battle will use at least 250 Ops points, sometimes more, so that time is not available for moving or launching aircraft. Better to fuel the day before if you can.

The bombing accuracy is dependant on both bombing skill and overall Experience. Experience gets them past enemy opposition and in position to bomb. The Japanese simply have greater experience early on, but your surviving pilots will have gained a lot from the battles. It is good to have subs in the area of battle too because they can rescue downed pilots, which are more important than the aircraft because of all the training and experience.

Once your bomber pilots get to 70 bombing skill, Experience gains come very slowly if you keep training the same skill. Try training ASW or Search at 1000 feet, range 0, to increase those skills which will in turn increase Experience faster. It will also boost Defensive skill quickly because of the low level. Defensive skill applies when dodging flak and enemy fighters.

The plus side of having shorter-ranged aircraft is that yours are much more durable than the Japanese. Their aircraft sustaining damage and having six hexes to go to get to a carrier/airbase will likely lose half or more on the way (ops losses if they go down after damage). Your aircraft in the same situation might lose a quarter of the number damaged, and maybe a couple more written off after landing - but the write-offs mean the pilot is saved.

Resist the temptation to send SBDs searching to range 8. Max range = high ops losses. You should position enough patrol aircraft into the area your carriers are headed to do the searching ahead of your carriers. Use your AVDs/AVPs judiciously at dot bases where the enemy does not have recon happening. Move them as soon as they are spotted.

If you are going deep into "indian country" beyond your patrol searches, use picket TFs several hexes ahead of the carriers to detect enemy threats. A couple of DDs works well because they can often dodge bombing attacks. Set them on ASW to detect subs as they go. And if you have any of the Memphis class CLs available, they can do scouting over a wide area because they carry a float plane.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

250 ops points is better than several days spent on rendezvous [8|] That's what I meant. The goal is to improve reaction time of patrolling carrier groups. Refueling before pre-planned operations is obviously preferred.

April 7, 1942

In the mean time, some enemy CVLs are spotted near Java. The fighting in that region is almost over.

4 squadrons of B-26s and 3 squadrons P-39Ds of the 5th AF gather at Cairns before being sent to Port Moresby. 6th Aussie division is almost ready to begin loading at Townswille. 7th only partially ready, still waiting for all units to arrive from Colombo.

[tarkalak]

Regarding AI and Long Range CAP.

I don't think that the AI uses LR Cap at all. Instead the AI uses regular CAP at max range, so his carriers can cover nearby hexes.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

@tarkalak
Yeah, probably.

April 21-24, 1942

More surface action, folks!

Japs keep pressing Pearl Harbor with small surface action raids. The trick with old battleships isn't so bulletproof. I managed to lose BB Mississippi. Yorktown and Hornet were following my provisional BB-packed surface action group under CPT Craven, highly aggressive USN officer. Yeah, that's how the trouble starts. Sure, old BBs can withstand naval gun fire of a few cruisers and destroyers. Long Lances - not so much. One lucky torpedo sealed the fate of poor BB Mississippi, CPT Craven's flagship. With most ship's systems down due to heavy gunfire, Missi sunk the next day after the battle.

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April 21, 1942
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Day Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 174,101, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Fumizuki
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 3
BB Colorado, Shell hits 5
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 2
BB Idaho, Shell hits 2
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Meredith, Shell hits 1
DD Gwin
DD Sims
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1
DD Russell
DD Walke
DD Maury
DD Ellet

