I need all the help I can get 1st ever PBEM Guadal Campaign (J)

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 16 back

So the CAs Perform their exit bombardment, although much less damaging this time around:

***
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 damaged

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Takao
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Runway hits 5
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Maya
***

Next turn I have my Fast Transport group going into Tassafaragona. I am sending Mutsu in to Bombard Henderson Field because I just want to indulge in some 16" shells being lobbed at my adversary!

There was a strange event this turn though as some Bettys flying from who-knows-where decide to hit Port Moresby, unescorted. They are understandably shot to pieces:
I have checked all my Betties at Rabaul and they are all exclusively set to Naval Attack...

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

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses
***

Now the allies continue to pound Lae and Buna. I don't know if I should be taking the bait and challenging these aircraft for bases which are currently peripheral to my targets. Anyone have a view?
2 Turns until CVs are within striking distance of GC so your thoughts on their positioning would be appreciated.
I am loading an infantry division at Rabaul so the CVs primary task will be to cover those landings at Tassafaragona.

[GetAssista]

Your Betties were attacking a task force near PM, it is written there in the report. Always the problem as you cannot restrict airgroup from attacking near certain hexes. Except by restricting their range, which also limits the coverage everywhere else. You should do just that, and think about other bases suitable for Betties so that their range not go into CAP nests but keeps coverage over the sea

[BBfanboy]

Re: the subs, just check the individual sub screen and if they are mine capable there will be a weapon slot for mines - red when no mines are loaded. To find out if you can load them at Rabaul just form the sub(s) that can carry mines into a Sub Mine-Laying TF. The mines should load automatically if the base can do that. Just to be sure, dock the subs and click "Replenish Ship From Port". If no mines load, you need to go to a bigger port or bring in naval support.

Those Bettys that attacked PM were on Naval Strike so they were just doing Commanders Discretion within the range you set for them.

The extra bombardment your TF did at GC may not have had spectacular results but it is grinding away at his troops and supply, and setting back his AF and Fort building. Would you rather have had the CAs retire to Rabaul with nothing more achieved?

Edit: Resist the temptation to "do something" just because you can. Sending Mutsu to GC is risky because of enemy subs and the possible return of his carriers. There is no guarantee that Mutsu will be a safe distance from GC after the night bombardment. Then there is the issue of how much fuel that hog will guzzle making a high-speed run - is Rabaul flush with fuel?

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

Your Betties were attacking a task force near PM, it is written there in the report. Always the problem as you cannot restrict airgroup from attacking near certain hexes. Except by restricting their range, which also limits the coverage everywhere else. You should do just that, and think about other bases suitable for Betties so that their range not go into CAP nests but keeps coverage over the sea

Thanks GetAssista, I hadn’t noticed that and I’ll ensure that my range etc is set appropriately

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
If no mines load, you need to go to a bigger port or bring in naval support.

Lastly, if no mines load, your stores of that type of mine may be exhausted. Check your resources menu for the mine type off of the 'i' (for 'information') button on the upper left. Note that DM or CM or CMc or PB types with minelaying capabilities use different mines than the submarines.

Edit: Resist the temptation to "do something" just because you can. Sending Mutsu to GC is risky because of enemy subs and the possible return of his carriers. There is no guarantee that Mutsu will be a safe distance from GC after the night bombardment. Then there is the issue of how much fuel that hog will guzzle making a high-speed run - is Rabaul flush with fuel?

A good point. It's probably worth waiting until you have air cover for the bombardment units, be that LBA from Buka, Shortlands or Rabaul or carriers.

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 17 Back

Thank you all for the advice folks. I had already sent off the TFs onto their missions so Mustu did lay into GC, with okay results considering she was on her own basically. I have set her not to Refuel at Rabaul. Here is the result of the bombardment of Henderson field:

***
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged
F4F-3P Wildcat: 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
DD Yuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Urakaze
DD Isokaze

Allied ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
Port hits 3

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Mutsu
***

The supply situation at the following key points are below. I am en route with major supply (4,700) and reinforcements for Lunga. There are a further 1000 troops in that convoy and I have 3,500 troops loading at Rabaul with some supplies. I have a Fast transport group of CLs and DDs loading at Rabaul to try and run in as well.

