At dawn we slept...in the cab on the way back from Olongapo

[Lowpe]

5 Hexes to guarantee a battleship bombardment...anything past that and you have to look at fuel, home port, etc, etc. Fast battleships maybe 6 hexes.

Can't tell you how many ships I have lost over the years to them dithering on a bombardment run.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Also, some US Army heavy weapons are highlighted under the Philippine tab. I wonder if those "provisional" PA arty units would draw 105's

If you are referring to the Provisional GMC unit, that is a self-propelled unit similar to the "Priest" that comes later. I think the gun is only 75mm on the PGMC, but there is no upgrade.

Edit to mention - because it is an assault gun unit, it can be set to Deliberate Attack or Shock Attack instead of just bombardment like most artillery.

The M3 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) was a United States Army tank destroyer equipped with a 75 mm M1897A4 gun, which was built by the Autocar Company during World War II.

After observing the new and often decisive, uses of armored vehicles on both sides during the French campaign of 1940, the US Army decided that it required a 75 mm self-propelled gun, based on the chassis of the M3 Half-track. This was initially known as the T12. However, after the addition of features such as the gun shield from the M2A3 (a carriage for the M1897A4), the new vehicle entered production under the name M3 Gun Motor Carriage (or M3 GMC). Because the number of M2A3 gun shields available was insufficient for the M3 GMC order, a new gun shield was designed. Variants featuring the new shield were designated M3A1 GMC.

The T12/M3 first served in the Philippines Campaign in 1942 with the Provisional Field Artillery Brigade in the anti-tank and the fire-support role. It then served in North Africa in tank destroyer battalions. It was used ineffectively in the Battle of Kasserine Pass and several other engagements, but was used with success in the Battle of El Guettar. It also served in the Allied invasion of Sicily, but was eventually superseded by the M10 tank destroyer. A total of 2,203 were produced, of which 1,361 were converted back into M3A1 half-tracks.

The M3 GMC also served in the Pacific theater, starting with the Battle of Saipan. It proved effective against the Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go and Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks. It later served in the Battle of Okinawa, the Battle of Peleliu and many other island battles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Gun_Motor_Carriage

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

5 Hexes to guarantee a battleship bombardment...anything past that and you have to look at fuel, home port, etc, etc. Fast battleships maybe 6 hexes.

Can't tell you how many ships I have lost over the years to them dithering on a bombardment run.

"Dithering" is a good word for this.

[Cap Mandrake]

Air losses. About 40 Zekes and 30 Val/Kates

LYB's shot down 11 C-47's flying in to Bataan. Wah crime

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Also, some US Army heavy weapons are highlighted under the Philippine tab. I wonder if those "provisional" PA arty units would draw 105's

If you are referring to the Provisional GMC unit, that is a self-propelled unit similar to the "Priest" that comes later. I think the gun is only 75mm on the PGMC, but there is no upgrade.

Edit to mention - because it is an assault gun unit, it can be set to Deliberate Attack or Shock Attack instead of just bombardment like most artillery.

Good info. I did not realize they had an anti-tank capability but now I see the "SP" designation

[Cap Mandrake]

************March 29, 1943(e)*************

I decided to try to get the damaged pre-war BB's to Dobo and cover them with Washington. Because there were many fresh BB's at Boela, I divided the force and gave 1 damaged DD to each BB plus some DD's detached from Lee's force. Lee sortied North to cover them and then back toward Dobo. In the event, the Jap BB's were not a factor but you can probably guess what other IJN assets may have been employed

[Cap Mandrake]

Washington and her 5 DD's chum for sharks along the obvios path that everyone must take to get home. It sort of works.

ASW attack near Gorong at 81,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-164, hits 3

Allied Ships
BB Washington
CA Louisville
CLAA Juneau
DD Barton
DD Hughes
DD Carmick
DD Hobby
DD Gansevoort

[Cap Mandrake]

Unwisely, West Va with only one damaged DD that some retarded staff member may have detached tries the same thing.

Submarine attack near Kai-eilanden at 82,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

[Cap Mandrake]

Arizona ALMOST makes it. Doh-bo!

SW attack near Dobo at 82,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 3
DD Russell

[Cap Mandrake]

Well, at least Colorado makes it!...oh....wait..

Sub attack near Dobo at 82,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
DD Stronghold

[Cap Mandrake]

We had Father Emmanoulides give a prayer that the sun not come up today but it doesn't work. It's a long way from Greece.

Even so it is getting to be late morning and nothing has happened.

[Cap Mandrake]

Ah...here they come..tremendous number of Zekes here. Either they flew in fresh Zekes to replace yesterday's losses or this is LRCAP from Boela (which was vacant at sundown yesterday). They go after Arizona which must be a hulk at this point. CAP from Dobo and Taberfane

Morning Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 83,116

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M3a Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 79
B5N2 Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
Boomerang C-12 x 11
Kittyhawk III x 11
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
Hurricane XIIb x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40K Warhawk x 19
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Arizona

[Cap Mandrake]

That's it for the morning. Could it be that this will work? Nah.

Afternoon attack. Terrible coordination. I wonder if some of the Zekes are on sweep/commander's choice? It's the great Sunda Turkey Shoot.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 83,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 64
B5N2 Kate x 2

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 11
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Boomerang C-12 x 9
Kittyhawk III x 7
Spitfire Vc Trop x 11
Hurricane XIIb x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang C-12: 1 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

[Cap Mandrake]

West Va is still 40+ miles out with three seawater ventilation channels. Harder for the CAP to get to her. According to the combat replay she does not sink.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 83,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 64
B5N2 Kate x 2

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 11
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Boomerang C-12 x 9
Kittyhawk III x 7
Spitfire Vc Trop x 11
Hurricane XIIb x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang C-12: 1 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

[Cap Mandrake]

<snicker> 30 Vals go after a couple of LST's with supplies[:D]

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 88 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 10
D3A1 Val x 30

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3
Kittyhawk III x 1
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Hurricane XIIb x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST-16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LST-17, Bomb hits 3, on fire
YMS-120

[Cap Mandrake]

Damage so far:

IJN: Kirishima likely sunk, 2 CA's damaged, numerous DD's. At least 150 carrier A/C shot down

USN: Colorado sunk by sub torps. West Va and Arizona crippled or sinking. One DD, two older CL's sunk. Even if they can port at Dobo the two BB's will be highly vulnerable.

[Cap Mandrake]

It was 98 here yesterday so I went down to San Clemente State Beach which is, improbably, still open. It was a glorious 82. Water was warm. Everyone happy and pretty much behaving themselves.

I haven't touched the Pacific for 6 months.

They have taken all the diagonal parking places on the main restaurant and shop street and pushed out the restaurant seating into the street. It's a total hit, especially when the weather is good. Almost no cars...just electric bikes with surf racks and golf carts.

There was a booth to get signatures to recall Gov Newsome for closing the beaches. [:D] Surfers HATE the Governor.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Even if they can port at Dobo the two BB's will be highly vulnerable.

The temptation to put a few more bombs or torps into these BBs will be strong for JJ. I assume that you'll stack layers of CAP and LRCAP onto the port to make him pay for the opportunity? Whatdaya got for LB AAA for that port?

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

It was 98 here yesterday so I went down to San Clemente State Beach which is, improbably, still open. It was a glorious 82. Water was warm. Everyone happy and pretty much behaving themselves.

I haven't touched the Pacific for 6 months.

They have taken all the diagonal parking places on the main restaurant and shop street and pushed out the restaurant seating into the street. It's a total hit, especially when the weather is good. Almost no cars...just electric bikes with surf racks and golf carts.

There was a booth to get signatures to recall Gov Newsome for closing the beaches. [:D] Surfers HATE the Governor.

All that sounds like a good idea.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Even if they can port at Dobo the two BB's will be highly vulnerable.

The temptation to put a few more bombs or torps into these BBs will be strong for JJ. I assume that you'll stack layers of CAP and LRCAP onto the port to make him pay for the opportunity? Whatdaya got for LB AAA for that port?

Good question
6 x 3 in
6 x 37 mm
14 x Bofors 40

assorted smaller caliber

I am pretty sure you can also fit a Bofors 40 and the 37 mm on a C-47 and fly them in