Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

15 Feb 44

It's official, British cargo ship Tarantia has become the third official sinking by Kamikaze strike, while she was docked in Rangoon. I was only too glad, albeit a bit worried, when I kicked carrier Wasp out of nearby Port Blair.

After emergency repairs at Port Blair, USS Wasp and company have finally arrived at Columbo. Wasp has tied up and is undergoing a full structure, including command* and damage control check. CA HMAS Canberra presently has head of line privileges. The Aussie cruiser only has 6 Flt and 12 Eng damage remaining with completion set for 10 days. Wasp has 15 sys, 41 Flt and 1 Eng damage remaining. Therefore, Wasp will get some systems repaired pierside and will go into drydock after Canberra clears out. Columbo's Yard Master estimates 50-60 days to get Wasp shipshape.

*[ I dont know who LTC Rajendra, K ("best qualified to command a cargo or coastal ship" :shock: ) is/was, but LTC is the Army/Marine abbreviation for Lieutenant Colonel. He was Wasp's CO. He has been relieved by Capt Buckmaster.]

Speaking of damaged carriers, after two about months in AFDB-1 at Eniwetok, CVL USS Independence has weighed anchor and is en route to Pearl - speed 15 knots. She has 49 flt dmg, with light sys and eng dmg, and the flight deck is still unusable. Her current escort is one DD and a pair of Sub-Chasers. A few more escorts out of Wake will rendezvous in a couple days for the trip home. A CVE escort has also put out of Pearl to meet them for increased ASW and aircover protection.

North of the Marianas, TF 911 (with Essex and Intrepid) made contact with an IJN TF spotted by PBY's flying out of Guam. The contact resulted in another bad day for the IJA. Six cargo/transport ships with a token escort. This was Intrepid's first fight. The escort vessel and five freighters were sunk. Similarly, CVE's overseeing operations near Kota Bharu, found a few ships on course, apparently, for Singapore. They were also sunk.

Also near Singapore, another book has been closed. US Fleet Submarine Grouper hit IJN submarine 1-122 with two torpedoes sinking the cagey Japanese sub. This is my second sub vs sub kill. Early in the war S-36(?) torpedoed a RO-class sub near Pearl

[Sidebar, in real life I-122 was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine.] :shock:

At Pearl Harbor, tomorrow, four more submarines arrive from the US. Two are Gato Class, and two are the newer deeper diving Balao class. Then, in three days, or so, Iowa's TF will arrive.
Misc casualties
Misc casualties
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Last edited by ChiefOC on Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by BBfanboy »

In naval context, LTC means Lieutenant-Commander - equivalent to an army Major.

It looks like you organized that sunk ships list by the 'Sunk By' column to show us the three kamikaze losses. You could also have just organized it by the date column to show us all the other ships lost around that short time period. That would be more interesting info than the mini-sub losses we got!
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

BBFanBoy, Very Respectfully, I will defer to you and your knowledge on virtually everything/anything regarding this game. I am honored by your keeping a weather-eye on my progress, and I am sincerely grateful for any/all advice. Except, in this teeny tiny exception. I am a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, and in the USN, LCDR is the abbreviation for Lieutenant Commander. I know some Navies (including Star Fleet :lol:) add a "T", (LtCdr) and I concede other navies may use LTC, but not the one I served in for 24 years. Unless, "they" have changed that along with so much of the other felgerkarb they are shoving down our collective throats that was/is making so many us us "go ashore" permanently. And I have put myself "on report" for not having seen the LTC Commanding a fleet carrier earlier. :oops:

And Roger that, let me sea ;) what I can do about that other list. :D
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by RangerJoe »

Personally, you might want to recheck that LTC if there is a very limited number of character spaces available for the ranks. Besides, maybe the ship's captain was actually a member of the US Navy's naval infantry!

Also, when you check the "Sunk by" for ships, have you seen any ships that were sunk by the venerable M2?
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

Copy that Ranger Joe! I reckon you may be on to something with only three characters for the officers' ranks. Wonder what they did, if anything for LTJG? And I might indeed check if Ma-Deuce was credited for any kills. I did see one simking for that krazee Katzenjamer ( :?: ) thing.

