Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice)

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[:D]

Quick! Someone convene the AE Kangaroo Court. BBfanboy has gone pun bezerk!

[:D]

[USSAmerica]

Dan, if this did end up being an "Antietam of the Timor Sea" that should prove to be a strategic victory for you. You already have CV reinforcements on the way while Dave is just about at the end of the line for any CV reinforcements. I'm looking forward to seeing the detailed report. [8D]

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

4/1/44

Battle of the Timor Sea: A major carrier battle took place today but I can't post detailed info until Dave sends the next-turn file. He sent the 001 and the Combat Report, so I have a general idea of what happened but lack the detail the next-turn file would give, such as precise ship damage; air losses; locations of the TFs; and where and how ships will retire, if necessary. (Dave is in the third week of a four-week busy spell that has slowed the pace of the game; he may not be able to send the turn until tomorrow.)

A few tidbits: I think this was a Battle of Antietam - significant losses on both sides, no clear-cut winner, one side perhaps better able to hold the battlefield. Both sides suffered major air losses, but Allies losses might prove to be 30% to 50% higher. A quick tally from the Combat Report (which always seriously underreports air losses) shows the Japanese with 175 aircraft destroyed and the Allies with 230 (when the time comes to see the real totals, it'll be cringe-worthy for me). Both sides suffered damage to capital ships but few, if any, are in danger of sinking (except perhaps CV Aso, which took two bombs and must've suffered a catastrophic explosions, as heavy fires/heavy damage is reported). Eight carriers on each side suffered damage; for the IJN six CVs and two CVLs; for the Allies, four USN CVs, one RN CV, two CVL and a CVE. CV Victorious took 1 TT; CV Hornet took 1 TT and 1B; all the other Allied fleet carriers took no more than a single bomb. In addition to CV Aso's heavy damage, Kaga took 3B and Akagi took 2B. CVL Chitose took a TT and 3B and should be in bad shape.

Both sides will probably need to regroup (ship AA will have low ammo, on both sides, and Allied strike aircraft may force retirement to Darwin. The Allies might be in a better position to resume operations in shorter term, as a CV, a CVL, and about 10 CVEs are inbound and a few days to perhaps a week away (and CV Bunker Hill will complete repairs at Townsville in two weeks).

It looks like there may have been some reaction; there's a possibility KB fought from Koepang, a base hex (that would be crazy, as air ops would be halved but Dave would've benefited from LBA CAP); and there's a possibility the two big Allied CV TFs fought from different hexes.

In my game with Obvert, my carriers have usually been configured for defense (due to the threat of enemy LBA and CAP, given all the fighting has been in proximity to the Home Islands). In this game, the only other big carrier battle (Bay of Bengal) caught me in a similar configuration. So it's encouraging to see a more typical carrier battle, with both sides taking damage and no slaughter of the innocents.

Driven through the Antietam area many times although never visited the battlefield.

Just from reading it looked like the big carrier battle was bubbling and would come soon.

Do you have any 4EB in the area that can pound Koepang, port for damaged ships or airfield?

ORIGINAL: USSAmerica

Dan, if this did end up being an "Antietam of the Timor Sea" that should prove to be a strategic victory for you. You already have CV reinforcements on the way while Dave is just about at the end of the line for any CV reinforcements. I'm looking forward to seeing the detailed report. [8D]

This!


Best of luck on results!

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: USSAmerica

Dan, if this did end up being an "Antietam of the Timor Sea" that should prove to be a strategic victory for you. You already have CV reinforcements on the way while Dave is just about at the end of the line for any CV reinforcements. I'm looking forward to seeing the detailed report. [8D]

[Canoerebel]

That's why I characterized it as Antietam. Heavy losses to both sides but one side (I think that's me) left holding the battlefield (initiative) and able to carry on soon.

The only airfield I have in range of Koepang is newly acquired Darwin. I'm still bringing in supply and base forces. Koepang is a level 8 airfield, and Dave has good LBA fighters, so I suspect Allied bombing won't be effective.

Any IJN ships not critically damaged should retire to Soerabaja.

The closest major Allied port is 12 hundred zillion miles away (or so it seems, when battling in this theater). Townsville has ARs and ARDs and is useful. Sydney can handle one Essex class at a time. Other than that it's probably Pearl Harbor. I think BB Alabama (2TT) will be most in need of that.

[RangerJoe]

Or Capetown.

