Rising Sun, Falling Skies: BTSL Bigred vs John 3rd

[John 3rd]

As to comments made about the specific ship classes earlier on the page, this scenario was originally started by Lew and I. We decided to playtest the Mod looking for bugs. The game was so enjoyable, we never put it down for the later additions of the game. Between the Storms is now on Mod version 2.5. When bugs are found, I go into the database and change/fix them.

The whole maneuver observation was me playtesting the differences and how they impact Bomb and TT accuracy. They were changed AGES ago. It is on BOTH sides of the game. Paul---pull up the Charlotte-Class. It has Man of 42, Vindictive and Melbourne-Classes 38, and CVL King's Mountain is 32. Those numbers were changed down at the same time as the Japanese.

[bigred]

Recap is good report. Thanks for the manouver update. Air crew damage so high I was not sure I could launch a strong strike w the replacement squadrons. The cve tf was probably a mis click. I feel asleep making the turn before I sent it.

[John 3rd]

November 3-7, 1943

North Pacific
The enemy strangely lands on Sanak Isle. You have to look for it to FIND it.

Limited Japanese assets manage to sink an AP, 2 YMS, and an APc. The Americans pull back from the island chain but is bombing Kodiak, Chirikof, and Cold Harbor.

Central Pacific
Quiet

South Pacific
The two Fleets move away from each other after our clash of Oct 31-Nov 1. The Japanese still manage to score on the 4th-7th as a small STF (CL and 2 DD) sink two PTs at Vaitapu and Japanese I-Boats come up pretty BIG! On November 4th, the hapless CVE Santee, which survived a BC sinking her 3 sisters, is CRUSHED by I-17 who puts 3 TTs and Ammo Storage Explosion into her. SUNK! I-17 keeps up the score when she then sinks AK Goulburn on the 7th. GOOD WORK!

Allied recon watches the Japanese TFs retire to Lunga.

DEI
Quiet

Burma
A massive land battle continues to go on, and on, and on...

We also have continuous air action here as well.

China
Japan's land offensive continues to push SW from Sian thru the forested area moving towards the plains of Chungking. Very slow but progress does occur.

[bigred]

43-11-8:

[bigred]

43-11-9: Always a good turn when 8k IJN killed/disorganized.
The full weight of allied ops in Burma is bearing down Rangoon. Front line effect looks to be a partial withdrawal with a threat of bagging the whole IJN Army if John holds too long.

[John 3rd]

Allied ASW is certainly getting better but the fog of war is always a fickle thing. Here is my sunk list for that same two day period:

[John 3rd]

November 11-12, 1943
The Aleutians

For some reason, during the Arctic Winter, the Allies have chosen to make a fight in the Aleutians. A little over a week to ten days ago, the Allies moved west and grabbed a little known speck of dirt called Sanak Isle. At the same time, a Japanese CTF of 2 CV and 2 CVL were run into by an Allied AK. There are dozens of Allied ships on suicide missions to spot Japanese TFs trying to sneak about. The CTF retired to refuel and has now come back into the equation.

Surprisingly, the Allies also have a CTF present. Intelligence reported it as 4-6 CVEs but it, instead, turns out to be USS Enterprise and Essex with CVL Monterey and Cowpens. Hmmm...

We have another meeting engagement. The Japanese come east with several STF and Convoys heading for Chirikof and Cold Bay. Heavy Japanese LBA is also present.

November 10, 1943
The Japanese move east and are spotted by PBY. A Japanese STF is also spotted taking up position at Chirikof. The previous pair of turns, three Regiment-Sized units had landed these but are a mess due to the heavy weather. Though Chirikof's AF has been closed by 30-45 4EB flying every day there are fighters flying LRCAP these days. The Carriers are too far apart to lock horns so the American's strike at the Japanese STF. A strong strike of 64 F6F, 51 DB, and 29 Avengers are stunned by 83 George and Zeros. A spirited Fighter-on-Fighter brawl breaks out but 44 Japanese Fighters break thru the Escorts to wreak HAVOC upon the American bombers. Only about 20-30 get thru and score a single TT it on CL Kitakami.

