Bottlenecks? Oh those bottlenecks! SierraJuliet (J) vs Mundy (A)

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

That was quite a day. Here is the intel reports on aircraft losses for the day. I have paid a stiff price but if correct the offensive capacity of the American carriers should be on the blunt side for now.

Yes, but what DAY was it?

None of your posts identify the dates of the turns.
Why are there so many xAPs in your invasion forces?
Where are all of your AKAs?

If all of this is happening in '43 the ship configuration might be understandable, but if it around the historical date the Marianas were taken you should be able to have pure APA/AKA amphibious TFs.

Just checking back and see in post # 811 that Mundy had a very nice TF comprised of APA and AKA plus a couple of wondrous looking LSD types that had an encounter with Chokai and friends.

By summer of '44 a transformation takes place in what the Americans can bring to bear in amphibious operations.
By then your early advance will have taken you to places you are going to need it. [:)]

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

ORIGINAL: HansBolter





Yes, but what DAY was it?

None of your posts identify the dates of the turns.
Why are there so many xAPs in your invasion forces?
Where are all of your AKAs?

If all of this is happening in '43 the ship configuration might be understandable, but if it around the historical date the Marianas were taken you should be able to have pure APA/AKA amphibious TFs.

Just checking back and see in post # 811 that Mundy had a very nice TF comprised of APA and AKA plus a couple of wondrous looking LSD types that had an encounter with Chokai and friends.

By summer of '44 a transformation takes place in what the Americans can bring to bear in amphibious operations.
By then your early advance will have taken you to places you are going to need it. [:)]

The Americans of '43 are bad enough. Here we go on the slippery down hill slope with each passing day.

[SierraJuliet]

By the end of day 24 August 5th Division at Singapore is boarding transports bound for the Marianas. 2nd and 3rd South Seas Garrisons do likewise. The reduced KB remains in the area to provide aerial support. And the ground forces on Tinian and Guam await the onslaught.

25 August 1943 Night Phase

Invasion Support action off Guam
16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied ships

DD nicholas
AP santa Barbara
DD Radford

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied ships

AM Skylark
AM Tumult
AM Token

98 mines cleared

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 11000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Tone
CA Mikuma
CA Kako
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships

DD Lamson, shell hits 1, on fire
DD Case
DD Shaw, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Downes

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 11000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 11000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 11000 yards
Senda, Sadatoshi crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 3000 yards
Curtin, R K orders Allied TF to disengage

Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Tone
CA Mikuma
CA Kako
DD Kagero
DD Oyashio, on fire

Allied Ships

LST-451
LST-452
LST-454
LST-456
LST-457
LST-465
LST-466
LST-467
LST-468
LST-469
LST-470
LST-471
LST-472
LST-473
LST-474
LST-475
LST-476
LST-477
LST-478
LST-479
LST-480
LST-481
LST-483
LST-484
LCI-330
LCI-331
LCI-332
LCI-333
LCI-334
LCI-335
LCI-336
PC-777
PC-778
PC-779
PC-781
PC-782
AP Matsonia
AP Lurline
AP Monterey
AP Santa Inex
xAP Moreton Bay
xAP Arawa
xAP Duntroon
xAK Andrew D White
xAK Benjamin Ide Wheeler
xAK Caleb Strong
xAK Carlos Carrillo
xAK Chief Washakie
xAK Clarence Darrow
xAK Cleveland Abbe
xAK Conrad Kohrs
xAK David Gaillard
xAK Edgard Allan Poe
xAK Francis P Blair
xAK Francisco Coronado

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 27000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 29000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Landing Craft TF evades combat

Defeated by Radar!!!!!

Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Tinian, Range 30000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chokai
CA Haguro
CA Kumano
DD Takamami
DD Kuroshio
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships

DD Lamson, on fire
DD Case
DD Shaw, on fire
DD Downes

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 26000 yards
Range increases to 30000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat

SS Gurnard launches 2 torpedoes at 78,94 near Dadjangas

Japanese Ships

xAK Gokoku Maru#2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Meiu Maru
xAK Hakusika Maru
xAK Ryuyo Maru
xAK Hokko Maru
PB Shotoku Maru

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied ships

AM Tumult
AM Token

6 mines cleared

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at 109,94 near Saipan

Allied Ships

xAK Benjamin Lundy, Torpedo his 2, heavy damage

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

So the ship which on the previous day set about causing mayhem in the Allied fleet under the cover of the duel between Nagato, Mutsu and the American battleships has been put to rest.

