Scenario 2 The Solomons a PBEM First!

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 5:38 pm

Greetings All,

This is the first post of a new PBEM between Busmaster and myself. We are both new to the game and I beleive this is Bushmaster's as well as my own first PBEM! So baring any unforseen disasters we hope to provide an interesting AAR as "The Battle of the Newbies" begins!

As the IJN commander I have spent my first turn preping my forces for what I hope will be a decisive campaign. I will post more after turn 1 is completed.

Cheers
Bill M.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 12:13 am

Excellent - something new for me to comment on and read when work is getting me down.

Bushmaster · Post by **Bushmaster** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 6:27 am

Hello Everyone,

This is indeed my first PBEM, my first AAR and my first time playing Scenario 2. How exciting

.

My first turn consisted of deciding what to do. I pretty sure keeping Lunga supplied is going to be a challenge. I’m also pretty sure Japans naval force is much stronger than mine, so battling it out at night in surface engagements, or destroying his invasion force with surface units, is not going to happen. It’s pretty obvious to me after looking at my assets the carriers are my only hope for a decisive outcome.

Supplying and/or reinforcing Lunga is going to be tough. Since I have no naval assets to defend any ships in port, everything has to be timed well. This will be a good battle for learning that. I’m very much worried about running in to his Bombardment TF’s at night, and his planes during the day.

I’m not sure what to do with regards to Lunga’s air protection. Since supply is a problem, I’m worried sending more planes in will make the situation critical. There is also the chance his air and naval power could shut the field down.

I’m also not sure how my carriers will handle the defense of Guadalcanal. I figure there are three places I can station them and two strategies for them.

Much is going to depend on what Bill does, if I’m in a good spot to counter it, and if I can actually do it.

This is a neat little scenario with a difficult challenge, I’m glad we chose to play it.

My first turn I wanted to see what was located in Taivu, so I sent some bombers. Well they didn’t exactly have a report on the strength of the unit there, but someone managed to see 13 people die….

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/21/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Ichiki Battalion, at 39,40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

mogami · Post by **mogami** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 7:52 am

Hi, Good Luck to both of you and have lots of fun.

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 4:50 pm

Greetings from sunny Taivu,

The weather was realy rotten yesterday! It rained bombs! Nice move Brandon. Well Col. Ichiki and the boys did not have it much better in real life. That man had the worst luck.

First blood to my worthy opponent, but I have plans for you my friend, see you on the Tenaru!

Like Brandon, I am still unsure of myself. This game is a beauty with tons of things to learn and I know that the both of us will come out this with a better understanding and maybe even a few good moves.

It's great to see a couple of vets interested in this and I thank you. If you have a moment could one of you guys tell me if there is an easy way to save the battle results? I wrote them down by hand and was going to post them today but I see that my opponent is already on top of that situation, good man!

Also, while looking through the game directory last night I noticed a folder called PBEM Helper, it has an executable file in there as well as some others. I have not been able to find any docs on this so can one of you guys fill me as to what it does and should I install it.

As far as my strategy in the game is concerned, I don't have one yet!

But I'm happily working on it.

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 9:21 pm

Greetings Gents,

Well I decided to send a little payback for the pounding Ichiiki and the boys took yesterday. Tried a little late night visit to our friends on Henderson. We did not do any damage but at least we kept them up late.

My strategy is starting to come together for me. As my worthy opponent says I think that the game will boil down to who can put a CV on the bottom. I don't know for sure yet but I don't think that this particular scenario last for enough turns to have anything else matter! I could be wrong! I'm still learning.

From Imperial General HQ Tokyo:

******************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/22/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 4000 feet

******************************************************

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 3:58 am

Greetings,

Looks like Brandon is trying to run troops or supplies to the boys at Lunga. Yesterday he also did a little recon on Rabaul that my boys on CAP just let slip past. Several have commited sepeku (hari-kari).

I managed to catch a couple of cruisers and a DD or two hanging around Lunga today which leads me to beleive that he is building up his forces on the canal. I managed to sneak in a raid, I can't say from where (security you know), and did some damage to one of the CAs' (I think I evened the score for those thirteen dead from Ichiki). I don't know yet how accurate these reports are with fog of war and all that. And you know how the fly boys love to, lets say, paint a rosy picture. But I'm feeling good with the progress of the battle so far and will let on more to my plans as we move along. I don't want to give to much away on this forum as we are both posting to it but I do plan on doing a post battle report on what worked and on what did not.