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 26,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
BB Idaho engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
Ichimiya, Yoshiyuki orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 21,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 21,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 21,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Idaho at 21,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Pennsylvania at 21,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 18,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Ashigara at 18,000 yards
BB Idaho engages CA Ashigara at 18,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Gwin at 18,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Ellet at 18,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Maury at 18,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Meredith at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 15,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 15,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB Mississippi at 15,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages DD Kikuzuki at 15,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 15,000 yards
DD Ellet engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Kisaragi at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Russell at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Mustin at 15,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Kisaragi at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Ashigara at 13,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB Mississippi at 13,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages CA Ashigara at 13,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Fumizuki at 13,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CA Ashigara at 13,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 13,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Kikuzuki at 13,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Meredith at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB Mississippi at 11,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Meredith at 11,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Maury at 11,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Mustin at 11,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Sims at 11,000 yards
DD Gwin engages DD Kisaragi at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
BB Idaho engages CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Gwin at 8,000 yards
DD Ellet engages DD Kisaragi at 8,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Ellet at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Maury at 8,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
DD Gwin engages DD Kisaragi at 8,000 yards
DD Meredith engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
BB Idaho engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Kikuzuki at 12,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Colorado at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Meredith at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
BB Idaho engages CL Jintsu at 17,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Walke at 17,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages DD Fumizuki at 17,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Meredith at 17,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Maury at 17,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Mustin at 17,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Meredith at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 19,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB Mississippi at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Pennsylvania at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Ellet at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Russell at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Mustin at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Gwin at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Meredith at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages CA Kumano at 24,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages DD Kikuzuki at 24,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CA Kumano at 24,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CA Kumano at 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Ellet at 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Mustin at 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Gwin at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Kumano at 29,000 yards
BB Tennessee engages CA Kumano at 29,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CA Kumano at 29,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CA Kumano at 29,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Maury at 29,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Sims at 29,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Gwin at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 22, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard BB Mississippi
Pumps fail aboard BB Mississippi, flooding increases...
Pumps fail aboard BB Mississippi, flooding increases...
Major flooding aboard BB Mississippi
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard BB Mississippi
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard BB Mississippi
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard BB Mississippi
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard BB Mississippi



BB Mississippi sinks....

Craven I. now available for reassignment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Couple of CAs finished repairs and were sent to chase retreating survivors of the first attack. With a careful and very capable officer in charge. Yorktown and Hornet failed to launch even a single strike. But CA-based surface action group did the job very well, sinking all the raiders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 24, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Laysan Island at 158,100, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 12
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 1
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 2
DD Grayson
DD Monssen
DD Hughes, Shell hits 1
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Morris

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 26,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Kisaragi at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Morris at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Anderson at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CA Kumano at 25,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Kumano at 25,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 25,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Astoria at 25,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CA Kumano at 23,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 23,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Kisaragi at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA San Francisco at 21,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 21,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Kisaragi at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Vincennes at 20,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Kikuzuki at 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Astoria at 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Portland at 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Grayson at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CA Kumano at 17,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Kumano at 17,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Kumano at 17,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Grayson at 17,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Morris at 17,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Hammann at 17,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Hughes at 17,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Monssen at 17,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Grayson at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 13,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 13,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Portland at 13,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hughes at 13,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Monssen at 13,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA San Francisco at 9,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DD Fumizuki at 9,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Hammann at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Morris at 9,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kisaragi at 9,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hughes at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Kikuzuki at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 10,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Kumano at 10,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Kisaragi at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Morris at 10,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kisaragi at 10,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Anderson at 10,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hughes at 10,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Monssen at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Grayson at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA San Francisco at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Astoria at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Kisaragi at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Morris at 9,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hughes at 9,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Grayson at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Midway Island at 157,100, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes
DD Grayson
DD Monssen
DD Hughes, on fire
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Morris

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 26,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Vincennes at 26,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kumano at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 26,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 26,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 24,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Kumano at 24,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kumano at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 23,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 23,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Vincennes at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Fumizuki at 18,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 18,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Fumizuki at 18,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fumizuki at 18,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Grayson at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Vincennes at 15,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Minneapolis at 15,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Kikuzuki at 15,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Morris at 15,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kisaragi at 15,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Kikuzuki at 15,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Kisaragi at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA San Francisco at 14,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hammann at 14,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 14,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Portland at 14,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kikuzuki at 14,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Anderson at 14,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Kikuzuki at 14,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Monssen at 14,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Grayson at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA San Francisco at 11,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Jintsu at 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DD Fumizuki at 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Morris at 11,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Kikuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Kikuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Kikuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Kikuzuki at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Kumano at 7,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Kikuzuki at 7,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Astoria at 7,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Kumano at 7,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Fumizuki at 7,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Fumizuki at 7,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fumizuki at 7,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Kikuzuki at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA San Francisco at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Hammann at 8,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Vincennes at 8,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Jintsu at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Astoria at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages CL Jintsu at 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA San Francisco at 9,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Jintsu at 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Fumizuki at 9,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Kikuzuki at 9,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Kikuzuki at 15,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Kikuzuki at 19,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Midway Island at 156,100, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes
DD Grayson
DD Monssen
DD Hughes, heavy fires
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Morris

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Kikuzuki at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA San Francisco collides with DD Morris at 156 , 100
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki sunk by CA San Francisco at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Fumizuki at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Fumizuki at 10,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DD Fumizuki at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DD Fumizuki at 10,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Fumizuki at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Fumizuki at 12,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Fumizuki at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Morris at 16,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Fumizuki at 16,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Fumizuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Fumizuki sunk by CA Minneapolis at 19,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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

Two destroyers moderately damaged. The rest are fine. And.. It seems there's yet another fast surface raider force approaching Pearl. PBYs report a group of.. PT boats? That can't be right!

