Rodan {A: witpqs} vs. Godzilla {J: Andav} - Japanese side

[Andav]

29-Oct-1943

Pretty quiet day.

RO-62 is a tough assignment. High Command sends them to circle on hex for over 200 days. Once they finally get orders to return to port for some much needed R&R (and fruits and vegetables to stave of scurvy) they run afoul DE Wileman is a random hex on the map. Now they are limping back to port.

Sub attack near Wewak at 97,119

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 6

Allied Ships
DE Wileman

SS RO-62 launches 2 torpedoes
RO-62 diving deep ....
DE Wileman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Wileman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Wileman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Wileman attacking submerged sub ....
DE Wileman fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Wa

[Andav]

31-Oct-1943

A few quiet days. The Allies are up to shenanigans in the Pacific. I am not sure where they are going. Two days ago, I thought this was either a raid or invasion (not likely) of Truk but they have moved back to the North East. We will need to keep an eye on them.

Wa

[Andav]

01-Nov-1943 and 02-Nov-1943

The Allied fleet disappeared on the 1st and has reappeared on the second just south of Marcus. I only have a Guard unit there. I am flying in part of another one. I have a division loaded on transports which I might divert here to counter invade depending on how the initial Allied landing go. I added some midget subs to Marcus to hopefully cause trouble. KB is coming and will give battle supported by LBA from Pagan.


Wa

[Andav]

03-Nov-1943

The prelude to action around Marcus.

Midgets try to cause some distractions

Submarine attack near Marcus Island at 124,86

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-30, hits 11, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB North Carolina
DD Dyson
DD Downes
DD Dunlap

SSX Ha-30 is sighted by escort

ASW attack near Marcus Island at 124,86

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-20, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Eaton
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe
CL Denver
CLAA Oakland
DD Kimberly
DD Hobby
DD Swanson

SSX Ha-20 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Eato

Old BBs bombard.

Night Naval bombardment of Marcus Island at 123,85

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 13
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3

Not at Marcus but we do get an AM down near New Guinea.

Sub attack near Wewak at 96,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
AM Rail, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

This one I am sure caused some pucker factor but alas ... No hit. I think a full spread would have been called for here instead of just 2.

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 122,85

Japanese Ships
SS I-184, hits 11

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CL Birmingham
CL Santa Fe
CL Denver
CLAA Oakland
DD Murray
DD Hobby
DD Swanson
DD Nicholson
DD Nicholas

SS I-184 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Bunker Hill

No invasion after the bombardment. I will continue to have troops flown in and the subs will continue to patrol. KB will be in position tomorrow to attack with LRCP from the Marianas to supplement the CV born CAP.

Wa

[Lowpe]

This is really part of the PBEM experience I don't like....the massive concentrations of force.

You won't get much benefit from LRCAP to your carriers. Make an ASW task force of Surface TF have it set to react 0, and stay with your carriers, and LRCAP that task force. Still won't get much at this range, but it will be better than over the CV TF.

Good luck![:)]

[Andav]

I agree with you about massed forces. witpqs ONLY moves is carriers all together. The Death Star is a winning strategy which there really is no counter (either early for the Allies against KB or later for the IJN against all of the Allied CVs). I fully expect to lose most of the IJN in the next couple of days. I would rather try now then wait another 6 months when he is even stronger. I really missed my best chance to hurt him back in April of this year in the Marshalls.

I do have the surface combat and CV TFs following ASW TFs. Allied subs are very much a concern. I will LRCP one of those and cross my fingers.

Wa

[Andav]

04-Nov-1943

Lots of sub action today with hits scored on both sides.

I am sure this is just a flesh wound but any hit is a good hit especially after being sighted once already and it was an 8 fish spread.

ASW attack near Marcus Island at 123,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
DD Perkins

SS I-24 is sighted by escort

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 123,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 1
BB Massachusetts
DD Downes
DD Dunlap

SS I-24 launches 8 torpedoes at BB South Dakota

Now it is the Allies turn. I-122 is probably a goner but I-30 gets some revenge.

Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 95,72

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamayuri Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Ryunan Maru
xAK Kuritake Maru
xAK Tokusima Maru
xAK Siraha Maru
xAK Kuwayama Maru
xAK Pacific Maru
xAK Hague Maru
E Yugao

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

ASW attack near Wewak at 96,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Wileman

Sub attack near Wakkanai at 122,47

Japanese Ships
xAK Mantai Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Ceylon Maru
PB Magan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Triton

Sub attack near Wewak at 96,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
DE Wileman, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Marcus was invaded as well. The shock attack is pretty sad by the Allies. After a few days rest, they will take the island but these units are beat up. I will see how the next day or two unfolds before committing the counter invasion.

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7993 troops, 122 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Defending force 2849 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Allied adjusted assault: 6

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1683 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 107 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 54 (16 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
42nd Naval Guard Unit
83rd Nav Gd /1
51st JNAF AF Unit

We might have a CV battle tomorrow. I am positioning KB to hit the invasion area at range 6 with Death Star hopefully remaining at range 7. There is no detection on KB right now. I have more chance of taking something with me in the invasion hex then facing Death Star straight up. There might be riff raff south of Marus as well. I just need to take something with me if KB is sunk.

Wa

[PaxMondo]

For scen 1 my HI target is 4M by mid '44. You're pretty far behind that goal. The good news is that you have NOT shut off you ARM or VEH, so your pools are good. Keep them going. Where you are right now would suggest your HI target for mid '44 to be 3M or so (yes, you have banked about 1M HI in your ARM/VEH pools).

NSY/MSY: your pools are really too big already. I would definitely start shutting down some (most or even all) NSY and MSY factories. You want those HI points to be available for AC and Engines, I would let your NSY/MSY pools drop down to NSY=10000, MSY = 5000 by 6/44, and then after that let them drain out slowly through end game. after you last key NSY builds have happened, then keep your NSY pool = 500, your MSY can be 100 in the late game. YOu just need enough to get a few last ships built IF you need them.

[Lowpe]

I just can't agree that Marcus Island is the place to have a big CV battle. You simply don't have enough land bases near to it.

I simply hate losing Marcus, as it is something like 24 hexes to Tokyo and you give up so much intel. But I don't want to fight on the Allied terms.

When does it look like you will get Sams?

I do like that you are trying to sneak in behind the Allied juggernaut.[:)]

Why did you have Marcus so lightly garrisoned? It would be sweet if you have a division already prepped to counter invade...

I hate the US Navy, they are always seemingly only three invasions away from landing on Hokkaido/Jima. But once the threat of the KB is gone, they accelerate their invasions so darn fast.

[Andav]

Thanks for the feedback Pax. Here is a current look at Industry. I do feel I am behind in HI. I have had Merchants turned off for a while now. I can cut back the NSY.

Wa

[Andav]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I just can't agree that Marcus Island is the place to have a big CV battle. You simply don't have enough land bases near to it.

I simply hate losing Marcus, as it is something like 24 hexes to Tokyo and you give up so much intel. But I don't want to fight on the Allied terms.

When does it look like you will get Sams?

I do like that you are trying to sneak in behind the Allied juggernaut.[:)]

Why did you have Marcus so lightly garrisoned? It would be sweet if you have a division already prepped to counter invade...

I hate the US Navy, they are always seemingly only three invasions away from landing on Hokkaido/Jima. But once the threat of the KB is gone, they accelerate their invasions so darn fast.

The problem is he does not go any place that I do have land bases. witpqs is a cagey bugger ...

Marcus was on the list to receive another unit but I did not think he would go that direction so soon. He had been working New Guinea so I expected the next invasion there. Marcus seems like it will be hard to support since not much is near. He will need to keep his CVs close.

Sam is still 4/45. 11x30 factories are researching but only 2 are at the full 30. 2 more are at 29. The rest are sprinkled around in the 20s. The other problem is the Ha-43 is still 1/45 so no engine bonus for any of the late war planes any time soon.