So without further ado. [And for the record. I am still trying to sort out clearer pics]

I reckon this pic is a bit more interesting, esp regarding DD Amatsukaze. This is a bit of a spoiler, as a Bombardment TF out of Guam, covered by a CVTF; made my first strike on next objective to take - Babeldaob. My recon Seagulls sighted three tincans at anchor there prior to the heavies opening fire. It was either BB South Dakota or Indiana (perhaps both) which scored one or more direct hits with 16" plunging fire. Noteworthy, Indiana's crew now has three more exp than her sister.

Recent sinkings
Recent sinkings
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

29 Feb 44

USS Independence, seriously damaged three months ago during the Marianas operation, did not make it back to Pearl. At least not yet. Three quarters the way home with about 1,000 miles to go, with Johnston Island (JI) a couple hundred miles to starboard; Indy's temporary repairs started failing. Flooding damage went from 49% to 58%, and Indy's TF was diverted to JI.

From Midway, a Support TF including the venerable repair ship Vestal and AFRD-4 with four ASW escorts has been ordered to JI. Two fast (18 knot) Subchasers (SC) have been ordered out of Pearl to rendezvous with Vestal's group. After meeting, the SCs will see Vestal to JI, being twice as fast as AFRD-4s group. I have mixed thoughts on Vestal's mission. She can repair engine damage, I believe, but faster speed can be a negative for a vessel with serious floatation damage. Then we will sea ;) how long Vestal and AFRD-4 need to get Indy back on her way to Pearl.

At Guam, Operation Sideshow - the taking of the Japanese island Babeldaob - has arrived on station. An armor battalion (M4s), a FA Battalion of 155's, a Combat Engineer unit, and the 40th Infantry Division are all I can put together at present. The prominent factor here is a lack of assault shipping. I had a few sunk during the Marianas islands, several still incapacitated and a lot running around. Not to mention, I'm still rounding up shipping that has been cheering from the sidelines for the last year or two. Of the five Divisions involved in the Marianas Op, four - including the 2nd MARDIV - are back up to full strength. The landings start tomorrow, with ComPhibRon 5 embarked in AGC USS Mount Olympus standing offshore. Shipping will then scurry back to the Marianas for Reserve Divisions.

In other news, Iwo Jima is being overflown by Recon B-24s, it's turn is coming. Iwo will drop 6 pts for the Japanese and go up 120 for the Allies, what I call a 126 pt shift when it is taken.

After Babeldaob falls, estimating a week, Luzon planning will start. Lots of real estate points on Luzon. The big prizes of Manila and Clark field being a bit more than a 4,000 point shift not to mention all the smaller towns starting at Leyte.

Farther South, the 3rd Aussie Division has been issued cold weather gear. They probably won't need it at Ambon. That will be a 40 pt change.

Back down in the DEI, plans are being made for Sabang, northern most point in Sumatra, using forces from Aden. After Sabang, the small islands off east coast of Mayala will be the next targets. Georgetown is of particular interest as it represents a 72 pt swing.

Speaking of Mayaya, Allied forces have liberated Malacca, and are moving SSE towards Johore Bahru, then on to Singapore. ComPhibRon 7 has disembarked as Sabang's G3s/G4s and possible Kamikazes are still a threat. Singapore's last two enemy planes, a pair of Claudes, have finally been splashed. One was downed by B-25s, the other by a sweep of 24 P-38Js - all flying out of Palembang. The 28th (East African) Brigade is disembarking at Batavia after an uneventful cruise from . It will then be combat loaded for action in support of retaking Singapore.

Essex Class Hornet II, with six new destroyers, will arrive in Pearl in the next day or two. Venable BBs California and Colorado coming from West Coast USA, finally, with eight additional tincans, will make Pearl the day after that. That puts all the "standard" BBs back in theatre, except the oldest four. While perhaps not accurate, I refer to Nevada, OK, Penn, and AZ as dreadnoughts. They are my Bombardment Reserve up in Seattle. Also, tomorrow, BBs North Carolina and Washington will start a (10 day?) reft in Pearl. A report has come from ComSubPac. Fleet Submarine Robalo, once presumed lost and a couple mystery sightings, finally settled into drydock at Pearl for "minor" repairs.

And just for fun, Sydney is out of fuel, again. Carriers Big "E", along with sister Yorktown and old friend Saratoga are on their way back to Sydney, after a profitless sweep of the Solomon Sea. But, good news, an eight ship fuel convoy from Seattle, with 99,538 (tons?) of fuel, is five days out from Sydney and should make port before Enterprise's thirsty group. Did I mention the eight tankers have no escorts? That is at present. The day after tomorrow, six USN DDs out of Sydney will meet the tankers and herd them safely to the Land of Oz.
Malacca Casualties
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by RangerJoe »

Try to get the system damage down to 0 if possible as well as all the engine damage that can be repaired. The minor flooding can be taken care of in the port itself. Then move the ship using cruise speed to the nearest port, from port to port to the nearest major base that can repair the float damage which in this case should be Oahu.

What you really need to be worried about is when damage control parties get trapped by flooding.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

03 Mar 1944

Just a short update. I've been preoccupied with a personal personnel tragedy at home two months ago, (in the real world); so Fleet HQ's Colors have been at Half Mast and crew have been on leave.

Operation Sideshow, the taking of Babeldaob has gone off with only slight casualties after one last bombardment and a full assault. Japanese ground losses were small compared to the Marianas. But as the tiny island was overun, dozens of aircraft were destroyed and even a small (1 pt) AKL was scuttled. Aircraft losses in the final attack amounted to183 engines/points which is equivalent to sinking a Kongo Class BC with a floatplane onboard.

At Pearl, CVL USS Independence finished her 4(?) month sailing odyssey by coasting in on the flood tide and being gently nestled into drydock. Yardmaster says about two months to get her shipshape.

Down in OZ, a large fuel convoy likewise moored in Sydney without incident. Further west, HMS Prince of Wales has finished her second extended repair period of the war. Tomorrow, escorted by four tincans, she will make course for Diego Garcia.

Finally, speaking of ports and shipyards, I've taken a look in the US Western ports, and need to start loading/assigning over a hundred skylarking AKs to supply runs.
Backwater shipping
Backwater shipping
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Babeldaob aircraft destroyed on airfields
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by BBfanboy »

Sorry to hear of your personal loss at home. A burden we all must bear at some point, but always a blow to the spirit. I hope you have lots of support from friends and family.

The aircraft losses at Bbdb are a direct result of your bombardments. High damage to the aircraft and closing the runways keeps them grounded, sitting ducks for the ground troops. Well done! Also well done on getting CVL Independence to PH. If there are no higher priorities and not too much pressure on the Shipyard in general, you might consider increasing the priority of the CVL to shorten the repair time. Also, if there is an upgrade coming during the repair period, turn it on so that it can be done simultaneously with little increase in repair time.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

Thank you BBfanboy for your kind words.

Three mos ago my Bride was not feeling well, and we went to the ER. After 6.5 hours, tests, tests and more tests the ER staff said "she's fine, she can go home - but come back if anything changes." We got home, as soon as we walk in the house, she collapsed. 10(12?) mins later (courtesy of the firehouse at the end of our street), we were back at the same ER. 30 mins or so later, a doctor comes in "we could not revive her. And she has passed away". Brutal! And then I was under investigation for the next two weeks I might be responsible. Not my fault, though I was about to take it out on the ER staff like a psychopath Chiefzilla when that doc said "sorry for your loss. There was nothing wrong with her". Exact quote! Something about there already being cops already there....

Again, thank you for your kindness.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

15 Mar 1944

In the moonlit dark waters near Singapore...

"Radio, Bridge, send Flash message. Stray Cat Two to Boarding House, have sighted Charley Lima's heavies, we are getting out of his way, Out. Don't code it, just send it, now!"