Rabaul: S: 25,904 F: 10,265
Buin/Shortlands: S: 13,228 F: 2,577
Tassafaragona: S:985 F:0

This level of activity may attract attention from US carriers. My carriers are capable of being within range 7 of GM this turn but I am going to hold back. Right now I don't know where his carriers are... I am tempted to venture to further south to seek a carrier battle. They are being followed by a replenishment force so I have the endurance... Let me know what the council is thinking!


A RO-class Sub has made it back to Rabaul and is able to load mines so I am sending it back to GC to lay mines at the harbour.

Lastly how do I best provide long range air cover from Buin? when I go in with my transports should I bomb Hendersonfield or just fly LRCAP over Tassafaragona? I have 35 Betty's and 34 Zeroes at Buin... (I have 75 Zeroes and 141 Betty's at Rabaul)

Here is the current situation:

[DanSez]

This takes planning, timing and a bit of luck but,
Carrier Battles 301 level knowledge:

When you move your KB into action, try and have a few subs 10-15 hexes in front of your patrol line, to detect the enemy and to possibly pick up downed pilots if they happen to be a naval strike zone. If the subs pick up detection, or maybe even id a Carrier Task Force, then you can charge forward with more confidence and deliver the strike.

Added bonus, the subs might damage a ship before the strike, or pick one off after the strike.

Tough to do as you don't have enough ships for every task, but you should have 2-4 subs plowing the waters between Lunga and Luganville already. Get them into position in relation to your Carrier's potential movements.

Good luck.

[Derfflinger13]

ORIGINAL: DanSez


This takes planning, timing and a bit of luck but,
Carrier Battles 301 level knowledge:

When you move your KB into action, try and have a few subs 10-15 hexes in front of your patrol line, to detect the enemy and to possibly pick up downed pilots if they happen to be a naval strike zone. If the subs pick up detection, or maybe even id a Carrier Task Force, then you can charge forward with more confidence and deliver the strike.

Added bonus, the subs might damage a ship before the strike, or pick one off after the strike.

Tough to do as you don't have enough ships for every task, but you should have 2-4 subs plowing the waters between Lunga and Luganville already. Get them into position in relation to your Carrier's potential movements.

Good luck.

Thanks DanSez. The Subs I have south of GC which are currently 7-13 hexes away from my carriers and I can move them south to create a broader screen.

I have spent some time hypothesising about where my carriers should go next but I need some advice first.

Point 1 below (green) puts me farthest south, but without intel on his carriers. I would be out of range 6 (Orange) of GC (which I have seen no evidence of bombers on and I believe should still be damaged by my recent bombardments). I can move my subs farther ahead to cover their advance.

Point 2 below (blue) puts me in distance of Henderson Field but will allow me to cover my transports, which are due to arrive at Tassafaragona this turn - they will have to stay for more than one turn - they are NOT fast transports. How would I best set my aircraft to cover these landings? I currently have all my bombers and fighters at range 6 on Naval Strike/Escort. Do I need to set the Figters to LRCAP? I can set the 35 Zeroes at Buin at LRCAP too.

I think Point 2 is most suitable now given the importance of landing more troops, and perhaps start moving the subs farther south now in preparation of a move to point 1 or more south/ south westerly.

Looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say. This is a big decision so I will hold off sending the turn until I have had some thoughts on how to set up my carriers to cover the landing (and indeed whether you think that the priority).

Thank you, over and out.

[BBfanboy]

Although you can get nice VPs from sinking enemy carriers, he might get lucky and take out one or two of yours too. Poor damage control makes the IJN carriers "eggshells armed with hammers" (original quote referred to Battle Cruisers).

The big enchilada is capturing Lunga. You must protect your transports as much as you can, even if that means giving up on possible juicy targets. Think Spruance in the Marianas invasion where he had to bide his time until the landings were complete before going after the IJN carriers. Unfortunately, because of the lack of purpose built amphibs, it will take a few days to unload troops, equipment and supply. Just keep moving your carriers around so his subs do not converge on them.

[DanSez]

Agree with BBfanboy.
Don't lead with your face in a fist fight.
Don't outrun your search, especially when you know Allied Carriers are in the sector.

IJN Carriers are fragile. Shokaku and Zuikaku will be the toughest carriers you have even in a campaign game. There, they are irreplaceable. In a limited scenario, you might justifiably sacrific one of them for 2 or more Allied Carriers that are damaged enough to be out of the game. Better yet to sacrifice some supply transports or a small SCTF to an Allied first strike and then Shokaku and Zuikaku step in to crush the enemy.

