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

[obvert]

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

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The great IJN sub massacre of Oct 7th leaves the IJN short five subs. All others will now head back in for a bit. A defensive posture will be adopted everywhere.

The minelaying run to Para was interrupted, so I have to redirect and send them back in. I've got some there but now want to drop as many as possible into the Kuriles.

The Allies took a day off of the bombing runs to Para and other Kuriles air bases, but the P-38L sweep that did arrive did extremely poorly again the low CAP at Para. Almost 30 P-38s lost on the day! [&o]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 7, 1944
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Onnekotan-jima at 136,47, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CM Okinoshima, Shell hits 4
SC Ch 7

Allied Ships
DE Bangust
DE Baron, Shell hits 1
DE Weaver, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 71% moonlight: 11,000 yards

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Sub vs Sub: SS Kraken attacking SS RO-45 at 133,50 - near Shimushiri-jima

Japanese Ships
SS RO-45, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Kraken

SS Kraken launches 6 torpedoes at 2,000 yards

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Sub vs Sub: SS Bonefish attacking SS I-26 at 128,60

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bonefish

SS Bonefish launches 6 torpedoes at 4,000 yards

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Sub vs Sub: SS Pargo attacking SS I-2 at 133,45 - near Onnekotan-jima

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pargo

SS Pargo launches 6 torpedoes at 2,000 yards

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Submarine attack near Shikuka at 129,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-184, hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
CA Houston
CL Mobile
CL Montpelier
DD Conway
DD Converse
DD Dashiell
DD Daly
DD Cotten
DD Cony

SS I-184 is sighted by escort

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Submarine attack near Shikuka at 129,44

Japanese Ships
SS RO-66, hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra II
CL Cleveland
CLAA San Diego
DD Bearss
DD Capps
DD Caperton
DD Callaghan
DD Bryant

SS RO-66 is sighted by escort

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Morning Air attack on Paramushiro-jima , at 137,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 13
J2M5 Jack x 10
N1K2-J George x 11
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 15
Ki-84b Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 12 destroyed

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

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Morning Air attack on Paramushiro-jima , at 137,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 7
J2M5 Jack x 4
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84b Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 2 destroyed
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[obvert]

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

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The Allies go big at Paramushiro on the 8th. The direct approach does work this time, but he again loses a dozen or so 4Es on the day. The Japanese though will have to pull back after most surviving CAP are grounded for maintenance.

It seems certain there is a plan to invade the Kuriles. The Allies are only reconning a few HI bases and have every Kurile base from Etorofu out lit up and well observed. The persistent bombing can only mean an effort to suppress possible fort building and destruction of supply. I feel that even the base stuck at level 5 forts will give a good account of itself, and there is still a possibility of getting up to 6. Paramushiro is very close to forts 7 but needs about 5-7 days without air strikes to get there. Not sure it'll happen.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 8, 1944
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Night Air attack on TF, near Sapporo at 120,51

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 11
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
DD Yukaze
CA Takao
CA Myoko

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paramushiro-jima , at 137,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 43,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 15
J2M5 Jack x 15
N1K2-J George x 17
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 37
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 16
Ki-84b Frank x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 3 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Paramushiro-jima , at 137,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 11
J2M5 Jack x 12
N1K2-J George x 14
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 32
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-84b Frank x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 19
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 16
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
J2M5 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 7 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-84b Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Paramushiro-jima , at 137,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 7
J2M5 Jack x 8
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 20
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9
Ki-84b Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 25
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Although it can get the bombers through, as in this case, the use of the best Allied airframes as escorts has also led to their pools being hugely reduced. It'll mean he will get through to some industry eventually though, so I have to try to take out as many as possible before the strat bombing starts in earnest again.

[obvert]

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

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The 9th brings big sweeps over the Kuriles. Only Ketoi Jima is hit though, and only by 6 Libs for a few runway hits and one downed 4E. [:)]

On the day the Allies lose 5 4E and 3 2E, which has become about standard with the big bombing runs on troops in Burma and the Kuriles bombings. That steady bleed will certainly have an affects it just about equals overall production at this point.