Should be noted that SS Triton MISSES a shot at CV Zuikaku.

November 11, 1943
On this day, the Carriers find themselves eight hexes apart. The Japanese attempt a long-range strike that weather plays merry HELL with! Numerous Attack Planes turn back due to the weather while 96 Fighters and 45 DB find the American CTF. They are met by 82 F6F. It is a bad day to fly a DB! Only 18 planes get through and they miss runs on each of the four carriers present. CRAP!

An American Strike of 25 F6F and 35 DB run into 94 Japanese Fighters and gets CRUSHED. Another strike by 10 Fighters and 6 DB also gets hammered though it should be noted that 3 Bombs hit a Japanese CA.

A second Japanese STF moves towards Chirikof with several Kongo-Class BC. They sink a pair of AM on suicide patrol.

A wide-ranging US DD catches one of those tiny, tiny Japanese 1500T AOs west of Adak and sink it.

Allied Paratroopers, for some reason, jump in a blizzard and capture undefended Dora Harbor.


Allied Naval Air takes it on the chin again in this two day fight. Here are the losses:

[John 3rd]

Talked with Paul on the phone and we discussed WINTER Weather in the Aleutians. Thinking on it reminded me of one of those old Bantam Military Histories--"The Thousand Mile War." Anyone remember that one? Lordy, I grew up reading those books and have very fond memories of them.

Anyone remember???

[John 3rd]

November 13, 1943
Battle of the Gulf of Alaska

Weeeeeeeee....here is not something you see everyday!

[bigred]

43-11-
In effort to shut down Jap reinforcement of Chertoff Is. and kill some IJN surface assets the allies hatch a plan. Knowing the Presence of the KB at 2x air assests, allied surface assets will need air cover to retreat after battle or be eaten up by the KB. An understrength Allied CVTF of 3CV, 2CVL, 3CVE (outnumbered 2-1, are ordered to 100%CAP and a temporary position south of Kodiak.

[John 3rd]

Awwwwww...now that is cherry picking the action. He does not talk about what HAPPENED to his CTF!

Am headed to bed (Open the store in the morning) and will try to Post the Combat Narrative before I head for work.

[John 3rd]

November 13-14, 1943
The Battle of the Gulf of Alaska

Vice-Adm Yamaguchi Tamon has spoiled for a stand-up fight versus the American carriers for months. His original mission was to command CARDIV1 (Akagi-Amagi-2 CVL) on a raid into the Gulf hoping to surprise the Americans. That mission was abandoned when his TF stumbled on one the American suicide ships assigned to sacrifice themselves if the Japanese attempted to sneak-up on the American area. That AK was destroyed but the mission was lost. Considering the now known American carrier strength in the area, this was probably a GOOD thing!

Ordered back to Adak to refuel, Yamaguchi is thrilled to find out that CARDIV2 (Hiryu-Soryu-CVL) and CARDIV5 (Shokaku-Zuikaku-CVL) have been assigned to augment his Striking Force. These carriers have been laid up for nearly two months as they have been updated and refitted with the latest changes available while at Yokohoma. The two TFs rendezvous and combine on November 8th. Fuel is tight but every Captain is spoiling for a fight. The powerful TF (6 CV and 3 CVL with nearly 600 aircraft) departs prepared for battle.

This is the Aleutians in November. For some ungodly reason, the Americans have decided to fight and assault the Japanese position in the north. It--is--FREEZING!

Battlecruiser Kongo and several other surface combatants are detached to augment the small STF defending Chirikof Island. A small convoy of 5 AK are unloading a Naval Guard and 10,000 supply at the start of the two days. These ships are protected by several warships as well as a TF consisting of Kongo, CA Abashiri, and a few other warships.

The exchanges of strikes have been detailed on the Nov 11-12th report. The evening of the 12th finds the Japanese unloading, the Americans COMING towards Chirikof, and horrific weather throughout the area. It would be foolish to fight. As senior Admiral in the area, Yamaguchi Tamon doesn't know the meaning of the word run. His orders are transmitted in the clear for all the hear: "Attack. REPEAT ATTACK!"