[Canoerebel]

My arrival at Antietam National Battlefield about 12 years ago was one of the most remarkable historical moments I've experienced.

My family and I had just left Harpers Ferry, where we had lunch and a tour. We drove across the Potomac and into Maryland, bound for the battlefield. We were busy laughing and talking, and I figured at some point we'd see a sign or an entrance or a bunch of touristy buildings as we neared our destination. Instead we just drove through beautiful rural and farm country, topped a rise, and suddenly saw the Dunker Church in the near distance. It was like we had driven from 2003 right into the Brady photo of that church, with battle damage, taken in 1862.

A bunch of our best Civil War battlefields are still rural or semi-rural and lack the horrid development that mars so much of our countryside today. Antietam is a gem (or was, in 2003).

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Or Capetown.

Yeah. The port-of-call decisions will be based in part on sub threat. At this moment, the route through the Gulf of Carpentaria and southern Pacific is largely threat-free. If my guys evacuate promptly, they can probably outdistance Dave's subs. The route south, along the Oz coast, is more problematic, as Dave still holds Broome, Derby and Windham and has subs there and his navy nearby.

That's why I wrote of Pearl and didn't mention Capetown. Until I get a chance to see the map, evaluate sub location and ship damage, I'm leaning towards Pearl.

[JohnDillworth]

These are close waters. Perfect for CA/DD surface action. Japanese TF’s can leave air protected bases, strike, and be back before sunrise. Looks like there were a number of surface combat TF configured for just that. I would not be surprised if these TF show up in the next turn or so. Ambon, Ternate, Makasar...........those are worth fighting for

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

My arrival at Antietam National Battlefield about 12 years ago was one of the most remarkable historical moments I've experienced.

My family and I had just left Harpers Ferry, where we had lunch and a tour. We drove across the Potomac and into Maryland, bound for the battlefield. We were busy laughing and talking, and I figured at some point we'd see a sign or an entrance or a bunch of touristy buildings as we neared our destination. Instead we just drove through beautiful rural and farm country, topped a rise, and suddenly saw the Dunker Church in the near distance. It was like we had driven from 2003 right into the Brady photo of that church, with battle damage, taken in 1862.

A bunch of our best Civil War battlefields are still rural or semi-rural and lack the horrid development that mars so much of our countryside today. Antietam is a gem (or was, in 2003).

I've visited most of the Army of Northern Virginia battle sites. Antietam is probably the best preserved due to its location. Manassas and Fredericksburg are totally over-developed, although you can still look down from Marye's Heights and get an idea of what the Yanks faced. The sprawl west from Fredericksburg is also now impacting Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania. And, of course, Gettysburg has a McDonald's in the sunken road at the base of Cemetary Ridge. I've never visited anything around Richmond-Petersburg, but I'm sure all that has been developed.

[Canoerebel]

You're right. Three USN Fletchers opened the turn patrolling Koepang (the mission was to scatter the merchant shipping know to be there, lest it draw strikes into CAP traps). The DDs sank four Es, expending torpedoes and ammo, and then ran into successive CA/CL/DD TFs. The Fletchers did pretty well. I lost two of them in return for those Es and some hits to most of Dave's combat vessels (one DD taking heavy damage).

So Dave has combat vessels close by.

But the Allies do too. Lots of them. Good ones. It's not much of an exaggeration to say that the Allies haven't lost any BBs or CAs to this point in the war (one slow BB, one fast BB actually, and just a couple of CAs).

One of the first things I'll consider is whether to detach some combat TFs to seek enemy vessels or to bombard the port.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

My arrival at Antietam National Battlefield about 12 years ago was one of the most remarkable historical moments I've experienced.

My family and I had just left Harpers Ferry, where we had lunch and a tour. We drove across the Potomac and into Maryland, bound for the battlefield. We were busy laughing and talking, and I figured at some point we'd see a sign or an entrance or a bunch of touristy buildings as we neared our destination. Instead we just drove through beautiful rural and farm country, topped a rise, and suddenly saw the Dunker Church in the near distance. It was like we had driven from 2003 right into the Brady photo of that church, with battle damage, taken in 1862.

A bunch of our best Civil War battlefields are still rural or semi-rural and lack the horrid development that mars so much of our countryside today. Antietam is a gem (or was, in 2003).