Only the flak scores reports shown below. Also, there are the contested hexes with the daily bombardments in Burma as well.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 9, 1944
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Morning Air attack on 16th Army, at 56,51 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 3
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-17F Fortress x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 23
B-25G Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 1 damaged
A-29A Hudson: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 26th Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 57,50 (Toungoo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 8 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 13000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Ketoi-jima , at 134,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 108th Division, at 57,50 (Toungoo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 11
B-25J1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion, at 57,50 (Toungoo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8

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

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

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Morning Air attack on 2nd Guards Division, at 56,51 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 55,51 (near Prome)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 182207 troops, 2191 guns, 2309 vehicles, Assault Value = 5432

Defending force 97561 troops, 986 guns, 441 vehicles, Assault Value = 2796

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st New Chinese Corps
40th Infantry Division
254th Armoured Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
25th Indian Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
5th Chinese Corps
18th British Division
193rd Tank Battalion
27th Infantry Division
26th Indian Division
50th Indian Para Brigade
23rd Chindit Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
Guides Cavalry Regiment
255th Indian Tank Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
5th Indian Division
8th Medium Regiment
2nd Indian AA Bde
197th Coast AA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
88th Medium Regiment
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

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

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Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4218 troops, 180 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 696

Defending force 39445 troops, 375 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 952

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
11th Indian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
9th Indian Division
72nd British Brigade
6th Medium Regiment
249th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
86th Coast AA Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XV Indian Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
101st Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Guards Division
16th Division
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
53rd Const Co
3rd RF Gun Battalion
16th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
125th AA Regiment
12th Air Defense AA Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
57th Field AA Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion

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Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15821 troops, 161 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 1164

Defending force 26941 troops, 292 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 607

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
14th Indian Division
111th Chindit Brigade
75th Indian Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
77th Chindit Brigade
17th Indian Division
2/9th Field Regiment

Defending units:
21st Division
108th Division
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
Burma Area Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Field AA Battalion
115th AA Regiment
62nd JAAF AF Bn
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The two very slow repairing Sam R & D factories have finally shot forward. Only (2) 28 now on the one still yet to start producing, and after that the plane will move quickly toward production. I'll probably have it in 3/45 now. The sucks, but it's better than I'd thought considering the factories still both had (10) 20 about a month ago.

The Frank "r" is predicted for 11/44. Only a few more weeks! [&o]

[obvert]

Something new today! Another attempt at Marcus Island! Invasions here have been some of the most devastating for the Allies throughout the game. This looks like the third attempt, if indeed the allies stop here.

I had some Jakes on low naval strike here and they hit one APA and two LSI. That should add to the disruption of forces at the least, and might even sink these. I'll move some Judy D4Y1 in to Pagan, which could just barely reach Marcus at range 18. I don't see any CV/CVE in the search rollovers here.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 127,85

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 9 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
APA Clay, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
LSI(M) Prince Henry, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Gambia

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 127,87

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Denbighshire, Bomb hits 1
APD Walsh

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Oct 10, 1944[/font]

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So, the Allies are going for Marcus, they're ready to pounce in the North, they're squeezing Burma as tightly as possible, and throwing all of the available airforces at the Japanese positions everywhere. I need a few good days to slow the deluge, but he's been good at keeping pressure up. Sometimes at the expense of his forces for a day, but he does know the higher service level of Japanese planes reduces their operational availability.

I'll keep trying to conserve forces for the next big landings, and get some CAP traps or other surprise appearances ready.

The Okinoshima takes two fish from the Tullibee but still, amazingly, is operational. I'll drop these mines at Para, assuming she doesn't get sunk on the way, and load up more and keep dropping as long as the pool and/or ship lasts. [;)]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 10, 1944
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Sub attack near Onnekotan-jima at 136,47

Japanese Ships
CM Okinoshima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC Ch 7

Allied Ships
SS Tullibee, hits 2

SS Tullibee launches 6 torpedoes at CM Okinoshima
Tullibee diving deep ....