The battle is on. There will be no fancy maneuvering. All ships shift to battle readiness and to HELL with fuel. Dai Nippon and the Kido Butai chooses to fight.

[John 3rd]

The Battle of Chirikof Isle

The multiple engagements around Chirikof have been shown by the enemy in his above Posts. End result of SEVEN different engagements is:

SUNK:
Japan--CA Abashiri, CL Kitakami and Kinu, 1 DD, 1 E, and 3 of 5 AK
Allies--CL Jeanne d'Arc, 3 DD

DAMAGED:
Japan--BC Kongo, 2 DD
Allies--CL Birmingham (sinking condition) and Montpelier, 4 DD and damage to 6-8 other surface ships

Though bloodied, nearly 6,000 supply is unloaded as well as about 50% of the Naval Guard and Engineering unit (1,300 lost in the fighting). The supply is the key. Chirikof SHOULD hold...

Was stunned to see the two modern Battleships (Alabama and North Carolina) committed to the surface fight when they might have been more deadly as AA platforms for the carrier fight. Unfortunately, they appeared after Japan was pretty much out of Long Lance TTs!

[John 3rd]

Headed to work. Will cover the Carrier Action when I get back home.

[bigred]

Was stunned to see the two modern Battleships (Alabama and North Carolina) committed to the surface fight when they might have been more deadly as AA platforms for the carrier fight. Unfortunately, they appeared after Japan was pretty much out of Long Lance TTs!

IIRC those BB AA only applies if they are directly attacked by naval air. There is no such thing as a cumulative TFAA number, unlike CLAA, which is added to the ship under attack.

[John 3rd]

The Carrier Fight
November 13, 1943

Following Yamaguchi's aggressive views, the Japanese seek to get a bit of sea room away from the nearby Aleutians. During the night, as the STF at Chirikof fights multiple engagements, the Japanese Kido Butai moves SSE. While doing this, the TF fights several PT boats and a group of five American DDs. This short, sharp engagement sees multiple Japanese carriers engage their surface opponents and three of the carriers actually get HITS! The USS Sigsbee is sunk while there is little-to-no damage to the Japanese. There are also enemy subs in the area as USS Triton manages to plant a TT on IJN Zuikaku. Luckily this low order detonation does little damage.

DAWN

The Japanese Open the morning launching Jakes and Recon-Judy's. Emily and Recon-Nells depart bases. The Kido Butai launches a small CAP and waits with their decks loaded for the inevitable sighting reports. Within an hour the clarion call of "Enemy Carriers! Position TO RE CHA."

Never one to hesitate, Vc-Adm Yamaguchi orders the fleet to turn into the wind. A Strike of 125 ZERO and SAM escort 45 JUDY and 63 JILLS. The strike flies through reasonably good weather (for the Aleutians!). About 90 minutes or so later, the enemy is spotted SSE of Kodiak. Almost as soon as the enemy is spotted, the escorting fighters are swamped by nearly 235 enemy fighters. The ZEROs and SAMs occupy about 2/3 of the enemy but nearly 70 fighters burst thru and manhandle the Attack Planes of the strike. In the end, only about 18 planes burst thru the fighters and head for the American carriers.

These planes are flown by veteran crews and they press their attacks to the utmost. Half are shot down before dropping their deadly munitions. The eight or so Torpedoes dropped SCORE on three different American carriers. The USS Intrepid, Bunker Hill and CVL Monterey all take a single torpedo hit.

The shaken survivors head for home...

AFTERNOON

Staying in the fight, Yamaguchi immediately orders second strike prior to getting the results of the firth one.

This Strike of 125 mixed Fighters, 51 DB, and 89 TB lifts off as the shaken survivors of the First Wave returns to their mother ships. This time weather is much, much worse. Numerous Japanese pilots get lost and have to return to base. The final, reduced strike consists of 125 F, 25 DB, and 59 TB. Using the storms and sleeting snow, the Japanese manage to avoid the horrific losses of the first strike. Over 50% are lost but about 30 or so planes get thru to attack the enemy.