From Imperial General HQ

******************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/23/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sterett
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA New Orleans

******************************************************

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 3:28 am

Greetings,

We both gave our fleets liberty over the weekend but we are back at it again. Our respective strategies appear to be shaping up. Once again we are both new to this but I think we are doing pretty good. At this point the game is real close, but more on that tomorrow when we hit the half way point.

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/24/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5

no losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x G3M Nell at 4000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24
Port hits 1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 28th Regiment, at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 37,39

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 4

no losses

Japanese Ships
ML Takashima, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ishizaki

***********************************************************

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:51 pm

Well we have reached the halfway point and things are picking up. I thought for sure that I would have sighted the USN CV TF by now but no luck. Brandon managed to damage a couple of mine-sweepers caught in ‘The Slot’ and I scuttled one of them to prevent him from getting the full victory point value, will remain nameless, FOG of war you know. I am not sure though if that was a good idea. After I scuttled her I realized that maybe a heavily damaged and limping MS would be just the thing to draw his CV TF out into the open as I have noticed that the computer will attack a confirmed sighting whether you want it to or not!

The scoring is pretty close at this point and I keep expecting some stunning attack out of nowhere from the USN stealth CVs! The main area of concentration has been around Lunga (Henderson Field), as should be expected. I have managed to give the Marines and airmen there a real pasting between my bombardment the other night and the heavy air strike that went in today. The field has taken many runway hits and I am wondering how many it takes to put a field out of commission? Any vet players out there have any hints? Brandon is an excellent and stealthy player, and I am looking forward to the continuation of this great struggle for the control of the Solomons.

Scoring and stats at this point:

IJN: 1330
USN: 1307

Aircraft Loses:
IJN: 13
USN: 11

Sorties:
IJN: 2129
USN: 845

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/25/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
D3A Val x 35
B5N Kate x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 14

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
15 x B5N Kate at 7000 feet
16 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 6

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18

Runway hits 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

***********************************************************

Any input/comments would be appreciated!

Cheers

Bushmaster · Post by **Bushmaster** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 12:21 am

Hello Everyone,

Well, as my opponent has stated we’ve reached the half way point, without any significant action. I blame myself for that as I’m being a very cautious commander, maybe too cautious, but we’ll see.

I think Bill is holding off his invasion force until he deals with my carriers, and I think the last few turns he tried to bait me out of hiding.

He had a carrier TF stationed 5 hexes N, NE of Malaita on turn 5, which I thought might have been his light carrier, and about 7-9 hexes west of that location I spotted 2 TF’s which when spotted didn’t show CV’s, but It could have been an oversight by the spotter. Since I decided from the start to be more reactionary and cautious, I made no move(s) against it. Mistake or not? I’m sure I’ll find out the answer with our scenario debriefing.
I’ve been discouraged by the operational losses and ineffectiveness of my bombers attacking Bills positions on Guadalcanal, so I’ve held them back putting them to another use. The engineers on Lunga have been performing wonderfully considering their situation, which is obviously having Bill question the ability of his air crews to close a field down.

Hopefully he’ll chop off the heads of some of his better air crews to show his disappointment!

Even though Bill has called himself a beginner to computer games, I am not taking him lightly. This for me has turned into a real chess game where I'm very cautious to commit my queen for anything less, unless I know I can get away with it! I don’t have much naval tactics background so I’m struggling with decisions here, which could allow for missed opportunities. But like the scenario briefing says, preservation of the carriers is priority.

Time is running out now though, so pretty soon I can’t afford to be too cautious anymore, and Bill should have to commit to his invasion, at which time the action will start and who’ll be the victor is anyone’s guess!

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 6:32 pm

8/26/42

All's quiet on the SOPAC front...............

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:03 pm

Yesterday must have been the quite before the storm. Some serious night action off Lunga last night. The USN was running a couple of FT convoys to the beleaguered Marines on the canal. The IJN had spotted them coming and slipped in a surface group to put a hurting to them backed up with a CV or two. The USN and marines on Lunga took quite a beating. But it ain’t over till the fat lady sings! So I’m not going to get over confident here. The only ship of any significance that Brandon has lost is the New Orleans and in my book that is not enough of a margin to start putting in the second string.

I had managed to lay minefield, undetected, off Taivu and in what would be Lengo Channel but my worthy opponent was sharp enough to bring a MS or two with him. Drats! But there may be more!!

BTW, the weather was really rotten and I believe that he managed to pull some of his damaged ships out due to the fact that several of my air missions failed to spot some of his damaged ships. Heads are rolling!!

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/27/42

Weather: Clear

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Yamagumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
DD Ellet, Shell hits 51, and is sunk
DD Stack, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Colhoun, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya, Shell hits 4
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 2
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1
DD Yamagumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lang, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sterett, Shell hits 7, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 119

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 69
Port fuel hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,36

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 37,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
P-400 Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

CPT D. Brannon of 67th FS is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
MSW Ballarat, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 37,39

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 14
B5N Kate x 34

no losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
D3A Val x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
P-400 Airacobra x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Alhena, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SC 522

***********************************************************

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 6:41 pm

Well after yesterdays success around Lunga I decided to get slick. After my CV TF finished off the cripples from our night action I knew that Brandon would know with pretty good accuracy just where about my TF was. So I split off a couple off DD’s and sent them to the west in the hope that if he came around Guadalcanal, to the west, with his CVs in order to catch my CVs, that he would run right into my DD decoy TF and send his airstrikes at them. Well it worked perfectly with just one hitch! I moved my CVs to far to the east and was out of range to attack his CVs while they were busy with my DD decoy force.

Two DDs go up on the USN scoreboard. Nice shooting my friend but I should have had you! The best laid plans!!

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Tassafaronga at 37,39

Japanese Ships
APD 2

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 28th Regiment, at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 30

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 45

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 48
TBF Avenger x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBF Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, on fire

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
SBD Dauntless x 18
TBF Avenger x 14

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 14

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBF Avenger x 11

no losses

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 15

no losses

***********************************************************

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 4:17 am

We are getting down to the finish now so I figured I would post some stats. The battle report for today will follow.

Ship Loses to date:

USN:
CA New Orleans
DD Ellet
DD Stack
DD Lang
APD Calhoun
AK Alhena
SC 521

IJN:
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
ML Takashima (scuttled)

Aircraft Loses to date:

USN: 28

IJN: 30

Score at this time:

USN: 1324

IJN: 1466

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Takao

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Takao
DD Oyashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
AK Alhena, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 98
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 69

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Tulagi, at 38,39

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Guns lost 1

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

FO C. Kunz of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
AK Betelgeuse, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 521, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

***********************************************************

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 6:46 pm

Things have taken a bad turn for the IJN, but I still have a trick or two! The USN now edges into the lead with one last turn to go.

From Imperial General HQ: Tokyo

**********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack at 31,35

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki
BB Kirishima

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Atago
CA Suzuya
DD Akitsuki
DD Oyashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
AK Betelgeuse, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 56

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 130

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 26
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged
TBF Avenger x 6 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged

PO2 C.Nagaishi of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4

LCDR H. Romberg of VT-7 bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 47
TBF Avenger x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged
TBF Avenger x 4 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 15 damaged

ENS K. Okabe of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4

LCDR P. Ramsey of VF-2 bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Tone
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Akigumo

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged

PO1 U.Muranaka of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 13 damaged
B5N Kate x 18 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,34

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 damaged
B5N Kate x 10 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

LT W. Dean of VF-2 is credited with kill number 2

LT Y. Subota of EII-3 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CA Salt Lake City
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Buchanan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Benham

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 18
TBF Avenger x 4

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
DD Yukikaze

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

***********************************************************

Cheers

ogrfc81 · Post by **ogrfc81** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 7:19 pm

Nice report...... It has been fun to follow, thanks guys

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 7:33 am

Good job so far, waiting for the last turn AAR.

