Scen 17 pbem. An attempt to capture New Caledonia.

[PzB74]

A few minor skirmishes, both sides lost a few ships.
Bombarded Gavigamana - too bad Tanaka didn't deliver the goods when he visited last turn Would have cost Crocky a lot of ships!

Sending a broken samurai sword to Tokyo - a hint of what will happen if they don't send me some serious hardware. Think they've forgotten me.... Ages since they released anything bigger than a motor launch!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
MSW W20, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AP Asahisan Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 1
DD Lang, Shell hits 1
DD MacDonough
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
ML Hirashima, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Wilkes
DD Lang
DD MacDonough

(Too bad the DD's didn't hit their targets mines...)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Hayanami
DD Shigure
DD Umikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
AP Neville, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Pierce, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

(Last 2 fast transports at Gavigamana, the rest left a few hours earlier.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 131

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 88
Port supply hits 1

(155mm coastal defence guns in place, didn't to any damage though.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Still slow going, both sides are preparing for the big showdown.
A few Betties dropped Luganville a little something for Xmas :]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Luganville , at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2

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

----------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Another few quiet turns have passed, one of my ships hit a mine. Both sides mine sweepers are busy keeping the lanes open.

Starting to look forward to the coming clash of Titans that seems inevitable.
Observing traffic down the coast of Oz, so Crocky might want to go for a toe hold in Guinea first! I'll be waiting for him.....

As a side note it can be mentioned that Nomad and I started a new scen 19 game with me as Japan. Again I attacked Noumea via after securing Port Moresby, Luganville and Port Efate.

It was a very close and intense game, Nomad put up a fierce fight and outfought me on several occasions, but I used brute force and managed to throw in every last chef, clerk and samurai I could find

Ground combat at Noumea

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 96849 troops, 1166 guns, 116 vehicles
Defending force 46499 troops, 348 guns, 131 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Noumea base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 985
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1761
Guns lost 23

So I finally managed to capture that wretched base, though not in this game!

It could be interesting to compare the forces used in this game with those that were needed to successfully occupy Noumea in the scen 19 game:

Ground combat at Noumea

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 71647 troops, 972 guns, 50 vehicles
Defending force 44383 troops, 324 guns, 165 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 491
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 598
Guns lost 2

As we see the Jap forces faced roughly the same number of defending forces in both games - ca 45k troops. (It should be remembered that the last UV patch modified the defensive value of troops)

The scen 19 battle for Noumea took place one month earlier than in this AAR, but Nomad used 3 Oz bde's to bolster his defences. So it's clear that I would have needed 20k more troops in this game. Bypassing PM and going straight for Noumea in late June is probably the only chance one got in a scen 17 game to capture it.

[Nomad]

Overconfidence and less that stellar play is a terrible combination.

PzB played an excellent game. I thought I was doing ok and then one more transport TF comes in and I could do nothing more than sit back and watch. Just not much left in the bag.

Well done John.

[PzB74]

Combat report for 31/12-42 got overwritten - not much action but a small number of Liberators hit both Lunga and Tulagi, damaging a defending Zero, that's about it. Probably a probing raid?

Most casualties are still operational losses...but I don't think that will last very long.

I've had a Jap sub in a size 9 port for 2-3 months, and it's only been repaired from 17 -> 9 system damage This must be a new low...don't have any other ships that need attention either. A CL got fixed from 19 -> 4 system damage in a lot less time.

[PzB74]

A little covert action.... Looks like a couple of US subs have obtained a working load of torps Observed the Gudgeon in Buna a turn ago but thought it was on a mine laying mission.

In addition the Tresher has sunk 2 sub chasers and hit an already damaged AP heading back to Truk over the last few turns. Had to scuttle it in harbour since it had 99 sys and 92 flood.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/07/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6
Guns lost 1


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
AP Kinugasa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33
Vehicles lost 1

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Nevea , at 50,43


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 17


no losses

(Not much action since I've only prepped an AF at Nevea for later use. Nothing to find there now.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Nevea , at 50,43


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 16


no losses


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

A week since the last turn, but a little action now:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/09/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
DD Shiranui

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Got rid of the pesky sub that lurked around Buna
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 60th Field AA Battalion, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
TBF Avenger x 12


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x TBF Avenger at 10000 feet

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Buna at 12,38


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 21
P-38G Lightning x 21


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yugumo
DD Shiranui
DD Onami
DD Yugure


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Buna at 12,38


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Koyo Maru


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Buna at 12,38


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 17
P-38G Lightning x 20


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuho Maru
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sakido Maru

Long legged Lightnings escort the Beaufighters which scores a few hits on the supply convoy unloading at buna. Report says 5 bombers are lost. I scuttle the Manju Maru.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I took a look at the stats before the curtain goes up for the violent battles of 43:

Score is 10903 for Jap and 6414 for Allies - 4500 points isn't much.

