LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[RangerJoe]

I also saw where someone put in a line of 0 airfield bases. By building them up, more supplies could flow.

[IdahoNYer]

Thanks for the assist BB and Ranger! You guys are spot on....as usual with folks on this forum!

LGKMAS - thanks for your interest in the AAR, glad it could help.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

How is the supply and fuel situation at Singapore and HK?
base forces?

can they act as main bases? or do you still need to bring goodies to make them work

[IdahoNYer]

2-3 Dec 44

Highlights – Troops ashore at Tokunoshima.

Jpn ships sunk: (old)
CVE: 1 (Unyo - casualty of CV rear area raid)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 07
Allied: 08

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attack, 1 ship hit (AO dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Tokunoshima (SWPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: AO hit by sub on the approaches to Tokyo after another was hit further at sea earlier indicates ships from CV Raid returning to Tokyo/Yokahama. So far no significant response to Tokunoshima Amphib.

Strategic Bombing Campaign: NSTR. Strat bombing VPs remain at 9438.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, other than a half dozen Peggys coming in at night against the CVE TF at Tokunoshima without effect, it was a quiet amphib operation. Oldendorf’s BBs inflicted over 400 casualties and troops were put ashore in good order. Okinoerabushumia’s two Amphib TFs will depart Itbayat Is to stage at Kume-jima, and rendezvous with additional supporting TFs before making the run to target. CV TFs remain at sea just to the SE of Amami, and remain there to support further landings. Tokunoshima support TF will move to target and hold troops until base is secured. The last combat division remaining on Amami will begin loading next turn, so that process will conclude there, and move to do similar transit at Tokunoshima once secured.

In SWPAC, Amami Oshima AF reaches level 4 as engineers and their engineering vehicles continue to be the decisive element the campaign. Softening up both Tokunoshima and Okinoerabushumia with bombers continues with good results. Troops are ashore in good order at Tokunoshima and will attack next turn. On the Formosa ground front, troops rested, but will resume the attack to finish off the remaining IJA Bde sized unit next turn. Once Tokunoshima is secured, all the LBA will focus on Okinoerabushima.

In China, two Chinese corps will continue reducing the remaining IJA defenders that withdrew SE from Chungking next turn after a brief rest.

In SE Asia, Chinese troops eliminate the remaining 500 or so defenders from Foochow, securing the coast up through Wenchow. Troops will attack to take Wenchow next turn as convoys loaded with engineers and support troops begin to finish out loading for Wenchow…so they better succeed in the first attack! With Chuhsien secured, Tenth AF BF and engineers will begin to move in next turn and start building up the AF - the goal is to have 4 major AFs available for Tenth/Fourteenth Airforce to launch both sweeps and bomber raids against Kyushu - Chuhsien, Wenchow, Shaohing and Ningpo. I may look to seize Hangchow as well, but that depends on defenses. I seriously doubt Shanghai will be obtainable (at least vs. cost), but I’ve been surprised at events on the Chinese mainland enough not to totally discount the possibility.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

How is the supply and fuel situation at Singapore and HK?
base forces?

can they act as main bases? or do you still need to bring goodies to make them work

Plenty of supply and fuel on hand at Singers and HK. Had loaded convoys heading toward target while the ground fighting was taking place. At this point in the campaign, other than inland China, supplies and fuel are in abundance, with enough shipping to push it to where needed.

Even inland China bases are in great shape, its just getting the supplies out to the troops in field are there a few issues. Tracker tells me China (which includes HK) has over 700k supplies on hand!

Both Singers and HK ports and repair shipyards are heavily engaged in repairing all those damaged CVEs...really need those yards now!

[IdahoNYer]

4-5 Dec 44

Highlights – Tokunoshima and Wenchow secured; Tk convoy hit by Allied Naval air.

Jpn ships sunk:
PC: 1
SC: 3
TK: 4
xAK: 1

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 09
Allied: 20

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (SC sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tokunoshima (SWPAC)
Wenchow (SE Asia)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN E sighted by sub on the trip wire line NW of Midway - not sure if this is part of another raid or probing where to send the raid.

Strategic Bombing Campaign: Strat bombing VPs remain at 9438. Will launch the B-29s next turn against Hiroshima.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, just in case of another CV rear area raid in the making, a number of subs are adjusted north of Midway, and any shipping (two small convoys), are re-routed.

In SOPAC, Sallys and Helens continue to lay mines at Kume-jima and Amami Oshima, and this time one was found the hard way by a US minesweeper. US Fleet will move back to the north side of Ryukyus to cover the upcoming Okinoerabushumia landings, which will be supported by Oldendorf’s BB and a CA TF bombardment runs. With Tokunoshima secured, the Amphib TF will begin pulling off combat troops and the engineer support convoy will begin landing the first load of engineers. And lastly, although the with the synch bug I didn’t see any of it, carrier air found and mauled a convoy off Kagoshima sinking a PC, 2SC, and 4TK. Not clear why this convoy was at Kagoshima, and not covered by any CAP…but we’ll take it.

In SWPAC, Tokunoshima secured in the first attack, against only level 2 forts. It takes another day of attacks to eliminate the last of the defenders, and after two days tallies about 3000 IJA casualties against only 150 Allied. AF construction will begin immediately and should have a level 2 AF completed within a week to complement Amami’s. Okinoerabushumia amphib will go in next turn, and hope to have similar results, but that forced shock attack will likely cause more Allied casualties. Two naval bombardments and all the LBA I can muster will help though. Oki’s supporting engineer TF is just leaving Naga, so its timing for arrival should be about perfect.

In China, the two Chinese corps attacking the remaining IJA defenders that withdrew SE from Chungking do well, destroying one of the two units and inflicting over 3000 casualties while losing 50 men. One more attack should clear the pocket. Also, Allied air continues to do well across the IJA rear area, focusing on hitting troops on the move.

In SE Asia, Wenchow is taken in the second attack against a spirited defense in a level 4 fortified base. IJA lose about 1200 men against the Allied 550, but the IJA looked to have been pulling out which prohibitied any reserve units pursuing. Lead troops close on Shaohing and will attack next turn. With Wenchow secure, transports will begin landing engineers next turn to build up the AF.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

any big plans to celebrate Pearl Harbor's 3 year anniversary? [;)][:D]

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

any big plans to celebrate Pearl Harbor's 3 year anniversary? [;)][:D]

I think a fireworks show, maybe a re-enactment, would be appropriate.

It might be safer to watch from shore, however.....

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

any big plans to celebrate Pearl Harbor's 3 year anniversary? [;)][:D]

I think a fireworks show, maybe a re-enactment, would be appropriate.

It might be safer to watch from shore, however.....

Ain't that the truth! Took a while sorting out the mess, turn is away and I'll get the Allied AAR comments soon!

[RangerJoe]

As long as he keeps it interesting and challenging. [:D]

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

As long as he keeps it interesting and challenging. [:D]

And he's been doing that in spades most recently!

[IdahoNYer]

6-7 Dec 44

Highlights – At least I know where the KB is!!!! Massive IJN CV raid on and around Pearl Harbor! Okinoerabushima secured.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 6 (Hayanami, Hatsukaze, Urakaze, Hagikaze, Nenohi, Uranami)
xAK: 1
ACM: 1
ML: 1

Allied ships sunk:
DE: 2 (Mack, Charles J. Kimmel)
AM: 1
APA: 3
AP: 2
AKA: 1
YMS: 1
xAP: 2
xAK: 4

Air loss:
Jpn: 87
Allied: 31

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit

The sub "trip wire" line missed the entire KB, but perhaps they've picked up the Repl TF?


Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Okinoerabushima (SWPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Okinoerabushima (SWPAC)
Shaohing (SE Asia)

SIGINT/Intel: Looks like the entire KB is once again NW of Pearl Harbor! So much for the sub trip wire. In any case, the question now is, “what’s next?”. Safest course would be to head back home, but safety of the KB might not be what L_S_T has in mind right now. Another turn hitting Pearl and surrounding shipping would be profitable, but cost would be higher to planes. A balanced approach of heading NE to hit already sighted convoys and then to head home is also plausible, as is a dash SW of Pearl and then head home. Frankly, it’s even money at this point as to whether this is a one way trip or not - only next turn may provide those answers. Also, interestingly, many Zeros (A6M8) using in the attack were used in the “low naval” attack role with good effect which was surprising - few needed to “drop ordnance” due to CAP.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

As long as he keeps it interesting and challenging. [:D]

And he's been doing that in spades most recently!

Are you learning more of the late war Japanese capabilities? That is useful. Of course, it could make you more cautious.

[IdahoNYer]

Strategic Bombing Campaign: Mixed effort over Hiroshima as the B-29s hit only during the second night due to weather and CAP was thick. Bomber stream consisted of 11 separate raids totaling 101 sorties at 8k ft. CAP was very heavy with a max of 43 radar equipped Irvings and 18 non radar equipped fighters, which claimed 8 B-29s while 7 Irvings and 9 Georges were lost. Surprisingly, Flak claimed nothing. Bombing was not very accurate with fires getting to just over 92k, but the repair shipyard was hit hard by one group, and another group hit the port and the 4 BBs under repair repeatedly. Fires remain burning at 21k the next day, but the raid only increased Strat bombing VPs from 9438 to 9590. Will launch the B-29s next turn against Fukuoka which hopefully will have less CAP roaming about, although weather is questionable.

[IdahoNYer]

West Coast/Admin: Recently departed convoys from San Francisco and LA turn around and head back to the west coast. Will look to reinforce coastal bases with training squadrons next turn if the KB turns east toward the coast. Not likely, but still potentially possible.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, well…..L_S_T hoodwinked me again! Snuck the entire KB through my much vaunted sub trip wire line without a ripple. So, now the entire KB is 4 hexes off PH! KB airstrikes hit a number of local convoys transiting Hawaiian waters, and found a big tanker convoy well to the NE heading in. But the worst strike was the port strike against Pearl itself, meeting only half hearted CAP from fighter squadrons on training missions. Still, nothing of critical value was lost, the worst being a number of APAs. And while shipping losses weren’t light, none of the troops or aircraft being carried were destroyed. The only significant warship within 200 miles was the BB Howe, completing repairs from a torpedo hit in port. She was barely scratched by two bomb hits.

Of course, the carnage may not be over, and if the KB stays in range of Pearl, she’ll find a number of more victims. Convoys at sea to the NE scatter and move in pairs at full speed at most compass directions. Other convoys closing on Pearl from the south and west, turn around and make hasty departures from the area. Two unsighted damaged CVEs heading to Pearl for repairs fly off their fighters to Pearl, and will make for Johnston Is which has some reasonable first line CAP. If the KB does launch another strike against Pearl, CAP can muster over 120 fighters. Although still mostly 2nd line aircraft such as P-40s and P-39s, solid pilots now man the cockpits. Additional first line fighter squadrons begin flying towards Pearl from the Marianas, staging at Midway, Wake and Johnston should the KB attempt to loiter for a few days. A few attack squadrons will attempt to intercept, mostly at night - but nothing major, just some ankle bite attacks if they get lucky. PT boats will sortie in multiple compass directions from Pearl, Lihue and Lahania; who knows, they may get lucky. A few pairs of DDs will also head out and attempt to engage both the KB if they stay close to Pearl and also that sighting of 2 DDs just east of the sub line and north of Midway - one DD TF (2 DDs) is already at sea out of Midway patrolling, and they will vector to the sighting - perhaps it’s an ASW TF for the Repl TF supporting the KB? The ineffective submarine force will of course try and converge a number of subs from all compass points, including two departing from Pearl. Still, the chance for any type of intercept, let alone inflicting damage is slim.

Of course, the major effect of this raid, present or future losses not withstanding, is that convoy traffic across the Pacific will of course be disrupted for a while. Truthfully, that is more of a pain than anything warstopping, the Allies are flush with supplies and the chain can be broken for a while before it matters. And of course, sending the Allied CVs in pursuit may ultimately be a fools errand, but, right now, the Fleet is not tied down and available. So, the Allied Fleet will depart SOPAC and head towards the Marianas initially and take on fuel enroute, but about half the carriers are very short sorties and will need to make port in the Marianas. By the time the Fleet gets to the Marianas, I should have a good idea of where the KB is headed and go from there.

[IdahoNYer]

In SOPAC, an IJN DD TF (9DD) sorties to raid Amami, and is intercepted by an Allied CA TF (2CA, 3CL, 6DD, DMS) which gets the better of the IJN for a change (even hitting an IJN DD with a torpedo in the first engagement), and the IJN TF stays around for two more engagements at night and again the Allies get the edge. After the IJN clear the area, 1DD is sunk and 6 are damaged enough for airpower to get licks in during the daylight hours. The Allied CV TFs are attacked by Peggys at night without effect, while AA takes down 14 planes. The CVs get their licks in against the withdrawing DDs in daylight with two strikes going in with good effect, sinking 4 DDs. The focus will remain moving troops into and out of the recently taken islands in the Ryukyus, only without the CVs in support.

In SWPAC, troops go ashore at Okinoerabushima in good order and manage a single successful shock attack against the fort level 3 defenders. About 1800 IJA casualties cost the Allies 800 men and resistance ends. Now that the base was taken, the AF construction will begin in earnest - more engineers being brought in and the combat troops will begin embarking off island next turn. Engineers have already gotten Tokunoshima AF operational and a squadron of Corsairs are flown in. In the air, low level mediums also go in against the withdrawing IJN DDs with good effect, sinking at least one and perhaps two. With the CVs departing, it will be up to LBA to provide both CAP and naval strike capability. To that, additional strike aircraft are flown into Kume-jima with dedicated escorts. While the priority remains providing CAP to cover the troop convoys, will start some limited sweeps against targets in Kyushu. Depending on initial results, will look to bring B-24s over Kyushu in both and operational role hitting ports and airfields as well as a strategic bombing roll, hitting industrial targets. The goal is to get bombers successfully (i.e., acceptable losses) over Nagasaki before the end of the month.

In China, the last IJA troops trapped SE of Chungking are eliminated, 4400 casualties inflicted for less than 50 Chinese. Chinese troops are no longer the pushover they once were!

In SE Asia, XXXIII Corps troops continue to push NE along the coast with lead elements taking Shaohing against minimal resistance. Focus now shifts to Ningpo which appears similarly lightly defended. Hangchow has a reported 60k defenders, so Ningpo will likely culminate the advance - at least for a while. On the air side, a number of US fighter squadrons swap out their P-47s for the longer range P-51s; the extra range needed for operations across the East China Sea to Japan and Korea.

And here is the combat report for all the sordid details....

[RangerJoe]

Something like that can be a sure cure for constipation! [;)]

[CaptBeefheart]

Wow, hitting Pearl on the third anniversary of the first strike. Kudos to OPilot for keeping this interesting.

Cheers,
CB

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Wow, hitting Pearl on the third anniversary of the first strike. Kudos to OPilot for keeping this interesting.

Cheers,
CB

OPilot? I thought LST was the opponent?

[CaptBeefheart]

Heh. Good catch. Getting my AARs mixed up.

Cheers,
CB