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 11000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Tone
CA Mikuma
CA Kako
DD Kagero
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships

LCI-330

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 11000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Escort TF evades combat

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 10000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Tone
CA Mikuma
CA Kako
DD Kagero
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships

AM Token, Shell hits 11 and is sunk
AM Tumult, Shell hits 5 and is sunk
AM Skylark, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 10000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 10000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
Senda, Sadatoshi order Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 6000 yards
Range increases to 10000 yards
Task forces break off...
Both Task Forces evade combat

[SierraJuliet]

25 August 1943 Day Time Part A

Pre-Invasion action off Guam
7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied ships

DD Hull
DD Worden
AK Triangulum

Amphibious Assault at Guam

Invasion Support action off Guam
13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

xAK K I Luckenback
DD Radford
AP Santa Barbara

Day time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 27000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chokai
CA Haguro
CA Kumano
DD Takanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships

LCI-330

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
Range closes to 21000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 21000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 21000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 27000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day time surface combat at 107,95 near Rota, Range 30000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chokai
CA Haguro
CA Kumano
DD Takanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships

DD Worden
DD Hull
AK Cor Caroli
AK Crater
AK Arided
AK Carina
AK Leonis
AK Cheleb
AK Pavo
AK Triangulum
xAK Waipo
xAK Mormacrio
xAK San Vincente
xAK West Ira
xAK West Ivis
xAK City of Fayville
xAK Crown City
xAK Fairland
xAK Unicoi
xAK Arcata
xAK Rodman Coleman
xAK Hercules

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 30000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 30000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 30000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat

Day time surface combat at 107,94 near Tinian, Range 24000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Tone
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
CA Kako, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 3
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 1
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 1
CA Quincy, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Vincennes
DD Bache
DD Beale, Shell hits 3
DD Bennett, Shell hits 1
DD Braine, Shell hits 3

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
Task forces break off...

SS Tautog launches 2 torpedoes at 108, 93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

DD Tokitsukaze
CLAA Tenryu
CS Chiyoda
CS Chitose
CS Nisshin
DD Hatsukaze
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships

SS Tautog, hits 10

Day time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CV Hiryu, Shell hits 1
CV Soryu
CV Junyo, Shell hits 1
CVL Ruyjo, Shell hits 2
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 1, on fire
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Hiei
CLAA Tenruy, Shell hits 6
DD Hatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1 and is sunk

Allied Ships

BB Idaho, Shell hits 1
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 4
CA Houston, Shell hits 4
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 2
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 1
DD Saufley
DD Strong, Shell hits 1
DD Grayson, Shell hits 1
BB Lorraine, Shell hits 4

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 8000 yards
Task forces break off...

Well that little fracas got my attention. Thankfully this bunch of brutes had let fly with their main weapons by bombarding Guam the day before otherwise a different result should have happened. Not sure which side would have been most surprised. Yamaguichi thanks his lucky star that he still has open flight decks let alone carriers still on the surface. The Americans rue a missed golden opportunity. The sad luck story of the day belonged to poor DD Akatsuki... she took on a single large calibre shell at the commencement of the action and that was the end of her story in seconds!

[SierraJuliet]

25 August 1943 Day Time Part B

Day time surface combat at 108,91 near Anatahan, Range 30000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Natago
BB Mutsu, heavy damage
DD Naganami
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships

CV Wasp
CV Essex
CV Reprisal
CVL Independence
CVL Princeton
CVL Belleau Wood
CV Victorious
BB South Dakota
CA Northampton
CA Chicago
CLAA San Diego
CLAA San Juan
DD Fletcher
DD Abbot
DD Anthony
DD Aulick
DD Charles Ausburne

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 8000 yards
Task forces break off...

Two Japanese battleship and two destroyer crews feel much relieved to have missed out on a confrontation with South Dakota but at the same time aggrieved not to have been in a position to lob shells in the direction of the main prize. Although with no main shells and Mutsu very damaged beating a hasty retreat was the order of the day.