A breakdown reveals:

Allied
352 Wildcats + 247 other types of Allied fighters lost
294 Dauntlesses
115 Devastators and Avengers
65 Forts and Libs

Jap
476 Zeroes
270 Betties & Nells
171 Vals
184 Kates

Losses are caused by

Air to Air Allied:961 Jap:638
Destroyed on field 156 43
Flak 117 317
Op losses 241 282

Total 1475 1280

I'm not receiving that bad pilot reinforcements, still in their 5-60's - so the losses after 7 months of war havn't become cripling - yet!

Ships lost (most important types)

Allies
3 CV's
9 CA's + 1 CL
37 DD
12 subs

Total losses 2132 points

Jap
1 CV, 1 CVL, 1 CVE
2 CA, 1 CL
3 DD
7 APD's
11 subs (I would undoubtedly have lost a lot more if Tokyo had sent me replacements;)

Totals losses 1276 points

Not very high losses, the US should have 4 CV's as soon as the Essex arrives +
a score of CVE's and a few CVL's. Hopefully the loss of 37 Allied dd's will count for something. It will take some effort to bleed the Imperial Navy dry - I hope!

[PzB74]

Lots of action since the forum went down!

After loosing Irau to my counterattack Crocky landed his airborne troops on the tiny Russell isl. We fought over this
place a couple of times before - only with very few troops though. My 126 men strong garrison got wiped out and an armada of smaller
troop and supply ships were spotted heading for the 0 size 'base'.

I sent out my carrier fleet again to intercept - they've not performed very well lately, so I wasn't very sure of what they could achieve. Especially
since 3 US fleet carriers were covering Rennell Isl. I kept my fleet under a heavy umbrella of land based CAP and sent out a surface fleet to attack
possible targets.

Here is what happened;

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/24/43

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack at 42,44

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,44

Japanese Ships
APD 34

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,44 (Fast transports running a supply mission into Irau - it's a pain not being able to decide the route.
Going through 'sub alley' isn't smart - at all.)

Japanese Ships
APD 39, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
(The US carriers launch strikes against a defenseless supply convoy of Lunga - and shatters it!)
No torpedo hits, but the Vals score - mostly 60kg bomb hits, but a few 250kg hits the Saratoga and puts her on fire.
I'm not very happy at the moment as I don't think I'll get another chance....

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 30
TBF Avenger x 18


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
PC Takunan Maru #10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaiko Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Iwaki Maru
PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Ryuko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,47
Ah - Nagumo launches his strike, but oh horror; the 115 bombers are escorted by
5!!!! Zeroes.... I loose 46/48 Kates. These are the last of my carrier elite' and I'm not happy.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 67
B5N Kate x 48

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 30 destroyed
D3A Val x 31 damaged
B5N Kate x 46 destroyed
B5N Kate x 12 damaged

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

LTJG M. Byrnes of VF-9 is credited with kill number 7

LTJG D.Matsuki of BII-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 4
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 4
DD Beale, Bomb hits 1
CLAA Oakland
DD DeHaven, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,47
Nagumo launches a second strike - with a stronger escort and weaker CAP, the
results are much better! The Essex is heavily damaged by torpedo and bombs while the Saratoga
takes more hits.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 23
B5N Kate x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 11 damaged
B5N Kate x 11 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged

LTJG C.Morita of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Taylor
CLAA Atlanta


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,42
Obviously deterred from attacking my heavily CAP'ed carriers, the US carriers
hits my remaining fast transport destroyers.


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 22
TBF Avenger x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 2, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD 34, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,42


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 39, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,47
Ah yes, perfect - Nagumo launches his 3rd and final strike for the day.
Only a weak CAP is now left over the US carriers. The Essex has been dispatched
and Saratoga is on fire, leaving only the Wasp operational. The latter is put on fire while
Saratoga is crippled [:D]

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 31
B5N Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

LTJG R.Drake of VF-42 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Anderson, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,44

Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was a very good day for the Imperial Navy! I've regained control over the air and my navy rules the waves -
at least out of range from US bombers [;)]

I loose 55 fighters and bombers to CAP and another 56 to flak. Not good, but 155 US carrier planes have to ditch as
they can find nowhere to land after returning from their missions!! These includes 64 F4F's, 55 SBD's and 37 TBF's.