On the bright side, it is very good that I can let USN surface force gain day & night combat experience so close to repair shipyards of Pearl. Feel much more comfortable there. But I should probably avoid sending slow old BBs without cruiser support in the future. If using them in surface combat at all.

[BBfanboy]

Trading a BB for 2 of the IJNs big CAs, a CL and 3 DDs is a good outcome! You get lots of BBs; the IJN gets no more CAs!

The damaged ships in the bottom picture should be switched immediately to cruise speed. Mission speed allows them to go to flank speed which is very dangerous for flood damage spreading.

Your TFs will be short on ammo, time to pull them back for replenishment and let PH's bombers provide security for a day or so.

The sighting of PTs is, of course, erroneous. The AI could still be trying to send an invasion force to the HI, so I suspect PBs escorting xAKs.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

April 25 - May 1, 1942

Parts of 7th Australian Division are still en route to Townsville. 3 squadrons of B-26, 39 planes total, keep pounding the Japs in Port Moresby, but the results are very unimpressive 0-15 casualties per day. Wonder if they cause any significant disruption. Japanese ground attacks there cause the enemy much more damage, reportedly 250-300 casualties each. A recon squadron of 6 F-4s refuses to fly missions from Oz to observe Jap positions in PM. There is literally nothing that can stop them. Range is good with droptanks (11 from Cairns), morale is 99 high. Airfield is 100% working and there's no overstacking. Damn you, Port Moresby, why are you so troublesome?

On 25th, a deliberate ground attack was ordered for most PM units, to test enemy's strength. It's 1231 vs 707 AV. Need to wait for 7th AusDiv to assemble. And even more separate artillery units for day-to-day bombardment missions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 25, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28674 troops, 490 guns, 619 vehicles, Assault Value = 1012

Defending force 24880 troops, 235 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 669

Allied adjusted assault: 1231

Japanese adjusted defense: 707

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1368 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 19 (7 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1250 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 145 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Australian Brigade
30th Australian Brigade
6th Australian Division
7th Aus Div Cav Regiment
Kanga Force Battalion
25th Australian Brigade
Lark Battalion
2/1st Ind Coy
2/4th Ind Coy
Port Moresby Brigade
I Australian Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
15th RAAF Base Force
2/9th Field Regiment
Rabaul Det. Base Force
21/22 Field Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Division
40th Brigade
Maizuru 1st SNLF
26th Recon Regiment
III./90th Infantry Battalion
88th Infantry Regiment
62nd Naval Guard Unit


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

April 29

Yeaahh.... So about those PT boat reports. They were actually motor boats. Only fighters were able to get them. The AI is messing with me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 29, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pearl Harbor at 180,107, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MGB G-4
LB-103
LB-113
LB-115
LB-118
LB-120
LB-122
LB-123
LB-124
LB-139
LB-1001

Allied Ships
xAK Makua
xAK Maliko

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 179,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-123, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
LB-118, Shell hits 11, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk
LB-122, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
LB-115, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
LB-1001, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

LB-123 dead in the water ...
LB-118 dead in the water ...
LB-122 dead in the water ...
LB-115 dead in the water ...
LB-1001 dead in the water ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 179,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-113, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
MGB G-4, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-139, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

LB-113 dead in the water ...
LB-139 dead in the water ...


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

May 1, 1942

I don't celebrate Christmas, but the USN does. And today is the day, folks!

[BBfanboy]

What altitude are you using for those bombers at PM? Since you still own it, balloons are not an issue and you just need to be above their light flak- 3000 feet for the 7.7 mm MGs and 8000 feet for the 25mm guns. The Japanese units don't normally have enough heavy guns to worry about.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

I tried 2000, 7000 and 10000 ft. 2000 bad due to flak, 7k and 10k cause no flak loses so I'm @ 7k now. Can't check the pilots right now, but they should be uhm... ~50 exp, 50-55 skills. Recon F-4s go @ 20k. They recon enemy hexes, but not a contested one, so DL is always 1/2.