Day time surface combat at 107,98 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Oyodo, Shell hits 5
CL Agano
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 6
CA San Francisco
CA Quincy, on fire
CA Vicennes, Shell hits 1
DD Bache
DD Beale, on fire
DD Bennett
DD Braine

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
Lowry, F orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 9000 yards
Range increases to 28000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day time surface combat at 108,92 near Saipan, Range 27000 yards

Japanese Ships

CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Junyo, Shell hits 1
CVL Ruyjo
CVL Shoho, on fire
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda
BB Kongo
BB Hiei
CLAA Tenruy
DD Hatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis, on fire
CA San Francisco
CA Vicennes, Shell hits 1
DD Bache
DD Beale, on fire
DD Bennett

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 27000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 27000 yards
Range closes to 17000 yards
Lowry, F orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 13000 yards
Range closes to 26000 yards
Task forces break off...

As if finding one Allied surface task force was not enough Yamaguichi manages to run into yet another one!

[SierraJuliet]

25 August 1942 Day Time Part D

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 5th Chinese Base Force at Sining - 15 casualties
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 6 Port hits, 5 Port fuel hits and 1 Port supply hit

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Allied morning air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 3
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 24
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 18
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 101
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 67

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 3
TBF-1 Avenger x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 9 destoryed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 12 destroyed

Japanese Ships

CLAA Tenryu

Allied morning air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 3
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 15
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 15
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 93
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 62

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 4
SBD-5 Dauntless x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 8 destoryed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships

CV Soryu

Day time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Choyo Maru # 2

Allied Ships

BB Idaho
BB Massachusetts
CA Houston
CA Chester
CL Honolulu
DD O'Bannon
DD Saufley
DD Strong
DD Grayson
BB Lorraine

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 30000 yards
Japanese Support TF evades combat

Day time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 27000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Shofuku Maru # 2, Shell hits 1 and is sunk

Allied Ships

BB Idaho
BB Massachusetts
CA Houston
CA Chester
CL Honolulu
DD O'Bannon
DD Saufley
DD Strong
DD Grayson
BB Lorraine

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 21000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Day time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 27000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Asahi Maru, Shell hits 2 and is sunk

Allied Ships

BB Idaho
BB Massachusetts
CA Houston
CA Chester
CL Honolulu
DD O'Bannon
DD Saufley
DD Strong
DD Grayson
BB Lorraine

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range closes to 22000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

[SierraJuliet]

25 August 1943 Day Time Part D

Invasion Support action off Guam
17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

xAP Dunmatar Castle
xAP Empress' Australia
AP West Point
AP Santa Barbara
DD Radford

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

Japanese bombardment attack at Tinian - J AV 209 v A AV 794

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

Japanese bombardment attack at Guam - J AV 67 v A AV 1017

Allied deliberate attack at Tinian
Attacking force 13641 troops, 268 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 794
Defending force 9937 troops, 64 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 204

Allied adjusted assault: 616
Japanese adjusted defense: 501

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

Allied assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
1091 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns los 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
945 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 195 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns los 36 (5 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Assaulting unts:

627th TD Battalion
87th Mountain Regiment
140th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division/9
XIII US Fighter Command
Seventh USAAF
ComAirFMFPac
181st Field Artillery Battalion
43rd Base Group Base Force
I US Corps
27th Base Maintanence Engineer Battalion
345th Base Group Base Force/1
41st Marine Air Group
5th Marine-Defense Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Base Maintenance Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
16th USN Naval Construction Regiment/4

Defending Units

28 IMB 14th Garrison Unit
Maizuru 4th SNLF
13th Field Construction Battalion
21st Special Base Force
16th Field Construction Battalion
12th JNAF AF Unit
58th Construction Battalion
59th JNAF AF Unit

This was the result I was hanging on. Tinian is what I have decided to fight for and the result of the inital battle is promising but there is every chance the base will fall to the Americans at some point. It is heartening to see only a fragment of the 37th Infantry Division on the ground. I wonder if some of the sea battles have put a dent into the force which was earmarked to land on Tinain. The remaining level 4 forts may become a key point in the coming days. I do wonder as well as to how much supply this American force has at their disposal.