I transferred reserve ac to my carriers and Nagumo will try to finish of the criples tomorrow!

[PzB74]

This turn I put 50% of my scout planes on naval attack as I don't anticipate to meet much CAP.
They're all quite experienced - above 70, so I order them to low level skip bomb. Their 60kg bombs
will not inflict a lot of damage, but I want to strike with all I got now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/25/43
I suspect that more than 4 Lightnings are on LR CAP over the cripples as I loose a score
of ac to them.... If not I've never seen so few take out so many [:'(]
The Essex is riddled with small and big bombs. The scout planes land dozens of 60kg bombs, taking out guns and
radar equippment.

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF at 40,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 40
F1M2 Pete x 13
E13A1 Jake x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 3 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged

1LT L. Witt of 35th FS is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waller, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

1LT J. Hagerstrom of 8th FS is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 4

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 7

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses

2LT R. Vodra of 8th FS is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CV Essex, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48
This is the strike that finally send the Essex below the waves! Needed one last torpedo hit.

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 26
B5N Kate x 6
F1M2 Pete x 9
E13A1 Jake x 23

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waller, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48
Now the Saratoga gets all the heat - several more bomb hits puts her
dead in the water.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Strong, Bomb hits 1
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

The end of the one sided carrier engagement this turn! I send in my surface fleet to finish the Saratoga - and gets
her [:)] Very satisfactory.....

Not much left for my bombers, they hit a sub chaser tf :p

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/26/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat at 41,48

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Isuzu
CL Kinu
DD Akitsuki
DD Kiyonami
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Shell hits 62, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 12
B5N Kate x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SC 750, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC 743, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 744, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 3
E13A1 Jake x 17

no losses

Allied Ships
SC 744, on fire, heavy damage
SC 750, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 32
F1M2 Pete x 12
E13A1 Jake x 6

no losses

Allied Ships
SC 743, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SC 750, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 744, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So both the Saratoga and Essex are sunk, taking with them all their aircraft worth almost a 1000 points [:)]
The Wasp escapes under a heavy LR CAP of Lightinings and I do not wish to pursue. It must have a system damage
between 10-40, hard to tell - still operational but she'll be out of the fight for quite some time to come.

This leaves 0 US carriers in theater and only a weak surface fleet is left. (It'll get boosted by the carrier escort though.)
Crocky is not one to easily give up though - he continues his effort to reinforce Rennell Island and is using fast transports,
Catalinas and Dakotas to ferry in engineers to build the base. Long range Zeroes on CAP pick down several of them each turn.

[PzB74]

The last turn thus far;

DD Lang hits a mine off Rennell Isl and my recon planes now spot 4 engineer units there + the
paras. Can this base be built without aircover? Or does Crocky have an ace left up his sleeve......
I'm almost 6000 points ahead now, and my position has improved considerably.

I've received reinforcements from Tokyo, new transports and one tf consisting of warships has
arrived. The new 39kt destroyer Shimakaze is a welcome addition to my fleet!

I'll be away for the weekend, so nothing more will happen until Monday.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/29/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 41,44

Japanese Ships
AG 106, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Crocky unleashes his heavy bombers and hits my supplies at Lunga + the fast dd's I've docked there
after getting shredded by yesterdays airstrikes. I have to scuttle one of them with 96 flooding.

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 41


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 34, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD 2, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 115

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 5

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,44


LTJG H.Minami of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Crocky]

[&:] Well my airborne warriors (I use the term loosely) have paid the price for not attempting to attack the Jap carriers their airfields have been sunk from under them. [:(]

What to do now my carriers are gone I can get local superiority maybe but only with LR CAP ...... the 2nd Marine division is destroyed and his carriers can attack my invasion fleets with impunity .... a real rosy picture ..... still we will fight on rebuild for 2-3 months and still have 6 months left in the game...

Kudos to PZB the counterattack at Irau was a masterpiece I thought with 2 MArine regiments I would be safe ...... still ..... there is time left [:-]

[PzB74]

The 'victory disease' has worn off and I'm now back in reality
I'm pretty sure Crocky will let me fight hard for my laurels.......

Quite a lot of action this turn as both sides are putting in an effort at Rennell Isl;
During the night fast transports ferried in the 80th Regiment which will try to force
the US troops to surrender. At least 2 combat formations including the Marine Para Bat
and parts of several engineer units are in place.

