Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

Sync bugs all around...

our sweep on Hollandia gets some kills....but those fighters would have been better of on close CAP.

Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
A6M5b Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

[Lowpe]

Too much on low CAP, and some should have been layered from 15K to 20K....course I was excpecting low level attacks...not expecting the old bait and switch! Well done Japan!


Morning Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,119

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 56
B5N2 Kate x 36
B6N1 Jill x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 92

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 24
F4F-4 Wildcat x 143

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed by flak
B6N1 Jill: 4 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 27 destroyed, 12 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet
DD Perkins
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 2
CV Wasp
DD Whipple
DD Flusser

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 3000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 22 on standby, 4 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 17 on standby, 3 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-124 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

[Lowpe]

2nd Wave:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,119

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 46
B5N2 Kate x 30
B6N1 Jill x 3
D4Y1 Judy x 24

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 19
F4F-4 Wildcat x 125

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 14 destroyed, 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Leander
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Wasp

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
22 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
31 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
22 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4810 and 19270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13810 and 19270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-222 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-124 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
28 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 3000 , scrambling fighters between 6810 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers

Ammo storage explosion on CV Saratoga

[Lowpe]

Our pilots first reports wildly inaccurate.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manus at 100,114

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 76

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 31
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 16 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Zuikaku
CV Soryu
BB Kongo
BB Hiei

[Lowpe]

First sighting of the 2nd big girl:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 99,113

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CV Hiyo
CV Junyo

[Lowpe]

Afternoon attack:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9
B6N1 Jill x 7
D4Y1 Judy x 12

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

[Lowpe]

Hmmm...did pretty well for not being set up for a carrier clash....I am just your typical lazy AFB trying to avoid the kitchen sink moves. Still pretty poor play on my part! But the clash bodes well for my future plans. I'd say that no matter what!

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[Lowpe]

Had to divert our tanks to Chiang Mai...it was a bridge too far. LRPs might have done it though....our transports did their job.




Ground combat at Chiang Mai (58,53)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 470 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Defending force 2498 troops, 14 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 37

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
50th Indian Para Bde /2

Defending units:
RTA Cavalry Division

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[RangerJoe]

You are not unhinged since Chaing Mai can turn the corner on his Burmese defense. This might necessitate an earlier Japanese withdrawl from Burma or his units may be bypassed to a certain extent. This would then open up the Siamese plains and thence into IndoChina as well as being able to work down the Kra peninsula into Malaysia. Putting 4E bombers within range of Palembang, including laying air dropped mines for annoyance purposes there and elsewhere. The plus then is when you have attack bombers or even fighter-bombers within range of any minesweepers unless they are the AMcs working while disbanded in port.

[Lowpe]

Should be able to take this base:

Ground combat at Lae (99,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2617 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 1786 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Allied adjusted assault: 36

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Fiji Brigade

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF

[Lowpe]

Exmouth will fall too.

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 468 troops, 3 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 2702 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Allied adjusted assault: 33

Japanese adjusted defense: 24

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion

Defending units:
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
55th Const Co
20th JNAF AF Unit

[CaptBeefheart]

What'd I miss? How does the Wasp go from 2 torp hits, on fire, heavy damage to 7/0/2/0 damage?

I'd say you dodged a bullet. Not bad at all.

Cheers,
CB

[Lowpe]

Should I do it?

I would expect Japan to surge their destroyers and fast larger warships forward in an attempt at an intercept...and Rabaul's fighters to sweep each of my bases especially Finn...along with Iboats blockading the narrows around Umboi and the coast of Finn...

I can send the 20 knot Saratoga back on a flank speed run past them along with the ammo depleted destroyers, block with some small destroyer forces and set up my fighters to perform a CAP trap at sea if the KB pushes south avoiding his sweeps and rely upon AA to protect the bases.

I doubt Japan willingly enters Finn...since he took three mine hits there last time, but his forces might react into the base.

Moonlight 35% not too keen on having a large nighttime engagement...

Even if the KB moves west to intercept a run up the coast....I feel confident I could defend against it costing Japan hundreds of more planes.