Allied deliberate attack at Guam

Attacking force 14827 troops, 301 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 1017
Defending force 3535 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 268
Japanese adjusted defense: 31

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Guam !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 7 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
B6N1 Jill-Tensan: 2 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
N1K1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1662 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 94 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns los 21 (14 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:

2nd Marine Para Brigade
1st Marine Para Brigade
363rd Tank Battalion
6th Armoured Division
2nd Marine Division/8
640th TD Battalion/8
6MD 22nd Marine Regimental Combat Team
3rd Marine Para Brigade
24th Combat Engineer Regiment/1
144th Field Artillery Regiment
183rd Field Artillery Battalion
104th Field Artillery Battalion
205th field Artillery Battalion
14th Marine Def Battalion/1
54th Cst Artillery Regiment/2

Defending Units

87th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force


As expected... a walk in the park for the American Forces. Should I hold onto Tinian and beat off the forces there I will have one massive stronghold of enemy troops to deal with on my doorstep... if I hold onto Tinian.

[SierraJuliet]

At the end of the day Hiryu, Soryu and Junyo are the only relatively unscathed carriers left. The fires on Shokaku have taken a dramatic turn for the worst. She is 2 hexes away from Iwo Jima so off she heads to the cinder island to see if she can save herself... I don't like her chances. Chuyo and Taiyo also do not look good with fires eating them up at Saipan. Although damaged, Ryujo and Shoho will remain on duty with the fleet.

[SierraJuliet]

Nagato and Mutsu carry on towards the Home Islands.

[SierraJuliet]

My main rock of hope at Tinian; 28IMB 14th Garrison Unit. This is how it looks after a day of battle.

[SierraJuliet]

Edit to change map.

The field of battle scattered with units all over. The American carriers are the 2 groups of TFs near Anatahn. Mutsu and Nagato are to the west of Pagan.

[verdugo94]

Hello, I am reading it due to my interest on the mod. I am here to say thanks you, I am finding your aar very enjoyable, right now I am on page 11 if i am not wrong. I will come back when I am up to date.

Diego

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: verdugo94

Hello, I am reading it due to my interest on the mod. I am here to say thanks you, I am finding your aar very enjoyable, right now I am on page 11 if i am not wrong. I will come back when I am up to date.

Diego

Hello Diego. Welcome aboard and thank you. Thanks to LST this mod is one tough beast. Bottlenecks is exactly what it is. I have not written much on the behind the scenes activity and I should do (time and other interests is my enemy there) but I feel that I have been running the Japanese Empire on the smell of an oily rag for the entire campaign.

[SierraJuliet]

I forgot to include items of interest from the operational report at end of 25 August 1943.

CVL Ryujo sinks at sea
DD Teruzuki sinks in port

H8K1 Emily-Seiku from 801 KuT-1 has spotted AK Robert J Walker at 110,93
AK Robert J Walker is reported hit
H8K1 Emily-Seiku from 801 KuT-2 has spotted DD Clark at 113,95
B5N1 Kate-Kankoh from Shoho-2 attaccking SS KVIII at 106,127
SS KVIII is reported hit

PO2 Araki D. of Shokaku-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO2 Kanda L. of Junyo-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO2 Inano M. of Kaga-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
LT Okamoto H. of 202 KuS-1 Det B is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Masuyama M. is credited with kill number 10
PO2 Araki F. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO2 Asada R. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Kaneko K. of Soryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Nagaishi P. of Taiho-1 is creited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO2 Kanda F. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Hirata U. of 452 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO2 Fujita E. of 452 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Morioka O. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!

Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard Shokaku
Temporary flotatoin repairs failing aboard Shokaku

B5N1 Kate-Kankoh from Shoho-2 attacking SS S-45 at 106,124
SS S-45 is reported hit
Ki-48-Ib Lily-Sokei from 34th Sentai attacking SS Tunny at 100,59
SS Tunny is reported hit

Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard CV Shokaku
Extensive flooding aboard CV Shokaku

Sub Patrol Task Force arrives at Occupied Europe
DD Suzanami arrives at Yokohama
SC CHa-59 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure

Loss of DD Akatsuki on 25 August 1943 is admitted
Loss of ACM Ashai Maru on 25 August 1943 is admitted
Loss of ACM Shofuku Maru # 2 on 25 August 1943 is admitted

AM Token is reported sunk on 25 August 1943
AM Tumult is reported sunk on 25 August 1943
SS Tarpon is reported sunk near Batan Island on 17 June 1943
AK Benjamin Lundy is reported sunk on 25 August 943

Fires and flooding... Shokaku won't last on the cinder isle. Here is the reported air losses from 25 August 1943. My feeling from the previous day that the Allied carrier based aerial sword is blunted seemed to be borne out by the weak attacks and good time had by my CAP pilots over our carriers.