"Bridge, radio, aye aye!"

"Helm, Ten degrees port, let's open the range from them, easy with as little wave action as possible, from whoever they are!"

"Ten degrees port, Aye, Aye!"

- - - - - - -

I have several operations in the Northern DEI area going on. That means lots of convoys shuttling hither, to, from, yonder, in, out and nearby Pelambang. Plus about 30 US, British and Dutch submarines prowling the surrounding waters. There had been no sightings of anything IJN bigger than a destroyer for months. Then one of my three-ship ASW TFs ran afoul of the Imperial Navy.

The nightime combat animation opened like the frightening maw of a whirlpool. First, I thought it was Adm "Ching" Lee's Singapore bombardment force with BBs Alabama and Massachusetts - but noooo. One of my ASW screening forces for the bombardment TF had been run over by the Imperial Navy. Facing my three tiny tin cans were famed monstrous convoy killer Yamato, plus Haruna, plus BB/CVL Hybrid Hyuga, with two cruisers and four tin cans. Long pause...then both groups disengaged with no shooting. Whew!

And on the folliwing day, Allied strike aircraft attacked elements of the IJN Surface Group. A few bomb hits did minor topside damage to Hyuga, but nothing serious.

And again the next day or so, USN Fleet Boat USS Dace put three torpedoes into the Hyuga. Two explosions, one dud. The report claimed Hyuga sank, but I don't buy it. Hyuga's BB/CVL conversion artwork is very nice.

The next night, the combat sim opened with an I-boat firing torpedoes at USS Alabama! All fish missed!!

With all the gray ladies in the area, something was bound to happen. And it did, big time. The big frackus occurred when Adm Lee's bombardment group, with highest react setting, intercepted the IJN NW of Singapore. BB Haruna and a DD were sunk. The US BBs were knocked about a bit, but no serious damage to them. CA Indianapolis took a long Lance torpedo, and CA HMS Suffolk took a beating. Indianapolis beached herself in Malacca with 72 float damage. Suffolk will probably be sent to Columbo after the bombardment group returns to Batavia and I can double-check her options.

There are substantial Allied ground forces in Malacca, and the Allies generally have local air superiority. Therefore, Indianapolis is reasonably safe but has limited options for going anywhere truly safe and/or being made battle ready any time soon again.

So, what else. Sebang fell, a bit faster than I thought, but I'm not complaining. There were at least a dozen wrecked Zeros on the well cratered runways when all the dust started to settle. Port Sebang is well and truly wrecked (70%), but not as FUBAR'd as the 100% wrecked airfields. But that is where/why the Engineers of the USAAF Tenth Eng. Aviation Battalion will be disembarking in about a week

Speaking of disembarking, the Aussie 3rd ID, plus support units, are sorting out Ambon. I'm not sure why I thought it would be easy, but I'm waiting for the 28th E. African Division (in a few days) as well as the Seabees of the 22nd NCR a few days after them; to land and then renew my attack on Ambon.

The angry hippo in the pond is Iwo Jima. Again, I figured several naval bombardments, several carrier airstrikes as well as two weeks of heavy bombing by B-24s out of Guam would put the Sons of Nippon on edge. Nope. Not sure how, perhaps the fort level 6(?) combined with the loss of all my Combat Engineers and knocking the k-rations out of my first ID, which landed in the first wave, was how I was brought to bay. At least the fort level went down by one. Seabees, three more arty units (in an Amphib group with BBs Maryland, Colorado, and California) and two more IDs will land over the next week or so. Until/while that happens, airstrikes and round robin naval bombardments will hopefully shake a few Imperial dental fillings. I am truly concerned about the number of US units being landed on Iwo considering the 30K(?) stacking limit. I intend to have one cargo ship go in to drop supplies and then try to evac the remnants of my Combat Engineer unit, seeing it is in tiny pieces. Likewise, for a tank battalion's fragments.