You mentioned the subs are still getting into position, and the importance of the landing task force.
In that case I would suggest movement to better cover the landing force and await more intel on the Allied carriers. They could show up southwest of Lunga, blowing up your landing force and your carriers would be out of range/place to make a counter strike - losing those ships and troops for no effect.

I would lean more toward the northeast of Point two, more directly toward Tulagi, but not ahead of your transport task force. Don't give away your carrier location by running out ahead of your other TFs.

And speaking of Tulagi and your landing force, a nasty trick is for a small SCTF to jump out from an allied dot base and lay into your transports. If you have a CL/DD/DD in its own as an escort, it might blunt such an attack. It could also give the transports a chance to back away from an encounter while the small CL/DD/DD force jousts for time.

You are doing a good job of hitting and reconning Lunga.
What do you know about Tulagi? Could there be a couple of Allied DD's just sitting there waiting to pounce?
They could also jump you from Rennell Island too. Be aware of the threats and plan to deal out punishment to any enemy activity trying to stop your landings.

[DanSez]

I experienced tragic result in a PBEM game where the Solomons line made it difficult or impossible for the Carrier Commander to react past an Allied occupied Tulagi to strike Allies tfs SW of Lunga.

There is a fair chance the Carrier Commanders probably won't react/step past Tulagi if the Allied Carriers are SW of Rennell Island but the Allied Carriers sure as sheet will step up close to the North Point of Rennell Island to deliever a blow to you.

Since you have decided to cover the Landing force, do it with Carrier LRCAP and stand back with one sea hex between your Carries and any Allied controlled islands. Break your landing tfs up into the smallest packets where you have one or two escorts and all at the same speeds as best you can. Set them on Direct Absolute and run them in to unload while the carriers and the small Surface Task force escort provides cover, then retire the whole group, including Carriers.

Replensish your war ships at sea and come back with a small slow sacrifical supply TF (that you could start loading now) and be in position to blow thru or around the Solomons with your Carriers and SCTFs to catch the enemy striking the less important supply TF.

Or, if your Spidery-Senses are tingling (any Allied DBs showing up over Trassfalgar?), then call off the whole thing and keep the troops North of the Solomons until you have a clearer picture.

[inqistor]

Since I don't see planes icon at GC, I am guessing, that your recon is seriously lacking. Submarines are quite poor at detecting enemy, so half of waters can be swarming with US TFs right now, and you just can't see them. Have you set search arcs? If so, can you show them?

You should recon all US bases, especially nearby dots, as there can be Float Planes, or even hiding CAs.

Your best protection would be direct CAP on TF hex, but your CVs shouldn't be at hex with base, as this limits their air operations. CAP bleeds over up to three hexes, so if you put your CVs on nearby hex, your transports will get protection. The main rule of CV battle is that you have to detect them first.

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 20 back

It has been a few turns. The aerial pressure is continuing to buid at Buna and Lae and as I send in some light transports to top up Buna and keep some supply there they are sunk. I have 1000ish supply in Buna and 2,500 in Kokoda. My troops in Kokoda are fortifying and have level 2 forts now. I have an AV of 300ish. I assume this will be insufficient to take PM, hence my defensive stance.


On the GC front my first troops and transports have landed and I have another major convoy coming in soon. I positioned my CVs 3 hexes east of Tassafaragona (Is this too close/too far away?) and alongside LRCAP from Shortlands I defend the landing sites. All flights come from Henderson field, so no carriers yet and SBDs mean the airfield is already operational. I am sending in some CAs to deal out some damage. Here is the outcome of my CAP defence:

***
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 113,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
***
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 113,137

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
***

However I have now given away my position as he knows carriers are in the area. I have subs stretched across the sea west and south of GC so I hope to see or hear of the US CVs approaching. I have searches in place to try and discover their location... I will let you know when the next turn comes back.

My questions for this turn are what is a dangerous level of fatigue?

[BBfanboy]

When your pilots have been in action three days straight they will be dangerously fatigued. In between covering troop landings you should probably be withdrawing north about four hexes and resting your fighters about 60% while LB CAP helps protect the carriers.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Derfflinger13
My questions for this turn are what is a dangerous level of fatigue?

For LRCAP, fatigue mounts quickly. Anything north of the '20s' in fatigue starts to degrade their performance appreciably, IMO. Anything higher than '35-40' means the unit needs to be shut down or risks being destroyed.