The light cruiser Agano hit a 'friendly' mine but took only minor damage. A destroyer
hit an 'enemy' mine and is quite extensively damaged. Several sub attacks failed,
as did the asw effort. Medium bombers hit ground forces together with a full fledged carrier strike.
The latter cost me 20 op losses as my green reinforcement pilots can't fly [:o]
17-25 exp pilots should not be allowed to equipp my squadrons - especially not my carrier
fleet arm! This is going to cause me a headache for quite some time to come.

Long Range CAP downed another Catalina, this must be hurting US search capabilities!?

PT boats hit my barges again - I noticed that I've actually suffered a 1 point loss for an AG (barge)
Is this a bug? A small force of LCM's has been spotted of Rennell Isl as well, they will not survive
for very long if not supported by naval/air units.

So if you want to keep Rennell Isl Mike, you have to put in the rest of your surface fleet and
CVE/CVL's! I will contest it as long as I got anything to contest it with! Go home, it's closed
(hehe yes, I'm having a good time with these new smileys...)


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/31/43

Weather: Clear

Sub attack near Rennell Island at 38,45

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
AG 101
AG 103
AG 104
AG 105
AG 2055
AG 2060, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT 44
PT 60
SC 701


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 38,45

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 53,66 (The first IJN sub victory in ages! A 15 point ap ship
goes down.)

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
AP American Legion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,44

Allied Ships
SS S-39


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


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 40
B-25J Mitchell x 15


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43 (Strikes at my supplies at Irau, it will cost my
barges a lot of effort, but I can live with it. The forts are already up and a return
will be paid for in a lot of blood!-)


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 46
B-26B Marauder x 30


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 3

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 1st Marine Parachute Battalion, at 38,45
(Only 1 bomber op lost in this strike...)
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M Nell x 17
G4M1 Betty x 30

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 52

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G4M1 Betty at 4000 feet
11 x G3M Nell at 4000 feet
6 x G3M Nell at 4000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 4000 feet
18 x G4M1 Betty at 4000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 1st Marine Parachute Battalion, at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
A6M3 Zero x 12
D3A Val x 77
B5N Kate x 45

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 63

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B5N Kate at 4000 feet
11 x B5N Kate at 4000 feet
10 x B5N Kate at 4000 feet
15 x B5N Kate at 4000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,44


LTJG A.Bando of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Minor action this turn; My carriers doesn't launch any strikes against LCM's spotted at Rennell Isl.
2 US DMS sweep mines there as well, either following a ft tf reinforcing (or evacuating troops).

The 80th Regiment bombards US positions and parts of 3 marine regiments are on the Isl. All Allied units
got a 0 in combat value while my grunts got 122. I suspect a lot of forts though.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/01/43

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 41,44

Allied Ships
SS S-39


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


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 14


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila , at 32,36 Not much on CAP here as most of the Zero's
are LR CAP'ing Rennell. 7 B-24's are lost in this raid though!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 45
B-26B Marauder x 28


no losses [8D]

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
7 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rennell Island

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6285 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5776 troops, 60 guns, 6 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 19
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Little action this turn - but lots of things are happening.

One of my pc's hit another 'friendly mine' at Rennell Isl...
Unloading the rest of the regiment, div HQ and engineers.
No air or sea opposition yet, so I'll be happy to bag the defenders soon [;)]

I received the first night fighter unit, 85-99 exp pilots - me like!
The Mutsu was sent back to Tokyo after a long time in port and transit to Truk.
Will be ready again in 390 days <G> Ship commitment went back up to moderate,
so sending the big boys back really pays off. There are 9 BB's and 6 cv's ready in Tokyo *begs*

Things are really to good to last, got an uneasy feeling - something bad is bound to happen soon!?
Life can't be this good as Japan in 4/43....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/02/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 3

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Trying a deliberate attack on Rennell - brought down a fort level so I need
more attacks and perhaps some more troops.

2 US destroyers on a fast transport mission got caught by my cruisers
and dd's. Sank with all hands. Another one of my dd's hit a 'friendly' mine -
getting tiresome

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/03/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 38,45
I absolutely love these tf's with a handful of cl's - they're virtually untouchable
to US dd's while they hand out a lot of woe themselves

Japanese Ships
CL Agano, Shell hits 2
CL Jintsu
CL Natori, Shell hits 2
CL Kinu
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 2
DD Akitsuki
DD Kazegumo
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oboro
DD Ushio
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
DD Taylor, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Bache, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 368
Guns lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rennell Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6775 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5737 troops, 59 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 117

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 95


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Just arrived back in Brissy after a 10000 miles and 35 hours long trip from Stavanger -> Copenhagen - > London - Singapore -> Brisbane....
Was a looong haul - and the silly sods left my luggage in London [:@]

This turn my asw ac attacked several subs - and hopefully depleted their fuel. Another of my dd's hit a mine, light damage fortunately.
I had now landed enough troops to capture Rennell Isl - the para bat is destroyed together with an eng and eab unit. A few partial
unit remains and will be taken care of tomorrow.