I have plenty of time to figure this out as I have to run to the airport this morning and won't finish the turn till tonight. I have probably 1 Fast BB, 10 CA or so, 10 CL or more and appropriate destroyers in the area. Only short PT boats with 2 close enough...

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[Lowpe]

What'd I miss? How does the Wasp go from 2 torp hits, on fire, heavy damage to 7/0/2/0 damage?

I'd say you dodged a bullet. Not bad at all.

Cheers,
CB

Synch bugs I guess...although I attribute it to the first reports of war always being wildly inaccurate.

[RangerJoe]

It would depend upon how well your air groups are and your surface combat escorts are for ammo. His escorts are probably depleted with the AAA ammo which, unless he has other destroyers around, renders them less effective on a longer battle even though their torpedoes will still be there.

Also, if you have any CVEs in the area to operate in addition to land based CAP, you might be better off having a large CAP trap at Fin while Saratoga dewaters herself.

[Encircled]

Should I do it?

I would expect Japan to surge their destroyers and fast larger warships forward in an attempt at an intercept...and Rabaul's fighters to sweep each of my bases especially Finn...along with Iboats blockading the narrows around Umboi and the coast of Finn...

I can send the 20 knot Saratoga back on a flank speed run past them along with the ammo depleted destroyers, block with some small destroyer forces and set up my fighters to perform a CAP trap at sea if the KB pushes south avoiding his sweeps and rely upon AA to protect the bases.

I doubt Japan willingly enters Finn...since he took three mine hits there last time, but his forces might react into the base.

Moonlight 35% not too keen on having a large nighttime engagement...

Even if the KB moves west to intercept a run up the coast....I feel confident I could defend against it costing Japan hundreds of more planes.

I have plenty of time to figure this out as I have to run to the airport this morning and won't finish the turn till tonight. I have probably 1 Fast BB, 10 CA or so, 10 CL or more and appropriate destroyers in the area. Only short PT boats with 2 close enough...

a.jpg

Looks like you have shot down a lot of planes already

Flank speed to the SE and count it as a victory

[Lowpe]

The next day...I ran away south along the coastline...setup a strong SAG groups at Long Island with plenty of LRCAP and had the deathstar steam for SW of Finn...one destroyer squadron set to intercept pursuit....

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[Lowpe]

Take Lae...Wewak invaded...probably will be able to reinforce and keep the base by air...perhaps run some destroyers up there...meanwhile 25+ Pt boats are assembling at Finn...

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[Lowpe]

On the road to Chiang Mai...where I control the road hexsides, Japan launches a shock attack but is met with steel! Notice the +- malus for leader for Japan.


Ground combat at 60,53 (near Chiang Mai)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5911 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 252

Defending force 1883 troops, 16 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Japanese adjusted assault: 37

Allied adjusted defense: 169

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd RTA Division

Defending units:
50th Tank Brigade

[Lowpe]

I merged our fast transport APDs with our stricken CV and some other odds and ends to boost ASW protection...and despite that IJN got off two torpedoes south of Finn on her. During the day, heavy ASW flights from land bases made many aerial attacks on the subs...

Sub attack near Buna at 100,128

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CL Tromp
CLAA San Juan
APD Gregory
DD Perkins
DD Kalk
DD Waller
APD Waters

SS RO-61 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Saratoga
RO-61 diving deep ....
DD Perkins fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kalk fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Waller fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kalk fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Waters fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I set TBF-1, a specialized ASW squadron to a high percentage of ASW search (70 I think) and they did good work:

TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,126
a Japanese SS is reported HIT

TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking a Type J2 class SS at 101,126
a Type KD4 class SS is reported HIT

TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking a Type KD4 class SS at 101,126
a Type K6 class SS is reported HIT

TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking a Type J1 class SS at 100,127
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-8 attacking SS RO-61 at 100,128


First naval search flights from by Venturas!
PV-1 Ventura reports object under water at 100, 127 near Finschhafen
PV-1 Ventura reports submarine at 100, 128 near Buna