[L0ckAndL0ad]

May 1-3, 1942

Pearl is very busy with ship repairs, incoming SanFran transports and countless air groups. Lexington is ~ 1.5 months away from being fully repaired. Other majorly damaged ships there are two Dec 7 BB survivors, with repairs ETA unknown. I guess I'll wait for the systems to be completely repaired and the FLT damage to go below 50, then caaaaaarefully move them to West Coast to decrease the load on PH yards.

I gathered some more forces for second attack on Nanchang. They're mostly 25-30% full, but it's better to attack now than wait. The enemy is dug in there already. It's gonna be tough, but looks doable.

Diego Garcia came under two invasion attempts. Both successfully repelled. BB Prince of Wales is 100% operational and ready to wreak some havoc there.

Port Moresby and Hawaii Islands area are still under heavy pressure.

Troops at PM were shelled by some sneaky IJN battleships and a heavy cruiser. CTF "BOYD" with CV Indomitable and CVL Hermes is trying to control the situation, but the enemy dictates the tempo so far. Presence of enemy Betties over the Coral Sea made defending the whole AO significantly harder.

New IJN raider SAG of 3 CA + 3 DD appeared between Midway and Pearl, sinking lone cargo ship. Not sure how to proceed, most ships at PH are going to be busy for at least couple of days. USN ships barely have time to rearm and repair between the engagements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Nanchang (85,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37159 troops, 299 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1356

Defending force 77169 troops, 422 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2424

Japanese adjusted assault: 559

Allied adjusted defense: 1198

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
5218 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 445 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Guns lost 22 (3 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2970 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 178 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Armored Car Co
Kyuko Naval Guard Unit
60th Division
23rd RGC Temp. Division
4th Mortar Battalion
17th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
32nd Group Army
3rd War Area
25th Group Army
23rd Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at Diego Garcia (11,62)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 374 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Defending force 774 troops, 16 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
DG RN Detachment


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

Yokosuka 3rd SNLF Wiped Out at Diego Garcia by attrition!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 2, 1942

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Deboyne Islands at 102,135

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Kako
DD Kasumi
DD Yugao
DD Sanae
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
SS S-36, hits 3

SS S-36 is sighted by escort
DD Yugao attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sanae fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugao fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sanae fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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

Ground combat at Nanchang (85,54)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53804 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2191

Defending force 35309 troops, 310 guns, 177 vehicles, Assault Value = 916

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 219

Japanese adjusted defense: 4029

Allied assault odds: 1 to 18 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
847 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4352 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 548 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled

Assaulting units:
100th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army
3rd War Area
23rd Group Army
10th Group Army
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Kyuko Naval Guard Unit
8th Armored Car Co
60th Division
23rd RGC Temp. Division
4th Mortar Battalion
17th JAAF Base Force


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

Landing Force surrenders at Diego Garcia - TF 350 retires

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May 3, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Diego Garcia at 11,62, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kure Maru #5, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
xAK Shinryu Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAK Ryotaku Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Sinkoku Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 1
DD Arrow
DD Decoy
DD Fortune
DD Foxhound

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 89% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
xAK Ryotaku Maru sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 1,000 yards
xAK Sinkoku Maru sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Arrow engages xAK Shinryu Maru at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages PB Kure Maru #5 at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages xAK Shinryu Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages PB Kure Maru #5 at 3,000 yards
xAK Shinryu Maru sunk by DD Decoy at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PB Kure Maru #5 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages xAK Kosin Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages xAK Kosin Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Fortune engages xAK Kosin Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Decoy engages xAK Kosin Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
xAK Kosin Maru sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
xAK Kosin Maru sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
CA Kako

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at 6th Australian Division
BB Mutsu firing at 6th Australian Division
CA Kako firing at 6th Australian Division


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Day Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 172,102, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Mogami
DD Kamikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Hirondelle, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Watanabe, Seishichi crosses the 'T'
CA Chokai engages xAKL Hirondelle at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages xAKL Hirondelle at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Chokai engages xAKL Hirondelle at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Atago engages xAKL Hirondelle at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
xAKL Hirondelle sunk by CA Mogami at 14,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


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

[BBfanboy]

Unless you have shipping at sea to protect, just keep your SCTFs in PH on patrol, and let your bombers and subs handle the raiding CAs. You can also use P-40Es as bombers at 100 feet with pretty good results. Their 500 lb bombs will mess up a CA pretty well, usually penetrating on a deck hit. I once sank CA Chokai using only P-40Es. Set them to a max normal range (4).