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Afternoon Air attack on Wakkanai , at 122,48

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 destroyed by flak

Resources hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Wakkanai , at 122,48

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 38800 feet
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I don't see any CVEs here, but they could be lurking. I'll see what a set of DBs and more Jakes can do.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Oct 11, 1944[/font]

---

The Allies jump right in at Marcus. They don't bring any BBs (or haven't used them yet) and have only a few cruisers here to offer fire support. They did have some LCI(G) and one SNLF unit suffered as a result of those, but other units were untouched.

The Judys do fly and get to the amphibs, but only land 2 x 250kg bombs on APA Clay. One down though at least. Hellcats appear out of somewhere, but not many, and this looks like one CVE lurking somewhere. The KB might have been able to streak down for tomorrow, but I think the risk of a sub hit would outweigh the gain. I do have a few ships on the way though. [:)]

In the end they get a pretty poor result for dropping an entire Aussie Engineer Corps, a tank battalion and a Marine regiment on here. Marcus Island!![&o]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 11, 1944
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Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85)

119 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Decoy
AM Tumult
APA Dawson

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

DE Decoy fired at enemy troops
AM Tumult fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 20

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APA Clay, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham II
CL Gambia

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Raid is overhead

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on Shimushiri-jima , at 132,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.VI: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Liberator GR.VI bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

139 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Gambia, Shell hits 3
LCI(G)-398
LCI(G)-372
LCI(G)-220
LCI(G)-82
LCI(G)-81
LCI(G)-80
LCI-624
APA Bowie
DD Benham II
LCI-622

Japanese ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at CL Gambia
CL Gambia firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
LCI(G)-398 fired at enemy troops

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Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK William P. McArthur
xAK William B. Allison, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK William Prouse
xAK William R. Davie, Shell hits 5

xAK William P. McArthur firing at Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging xAK William B. Allison at 12,000 yards

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Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4484 troops, 86 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Defending force 6345 troops, 56 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 252

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

Assaulting units:
2nd South Seas Gsn /2
Sasebo 7th SNLF
Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Nav Gd /1
Kwajalein Base Force

Defending units:
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
44th Tank Bn /4
1st Marine/A Div /1

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Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6306 troops, 56 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 248

Defending force 5297 troops, 95 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 147

Allied adjusted assault: 88

Japanese adjusted defense: 170

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
799 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
992 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 47 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 87 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 46 (21 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
44th Tank Bn /4
1st Marine/A Div /1

Defending units:
2nd South Seas Gsn /2
Sasebo 7th SNLF
Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Nav Gd /1
Kwajalein Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[witpqs]

Climbing back aboard here. I've recently been reading the opposing AAR so it'll be a while before I've dried off enough to make any comments, but you're better at this than I am anyway.

[obvert]

The Allies also try a DA at Toungoo. It lowers forts again, but still doesn't get a positive by a long shot at 1:5.

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Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39609 troops, 338 guns, 446 vehicles, Assault Value = 1194

Defending force 27353 troops, 316 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 606

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 383

Japanese adjusted defense: 1965

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
617 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1605 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (3 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Manchester Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
14th Indian Division
50th Tank Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
75th Indian Brigade
77th Chindit Brigade
17th Indian Division
2/9th Field Regiment

Defending units:
108th Division
21st Division
26th Ind.Mixed Bde /1
56th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Burma Area Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
115th AA Regiment
125th AA Regiment
62nd JAAF AF Bn
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[obvert]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Climbing back aboard here. I've recently been reading the opposing AAR so it'll be a while before I've dried off enough to make any comments, but you're better at this than I am anyway.

Just fun to see you around!

Questions are always appreciated, and if you don't know you can't be breaking opsec, right? [;)]

[obvert]

Here are air losses for the turn. Flak is murderous.

[witpqs]

Right! [:)]

[obvert]

Up North the coast is clear. Nothing going on yet. About 300 more ships in Shikuka now. [X(]

[obvert]

This is the image today of Marcus. The red TF moving in is Ashigara and Tone, fresh out of the repair yards. They sprinted from Yokohama, and will try to get in amongst the APA/AKA here to do some damage. Not much, but it's a try anyway.