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:36 pm

Gents,

The last report will probably go up tomorrow as we will be finishing the scenario tonight. After that we are both going to post an after action debriefing covering our respective strategies and what we found to work or not work!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Cheers

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 4:43 pm

Marginal US Victory!

Well gents your friendly neighborhood Japanese admiral has managed to rack up his first loss.

I would like to thank and give three cheers to Brandon a fine opponent and an excellent gentleman to deal with. My first foray in to this game has been a pleasure. The stats are as follows:

Ship Loses:
USN-
CA New Orleans
DD Ellet
DD Lang
DD Stack
APD Calhoun
SC 521
SC 522
AK Fomalhaut
AK Betelgeuse
AK Alhena

IJN-
CV Zuikaku
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
ML Takashima (scuttled)

Values:
USN- 10 for 96 points
IJN- 4 for 340 points

Aircraft Loses:
USN- 83
IJN- 103

Victory Level/Score:
USN- 1858 Marginal
IJN- 1629

Final Battle Report:

***********************************************************

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/42

Weather: Overcast

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
BB Mutsu
CA Maya
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Kumano
CL Nagara
CL Yura
DD Hatsukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame

Allied Ships
SC 522, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AK Fomalhaut, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 376
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 136

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 28th Regiment, at 37,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 49

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 4000 feet

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 34,31

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 5
TBF Avenger x 4

no losses

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 36,31

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 23
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 36,31

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 5

no losses

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, on fire, heavy damage

***********************************************************

Scenario debriefings to follow!

I'll get him next time!!

Hirose · Post by **Hirose** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 6:34 pm

Scenario Debriefing:

My Strategy:

In a nutshell, sea denial. During the real Guadalcanal campaign the USN ruled the waves during the day while the IJN ruled the night. I intended to take that daylight control away from Brandon by keeping him guessing as to where my CV TF was and what I intended to do with it. At night I kept up a pretty regular and intensive pounding of Lunga and anything found floating around Lunga. These two strategies combined with a liberal mining campaign was intended to prevent his being able to reinforce his troops on the canal and to cause him some difficulties in trying to build anything like sea control of the area. I am not sure and will have to see what Brandon says about the effect this strategy had on him and his plans. I did manage to sink 10 ships to his 4, and I feel that this is a pretty good indicator that sea denial was a good and effective tactic.

What Worked:

I do believe, but this remains to be seen, that I was somewhat successful in keeping control of the Guadalcanal area. I did manage to build up a pretty good lead in points and this is what leads me to believe that my strategy was working.

What did not Work:

The carrier engagement during the last two turns was disastrous for the IJN. I had to make a decision around turns 9-10. I was ahead in points and could have just hid my CV TF in area where it was not likely to be found. I had only two CVs and one CVL to oppose his rather larger CV force. I did not know that he had at least three CVs , if I did I may have headed for the hills. Instead I chose to stay around and engage. I felt that running after building up a lead would be too gamey and really not very sporting! Stupid hay! But I did discover that once those planes leave the deck you are in the hands of fate! This causes me to not feel to bad about sticking around as I too could have had a lucky day and managed to take out a US carrier or two. Things would have been very different then, especially considering my good score going into the battle. Brandon also displayed some real sharps when he decided to pursue on day 12. If he had stayed content with the damage he inflicted on turn 11 and just withdrew I may have been able to get a tie game, but losing CV Zuikako in Turn 12 clinched it for the US.

I am also sad to report that I totally mismanaged my ground air assets, as well as my logistics. I am learning though and there is a ton of info that you have to take in before you can get good at this game. I look forward to my next PBEM and want to thank Brandon for the excellent game and for being such a great guy to learn this system with. You can download a track chart (zip file) of my general movements during the game at the following:

http://www.russojapanesewar.com/zip/Sce ... -Chart.zip

It's been Great!

Cheers

Scenario 2 The Solomons a PBEM First!

Scenario 2 The Solomons a PBEM First!

Re: Scenario 2 The Solomons a PBEM First!

"Battle of the Newbies"

Action off Lunga

Turn 5

Mid-Game Report

From IGH: Tokyo

"The Tokyo Freight Train"

The USN Bites Back!

Ten down two too go!

Carrier Clash

Thanks

Victory Goes to the USN!

Post Battle IJN Debriefing