And the dispositions for the coming day... At Singapore 5th Division continues to load and BB Haruna is about to leave along with CA Takao, CA Myoko, CA Nachi, DD Natsugumo, DD Kasumi and DD Harusame. Yamato, Fuso, Yamashio and escorts have past Haha-jima and will soon be available to deploy. At Shanghai 27IMB 13th Garrison Unit is loading - destination Tinian. Reorganize surface action groups and continue hunting. 19th Army at Tokyo is also boarding ship with destination Tinian. As for the defenders on Tinian... hang tight!

[SierraJuliet]

26 August 1943 Night Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Night time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 9000 yards

Japanese Ships

DD Tananami, Shell hits 1
DD Onami
DD Kiyonami
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Vicennes, Shell hits 2
DD Bache
DD Beale, Shell hits 1
DD Bennett

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Yamashita, S crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 4000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 11000 yards

Japanese Ships

DD Tamanami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Onami
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk

Allied Ships

BB Idaho, Shell hits 5
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 3
CA Houston
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu
DD O'Bannon
DD Saufley
DD Strong
DD Grayson
BB Lorraine

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight 11000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 11000 yards
Range closes to 2000 yards
Range increases to 4000 yards
Yamashita, S. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 109,92 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Choyo Maru # 2

Allied Ships

CV Saratoga
CV Enterprise
CV Hornet
CV Iwo Jima
BB Washington
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA Juneau
DD Foote
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins
DD La Vallette
DD Renshaw

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight 7000 yards
Range increases to 29000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat

Night Naval bombardment of Tinian

Japanese Ships

CLAA Tatsuta
DD Makinami
DD Wakazuki
DD Nizuki
DD Suszuki

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes and misses at 109,94 near Saipan

Allied Ships

CV Wasp
CA Northampton
DD Anthony
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Aulick

SS Haddo launches 4 torpedoes and misses at 108,94 near Tinian

Japanese Ships

CL Agano
CL Oyodo
CL Jintsu

BONIN ISLANDS

Japanese Task Force encounter minefield at Iwo-Jima

Japanese Ships

PB Kenkon Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

The decision to park Shokaku at Iwo has located an unexpected gift.

PACIFIC OCEAN

SS I-33 attacks on the surface at 211,93 near San Francisco

Allied Ships

TK Hanseat, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

[Bif1961]

It just goes to show you once the Americans have built up their death star it is almost impossible to do enough damage to it to stop the juggernaught, but kudos for giving it a game attempt.

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It just goes to show you once the Americans have built up their death star it is almost impossible to do enough damage to it to stop the juggernaught, but kudos for giving it a game attempt.

Thanks Bif. Surely one of the main concerns for a JFB. I was reasonably happy with the results given that Zuikaku, Akagi and Taiho will return to the fold alongside Hiryu, Soryu and Junyo. Amagi is also under acceleration and will join the fleet around the same time as all of the damaged carriers return to service. My A6Ms did a great job against the Hellcats but of course with 200 + torpedo bombers and some 100 odd dive bombers many are going to get through on that alpha strike. One thing that did let me down was my decision to detach the 2 Kongos from the carriers. A calculated risk as they may well have done a better job being with the carriers to soak up bombs. As it was they got involved in surface action against xAKs which may well have been the supply ships for the American land forces on Tinian so detaching them and leaving the carriers could have had a greater effect on the eventual outcome on Tinian then if I had of left them with the carriers. I recall that my thinking on the carriers was that this battle was the time to use them. They may suffer (which they did) but my intent was simply to blunt the effectiveness of the American carrier based bombers. That was achieved alongside a sizable increase in experience for my carrier fighter pilots. If I had not of made the silly decision to put my own carrier bombers on search and then have them shredded I would have had a good sized strike force available to possibly make a dent on the American carriers. But my poor decision has negated the IJN ability to carry out this option.

The other aspect to this is working out how to play your opponent. Mundy has sent everything and I think his style of play offers me opportunities to hit where it should hurt... his transport ships. The carriers are high priority targets but the transports are to my mind just as big a prize.