These pilots have the armor of Bushido around them. Many are thinking of suicidal thoughts as they begin their runs. The USS Enterprise nimbly dodges about 12 DB and TB that single her out for attack. Next to her is the new USS Bunker Hill. This powerful carrier has already taken a Torpedo from the first wave but appears to be perfectly healthy. That cannot be said five minutes later as she takes an additional TWO TTs on her starboard side. THIS time she is hurt. Trailing the American CTF is the USS Monterey. She already is in difficulty from the earlier torpedo hit. Four Judy and six Jill attack her. Moments later a 500 Kg bomb blasts a massive hole in her deck just as a torpedo slaps her port side, Within second of the torpedo blast, there is an ammo storage explosion that adds more carnage to the situation. Just as she slows to a halt, a JUDY elects to make a suicide dive into her as well. The Monterey is a MESS and in sinking condition.

The strike heads for home...

EVENING
Yamaguchi continues the TF moving ESE to clear the area for fighting tomorrow.

On board the carriers, losses are tabulated. Many, many Judy and Jills have been lost, however, a number of crews have been (somehow) saved. Lots of planes have been lost but their Daitai crews are only down about a third. That is interesting.

November 14th
The carriers find themselves out in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska with no targets to strike. A quick tally shows that the fighting strength of the carriers has gone from 264 F, 85 DB, and 170 TB to 237 F, 51 DB, and 105 TB. Losses--YES. They are not crippling, however, for Yamaguchi.

Orders are issued for the 15th...

[John 3rd]

November 15-16, 1943
Gulf of Alaska

November 15th
As stated, Vc-Adm Yamaguchi is highly aggressive. Once the plane loss totals are given to him, he rapidly realizes that he doesn't have near enough strike planes to challenge the damaged Americans hiding in a port. He decides to challenge the Allies at sea by detaching two STF (2 CL and 3 DD & 1 CA and 4 DD) to try to catch the Americans by surprise. This mission is quite conceivably a one-way ticket. Seems this thinking is starting to pervade all Japanese missions...

The TFs separate and move out NE towards Prince Rupert and NW towards Kodiak. The Kido Butai moves away SSW and then West.

The STF guarding Chirikof moves NE as well and tangles with several PT Boats. DAMNED PESTS! The AA Destroyer Kyosuki takes a TT as several PTs are sunk. The CA Maya TF moves NW and sinks a suicidal SC but finds nothing else. Later in the day, Kyosuki is SUNK by SS Tinosa. Not to be outdone, I-4 sinks AK Cape Sandy near Annette Island.

As Kido Butai moves away, it spots a suicide line AK and sinks her with a small strike 4 ZERO and 3 JILL.

Little-to-no sign of the enemy.

November 16th
The Light Cruisers (Flagship Aoba) are not spotted on the 15th. As the small TF approach Prince Rupert, they deploy in single column with the two cruisers leading the three DDs. A maelstrom of fighting then occurs as the small TF immolate TF after TF in multiple engagements. The fights are close-in and QUICK! The first to fall is a pair of modern AK, next sees 12 PT Boats engaged with 2 sunk, a medium-sixed xAP is the sunk, 2 small APc go down, the prize is then spotted: what appears to be an aircraft carrier actually turns into a huge ARD! The Senior Captain order EVERY SHIP to concentrate on the target! Multiple Long Lances smash into the huge target as well as several dozen shells. It sinks. NICE! Three YMS go down with it, the TF encounters the PTs again and sinks NINE of them, and finally--just at dawn--an AK blunders into the fleeing column and is sunk.

Due to horrible weather, no enemy plane interferes as the ships speed away. Fantastic work. BANZAI!

Over near Chirikof, a trio of DDs is attacked by several Avengers and Hudsons (I think they were Hudsons) and DD Takekaze is sunk by 3 bomb hits.

[bigred]

With over 700 allied TFs I am having a hard time remembering where some of my important aux ships are located. Losing a 55000 capacity ARD is a costly mistake.

[bigred]

43-11-17/18: Enemy CVTF moves...

[bigred]

43-11-17: