Herbie goes Bananas

tabpub · Post by **tabpub** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 8:00 pm

She is NOT a tough ship, historically. Her engines were prone to malfunctions, especially after battle damage. I don't know if they have a special setting on her in the game, but there would be precedent.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:33 pm

Well tough ship or not she is still afloat - the South Dakota on the other hand has become the newest reef in GG harbour. I also have a brain fade when it comes to my only surviving Carrier - I do not have the details now but will post them later. No doubt herbie will want to post his interpretations, and, lets face it, brag about the results.
PzB: i have had FoW for Africa. Intially I looked at the combat result for yesterday in the morning before work. In that NO CARRIERS were hit and I managed to launch a MRB attack against his carriers from GG. I came home to watch it again and do my turn only to get the results I posted - there still seems a few issues with this.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:17 pm

Brain fart day!
The massive night surface battle goes against me but the attack on the Wasp is just plain stupidity.
Nimitz has taken me aside and it is likely a reprimand is on the cards. At present I still have command but that is pending a review. It is considered that to remove command within the calamity we now find ourselves might be more detrimental than than sucking and and seeing.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/27/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro, Shell hits 7
CA Mogami, Shell hits 6
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 8
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 59, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Laffey, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Lansdowne, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Drayton, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

The torps just hammer the GG defenders - South Dakota is in terrible trouble. Chikuma is also in strife though.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma, on fire
CA Aoba, on fire
CA Furutaka
CL Tatsuta
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Kuroshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, and is sunk
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 100, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

With nothign else to aim at, and with the leviathan hamstrung, the wolves close fo rht kill.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma, on fire
CA Aoba, on fire
CA Furutaka
CL Tatsuta
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Kuroshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

and she falls.
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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 7 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 4 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 14 damaged
Wirraway x 3 destroyed
Wirraway x 11 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 9

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 108

This was the whole reason for the continual keeping of surface units at GG. I wanted to stop the bombardment that could close the place. I can't believe they would continue dispite the naval battle they just endured.
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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

Sub attack near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami

Allied Ships
SS Drum

I can't teach Mogami a lesson
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Sub attack at 19,41

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

But the grenadier puts another fish into the already damaged Kako.
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Air attack on TF, near Munda at 31,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 20
TBF Avenger x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 10 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 8 damaged

LCDR S. Itaya of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo
CV Zuikaku

Not a sausage
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Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 12
P-40E Kittyhawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 11
B-25D Mitchell x 8
B-26B Marauder x 9

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

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Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 23
A-20B Boston x 14

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet

GG answers her asailants
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Air attack on TF at 29,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 35
B5N Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 13 destroyed
D3A Val x 20 damaged
B5N Kate x 8 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged

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

1LT R. Stout of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 6

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Dunlap
DD Russell, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Boise

This is unforgivable! Where did I think the naval bombers were going to go!!?? I was far too close to Munda and really should have looked to the Wasp to defend GG against the surface attacks that will now likely close the place.
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Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6158 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15217 troops, 68 guns, 38 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

LTJG V.Kawamura of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1136
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 108

The massive shock attack is easily repulsed by the 2 brigades now at GG.
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17621 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12532 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 491

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 433
Guns lost 1

Herbie san also tries to get rid of my aussies at PM. So far they are holding well.
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Ground combat at Basilaki Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 129 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Basilaki Island base !!!

This is a far bigger problem. Now my mines at Basilaki are likely to hit my own boats.
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12148 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19661 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20

I just continue with my bombardments - no attacking for me i can't hope to dislodge the Japs there yet
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With my terrible use of assets I am now possibly going to loose GG. The place has 15K resources left (5 supply hits byt he bombardment force) and I have nothing to defend the place against nightly attacks with.
In 8 days a CA CL and some DDs arrive at Noumea but some fancy footwork is really whats required. Personnally I think I have to repulse the invasion of GG by getting more men in and crushing those that already remaing there.
In naval affairs the Wasp limps towards home and is covered by the only thing with legs enough to reach it - my P-38s.
DBD must be the place I defend GG from. Unfortuantely it is very low on supplies. Maybe a radical change of ideas is the way. I will try and force the issue in PM. Once I hold it I can start hitting any incoming units to GG from two locations or even base my heavy bombers there to hit his airbases and naval yards.

PzB74 · Post by **PzB74** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 2:13 pm

Will take a while to get the wheels turning again :p

You're still in a good position, but victory disease might have made an appearence in the Allied camp after the trashing handed out to the nips earlier?

Mike_B20 · Post by **Mike_B20** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 4:09 pm

Yeah, the wheels fell off the Allied push big time.
It is very easy for the Allies to get overconfident after some initial successes but the way reinforcements work Japan can counterattack pretty strongly.

It's been a great AAR so far with all the cut, thrust and parrying going on.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 1:27 am

I hate to admit it but that is exactly what happened: overconfidence and victory desease!
I got complacent about the power of my Carriers to repel attacks or scare LBA away before they even attempted it. A slow but perceivable change in attitude.

Firstly I started reducing the number of escorts that went with the CVs. Then I separated them to do different jobs...

I really don't want to loose GG but it is possible. I am a far better defensive player than attacker so this is my realm. Herbie-san will need to move in some engineers - I have a level 3 fort there!

Mike, as you say, the tooing an froing have been great. Lets see if I can hold the place. It's going to be difficult. Surprisingly - out of all the losses, it has been the loss of my minelayters that has hurt the most. If he needed minesweepers to Bombard he would be far more vulnerable.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 9:21 am

The aftermath of my brain fart is inevitable.

Elsewhere things quieten down a little.

My second badly injured tanker sinks off the coast of Gavigmana as her old compatriots make it to safety at Noumea.
My 3 DD TF hits one of my own mines at Basilaki island (Fletcher I think) and has to turn around and take them on again in the hope of getting back to the dubious safety of GG harbour.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/28/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 8
G4M1 Betty x 4

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

Herbie-san continues to batter GG - no supply hits so I still sit at 15K.
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Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

This is the second attack by the flying fish and with the same result. She is retired to GG to refuel and rearm. She and her ilk will try and hold off the surface units likly to continue to batter GG.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-R Irving x 1 destroyed

Herbie-san is still LRCAPing GG. My own CAP manages to catch one of the recon planes coming in.

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Air attack on TF at 18,39

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 24
A-20B Boston x 9

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet

Kuroshio is hit and sunk.
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Air attack on TF at 28,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Swanson

Unfortuantely so is the Wasp - well not enirely true - she is sys damage 99 with massive flooding but she refuses to go down. With a sad heart, and with survives packed on her to the gunnels, the Swanson fires a spread of torps (of which only 1 in 3 explodes!) and the Wasp expires.
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Air attack on TF at 15,38

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 123, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 118, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

A little too late my fighter bombers decide AGs are a reasonable target and put some under the waves.
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Air attack on TF at 17,41

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 117, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 20

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 368, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 365, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 364, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Air attack on TF at 28,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

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Air attack on TF at 28,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

All bombs adding to the fires but not damaging her watertight integrity.
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Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

Bah
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1706 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12302 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6

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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12296 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19947 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2

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Herbie has allowed me to read his AAR - does this mean he has given up taking GG???
Haven't yet done it and may wait until he tells me how far I can read (he didn't stipulate).
The bombers at GG are put to naval primary, ground secondary to try and hurt the men stuck on GG. DC-3s fly again, they are bringing int he remainder of the 10th Aussie brigade. The troops will try their first deliberate attack to get a feel of chances - don't feel too confident.

A point here. I bought in the first brigade via DC-3s and they are at fatigue 11. I bought in the 10th and they are at fatigue 88!!! The only difference is the DC-3s met fighters on the 2nd approach - have you noticed this and have I correctly found cause and effect?

The Heavies are going to hit PM again - no attack is following this up - I just want to keep his men on their toes (or more like shirt fronts

A large group of APs and AKs are now at Townsville. With nothing to protect them I cannot run supplies or men into GG as yet. 4 more DDs in 4 days.

Most of my AC sqds at GG are very tired or lacking in morale. A sqd at 55 morale is considered deleriously happy!

Once my new surface force - 1 CA 1 Cl and about 8 DDs - is about 4 days out I think I will put the marines into transports and move them up as a floating reserve.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 1:42 pm

It is shipping versus air power - Herbie-san tries to get more men into the beach head he has created at GG and my PTs at last fire.

An incredible attack against the Hiyo in Rabaul harbour by my long legged Beaufighters.

DC-3s again get caught by Herbie's LRCAP over GG, but more troops are getting through.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/29/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 3

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

I still don't know what he is trying to hit, port or airfield?
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Takanami, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Ushio, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
PT 64
PT 110
PT 112
PT 122
PT 143

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

Look at this - I think what caused it was the fact he was doing an FT mission. I don't know if he is picking up or dropping off come to think of it.
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
DD Takanami, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Pickeral can't add to the good night.
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 46
B-24D Liberator x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 99

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x B-24D Liberator at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
11 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 7000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet

Yet agin no supply hits

I Liberator is bought down.
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Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Shell hits 4

A nice start.
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Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25D Mitchell x 11
B-26B Marauder x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

THese guys could learn from teh low flying aussies
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Air attack on TF at 10,35

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 21

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 118, Shell hits 40, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AG 123, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

then they are up again to get rid of the pesky AGs
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Air attack on TF at 15,39

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 365, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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Air attack on TF at 16,41

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 368, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 destroyed

ENS M.Matsuyama of F1/252nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

My ACs take of to fly the 6 or so Kms to the enemy beachhead only to be jumped by the zeros herbie is flying above my base.
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Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 23

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Woo hoo - the aussies strike again with 2 (well maybe - I know how FoW gets me!) bomb hits.
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Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

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Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 3 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Kumano

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

This is where the CAs that killed South Dakota are hiding out. Again I can't pay out some revenge for that loss.
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Air attack on TF at 10,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 20

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 118, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AG 123, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1740 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12285 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

PO2 H.Matsuki of F1/252nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2

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Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7643 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5892 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 117

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 46

A good attack - the men rest this turn and then I will try again next turn including the heavy bombers in the strike as well.
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12285 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19987 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 23

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2

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Where I was complaining against not having enough transport capacity I now am getting a plethora of the things. Eight ships lined up on their way from Pearl.

Saratoga is causing me a few worries, she appears to still be taking on water - at 73 floatation damage now and still a very long way to go to Cairns!

A bit more squadron transfering between Townsville and GG.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:07 am

Alert!
Here comes the heavy steal again. Herbie-san has turned his victorious CAs around and has set himself up to either hit GG or DBD. With nothing to defend the place with on the water (except the PTs which I can hardly pin my hopes on) I evacuate most of the bombers and fighters from GG. I am taking a punt that he is not going to hit DBD.
It is going to be very hard to defend GG without the Carriers (doh - what a dunce

)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/30/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
G4M1 Betty x 4

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet

Still nothing doing with these nightly bombing raids
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Air attack on TF at 21,33

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13
B-26B Marauder x 8

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
DD Asashio
CA Maya
DD Nagatsuki
CA Haguro

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

All for nothing - the flak manages to inflict damage while I do nothing to him. The Avengers were bombing rather than on torpedo runs - this was an attack at extreme range.
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Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 7
P-40E Kittyhawk x 30

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet

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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1740 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12278 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Very strange - most of the troops don't attack. he can't pull out now - maybe he is attacking Lea Lea?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12278 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20061 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles

Plenty of troops still there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 570 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5684 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles

So, what to do?

The plan is this: Take PM and defend GG from there - he is courageous in the extreme if he tries to close PM with naval bombardments. DBD is also getting low on supplies so PM can supply it from over the Owen Stanleys.
To this end the 2 brigades of the aussie 6th again begin to load along with the New Guinea HQ and 2 AAA units. In Noumea I load the 101st Base unit for PM air. This leaves only 1 brigade in Oz - not much of a reserve. I may have to use the Yanks!
I have a hodge podge of surface units (previous defenders of Carriers) arriving at townsville. I think I will have to resume FT supply missions to GG - the place is getting low.
The Saratoga reduced its floatation problems thtis turn so it looks like she will make it. Enterprise will make Townsville this turn. I can sort out the splintered air groups then.

I am now hanging out for some other carriers to be released. Within 30 days I get the Hornet, Lexington and Yorktown back to Pearl along with 2 of the new smaller escort Carriers.
A long range plan is forming in my mind

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 4:57 am

the fall out over my disastrous couple of days continues to haunt the allied war effort. Surface units roll into GG without asking first, and the subs, my only offensive weapon capable of giving them a hard time are actually on the receiving end.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/31/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Pickerae sinks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4
G4M1 Betty x 7

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Furutaka
CL Tatsuta
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo
DD Shikinami
DD Uzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
PT 64, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT 110, Shell hits 25, heavy damage
PT 112, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT 122
PT 143

This time the PT boats cannot provide a miracle - they are chewed up and spat out by the surface unit coming to deposit more combat troops to the bridge head. herbie-san does let loose the knowledge that they are on a fast transport mission and have not left the men behind. Maybe the PTs did not die in vain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,39

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

American torpedoes continue to cause innumerable problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 23

no losses

no losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1750 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12299 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12297 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20161 troops, 241 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 570 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5683 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles

Bang bang bang - the men keep their heads down at looks like both sides are goin through the motions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both transport TFs bound the PM (form townsville and Noumea) have loaded and left port.

The FT mission should orient itself into position to run in to GG tomorrow night.

Saratoga is taking on water again. She is up to 78 float - will she make it 50-50...

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 4:59 am

Oh kak - a couple of very injured ships have tried to leave GG harbour. they both had massive sys damage but had removed the float damage. They were set to run the gauntlet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/01/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 18,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Unfortunately Herbie-san has bought out the subs. Awlwin had about 70 sys dam already, she doesn't stand a chance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 11

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 23

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

A bit more effective this run. still causing no real problems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Basilaki Island at 18,42

LT F.Kojima of G2/Genzan Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
AK Neleus, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Neleus, like the Aylwin was heavily damaged, she sinks like a stone, her already badly battered hull not able to take one torp let alone 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 3

no losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet

I loose 5 heavies for this pathetic attempt against Woodlark. I wanted to Nuetralise the airfield he is LRCAPing GG from. This raid has definately not done this! I have re-arranged my heavies squadrons - withdrawing 4 into other sqds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 25,43

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

level bombers just can't bomb naval ships at sea. I am using them the wrong way. I do now have CV planes that can move to GG to get at him. I will wait until he gets a little more complacent and then move them all in when I think he will be in range.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 17
B-26B Marauder x 8

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare
DD Shigure

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 12

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 3 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 8 damaged

CPO K. Ito of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
DD Shigure
DD Kazegumo
DD Samidare

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 14
A-20B Boston x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
A-20B Boston x 1 destroyed

PO2 E.Minobe of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Their morale is so bad, at the hint of enemy fighters the bombers all turn around. Even DBD is loosing its effectiveness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
A-20B Boston x 9
A-20B Havoc x 6

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston x 2 destroyed
A-20B Boston x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1750 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12284 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12278 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 23946 troops, 245 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 550 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5741 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are more enemy troops at GG. I think Herbie-san is persisting with the attempts to take the place. At the moment he is only moving in infantry units. I have a level 4 fort there and climbing so he needs engineers or he'll never get in!

My FT mission has a brain fade and is in GG harbour, supplies all still on board, as the sun comes up. Fortunately for me no Betties or Nells come calling. However the sea is crawling with Jap surface ships again. 2 TFs of DDs are in the Gili strait and the CAs are heading to Russel island.

My invasion force is about 2 days out of PM. this time I am not going to leave them hanging in the breeze. 4 sqds of fighters are going to be moved to DBD, from there I will heavily LRCAP the beach zone.

Saratoga is at 80 float....

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 10:07 am

Pulling out. That is what it appears Herbie-san is trying to do from PM. I don't know what units he is picking up but he is paying for the effort to do so heavily.

My invasion forces are still at least 2 turns away. With the heavy metal about I will probably not send the troops in.

The forces that evacuated from Buna have all arrived in PM. Included are 4 base units. Oh how I would love to kill them!!

In other news, sadly the Saratoga looks doomed. She has 8 hexes to go and the weather that turn - thunderstorms - increased her float damage to 94. I know it is prudent but I can't bring myself to scuttle her.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/02/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 4

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 48
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 2 destroyed
Wirraway x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minazuki, Bomb hits 1
DD Shiokaze
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 4
DD Amatsukaze

Incredible work from the Wirriways, only the Amagiri reports heavy damage though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 17

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Asagumo has taken 4 250lb bombs now...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 13,42

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shigure

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 51

These guys are on their way out of PM. The men lost points to the retreat I alluded to earlier.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,42

Japanese Ships
DD Minazuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, Shell hits 1, on fire

Minazuki, who had already taken a bomb from the Wirriways, gets a torp from one of the subs in the Gili straits for her troubles. Amatsukaze hits Grenadier with a depth charge but she escapes with a few loose teeth and 14 sys damage. She heads for Cairns and a little RnR.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1740 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12277 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 535 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5747 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8
Guns lost 1

Actually damaging his troops here now. He hasn't shipped in any more supplies so time to rattle the cage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My FT mission in GG manages to unload their supplies and is back in Townsville at the beginning of this next turn - GG still has only 13.5K supplies.

I fly my beauforts into GG (2 sqds now) and 1 sqd of P-39s - setting them all to attack Naval. There are a hell of a lot of TFs for Herbie to LRCAP - undoubtedly he wont be able to do them all.

The Havocs at DBD and Heavies will attack the ground units at GG - I am putting in another deliberate attack here.

2 transport TFs are made at Noumea, one with supplies and an infantry brigade for Wunpuko, it will pick up the Kiwi CD unit and a tired Americal brigade on the way back; and the other for Gavigmana with supplies only, it will bring back the 2 unused AAA units currently based there.

Long Island is back, she loads up some P-39s and heads for Townsville with 4 DDs to add to the surface units I am congregating over in Oz.

EUBanana · Post by **EUBanana** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:15 pm

Level bombers like Marauders are effective against transports if you bomb from 2000 feet. That works against warships as well but the attrition you get from flying 2000' above a CA is too much for me.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:52 am

I only use my level bombers in this fashion if I really want to cause some damage. You have to choose the moment to do this carefully though. Really you only want to target a transport TF with this otherwise, as you've said, you will take fearsome losses AND the morale of your crews will plumet.

The problem is: you can't target the transport tf (it is up to the AI), during the combat phase a surface TF may appear and the AI will target this as a priority.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:58 pm

The Saratoga sinks

I have been thinking that maybe it could have made it to GG - but with all the surface attacks herbie was doing I would likely have only lost her earlier.

Herbie has conducted a massive recon of Buna so now knows it is empty.

A question to you all. If I defeat the units at PM while I have a unit on the Kokada trail can the enemy units retreat?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/03/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 21

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 52, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shigure, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

Weather stops any attacks on the main CA TF Herbie is using to either take men out of PM or take supplies in - I am unsure - most likely out. So my fighter bombers attack these 3 DDs in PM harbour itself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 16
Wirraway x 16
P-40E Kittyhawk x 24

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shigure, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet

More lowlevel attacks and now the ships are so damaged they can't really defend themselves.
All 3 sink.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Momote at 10,23

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hiyoshi Maru, Shell hits 4

My Beaufighters at DBD decide to fly for miles up to Momote to put a few cannon shells into a 1000 type AP. It shrugs the attack off and says: "whatever".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1740 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12281 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7534 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5860 troops, 103 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 79

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 51

Without support from the heavy bombers my men at GG don't even get close. I need to kill a few more enemy yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the loss of Saratoga Herbie-san again catches me up on the scores I have a very marginal victory.

My invasion force is one hex out of PM and I retire them a hex - the heavy steel is still too close. I also start LRCAPing them with the F4Fs from DBD.

Because I had to send this turn back without getting a response from the learned men on the boards about whether I am cutting off the Jap retreat with my men on the Kokada trail or not. To cover my bum I am flying in another Oz Brigade to Buna. This is the last one I can use on the Oz mainland until I get some reinforcements.

The reason for this is a scouting of 3 APs in the sea between Buna and Rabaul. However he has done nothign to supress DBD so if the ships are headed for either they are going to pay heavily to take the place out.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 2:58 am

PM invasion is thrown into confusion!

Herbie has parked his large cruiser force at PM and at the moment it rules the waves. My invasion TF is hit by his Nells.

Herbie-san continues to heavily recon Buna but my aussies are there now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/04/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 18
B-26B Marauder x 25

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 41

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
10 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
11 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
11 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

This appears to be very ineffective - i am not even hitting the runway let alone the supplies there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 9

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 61

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 52

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

The heavies fly and this time I loose none. The 144th is suitably supressed. The heavies accrue so much fatigue on this run they have to rest after every trip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 9,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 11
G3M Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

CPT E.Scott of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 7

CPT E.Scott of VMF-212 bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
AK Alcyone, Torpedo hits 1
AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

Using LRCAP of course, I don't have that good a cover over the TF. I loose Scott - with 7 kills, he had become legend. The ships are not too badly mauled. I send over another sqd of wildcats and some warhawks to bump up the defence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1750 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12303 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7495 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5736 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 142
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 101

I suppose, with the bombing I killed more of his than he killed of mine, but this is a very slow process!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The invasion TF holds 2 hexes out of PM with far heavier fighter cover.

I have a few surface ships to fight the cruiser force with but in the end it would be futile - they are very experienced and I would just loose my small but slowly growing number of ships.
Speaking of this, the Long Island is now in range to transfer her warhawks to townsville and the 4 DDs guarding her separate and head to Townsville.
I get the Minneapolis, the CL Boise and 11 DDs at Noumea. Lee, rested after being wounded when South Dakota was sunk is back on board, they head for townsville also.
All of the Fighter bombers in GG and DBD are put on naval strike. With my lack of response to his open display of power Herbie is getting more cavalier about where he travels - time to wake him up!

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 4:27 am

Don't underestimate the FB potential vs. destroyers. Even 250 lb. bombs can cripple them.

To conserve your LRBs, try night attacks en masse or don't send everyone out at once on a daylight raid. Night raids don't build up as much fatigue, and virtually no chance to be intercepted.

What is your submarine status? Park a couple near that SC TF of Herbie's - especially S-boats: that'll wake him up.

Just don't ask me about how to handle carriers..... :p

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 1:08 am

Alert Alert!! Many Jap transport TFs and AG TFs in the open sea between Rabaul and GG, also some FT ships come in to Buna and drop off a scouting party.

There is one TF in particular that is dangerous in the extreme - an AP TF just north of Goodenough island. In this position it could be aiming for GG or DBD (or Buna for that matter, but this is less important). It is scouted but hides under rain squalls and cloud all day so I can't get a crack at it. Instead my fighter bombers and beauforts hit AGs and have a crack at his cruiser force which is still in PM.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/05/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 21

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

I forgot to turn these guys off so they will go again tonight - they are not accomplishing anything.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 12

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 12,32

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 24

no losses

Japanese Ships
APD 34, Shell hits 56, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30, Shell hits 4

This APD is guarded by many PCs and PGs - the P-39s hit the most valuable target. However, not before she drops off her men at Buna.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 17,32

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 25

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 104, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AG 114, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AG 352, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Beaufort at 1000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
2 x Beaufort at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 1000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet

Flying all the way to Gasmata for this strike, it shows you how the weather went against me, there were plenty of better targets much closer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 6
P-40E Kittyhawk x 25

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 2 destroyed
Beaufort x 4 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

LTJG J.Masuyama of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Maya

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet

All for nothing again - his cruisers live a charmed life - they are being well covered however.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,36

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 18
P-39D Airacobra x 42

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 102, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AG 103, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AG 101, Shell hits 60, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 159

Here is another mid-ocean AG force of invasion troops. I get the feeling GG is the target and he is using everything he can get his hands on to attempt to push it through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,37

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 109, Shell hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1750 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12283 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3

He continues to probe at my PM forces. The Aussies coming over the Kokoda track are 24 KMs away. My PM invasion force cannot enter the PM hex as the enemy cruiser force is still there. It is not harmed this turn as it has a very heavy fighter cover contingent above it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 545 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5702 troops, 100 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

attacks and bombardments appear to be having more effect...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herbie is giving it another large try - GG is the only target worth the risk so GG will become a blood bath yet again. The weather is slated to be clear so I move all my ex-navy bombers (3 dauntless, 3 Avenger) and 1 sqd of wildcats and a sqd of P-39s to GG. With this force his fighter cover should not stop me from attacking, the question will be "attack what". My prefered target has to be the AP transport unit - it is the most dangerous. However, it is far more likely they will attack the cruiser force.

I have a CLAA and a DD escorting my PM invasion force - they detach and head to GG.

Lee, on his way to townsville with 14 surface ships, diverts to head towards GG. Scott puts to sea from Townsville in a hodge podge TF of 1 CL 1 CLAA and 7 DDs. All are bound for GG.
At GG itself the aussies again go on the attack - the Heavies will fly from Cairns in a suppression raid and the DC-3s will move the 3rd Aussie division HQ to GG (yes all this time I have not given my men at GG divsional support!). If I can dislodge the units in GG before more arrive I have a better chance of survival.

If my naval bombers hit his cruiser force he has to contemplate retirement. In which case I go ahead with the invasion of PM. If my bombers hit his transport tf he is going to be hurting but will likely get men off - it remains to be seen how many!
I have no more brigades in Oz to fly in (not entirely true - a RCT has arried at Brisbane but it needs to travel all the way to townsville to board the DC-3s).

Condor - I am so short of subs it's not funny - about 6 active ones - 4 of which are defending GG, 1 defending Buna and one up by truk. He is just too effective at hitting my subs - he's killed 7 S boats and one fleet boat, also injured 4 -6 others - pretty good for the japs.
The problem with night attacks is they never involve as many ACs as you get during the day - but it does appear to reduce losses. I don't appear to be able to stop sending ALL my heavy bombers but it means they can only go every 2-3 days. Possibly it is better to halve the effort but go more often.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 5:18 am

Massive attack on his last vestiges of power.

Despite having about 9 transports in port GG the attraction of a cruiser surface force just off GG is too tempting for the base commander at GG.

major ground combat at Buna, PM and GG.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/06/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 9
B-26B Marauder x 4

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

These sqds are put back to resting during the day - I will soon need them to hit PM with when my real armies arrive. The Kokoda track boys are now 20 KMs out of PM. The invasion force doesn't have to worry about the cruisers now, I will wait one more turn and then land the aussie 6th. This should be an overwhelming force: 3 full divisions (granted they are all tired) and 2 brigades that are rested.
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
AP Argentina Maru

Allied Ships
SS Drum

Would have been nice...
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis

My anti-invasion force instead becomes a target - I find them in GG harbour - of course they also don't attack the transports there

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Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 9

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

The bombers are turned around - morale is too low - they are retired to Cooktown
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Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 77
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 64
Guns lost 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 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
9 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
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 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

No heavies are lost, they again kill Japs, but a whole transport Tf will provide plenty of replacements I would think!
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Air attack on TF at 17,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 18
Wirraway x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 21
P-40E Kittyhawk x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

FO D.Ellsworth of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CA Kumano, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Mogami, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

His much vaunted Cruiser force - the killers of South Dakota - get some of their own medicine. The zeros above the fleet are very capable though, I lost 7 fighters to them - I don't know how many bombers.
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Air attack on TF, near Buna at 12,38

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 374, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 50

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Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 111, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 73

that is a hell of alot of men in one AG!
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Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 17,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Kenyo Maru, Shell hits 4

Just one 500lb bomb would have been so sweet.
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Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 17,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 20

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 4
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1

The P-39s are just fantastic at this role. Granted they are rubbish fighters, but those 500lb bombs are effective against everything bar the big BBs. Add straffing to this and they are a great weapon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 12,32

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 16

no losses

Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #10, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 23, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1
PC Ch 29, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Go the P-39s woohoo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 17,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
TBF Avenger x 7

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio
CA Kumano, on fire

2 torps break up on the cruiser's hull - no detonation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 17,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 5
Wirraway x 17
P-39D Airacobra x 23
P-40E Kittyhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

FO D.Ellsworth of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 3

LT L. Mankin of VF-6 bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

the afternoons attacks leave 4 of the 6 CA's heavily damaged. Only the Furutaka and the Atago may still be in battle trim, and they are on fire. Will he leave them in theatre to defend his landing... ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25156 troops, 331 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 12269 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

FLT F.Galbraith of No. 75 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 2

SLDR P. Jeffrey of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 254

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 288
Guns lost 1

there are 5 (if memory serves) enemy infantry brigades at PM and they put in a very capable attack. Fortunately the Aussies hold on - with 0-1 odds they should be able to continue to do so - Help is on the way my didgery dingos hang in there!
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Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7410 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5639 troops, 99 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 174

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 21

I do great damage to the Japs currently on GG but my odds are as bad as Herbie's at PM. No doubt I am about to face a whole lot more troops, on to the defensive. I have a level 5 fort at GG with 16% of level 6 complete - has he bought engineers???
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Ground combat at Buna

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4152 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 220 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 94 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 237

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 8

The attempted snatch of Buna fails - I crush his landing. Now my aussies are out in the cold though. I will wait a few turns to stop any more attempts on Buna and then move them to DBD. I may have to fly some Dakotas to DBD to move the cavalry unit there to GG.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My 2 surface combat Tfs are still 2 turns out of GG - the enemy transports are going ot have time to unload. The bombers at GG may have a strike against them but the weather is against this - from clear to thunderstorms in one day - oh joy!

Next turn I will aim my PM invasion at PM - the engineers from Noumea will arrive at about the same time - such is the tardiness created by the cruiser force.

My 2 transport TFs over in the SOPAC area (at Gavigmana and Wunpuko) have almost emptied their cargos and will be ready to start picking up the fatigued AAA, CD and infantry brigades who have protected the place since I put them there some months ago.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:05 am

A very eventful day, the battle being fort over an extended area of land and sea from PM to the reefs outside GG.

Despite the weather many of my strike missions manage to launch and find targets. Most importantly for me is the fact Scott reacts to the invasion at GG and makes it in time to add to the attacks the ACs have caused (they actually target the invasion forces today!)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/07/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
DD Onami
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Drum, Shell hits 1, on fire

It's the Minegumo - that d@mn ship has put more of my subs on the bottom than any of his other ships. My terrible luck with my subs continues. Drum is not dead, and being so close to GG she should make it and (as long as I hold the place) be fit to return to Noumea and then Pearl.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro
CL Tatsuta
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo
DD Shikinami
DD Uzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 33, and is sunk

I left the Jarvis in the hope I could catch the transport TF undefended, herbie-san sees through this, sending his heavy steel into GG harbour to bombard. On the way the do away with the hapless Jarvis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 24

Everything is fixed by morning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Hakusan Maru
AP Florida Maru
AP Hikade Maru
AP Heito Maru

The Avengers have suddenly established a case of "no detonators work". Four little puffs of smoke appear but no explosions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD Dauntless x 37
PBY Catalina x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 42
P-40E Kittyhawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minazuki, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 184

At first opportunity my airforces will always target the surface units: in this case an FT mission bringing still more units to the battlefield at GG. All are sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,45

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 17

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

One of the victims oif yesterdays attacks - she also sinks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 35
P-39D Airacobra x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Argentina Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hakusan Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Canberra Maru
AP Hino Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29

At last some of my bombers decide the trasnport TF is a worthwhile target - I don't sink many of the men though!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,45

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
TBF Avenger x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 18
P-40E Kittyhawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maikaze, on fire, heavy damage

Kumano - still retreating is hit by another torp. I don't know how she fares but I have a sub in her way for another crack. The Maikase sinks from wounds received in the last battle
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
AG 112, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Drum, heavy damage

She is just asking for trouble!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Japanese Ships
AG 105, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 107, Shell hits 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego
CL Boise
DD O'Bannon
DD Swanson
DD Buchanan
DD Lardner
DD Barton
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Dunlap
DD Tucker
DD Porter
DMS Southard

Scott arrives on the scene having pushed his hodge podge armada from Townsville at full speed. This is small fry stuff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Japanese Ships
AG 110, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 113, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego
CL Boise
DD O'Bannon
DD Swanson
DD Buchanan
DD Lardner
DD Barton
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Dunlap
DD Tucker
DD Porter
DMS Southard

Talk about save the ammo - 1 shell each should do it!
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
AP Argentina Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arimasan Maru, Shell hits 35, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arizona Maru
AP Canberra Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Florida Maru
AP Hakusan Maru, on fire
AP Heito Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikade Maru, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
AP Hino Maru #3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego
CL Boise
DD O'Bannon
DD Swanson
DD Buchanan
DD Lardner
DD Barton
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Dunlap
DD Tucker
DD Porter
DMS Southard

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 171

The transport TF at last has to do it tough. The 2 ships hit in this attack sink.
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 24973 troops, 331 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 11875 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 149

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 172
Guns lost 1

Herbie-san is really trying to break me out of my hole now. The invasion TF holding the 6th Division is ordered to land its men. They should be unloaded in time to welcome the Aussies travelling across from Buna. I hope he can't get 2-1 in that time.
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Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 545 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10996 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles

A sizable increase in troops in GG - the navy and airforce must have whittled them down and I wonder how much in the way of supply is getting off to feed and arm this increased component. Importantly Herbie-san HAS included engineers in the mix: I can't rely on my fortress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lee will also make GG tonight, so if Herbie-san turns his 2 cruisers around they will meet more than he will have bargained for - still only 1 cruiser to 2 but I don't feel so outnumbered now the Airforce has whittle his usable numbers down.

The land based naval pilots are all set up to fly again, I have changed the amount of CAP however, I don't want Herbie turning on his 2E bombers and torpedoing my scant surface force.

The 2 transport tfs in the east have finished unloading and now begin loading the troops I want to return to Noumea. I notice the Mogami, alone, racing to the area. It may look like invasion to Herb but this isn't my intention - yet. Even so, his single cruiser could make a horrible mess of my priceless transport ships with their valuable cargo. I will watch her movements and try and judge if I can finish my loading and scarper before it becomes an issue.

Herbie goes Bananas

Saratoga

Goodbye Yellow brick saratoga