Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat)

[John B.]

Day 2 was much better, thanks in large part to the bravery of the BB TFs. The initial surface action took place next to Taberfane as Scott ran for it. The CVEs would prove to be sitting ducks over the next few firefights.

[John B.]

The Haurana ad the Hiei next found the big cahuna and put several shells into two of the three allied fleet CVs that are still in theater. My guess is that most of the SBD/TBFS shot down yesterday came from this TF so it's offensive punch was reduced. No reports of serious damage but the Lady Lex may need time in the yards. This is the last this TF was heard from on this turn so my guess is that is went full steam ahead to the south.

[John B.]

The Kirishima then stepped up and continued the process of whittling down the CVE TF.

[John B.]

It was a long night for the US navy.

[John B.]

An allied BB TF (that I suspect was steaming up from the south) then found the Kirishima TF. Kirishima went down and the Mogami is badly damage and on fire so it may not make it back to port (fire level is 46). Still, they put some hits on the allies!

[John B.]

The other night surface action (sorry I forgot to post this one) was at Taberfane where two IJN CAs' crossed the T of the Colorado and put the royal hurt on that ship.

[John B.]

After the dawn land based Betties found US transports at Taberfane.

[John B.]

And finished off the Colorado.

[John B.]

Meanwhile, the KB finally decided to get off the wagon and help to push. The F-4Fs never made it through to the bombers.

[John B.]

More destruction of CVEs.

[John B.]

And, one more carrier attack.

[John B.]

Air losses for the day show a heavy loss of carrier fighter groups for the americans as most of the planes on the CVEs went down with their ships. The ones who were airborne in the afternoon may well have made it back to Merauke but lots of looses. There is an interesting discrepancy between the fighter losses for the day compared to the fighter losses for the campaign which suggest either (a) the campaign losses have not been updated or (b) the daily losses are less than reported. Still, a very nice haul and lots of pilots gone.

[John B.]

Oh sorry, that was yesterday's air losses. Here are the losses for today. You can see the discrepancy that I've highlighted.

[John B.]

And the ship losses. A big punch for the allies to lose that many CVEs with thier air groups. On a strategic level the big boys got away so the allies are still in it but this is all the more VP Scott has to make up and it should slow him down a bit and make him leery of the DEI.

My plan is to bombard Merauke tonight and hit it with airstrikes tomorrow. My hope is to get the Yorktown if it's in port and hit a bunch of his planes. I may run into mines and subs but I have Scott back on his heels so the time to strike is now. In the next couple of weeks I intend to reinvade Taberfane. It has a level one airstrip right now but big deal. It is terribly vulnerable to shore bombardments and the US navy is not in a position to save it since it's so far away from any other base. If I don't need the Yamato to bombard Merauke, it will shoot its 18 inch guns at Taberfane.

Near the HI Scott has a CL TF roaming around. It sank and SC so I have a CV TF and the Musashi looking for it.

All in all a very good operational victory for Japan.

[GetAssista]

Woo-hoo! "Two carriers, a battleship, and numerous cruisers and destroyers.."
Congratulations on the well earned naval victory!

[John B.]

Thanks!

[Capt. Harlock]

All in all a very good operational victory for Japan.

Well done indeed for 1943!

[Bif1961]

You are right he has still hundred more CVEs coming but they aren't here yet. With the Yorktown damaged he will have to leave the field to the KB and your roaming surface TFs. This goes to show the Japanese players that there is hope to counter an Allied offensive and stop or slow his offensive if he doesn't employ all his might or is previously depleted. Concentration for a major battle was the Japanese strategy starting in 1943 before they were overwhelmed by the Allied military reinforcement might by mid late 44. You showed how it can be done even against a seasoned and skilled opponent.

[John B.]

Thanks! I think one significant allied weakness in 1943 is that they have to go into dark territory. The IJN will know where they are because of land based float planes but the allies, pushing into areas where they don't have seaplane coverage, can be set up for ambushes. By 1944 it does not matter when the death star comes into play.

[John B.]

Well, Scott got busy (and may have had a touch of SCLS) but now we're back. The next day saw another bitter close range naval action. the Warspite should live since it only took three penetrations (and a lot of the hits were from AA guns) but the allies got the worst of this. My ships are basically fine and heading for some yard time.