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

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: 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.

Hard to go past loaded transports as the main course. Now that Mundy has troops on the ground I expect he will be wanting to reinforce and pour in supplies especially on Tinian. If he can pour in support it should tip the balance on the ground in his favour. In such a situation and with apparently no to little aerial support coming from the carriers there could not be a better time than now for the IJN to continue to hunt down the thin hulled merchant shipping.

[RangerJoe]

Also, if he has Guam, long ranged night bombing from G3M3 Nells could also be a bother. It should help delay the enlargement of the bases plus catch any aircraft on the ground. Just keep the heights varied so any night fighters will have to be layered. The reason why Nells They can be based a long ways away to avoid retribution. Those tactics could also be used against his 4E bases.

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Also, if he has Guam, long ranged night bombing from G3M3 Nells could also be a bother. It should help delay the enlargement of the bases plus catch any aircraft on the ground. Just keep the heights varied so any night fighters will have to be layered. The reason why Nells They can be based a long ways away to avoid retribution. Those tactics could also be used against his 4E bases.

Naval bombardment is going to be the order of the day against Guam. So far neither of us has used night bombers. Given this I am somewhat hesitant at commencing a night bombing strategy as I would expect to be the recipient of night bombing attacks which would deal out greater harm to me than I could do to Mundy. Guam, though, is getting a little ahead of things.... plenty of action yet to write up before a Guam containment strategy can be considered.

[SierraJuliet]

Japanese Operations Report for 26 August 1943

Extensive flooding aboard Shokaku

Repairs completed on CA Atago at Yokohama
Repairs completed on CA Maya at Yokohama - ship returned to service

B5N1 Kate-Kankoh from Shoho-2 attacking SS KVIII at 106,127 - SS KVIII is reported HIT
G4M1 Betty-Rikko from Yokosuka KuK-1 attacking SS S-45 at 106,124 - SS S-45 is reported HIT
Ki-48-IIb Lily-Otsu from 71st I.F. Chutai attacking O16 Class SS at 86,70 - a Triton class SS is reported HIT

PO2 Nagahama K. of 6th KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!

PB Kenkon Maru sinks at sea

Loss of DD Nenohi of 26 August 1943 is admitted

AM Wa-107 arrives at Tokyo

LCI-330 is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 26 August 1943
LCI-336 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
PC-777 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
PC-778 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
PC-779 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
PC-782 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
AP Monterey is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 26 August 1943
TK Hanseat is reported to have been sunk near San Francisco on 26 August 1943

21st Air Defense AA Battalion arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo


Plus the current state of affairs on board my damaged ships:

[SierraJuliet]

Situation report for 28IMB at Tinian after another day of battle.

[SierraJuliet]

Reported aerial combat losses for the day on 26 August 1943.

[SierraJuliet]

TF positions at the end of the day 26 August 1943. Haruna and escorts plus 5th Division are transiting South China Sea. 27IMB 13th Garrison Unit is transiting East China Sea while 2nd and 3rd South Seas Garrisons have left the Home Islands and 78th Naval Guard Unit is loading at Yokohama.

[SierraJuliet]

27 August 1943 Night Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 108,95 near Tinian

Allied Ships

LCI-335

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

CLAA Tatsuta
DD Susuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD makinami

Allied Ships

LST-451, Shell hits 30 and is sunk
LST-454, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2 and is sunk
LST-467, Shell hits 13 and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 10% moonlight 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 7000 yards
Ishikawa, Shigeru crosses to 'T'
Range closes to 2000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

LST 451 and 454 which were so hapless the day before with their bouncing off one ship after another are put down. Why there is a perfectly good undamaged LST with these 2 is unfortunate as this one joins the other two.