[Derfflinger13]

Thanks folks. I will keep an eye on Fatigue levels and hopefully the landings will be swift and successful and I can send the boys back to Truk for some R&R. Luckily plans always go to plan right...?

[Derfflinger13]

Turn 38 back

9th September 1942

Me and Mike found some time over the past few days where we could fling turns back and forth so I didn't have time to keep on top of the AAR. That said using the advice you guys had given me I have progressed to this:

***
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Tenryu

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 8
Port hits 8

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Maya
CA Maya firing at Lunga
CL Tenryu firing at 1st Marine Regiment
***
Pre-Invasion action off Lunga (114,138)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

250 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AK Kyushu Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze
DD Hakaze
AK Kinryu Maru
APD Yomogi P-38
APD Tsuta P-35
APD Susuki P-34
APD Kiku P-31
APD Nadakaze P-2
APD Shimakaze P-1

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
***

Amphibious Assault at Lunga (114,138)

TF 3 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 114,138

Japanese ground losses:
399 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
***

Invasion Support action off Lunga (114,138) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze
DD Oyashio
APD Yomogi P-38, Shell hits 3, on fire
APD Tsuta P-35, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Susuki P-34
APD Kiku P-31
APD Nadakaze P-2, Shell hits 4, on fire
APD Shimakaze P-1, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
***
Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8547 troops, 160 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Defending force 8640 troops, 55 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 290

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Regiment
5th Marine Regiment
38th/69th Base Sqdn
1st MarDiv HQ
67th Ftr Base Sqdn
6th Bn Naval Construction Battalion
1st Marine Pioneer Battalion
3rd USMC Defense Battalion
1st SW Field AA Battalion
3rd Bn Naval Construction Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
11th/42nd Base Sqdn
131st Aviation Engineer Battalion
III/11th Field Artillery Battalion
V/11th Field Artillery Battalion
II/11th Field Artillery Battalion
III/10th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
28th (Sep) Inf Regiment
35th IB/124th Inf Regiment
Kure 5th SNLF
***

Naturally I am alarmed at the differential in Assault value. I have more guns en route from Truk which should be there in a few days and i have a huge force marching in from Tassafaragona but it won't be there for 11-13 days. I have 6,000 and growing in the north with a few thousand in the south of the island. I have 27,000 supply at Rabaul so I will continue to run supplies into the South of the Island. My carriers are off to the south east and I have a line of sub south and west of Russel Island (i.e. 6 hexes off Lunga).

At this stage I will ask what I need to be aware of to make sure I can keep up a fight and defeat the US here...

Meanwhile I have now got Level 3 fortifications at Kokoda with AV300,but I think he has been fortifying PM and has continually for the last three weeks been bombing Buna and Lae - this neutralises the theatre so I guess he knows he can focus on GC.

Hopefully will keep you more regulary updated from here on in folks!

[inqistor]

Umm, was that Fast Transport landing directly at GC? But why? Actually, considering circumstances, your losses were pretty light. If you have enough supply, you can even survive counterattacks. But sole presence of your forces, in enemy base, haven't influence him in any way.

First, Japanese artillery have shorter range, so you should avoid any bombardments.
Second, you need HQ, and possibly also higher level HQ in range (if that is available in that scenario). And all units planning towards attacked base.
Third, keep base damaged, so forts will not rise (even better, keep airfield damaged enough, so planes would not fly)
Fourth - double check setting of your CV groups (and skills of groups commanders). You don't want half of your planes to not fly. And you want strong escort for your strikes.
With enough ship bombardments it will eventually fall. Keep checking fuel in your CV TF, and number of remaining sorties. And put air search web immediately.

I don't think any successful attack around Port Moresby is possible, so you can probably safely remove half of forces from Kokoda.

[Chickenboy]

Yeah, I agree with inqistor. Not the best move for a direct assault on Lunga. Unless you get more guys and supplies there tootsweet, expect them to get repelled with heavy losses.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
Yeah, I agree with inqistor. Not the best move for a direct assault on Lunga. Unless you get more guys and supplies there tootsweet, expect them to get repelled with heavy losses.

+1
Unless this makes your opponent panic and rush more reinforcements in Lunga, and your CVs manage to catch either those or American CVs. But if he is experienced he'd see that he has more than enough in place so far. Taking Lunga is a matter of siege not amphibious assault