All in all though I am happy with the position I am in. The carriers I have left have plenty of fighters available and are serving to draw off attacks which would otherwise target my SAGs or the men on the ground at Tinian.

[SierraJuliet]

26 August 1943 Day Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Day time surface combat at 107,96 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Choyo Maru # 2

Allied Ships

CVE Sangamon
CVE Santee
CVE Breton
CVE Barnes
CVE Corregidor
CVE Anzio
CL Phoenix
DD Dyson
DD Eaton
DD Stanly
DD Taylor

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 29000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Japanese submarine is sighted by escort at 115,95 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-29, hits 1

Allied Ships

AO Millicoma
AO Monongahela
AO Guadalupe
AO Bishopdale
DD Lang
DD Serett

Day time surface combat at 108,94 near Saipan, Range 19000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Oyodo, Shell hits 4
CL Agano, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships

LST-451, heavy damage
LST-452
LST-454, heavy damage
LST-456
LST-457
LST-465
LST-466
LST-467
LST-468
LST-469
LST-470
LST-471
LST-472
LST-473
LST-474
LST-475
LST-476
LST-477, Shell hits 1
LST-478
LST-479
LST-480, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST-481
LST-483
LST-484
LCI-330
LCI-331
LCI-332
LCI-333
LCI-334
LCI-335
LCI-336, Shell hits 2 and is sunk
PC-777, Shell hits 7 and is sunk
PC-778, Shell hits 6 and is sunk
PC-779, Shell hits 6 and is sunk
PC-781, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC-782, Shell hits 3 and is sunk
AP Matsonia
AP Lurline, Shell hits 5
AP Monterey, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk
AP Santa Inez, Shell hits 6
xAP Moreton Bay
xAP Arawa
xAP Duntroon
xAK Andrew D White, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Benjamin Ide Wheeler, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Caleb Strong
xAK Carlos Carrillo
xAK Chief Washakie
xAK Clarence Darrow, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Cleveland Abbe
xAK Conrad Kohrs
xAK David Gaillard
xAK Edgard Allan Poe
xAK Francis P Blair
xAK Francisco Coronado
xAK John Drake Sloat
AK S Hall Young
LCI-31, Shell hits 1, on fire
LST-487, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
4015 casualties reported
Squads: 60 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 302 destroyed, 179 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 65 (51 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (11 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 290000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 19000 yards
Koma, T crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 8000 yards
Range increases to 9000 yards
xAK John Drake Sloat collides with LST-454
Range closes to 7000 yards
AK William H Gray collides with LST-452
Range closes to 6000 yards
xAk John Drake Sloat collides with LST-454
Range closes to 4000 yards
xAK Cleveland Abbe collides with LST-451
Massive explosion on PC-777
Range closes to 2000 yards
Range increases to 17000 yards
xAP Moreton Bay collides with LST-451
Range increases to 29000 yards
Task force break off...

The juicy task force which previously eluded my hunters is not so fortunate this time. I also have a new found respect for American PC vessels. They did a great job of screening at their own cost.

SS I-2 launches 2 torpedoes at 112,95 near Saipan

Allied Ships

LCI-330, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

Japanese morning air attack on 16th USN Naval Construction Regiment at Tinian

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 4
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 6
NK1J George-Shiden x 5
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
NK1J George-Shiden: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied afternoon air attack on TF at 108,93 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 8
N1K1J George-Shiden x 34
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 25

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on Liuchow

Japanese aircraft
NK1J George-Shiden x 16

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 4
H81-A3 x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-43A-1 Lancer x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
NK1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
I-16-III: 1 destroyed
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
P-43A-1 Lancer: 2 destroyed

Japanese morning sweep on Liuchow

Japanese aircraft
NK1J George-Shiden x 2

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 1
H81-A3 x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-43A-1 Lancer x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
NK1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese air attack on 5th Chinese Base Force at Sining - 5 casualties
Japanese air attack on 89,40 - 7 port hits, 3 port fuel hits and 1 port supply hit

NEW GUINEA

Allied morning air attacks on Buna - 5 casualties, 34 airbase hits, 19 airbase supply hits and 94 runway hits

HAWAII

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at 183,102 near Pearl Harbour

Allied Ships

AK Joseph Priestley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

[SierraJuliet]

26 August 1943 Land Combat

Allied deliberate attack at Tinian

Attacking force 12451 troops, 263 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 634
Defending force 9277 troops, 64 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Allied adjusted assault: 103
Japanese adjusted defense: 207