Wa

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Andav

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I just can't agree that Marcus Island is the place to have a big CV battle. You simply don't have enough land bases near to it.

I simply hate losing Marcus, as it is something like 24 hexes to Tokyo and you give up so much intel. But I don't want to fight on the Allied terms.

When does it look like you will get Sams?

I do like that you are trying to sneak in behind the Allied juggernaut.[:)]

Why did you have Marcus so lightly garrisoned? It would be sweet if you have a division already prepped to counter invade...

I hate the US Navy, they are always seemingly only three invasions away from landing on Hokkaido/Jima. But once the threat of the KB is gone, they accelerate their invasions so darn fast.

The problem is he does not go any place that I do have land bases. witpqs is a cagey bugger ...

Marcus was on the list to receive another unit but I did not think he would go that direction so soon. He had been working New Guinea so I expected the next invasion there. Marcus seems like it will be hard to support since not much is near. He will need to keep his CVs close.

Sam is still 4/45. 11x30 factories are researching but only 2 are at the full 30. 2 more are at 29. The rest are sprinkled around in the 20s. The other problem is the Ha-43 is still 1/45 so no engine bonus for any of the late war planes any time soon.

Wa

Yeah, the Allies almost never go where you want them to! Darn sigint.[:D]

[Andav]

05-Nov-43

As happens often times, nothing happens. There was no CV engagement. The Death Star has vacated the Marcus area.

We did get an APA on the way out. These are always good to sink. It also means he is leaving his ground units.

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 124,85

Japanese Ships
SS I-182

Allied Ships
APA Calvert, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Strong

We traded an AK

Sub attack near Toyohara at 125,48

Japanese Ships
xAK Delagoa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
PB Takunan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Triton

But we also have a Repulse sighting.

Sub attack near Trincomalee at 34,47

Japanese Ships
SS I-15, hits 6

Allied Ships
DD Jupiter
BC Repulse
DD Norman
DD Nizam
DD Napier
DD Van Galen
DD Tjerk Hiddes

SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Jupiter

No ground bombardments at Marcus from either side. I have Nell's on ground attack hoping to add to disruption and burn supplies. I am not sure he left anything providing LRCP.

Wa

[Andav]

06-Nov-43

The Allies have left just ASW around Marcus. Nells on ground attack faced no CAP. I will try flying in a NGU to help with the defense. Forts are still level 4. I have detached several CLs with a few DDs to try a bombardment. We will see if anything Allied is still in the area.

Morning Air attack on 21st Infantry Regiment, at 123,85 (Marcus Island)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Wa

[Andav]

08-Nov-43

Action near Marcus and over Burma today.

The Allies have returned to Marcus. There are many sub encounters. The IJN takes it on the chin.

SS I-42, hits 6, heavy damage
SS I-24, hits 5
SS I-171, hits 5

The Midgets flex their muscles.

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 123,85

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-31

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Torpedo hits 2

I had a bombardment TF centered around CL Kiso. They steamed into Marcus and unfortunately ran into CA Chester an Louisville. After a series of running battles with the Chester group pursuing 5 different times (the last 2, no shots where fired), Kiso is left burning along with one of the DDs. Allied Air finishes them off during the day.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,85, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville
DD Beale
DD Cony
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 1
DD Saufley, Shell hits 2

Day Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 119,87, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, heavy fires
DD Kuroshio, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA Louisville
DD Beale, on fire
DD Cony, on fire
DD Renshaw, on fire
DD Saufley

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 118,87

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 50
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

There were also sweeps over Cox by Georges. This was a follow up from sweeps on the 7th which scored very well. The Allies counter with sweeps and 4Es over Chiang Mai. The P-38s run into a mix of Franks and Nicks on CAP and do very poorly. I am not sure witpqs will use P-38s like this in the future. Chiang Mai is pretty much trashed. I have more airfields in this area built so it is not a real problem. Here are the losses in the air today. The Emilys where flying in troops to Marcus and where slaughtered by CAP. This really hurts.

I do not know what he is doing at Marcus. He did not unload supplies or more units because there was no auto bombard. He did not pull anyone off either. Maybe tomorrow he will do something.

Wa

[Andav]

12-Nov-1943

A couple of days pass. I lost a bunch of Jakes to search cap (over 50) while the Allies lose some DBs and TPs to my CAP. On the 12th, the CVs ended up 7 hexes away from each other and the Allies launched a series of strikes. The Japanese were all set to range 6 so only CAP from the Empire.

This first strike was the largest. Several planes make it through the CAP and have some success. Amagi fuel storage is a problem.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 118,89

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 51
A6M5b Zero x 286
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 113
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
SBD-5 Dauntless x 53
TBF-1 Avenger x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 27 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 26 destroyed, 10 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo
CV Unryu
BB Haruna
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
CA Chikuma
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Fuel storage explosion on CV Amagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Amagi

Here are the subsequent strikes.

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 41
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 13 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 14 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Soryu, on fire
CV Akagi
CL Kuma
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
CV Unryu
CA Chikuma
CV Amagi, on fire


Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32
A6M5b Zero x 208
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
A6M5b Zero x 149
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 11 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
A6M5b Zero x 107
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
FM-1 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 8 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
A6M5b Zero x 57

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
A6M5b Zero x 51

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5b Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

Here starts the afternoon.


Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 43
A6M5b Zero x 233
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13
SBD-5 Dauntless x 38
TBF-1 Avenger x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 19 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 41
A6M5b Zero x 208
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Akagi
CA Ashigara

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20
A6M5b Zero x 151
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
TBF-1 Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
A6M5b Zero x 124
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
A6M5b Zero x 97
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

So the question is how to react? Be happy with knocking off a bunch of Allies pilots in exchange for same damaged CV (provided Kaga does do decide to take a dirt nap)? Chase down the dirty dogs and attack when their strike package will be weak? My guess is he will stand down his strike planes and go to 100% CAP. How many pilots will I lose for what gain? Something in between?

I went with something in between. I expect witpqs will withdraw needing to replenish strike aircraft. I am moving to 6 hexes west of Marcus so if he does decide to linger, maybe I will get a shot at the remaining invasion group. I am hoping he will move his Death Star to the east. Counter invasion is 3 to 4 days away provided the Allies concede the battlefield.

On another note, was this actually a full Death Star? I am again not 100% sure he does not have more CVs lurking somewhere. This feels light to me considering I have only sunk Long island for certain.

Wa

[Lowpe]

No way you can attack, as you are down three CVs.

Saving Kaga is probably going to be tough. Cruise speed, plenty of escorts and find the closest port. Get some Naval Support there to help with emergency repairs.

Still, you took his alpha strike. I wonder if that might not be a model for JFBs everywhere late 43, absorb the first strike (w/beefed up fighter coverage), fly in reinforcement groups and then strike.

Here is hoping the Kaga lives...

[PaxMondo]

I will be amazed if you are able to save Kaga … I have lost her many times with half the damage …

I agree that was a good fight … but it also again shows how brittle the kb is … 1 hit may, and 2 hits almost assuredly will, sink any CV in the kb. Face it, you had great CAP and very few leakers, but that's all it took. IJ CV's are like the allied CVE's … [:D]

kudo's to a good fight though ...

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

[Andav]

13-Nov-43

The Allies hung out at Marcus and the Empire did attack the invasion hex.

But first, over in Burma, witpqs had been bombing Lashio without sweeps or escorts. I was hoping he would be distracted by Marcus and let the bombers go another day. While there were bombers, it was only one wave of B-17s.

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
N1K2-J George x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 32

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

Over by Marcus, there was only one strike of consequence. The others were just single digit plane strikes which just sacrificed planes and pilots.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
A6M5b Zero x 44
B6N2 Jill x 52
D4Y1 Judy x 51
D4Y2 Judy x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
FM-1 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 182

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 7 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 19 destroyed, 10 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 5 destroyed
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Barnes
CVE Copahee
CVE Prince William
CVE Breton
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Santee, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Santee
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Corregidor
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Nassau

My guess is these are only out of action. In the air losses, I did not see anything that looks like any of these sunk.