TF 132 encounters minefield at Saipan

Allied Ships

SS Tautog, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

ASW attack by 3 at 108,96 near Rota

Japanese Ships

SS I-166

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis
DD Beale
DD Bennett

Night time surface combat at 104,99 near Guam, Range 3000 yards

Japanese Ships

ACM Choyo Maru # 2, Shell hits 2 and is sunk

Allied Ships

BB Maryland
BB Colorado
BB Pennsylvania
BB Tennessee
CA Pensacola
CA New Orleans
DD Converse
DD Conway

Reduced sighing due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 10% moonlighnt 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 3000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 3000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Submarine attack at 111,95 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-2

Allied Ships

AK Robert J Walker, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

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

SS I-2 attacking on the surface

Night Naval Bombardment of Tinian

1 Coastal gun shot fired in defense

Japanese Ships

CLAA Tatsuta
DD Makinami
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Susuzuki

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

HOME ISLANDS

ASW attack at 112,64 near Aogashima

Japanese Ships

xAK Hakakisan Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
PB Toko Maru #4
PB Tokotsu Maru

Allied Ships

SS O19

ASW attack at 103,63 near Kanoya

Japanese Ships

EW-26

Allied Ships

SS Cabrilla

SS Cabrilla launches 4 torpedoes at 103,63 near Kanoya

Japanese Ships

TK Nitiei Maru, Torpedo hits 1
EW-26
TK Rikko Maru
TK Nissyo Maru
TK Kaizyo Maru
TK Akatsuki Maru
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze

[SierraJuliet]

27 August 1943 Day Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Japanese morning air attack on 25h Infantry Division at Tinian

Weather in hex: Moderate Rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 12
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 1
N1K1J George-Shiden x 6
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wilcat x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15

No Japanese losses

A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-Ib Helen: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
N1K1J George-Shiden x 36
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 26

Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

SB2C-1 Helldiver: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

Allied deliberate attack at Tinian
Attacking force 11754 troops, 253 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 530
Defending force 8642 troops, 69 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 93

Allied adjusted assault: 73
Japanese adjusted defense: 189

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
487 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
612 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 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-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
85th Naval Guard/13

Both sides are taking casualties and the numbers available to each is shrinking each day. Still good odds for Japan, the forts are holding and the Americans have registered supply issues.

Allied deliberate attack at Guam
Attacking force 30304 troops, 599 guns, 897 vehicles, Assault Value = 1405
Defending force 1371 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 921
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 921 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1508 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 185 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:

2nd Marine Para Brigade
1st Marine Para Brigade
363rd Tank Battalion
6th Armoured Division
3rd 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
14th Marine Air Group
10th Port Advn Base Force/1
11th Port Adnv Base Force/1
16th USN Naval Const Reg/1

Defending Units

15th Base Force

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 5th Chinese Base Force at Sining - 29 casualties.
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 6 port hits, 3 port fuel hits and 1 port supply hit

Allied Shock attack at Lanchow

Attacking force 4164 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 776
Defending force 22690 troops, 206 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 801

Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 2171

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Chinese Cavalry
82nd Chines Army Corps
81st Chinese Army Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry
3rd Chinese Cavalry

Defending Units:

13th Division
40th Division
1st Army

NEW GUINEA

Allied morning air attacks on Buna - 11 airbase hits, 9 airbase supply hits and 44 runway hits

HOME ISLANDS

SS Pike launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 103,63 near kanyoa

Japanese Ships

EW-26
TK Rikko Maru
TK Nissyo Maru
TK Kaizyo Maru
TK Akatsuki Maru
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze

SS O21 launches 4 torpedoes and misses at 100,59 near Fukue-jima

Japanese Ships

DD Kikuzuki


Ki-48-Ib Lily-Sokei from 35th Sentai attacking SS Seal at 96,58. SS Seal is reported hit

PO2 Nagano, K of 201 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
CPO Yoshino, S of 201 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!

Surviving Damage Control Parties abandon xAK Noto Maru

CA Ashigara beginning refit in shipward at Singapore

Loss of ACM Choyo Maru#2 on 27 August 1943 is admitted

LST-451 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 27 August 1943
LST-454 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 27 August 1943
LST-467 is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 27 August 1943
AK Robert J Walker is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 27 August 1943

SC CHa-62 arrived at Nagasaki/Sasebo
521 KuK-2 arrives at Chiba
67th Construction Battalion arrives at Tokyo

[SierraJuliet]

Damaged Capital Ships at the end of day 27 August 1943. Shokaku as moved into the irreparable red zone almost across the board and looks like the Cinder Isle will be her resting place. Hosho and Chuyo continue to burn at Saipan. Nagato and Mutsu continue to move away from the battlefield.

[SierraJuliet]

Situation report for 28IMB at the end of another day of fighting on 27 August 1943. Infantry squads available to stand against enemy attack are becoming more precious as the days go by.

[SierraJuliet]

Big aerial encounters have fallen away but small skirmishes still take place.

[SierraJuliet]

Reported fleet positions at end of 27 August 1943 and projected courses for the following day. What is left of KB will meet up with the Yamato, Yamashiro and Fuso battle-group west of Pagan. A bunch of cruisers, Chikuma, Nagara, Isuzu, Abukuma and Kiso plus 3 DDs are also in the hex with Yamato and will head to Saipan. An ampib TF with 3SBF 3rd IJN Coastal Gun Battalion has slipped into Saipan and will unload overnight. There are a variety of surface action groups at Saipan preparing for the coming day. Elsewhere reinforcements continue to move towards the Marianas but are days away from being able to intervene. 5th Division and the Haruna battle-group are now off shore of Jesselton.

[SierraJuliet]

28 August 1943 Night Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

ASW attack at 110,89 near Pagan

Japanese Ships

SSX Ha-31, hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships

CL Denver
CL Marblehead
DD Gwin
DD Waller
AKA Fusto Arosemena
AP President Taylor
AK Antrim
AK Amador
AK Alcona
AK Situla
LST-30
LST-28
LST-23
LCI-429
LCI-223
LCI-85
LCI-62
xAP Comilebank
xAP President Johnson
DD Frazier
DD Lansdowne

Debris floats to surface in area of attack!

TF 238 encounters minefield at Saipan

Allied Ships

DD DeHaven, Mine Hits 1

ASW attack at 108,94 near Tinian

Japanese Ships

SS 1-166, hits 2

Allied Ships

AM Rail

TF 295 encounter mine filed at Tinian

Allied Ships

AM Rail
AM Bobolink
AM Motive

95 mines cleared

SS Haddo launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 109,94 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-23

SS I-166 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 108,94 near Tinian

Allied Ships

AM Motive
AM Rail

Night Time Surface Combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 4000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Oyodo
CLAA Tatsuta
CL Yubari, Shell hits 2
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Makinami
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships

DD Cony, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk
APA Wharton
APA Harris, Shell hits 5
APA Zeilin, Shell hits 2
APA Henry T Allen, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
APA J Frankilin Bell, Shell hits 11
APA Hunter Liggett, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA American Legion, Shell hits 25, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Prince Georges
AK Etamin
AK Adhara
AK Ganymede
AK Bootes
AK Aludra
AK Deimos
AP Santa Elena
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Irene Du Pont
xAP Harpoon
xAP Cape Ann
xAP Cape Elizabeth
xAP Cape Greig
xAP Cape Stephens
xAP Cape Newenham
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape Mendocino
xAP Godlen Eagle
xAP Trade Wind
xAP Cape Neddick
xAP Cape San Juan
xAP Cape Cumberland
xAP Cape John
xAP Cape Trinty
xAP Santa Isabel
xAP Alcoa Puritan
xAP Cape San Martin
xAP Cape May
xAP General Fleisher
AK Abigal Adams
AK Adoniram Judson
AK Amos Kendall
AK Anson Burlingame
AK B F Shaw
AK Benjamin H Grierson
AK Benjamin Holt

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 6000 yards
Range closes to 25000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25000 yards
Range closes to 10000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10000 yards
Range closes to 6000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 4000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 4000 yards
AK Anson Burlingame collides with AK Adoniram Judson
xAP Cape Ann collides with AK Amos Kendall
xAP Cape Ann collides wtih AK Amos Kendall
Range closes to 2000 yards
AK Charles H Windham collides with AK Adoniram Judson
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 12000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Oyodo
CLAA Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Makinami
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships

APA Wharton, Shell hits 5, on fire
APA Harris, Shell hits 2
APA Zeilin, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
APA Henry T Allen, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
APA J Frankilin Bell, Shell hits 30, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Hunter Liggett, Shell hits 9 and is sunk
APA American Legion, Shell hits 35 and is sunk
AK Prince Georges
AK Etamin
AK Adhara
AK Ganymede
AK Bootes
AK Aludra
AK Deimos
AP Santa Elena
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Irene Du Pont
xAP Harpoon
xAP Cape Ann
xAP Cape Elizabeth
xAP Cape Greig
xAP Cape Stephens
xAP Cape Newenham
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape Mendocino
xAP Godlen Eagle
xAP Trade Wind
xAP Cape Neddick
xAP Cape San Juan
xAP Cape Cumberland
xAP Cape John
xAP Cape Trinty
xAP Santa Isabel
xAP Alcoa Puritan
xAP Cape San Martin
xAP Cape May
xAP General Fleisher
AK Abigal Adams
AK Adoniram Judson
AK Amos Kendall
AK Anson Burlingame
AK B F Shaw
AK Benjamin H Grierson
AK Benjamin Holt
AK Charles Crocker
AK Charles H Windham, heavy damage
AK Chales Lummis
AK Charles P Steinmetz
AK Christopher Greenup
AK Frances E Willard
xAK Frederick J Turner
AK George D Prentice
AK George M Pullman

Allied ground losses:
5143 casualties reported
Squads: 318 destroyed, 159 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 186 (161 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 14000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 14000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Range closes to 2000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Agano
CL Jintsu
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami, Shell hits 3
DD Shigure
DD hatsuharu

Allied Ships

APA Zeilin, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APA Henry T Allen, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA J Frankilin Bell, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Cape Ann, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Abigal Adams, Shell hits 7
AK Adoniram Judson
AK charles H Windham, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 6000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 7000 yards
Range closes to 2000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 12000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Agano
CL Jintsu
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

APA Zeilin, Shell hits 27 and is sunk
APA Henry T Allen, Shell hits 29 and is sunk
APA J Frankilin Bell and is sunk
xAP Cape Ann, Shell hits 17 and is sunk
AK Abigal Adams, Shell hits 20 and is sunk
AK Adoniram Judson, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk
AK charles H Windham, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1 and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
10469 casualties reported
Squads: 249 destroyed, 327 disabled
Non Combat: 372 destroyed, 674 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 388 (335 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 150 (122 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 18000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look out spot Allied task force at 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Range closes to 2000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

HOME ISLANDS

ASW attack near Chefoo at 99,47

Japanese Ships

xAK Hibari Maru
xAK Goshu Maru
xAK Fujikawa Maru
xAK Norfolk Maru
xAK Dakar Maru
xAK Toyooka Maru
xAK Matumoto Maru
SC CHa-28
SC CHa-25

Allied Ships

SS KXVIII

TF 380 encounters minefield at Iwo-jima

Japanese Ships

AMc Fumi Maru # 5
AMc Fuji Maru # 11
AMc Mogami Maru # 7
AMc Rumone Maru

13 mines cleared

[RangerJoe]

[&o][&o][&o]

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

[&o][&o][&o]

Thanks RangerJoe. I am guessing that this was an invasion task force for Saipan Island given the proximity to the island and that they had to get underway. Regardless of where it was meant to be heading I was surprised to find it parked here given my surface ships have been active and the American carriers are quite toothless. Such a small escort for such a valuable group of ships as well. RADM Ishikawa and RADM Senda did themselves and their ships proud. Definitely pleasing to see loaded APAs hunted down and destroyed.