I've visited most of the Army of Northern Virginia battle sites. Antietam is probably the best preserved due to its location. Manassas and Fredericksburg are totally over-developed, although you can still look down from Marye's Heights and get an idea of what the Yanks faced. The sprawl west from Fredericksburg is also now impacting Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania. And, of course, Gettysburg has a McDonald's in the sunken road at the base of Cemetary Ridge. I've never visited anything around Richmond-Petersburg, but I'm sure all that has been developed.

Antietam and Chickamauga are spectacular. Kennesaw Mountain is pretty good. And I suspect Shiloh is excellent, as it's in a mostly rural location.

[RangerJoe]

Shiloh, where the wounded glowed [X(] in the dark. It helped to save some of them as that bacteria helped keep the bad bacteria at bay. But it must have been an eerie sight.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

My arrival at Antietam National Battlefield about 12 years ago was one of the most remarkable historical moments I've experienced.

My family and I had just left Harpers Ferry, where we had lunch and a tour. We drove across the Potomac and into Maryland, bound for the battlefield. We were busy laughing and talking, and I figured at some point we'd see a sign or an entrance or a bunch of touristy buildings as we neared our destination. Instead we just drove through beautiful rural and farm country, topped a rise, and suddenly saw the Dunker Church in the near distance. It was like we had driven from 2003 right into the Brady photo of that church, with battle damage, taken in 1862.

A bunch of our best Civil War battlefields are still rural or semi-rural and lack the horrid development that mars so much of our countryside today. Antietam is a gem (or was, in 2003).

I've visited most of the Army of Northern Virginia battle sites. Antietam is probably the best preserved due to its location. Manassas and Fredericksburg are totally over-developed, although you can still look down from Marye's Heights and get an idea of what the Yanks faced. The sprawl west from Fredericksburg is also now impacting Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania. And, of course, Gettysburg has a McDonald's in the sunken road at the base of Cemetary Ridge. I've never visited anything around Richmond-Petersburg, but I'm sure all that has been developed.

Antietam and Chickamauga are spectacular. Kennesaw Mountain is pretty good. And I suspect Shiloh is excellent, as it's in a mostly rural location.

Yes, Shiloh is well preserved. There is also a very nice museum at Corinth, not far away.

[JohnDillworth]

whether to detach some combat TFs to seek enemy vessels

Seek them or not I suspect they will come looking for you. They want to get past the dog and into the hen house. This is not over. BTW......did you figure out where the KB was hiding and which direction it came at from?

[Gridley380]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[:D]

Quick! Someone convene the AE Kangaroo Court. BBfanboy has gone pun bezerk!

I'm sure they will order significant pun-ishment.

Edit to add: I think they should order his arm broken. That'll teach him to be humerus.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

whether to detach some combat TFs to seek enemy vessels

Seek them or not I suspect they will come looking for you. They want to get past the dog and into the hen house. This is not over. BTW......did you figure out where the KB was hiding and which direction it came at from?

I still haven't seen the turn file, so I have little info.

I suspect KB was hiding "southwest" (SE, true map) of Soerabaja, in the Indian Ocean. I may be able to glean some info when I run the turn.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: Gridley380

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[:D]

Quick! Someone convene the AE Kangaroo Court. BBfanboy has gone pun bezerk!

I'm sure they will order significant pun-ishment.

Edit to add: I think they should order his arm broken. That'll teach him to be humerus.

[8D]


More Kangaroo Court fodder.

[Gridley380]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: Gridley380

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

[:D]

Quick! Someone convene the AE Kangaroo Court. BBfanboy has gone pun bezerk!

I'm sure they will order significant pun-ishment.

Edit to add: I think they should order his arm broken. That'll teach him to be humerus.

[8D]


More Kangaroo Court fodder.

Ooh, will we be arrested and transported to Australia?

Also, instead of the AE Kangaroo Court, I suggest convening the AM Kangaroo Court. Better at sweeping judgements, and will provide less ammunition for the defendant.

[Canoerebel]

4/1/44

Battle of Timor Sea, opening rounds: The day opened with four YMS moving from Roti to Koepang to scout for mines. This leads to a running engagement with four E-class ships. During the course of the turn, three of the YMSs are sunk.

Next up is ASW action just south of Timor. This is important work, given the number of damaged ships that will be sailing through this sea by the end of the day. Allied ASW has been doing good work the past few months, and more recently in the Exmouth to Timor sector.

At this early stage in the turn, no sign of KB.