[obvert]

The night begins with some say pickings. As usual Dan has pickets out. He is meticulous about those, and I'd hoped the previous days some of the Judys and Jakes would take a few out, but they didn't go for the small fry.

[obvert]

Next up are two DEs. This, surprisingly, is the fateful trying point of the night. As in the war, the USN just has better equipment at this stage of the game. The battle starts in close at 5k yards, close enough that the DEs launch torpedoes and immediately get a hit on Ashigara. This is the decisive hit in the series of battles that come next, even though both DEs are sunk and the cruisers continue on in.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
DD Ikazuchi
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
DE Tabberer, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Walter C. Wann, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 21% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 21% moonlight: 5,000 yards

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

[obvert]

They find a Commenwealth cruiser TF next, one that would earlier in the war be overwhelmed by two IJN CAs. Not at this point.

The IJN fights a good battle, likely sinking the Caradoc, but also takes some hits. The DDs are left burning and the cruiser damaged enough to retire before getting to the transports. Damn.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Shell hits 5
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen
DD Kortenaer
DD Van Ghent

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 3,000 yards

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

[obvert]

I'd set a bunch of Es to patrol the retreat lanes out of Marcus in the hope of clearing a path between Allied sub patrols. They met with the subs alright, but the Flasher sinks two Es before taking some damage herself. Another TF sinks the Aspro, but ...

... on the way out the Tone is hit with one fish by Robalo.

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Sub attack near Ominato at 124,62

Japanese Ships
E No.56, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E No.54

Allied Ships
SS Flasher

SS Flasher launches 6 torpedoes at E No.56
Flasher diving deep ....

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Sub attack near Ominato at 124,62

Japanese Ships
E No.54, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E No.39

Allied Ships
SS Flasher, hits 18

SS Flasher launches 6 torpedoes at E No.54
E No.39 attacking submerged sub ....

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Submarine attack near Sendai at 123,65

Japanese Ships
E No.61
E No.52
E No.51

Allied Ships
SS Aspro, hits 17, and is sunk

SS Aspro is located by E No.61
Aspro diving deep ....

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Sub attack near Marcus Island at 121,83

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Torpedo hits 1
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
SS Robalo

SS Robalo launches 6 torpedoes at CA Tone
Robalo diving deep ....
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[obvert]

Oddly in the day phase the hellcats have withdrawn from around Marcus. I set some Frances at long range to skim the ocean and strike at 100ft. They make it in and hit a few more good attack transports.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 8 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
APD Knudson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKA Medea, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LSI(L) Glenartney
LSD Casa Grande, Bomb hits 2

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 1 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

The Allies throw some DDs forward, which could have been excellent CAP traps. No Allied CAP showed up though, and after severe flak losses and a bunch of misses, the IJN DBs finally get in some hits. Most were 250kg bombs, but they also got a couple of 500kg hits form Judys, maybe even one 800kg hit, so a few could go down. Not quite sure what happened here and why those were there.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wakkanai at 123,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 6
D4Y4 Judy x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 3 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y4 Judy: 8 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Abbot, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Newcomb
DD Miller, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied CA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bihoro at 125,50

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 6 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Hutchins, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mullany, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 4 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Abbot, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Miller, on fire
DD Newcomb

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a 'D' Class class DD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

The Allies also sweep heavily at Uruppa and the CAP does very well early, then wears out and gets beaten late.

[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
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Afternoon Air attack on Uruppu-jima , at 130,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 37,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 19
J2M3 Jack x 28
J2M5 Jack x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 6 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Uruppu-jima , at 130,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 39,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 14
J2M3 Jack x 23
J2M5 Jack x 29

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Uruppu-jima , at 130,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 36,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 11
J2M3 Jack x 20
J2M5 Jack x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 4 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Uruppu-jima , at 130,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 43,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 5
J2M3 Jack x 8
J2M5 Jack x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 39300 feet

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