Kaga is really looking like it is toast. Here are the Ops report messages.

Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard CV Kaga
Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard CV Kaga
Extensive flooding aboard CV Kaga
Extensive flooding aboard CV Kaga
Difficulty controlling flooding aboard CV Kaga
Extensive flooding aboard CV Kaga
Difficulty controlling flooding aboard CV Kaga

Definitely not a good sign.

KB will retire. We will have to see if the Allies leave the battlefield.

Wa

[Andav]

This is from the action on Nov 12th. Lots of freshly minted Aces in KB.

CPO Kodaira gets special mention with 8 kills in one day!

PO2 Okura U. (Soryu-1) Pilot becomes Ace 7 kills; stationed on CV Soryu
PO2 Araki C. (Soryu-1) Pilot becomes Ace 7 kills; stationed on CV Soryu
PO2 Chiyoshima T. (Soryu-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Soryu
PO1 Nishiura B. (Kaga-1) Ace WIA 7 kills; stationed on CV Kaga Minor
PO1 Murakami R. (Kaga-1/1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed at Pagan
PO1 Nagaishi W. (Kaga-1/1) Pilot becomes Double Ace 10 kills; stationed at Pagan
PO2 Takagi U. (Akagi-1) Ace Dies 5 kills; stationed on CV Akagi Minor
PO2 Takagi U. (Akagi-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Akagi
PO2 Suzuki, K. (Kaga-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Kaga
PO2 Yamamoto, A. (Kaga-1/1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed at Pagan
PO2 Tanimizu, T. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 7 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
LTJG Kobayashi, H. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
CPO Kodaira, Y. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 8 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
CPO Kodaira, Y. (Shokaku-1) Ace in a Day 8 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
LT Sato, M. (Zuikaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO2 Nishikyo, S. (Zuikaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO2 Moriura, T. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Obayashi I. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
PO1 Aihara L. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
PO2 Fukada V. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Abe G. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Matsuyama T. (Shokaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Shokaku
PO1 Ikura P. (Zuikaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO1 Imamura S. (Zuikaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO1 Imamura S. (Zuikaku-1) Ace in a Day 6 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO1 Nagashima U. (Shoho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CVL Shoho
PO1 Minowa A. (Shoho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CVL Shoho
PO2 Hori G. (Shoho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CVL Shoho
PO1 Imamura J. (Shoho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CVL Shoho
PO1 Nagano D. (Zuiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CVL Zuiho
PO2 Kawabata B. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Ibusuki F. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Matsumoto J. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO2 Kurihara M. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Sugiyama N. (Taiho-1) Ace Dies 6 kills; stationed on CV Taiho Minor
PO1 Sugiyama N. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 6 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Banno V. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO2 Hirusawa A. (Taiho-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Taiho
PO1 Fujimatsu S. (Unryu-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Unryu
PO1 Fujimatsu S. (Unryu-1) Ace in a Day 5 kills; stationed on CV Unryu
PO2 Sugiyama U. (Akagi-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Akagi
PO2 Sugiyama U. (Akagi-1) Ace in a Day 5 kills; stationed on CV Akagi
PO1 Obayashi T. (Kaga-1/1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed at Pagan
PO1 Obayashi T. (Kaga-1/1) Ace in a Day 5 kills; stationed at Pagan
PO1 Inano N. (261 Ku S-2) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CVL Nisshin
PO2 Kamisaka H. (Zuikaku-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO2 Kamisaka H. (Zuikaku-1) Ace in a Day 5 kills; stationed on CV Zuikaku
PO1 Ikura P. (Soryu-1) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed on CV Soryu
PO2 Nakajima R. (201 Ku S-1) Ace Dies 6 kills; stationed at Paoshan

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