[Bif1961]

You put Kurita to shame with a fraction of the forces he had available.

[SierraJuliet]

28 August 1943 Day Time

YELLOW SEA

ASW attack at 99,47 near Chefoo

Japanese Ships

xAK Norfolk Mru
xAK Dakar Maru
xAK Yoyooka Maru
xAK Matumoto Maru
SC CHa-28
SC CHa-25

Allied Ships

SS KXVIII

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Pre-Invasion action off Pagan

Allied Ships

CA Salt Lake City
CL Denver
CL Cleveland
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
DD Lansdowne
DD Gwin
LCI-21
LCI-22
DD Frazier

13 Caostal gun shots fired in defense

Japanese ground losses:

184 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Amphibious Assault at Pagan

Allied ground losses: 12 casualties reported

Invasion Support action off Pagan

13 coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

LCI-21
CL Denver
CA Salt Lake City
DD Frazier
LCI-24

Japanese ground losses:

118 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

TF 295 encounters minefield at Saipan - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

AM Bobolink, shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Motive, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage

7 mines cleared

Day Time Surface Combat at 110,89 near Pagan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CM Nasami
CM Sarushima
CM Sokuten
CM Shirakami
CM Naryu
CM Kyosai
CM Ukishima

Allied Ships

CA Salt Lake City
CL Trenton
CL Marblehead
CL Cleveland
CL Denver
DD Waller
DD Gwin
DD Lansdowne
DD Frazier
AP henderson
AP William Ward Burrows
AK Eridanus
AK Mintaka
AK Situla
AK Livingston
AK Alamosa
AK Alcona
AK Amador
AK Antrim
LST-19
LST-20
LST-21
LST-22
LST-23
LST-24
LST-25
LST-26
LST-27
LST-28
LST-29
LST-30
LCI-21
LCI-22
LCI-23
LCI-24
LCI-62
LCI-63
LCI-75
LCI-83
LCI-84
LCI-85
LCI-218
LCI-219
LCI-221
LCI-222
LCI-223
LCI-327
xAP President Johnson
AP President Taylor
xAP Comliebank
AKA Fusto Arosemena
LCI-358
LCI-359

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look out spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Both TF attemtp to withdraw!
Both Task Forces evade combat

SS I-176 launches 6 torpedoes at 108,95 near Tinian

SS I-176, hits 3

Allied Ships

CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1
BB Massachusetts
BB Idaho
CA Chester
CA Houston
DD O'Bannon
DD Grayson
DD Strong

Japanese morning air attack on TF at 109,94 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Light Rain

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 2 destroyed

Japanese morning air attack on TF at 106,94 near Guam

Weather in hex: Heavy Rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 18
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 21
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 38
B6N1 Jill-Tenzan x 20
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 5

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
FM-1 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed
B6N1 Jill-Tenzan: 12 destroyed
B6N1 Jill-Tenzan: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships

BB South Dakota

Japanese morning air attack on TF at 110,89 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

LCI-358, Bomb hits 1 and is sunk
CL Denver
CL Cleveland
CL Marblehead
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese morning air attack on TF at 110,99 near Tinian

Weather in hex: Heavy Cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 24
G4M1 Betty-Rikko x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty-Rikko: 4 damaged

Allied Ships

xAK City of Yokohama, Torpedo hits 2 and is sunk
xAK Hauraki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Boero, Torpedo hits 2 and is sunk
AP Santa Barbara, Torpedo hits 1
AK Matthew B Brady
xAK Michael Goulandris, Torpedo hits 4 and is sunk
xAK Peshawur, Torpedo hits 2 and is sunk

Japanese afternoon air attack on TF at 109,94 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Moderate Rain

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 3
N1K1J George -Shiden x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships

AK Josia Snelling, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Japanese afternoon air attack on TF at 106,94 near Guam

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 15
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 15
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 29
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 2

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Japanese afternoon air attack on TF at 110,89 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Overcast

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

CL Denver, Bomb hits 1
CL Cleveland
CL Marblehead

Japanese afternoon air attack on TF at 108,95 near Tinian

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 3 destroyed

Japanese afternoon air attack on TF at 110,99 near Tinian

Weather in hex: Heavy Cloud

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty-Rikko x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty-Rikko: 1 damaged

Allied Ships

xAK Sea Snipe, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Malancha
xAK Tjikarang, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Nicholas

SS I-176 attacks on the surface at 109,94 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-176, hits 1

Allied Ships

AK Hobart Baker, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:

Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Shigoka, F decides to submerge SS I-176 due to damage

Allied Bombardment Attack at Tinian - J 5 casualties to A 6 casualties.

HOME ISLANDS

TF 380 encounters minefield at Iwo-Jima

Japanese Ships

AMc Fumi Maru # 5
AMc Fuji Maru # 11
AMc Mogami Maru # 7
AMc Rumonoe Maru

31 mines cleared

SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 100,59 near Fukue-jima

Japanese Ships

DD Kisaragi
DD Kikuzuki

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 5th Chinese Base Force at Sining - 32 casualties.
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 4 port hits, 2 port fuel hits and 1 port supply hit

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

You put Kurita to shame with a fraction of the forces he had available.

Not sure but I may not have given Kurita a run in this game. [:D]

[SierraJuliet]

28 August 1943 - End of day summary

Previous report of sinking of APA Wharton incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 108,93

Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard SS I-6
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard BB Mutsu
Pumps having difficulity controlling flooding aboard BB Mutsu
CV Shokaku settling in harbour at Iwo-jima
Extensive flooding aboard BB Mutsu
Pumps fail aboard BB Mutsu, flooding increases...

E13A Jake-Suitei from 2 nd CCF Det T-1 has spotted DD Bancroft at 106,95 - DD Bancroft is reported HIT
B5N1 Kate-Kankoh from Shoho-2 attackiung an Allied SS at 107,127 - a KXIV Class SS is reported HIT
E8N2 Dave fro Yamashiro has spotted AM Rail at 108,94 - AM Rail is reported hit
BB Yamato detected by Allied Carrier Aircraft at 106,90 near Saipan

B5N1 Kate-Kankoh from Yokosuka KuK-2 attacking SS O19 at 112, 63 - SS O19 is reported HIT
H6K4 Mavis-Taitei from 802 KuT-1 has spotted an Allied DD at 113,95 - an Allied DD is reported HIT
H6K5 Mavis-Taitei from Yokosuka KuT-1 attacking SS O19 at 112, 63 - SS O19 is reported HIT

PO2 Fujita T. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!
PO1 Matsubara D. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status!!

Repairs completed on DD Minekaze at Tokyo, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Okikaze at Tokyo, ship returned to service

DD Cony is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
DD DeHaven is reported to have ben sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
APA Zeilin is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
APA Henry T Allen is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
APA J Franklin Bell is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
APA Hunter Liggett is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
APA American Legion is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
xAK Peshawur is reported to have been sunk near Tinain on 28 August 1943
xAK City of Yokohama is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 28 August 1943
xAK Boero is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 28 August 1943
xAK Michael Goulandris is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 28 August 1943
xAP Cape Ann is reported to have been sunkn near Saipan on 28 August 1943
AK Abigail Adams is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
AK Adomiran Judson is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
AK CFharles H Windham is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
AK Hobart Baker is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 28 August 1943
LCI-358 is reported to have ben sunk near Pagan on 28 August 1943

Loss of SSX Ha-31 on 28 August 1943 is admitted

Not only has Shokaku become the expected total loss but Mutsu is now on the endangered list. Orders are for Mutsu to also make a date with the cinder isle. Meanwhile the task force at Yap comprising Chokai, Haguro and Kumano is ordered to make a foray toward Guam. Plenty of targets and I expect they shall catch up with something.