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
882 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
820 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:

627th TD Battalion
87th Mountain Regiment
140th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division/9
XIII US Fighter Command
Seventh USAAF
ComAirFMFPac
181st Field Artillery Battalion
43rd Base Group Base Force
I US Corps
27th Base Maintenance Engineer Battalion
345th Base Group Base Force/1
41st Marine Air Group
5th Marine-Defence Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Base Maintenance Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
16th USN Naval Construction Regiment/4

Defending Units

28 IMB 14th Garrison Unit
Maizuru 4th SNLF
13th Field Construction Battalion
21st Special Base Force
16th Field Construction Battalion
12th JNAF AF Unit
58th Construction Battalion
59th JNAF AF Unit

Odds in Japans favour and the fortifications stand firm at level 4. The American AV has come down but so has the Japanese AV. Plenty of supply available for my defenders. What have the Americans got left in their tank?

Allied deliberate attack at Guam

Attacking force 24157 troops, 500 guns, 650 vehicles, Assault Value = 1237
Defending force 2025 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 578
Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 82 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
848 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 88 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns los 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:

2nd Marine Para Brigade
1st Marine Para Brigade
363rd Tank Battalion
6th Armoured Division
2nd Marine Division
640th TD Battalion
6MD 22nd Marine Regimental Combat Team
3rd Marine Para Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
144th Field Artillery Regiment
183rd Field Artillery Battalion
104th Field Artillery Battalion
205th field Artillery Battalion
14th Marine Def Battalion
54th Cst Artillery Regiment/2

Defending Units

87th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force

Japanese Units(s) surrounded at Guam

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It just goes to show you once the Americans have built up their death star it is almost impossible to do enough damage to it to stop the juggernaught, but kudos for giving it a game attempt.

Thanks Bif. Surely one of the main concerns for a JFB. I was reasonably happy with the results given that Zuikaku, Akagi and Taiho will return to the fold alongside Hiryu, Soryu and Junyo. Amagi is also under acceleration and will join the fleet around the same time as all of the damaged carriers return to service. My A6Ms did a great job against the Hellcats but of course with 200 + torpedo bombers and some 100 odd dive bombers many are going to get through on that alpha strike. One thing that did let me down was my decision to detach the 2 Kongos from the carriers. A calculated risk as they may well have done a better job being with the carriers to soak up bombs. As it was they got involved in surface action against xAKs which may well have been the supply ships for the American land forces on Tinian so detaching them and leaving the carriers could have had a greater effect on the eventual outcome on Tinian then if I had of left them with the carriers. I recall that my thinking on the carriers was that this battle was the time to use them. They may suffer (which they did) but my intent was simply to blunt the effectiveness of the American carrier based bombers. That was achieved alongside a sizable increase in experience for my carrier fighter pilots. If I had not of made the silly decision to put my own carrier bombers on search and then have them shredded I would have had a good sized strike force available to possibly make a dent on the American carriers. But my poor decision has negated the IJN ability to carry out this option.

The other aspect to this is working out how to play your opponent. Mundy has sent everything and I think his style of play offers me opportunities to hit where it should hurt... his transport ships. The carriers are high priority targets but the transports are to my mind just as big a prize.

All in all though I am happy with the position I am in. The carriers I have left have plenty of fighters available and are serving to draw off attacks which would otherwise target my SAGs or the men on the ground at Tinian.

In one way, the loaded transports are more important than the carriers. If those transports with the supply and troops, or even the supplies, reserves and support troops go down, the Allied may not be able to take the bases that they want or build them up the way that they want. Even if thMaey buy the units back if totally lost, the experience of the combat troops will be lower plus the time involved for them to return and rebuild. Even if not destroyed, they can become combat ineffective and will have to withdraw. It will then take a couple of months for them to rebuild and prepare for the next base. In the meantime, the Allies may have to put in into coat units which were prepared for somewhere else.

Of course, if you sink his carriers then that will have to have an effect on the Allied tactics but the Allies can keep attacking with Land Based Air coverage. It will reduce but not eliminate the places where the Allies can attack.

Maybe night attacks with well trained torpedo bombers at night may be effective, it will have to something sandboxed I think. Maybe even from aircraft carriers. Attacking the transports at the base, I mean.