This should conclude the series of offensive counterstrikes for some time to come.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/04/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Rennell Island at 38,45

Allied Ships
SS S-39


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 4

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 80th Regiment, at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16

no losses

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 3

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 80th Regiment, at 38,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed - This was a decent performance by my Zero pilots.
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged

PO2 V.Hanamoto of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rennell Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8372 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5559 troops, 57 guns, 6 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rennell Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3164
Guns lost 15


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Last action at Rennell Isl;
Another 1000 marines gone, Crocky might have evacuated some by ft - but I did neither spot
or engage anything. I will not be building anything but forts on the outer perimeter islands. They're coming up
quickly as the bases are very small.

Allied bombers hit my cruisers and transports left at Rennell as the CAP provided by an escort carrier in the
last convoy withdraws. The old cruisers are tough bitches, I will not have to return anyone of them despite of
3 bomb hits. 3 allied planes are op losses but none to flak :p Unbelievable as some of my ships got a decent array
of flak guns and some of allied planes skip bomb from 100 feet!

If Crocky now does as he said he would - goes back to his cave to rebuild for another 2-3 months, things should become
rather quiet from now on. (With the grim exeption of long range bomber hammering my bases and subs harassing my lines of communication that is.)


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/05/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 38,45


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 9


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 2
CL Natori, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Agano
CL Kinu, Shell hits 4
DD Oboro

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 38,45


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 14


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Toei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Toshi Maru #3
AP Takuei Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rennell Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11396 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 863 troops, 21 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 168 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 914
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 1

[PzB74]

The last 2-3 turns have been quiet. I mined Irau and a ml got caught by multiple strikes - at least 200 ac must have
been launched. The first one landed 3 duds before the forth sank the tiny craft worth 2 points. 3 ac lost to op losses....
2 LCM type units have already hit the mines, but msw's are clearing them quickly.

I hope airstrike routines are modified - small targets shouldn't require 6 massive strikes.

Not much else to report, the CS Chioda appeared in a US sub periscope - but evaded the attack.
Air attacks on barges around Nevea continues - they carry out all resupply missions in threatened areas.

I've put appropriate garrisons on the outer perimeter islands and withdrawn most of my fleet to rest and refit.
Quite a few new transports have arrived and ship release popped back up to moderate when the ml sank

[PzB74]

Things are going more or less as expected.... Heavy bombing raids hammers Port Moresby and
the perimeter bases. I don't do much to oppose them as it would be a waste of resources. Maybe
I'll try one or two big interceptions, we'll see. I can't really even move a sqd' without one or more
ac falls out of the sky....(

Noticed something iffy, Tokyo keeps their ships in a vault - except for minelayers. They've sent every
single one there is to theatre to replace losses. If they only could follow up on DD's and CA/CL's [&o]

Had a rather annoying experience when I came back to Oz... I brought some of my scuba diving gear
home and back again. The diving knife I bought in Brissy was confiscated by customs in the very same
place after traveling 20000 miles. They broke open my suitcase to get to it.
(Of course stuck in London, arriving 24 hours after me.)
Explanation: Any knife with 2 sharp edges = a dagger, which = contraband. That you can buy the very
same item in any diving store doesn't matter much to the ba$stards with

AAARGH!!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/12/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 53,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-5 I-5 is making a name for itself. 5.5/40 shells hammers the LST on the surface, sending
it straight to the bottow.

Allied Ships
LST 398, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 34
Vehicles lost 1


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


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 42
B-25J Mitchell x 48


no losses

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
16 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 10000 feet

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


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 16
B-17E Fortress x 27


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 7 [:@]

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet
16 x Hudson at 8000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12
P-38G Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 30
PB4Y Liberator x 24


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 8000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 8000 feet
9 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 8000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 102nd Regiment, at 42,43


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 33
B-26B Marauder x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 45

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 42,43


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 14
B-26B Marauder x 6


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 7

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43 - The first strike launched from Irau, it now
got a size 2 airfield and a size 1 port.


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11
P-38G Lightning x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------