[L0ckAndL0ad]

The AI is smart enough not to get too close to the PH this time. But I managed to get some anyway..

May 4-8, 1942
A carrier tf was dispatched to deal with the raiders. BBfanboy is right, cruisers are a juicy target, and an easy one, being close to Pearl. F4Fs were used for LowN and strafing, with great results.

The CTF "BOYD" in the Coral Sea managed to bite BB Yamashiro. Not lethally, but still nice.

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May 4, 1942
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Morning Air attack on TF, near French Frigate Shoal at 172,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 3
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hatakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
CA Chokai
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hatakaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near French Frigate Shoal at 172,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 5
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 15
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 10, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hatakaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Takao class CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chokai


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo



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May 5, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near French Frigate Shoal at 167,103

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 7
DD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Tone class CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near French Frigate Shoal at 167,103

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 24
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 10, Bomb hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Namikaze

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x F4F-4 Wildcat bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chokai
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Kamikaze


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

On the 6th, the trouble came. Soryu and Hiryu suddenly appeared, approaching PM from Rabaul or Truk direction. Port Moresby was shelled by another surface force, though the damage wasn't as severe. Boyd ordered all available paddles readied and installed on CVs close to the waterline, using hatches. They had to row the hell out of there. As fast as possible. Thankfully, the weather was nasty and saved both British carriers. I can't explain it otherwise. Most of the Japs must have lost their way in the storms. Only a small airstrike reached CTF "BOYD", and was successfully repelled.



All B-26 planes ordered back to Oz. They aren't doing much damage there to justify their presence and casualties. Will switch them later with squadrons of A-24 Banshee and A-20 Havoc of the 3rd BG. Two squadrons of Dutch B-25s (also 3rd BG) will be based in Cairns. Just enough distance (11) to reach PM with full combat load. And with Cairn's AF just being upgraded past level 5, three squadrons of B-17s will also start flying from there.

PS: So, any idea why recon planes won't fly recon over friendly, but contested hex (PM)?

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May 6, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Furutaka
CA Furutaka firing at Port Moresby


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,135

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 9
Martlet II x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 3 destroyed
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,135

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 9
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 11
Martlet II x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes
BC Repulse
CV Indomitable

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.800 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes



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

Trouble in China. I won't be able to take Nanchang after all. The opposition is stronger than I expected. Still, staying there to delay the enemy is a good plan B, giving boys to the north more time to fight in the cities.

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May 8, 1942
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Nanchang (85,54)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49118 troops, 301 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1590

Defending force 34640 troops, 311 guns, 177 vehicles, Assault Value = 851

Allied adjusted assault: 996

Japanese adjusted defense: 2162

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
885 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3708 casualties reported
Squads: 78 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army
23rd Group Army
10th Group Army
25th Group Army
3rd War Area
14th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
60th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Armored Car Co
15th Division
Kyuko Naval Guard Unit
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd RGC Temp. Division
4th Mortar Battalion
17th JAAF Base Force


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

[BBfanboy]

Nice work on those CAs! DD Namikaze must have one heckuva skipper to dodge everything except some MG bullets!

I suspect your recons are balking at flying unescorted into a zone where you do not have air superiority. I think the Aussies get some Beaufort recons around now and these are expendable enough to put a couple of them at PM to recon the base from range 0.

PS - you don't say how you know the recons are not going to PM, but you know the recon missions do not show up in the Combat Reports, right?

[L0ckAndL0ad]

When I order F-4s to recon PM from Cairns (lvl 5 AF with good supply), they stay at 0 fatigue, don't gain skills and don't appear in any reports. I let them stay like that for quite a while, like 1.5 weeks. But if I switch to commander's discretion destination, they fly recon missions as usual, anywhere but PM. In PM itself, there were two squadrons of USAAF P-39Ds, packing ~50 A2A kills by now, with minimal casualties, trashing anything Japs send there. Well, until the carriers showed up. Now there are even 3 P-39D squadrons...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 27
P-39D Airacobra x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak
P-39D Airacobra: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Hiryu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
8 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes



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

Addendum:

OH! It just occurred to me that the Brits were saved by the shi**y weather. What an irony. That sounds like something Goring would say to Hitler after losing Battle of Britain. [:D]