The CEs and tank survivors will be shipped back stateside, via Pearl. Their war is done, both are being withdrawn in 3-6 (?) months so no sense in rebuilding them. Speaking of stateside, there is a huge Amphibious Tank unit in San Fran, with 72 AmTanks. They are being loaded on an Amphib TF, next stop Iwo Jima. Their ETA is 2-3 weeks and the Iwo invasion may be over, one way or the other by then.

Oh, and once again, Imperial HQ sent another small convoy down to Ambon or some such. More snacks for The Black Kats of Koepang. Someone is going to lose a lot of face for that fiasco.

Stats as of 31 Mar 44

Allied A/C pts lost: 8,566
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 17,065

Allied Army loss pts: 12,408
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 11,791

Allied Ships sunk: 356
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,859

IJN Ships sunk: 1,826
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 19,621

Political pts: 5753

Japanese score: 28,296
Allied score: 62,357
Attachments
Sabang abandoned
Sabang abandoned
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BB knife fight
BB knife fight
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Valuable convoy
Valuable convoy
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Killer Kats of Koepang
Killer Kats of Koepang
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by bradfordkay »

Sorry for chiming in late, but checking my officer lists, the abbreviation LCDR is definitely used for naval officers in this game. My guess is that the LTC in command of a combat ship is a glitch. According to the OP, he is listed as suitable as a transport commander, and the US Army definitely had a fleet of transports and other smaller craft under their command. Something tells me that the game has a difficult time keeping those officers separated from the USN officers.


My condolences on your loss.
fair winds,
Brad
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by anarchyintheuk »

Enjoying the aar.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

bradfordkay

Your "chiming in" was welcome. I agree with your thoughts wherein the AI oft doesn't savvy the Services are different/unique and thus officers get assigned willy nilly.

Your kind condolences were both thoughtful and welcome. Thank you.

I regret I've been slow to reply.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

anarchyintheuk

Thank you. It is my thought to bring a bit of amusement as well as my game experiences to "the party".

Likewise, my apologies for being slow to thank you for your
lQQking in. ;)
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

Preparing to retake Singapore
Preparing to retake Singapore
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New Management at Iwo Jima
New Management at Iwo Jima
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Last battle at Iwo Jima
Last battle at Iwo Jima
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30 Apr 44

I'm going to skip the narrative and go to highlights.

Sabang secured, with airport and port facilities now fully restored.

Singapore assault scheded for kickoff in next week or two. I'm just waiting for the arty, CEs, and seven IDs and friends still filling their TOE rosters in Johore Bahru. They better hurry, RADM Barbey (ComPhib HQ at JB) wants a drydock for USS Indianapolis who is still hiding under palm fronds in Malacca with 47 floatation damage.
At least two enemy subs are known to be in the area.

Iwo Jima.
Iwo was declared secure today. What a mess. Seabees are working on port facilities. Moving people and stuff in and out is a priority. Be nice to get a fighter strip squared away to help with local CAP too. But, again first, need to do something with these 49K troops on a rock with a 30K suggested max😬 garrison. Not to mention the Base Force concurrently unloading. 🤕

Ambon
Secured and all facilities now fully restored.

Gen MacArthur has assured Australia's PM he will retake Guadalcanal, soon. 😲 The General was told in confidence Aussie troops are going to make a renewed effort to retake Lae, though I'm not sure why. Likewise, General MacArthur advised the Dutch Ambo in Sydney, he could relay to their Netherlands Highnesses in London, soon Brunei, Namlea and Manaco would be retaken and returned to Dutch control. Well! How nice for them.

Back in the Marianas, Pagan might be on the hit list as well. That would put both Haha-Jima and Chichi-Jima within comfortable range of B-24s once Pagan's potholed runway is fixed. Those two rocks would net nearly 230 points into the Allied victory till.

And speaking of heavy bombers, a convoy carrying three squadrons of B-29s of the 444th Heavy Bombardment Group has just cleared the the southern tip of Ceylon, destination Oosthaven. If they can get themselves sorted fast enough, they may fly their first combat missions over Singapore.


New IJA/IJN aircraft types reported designated as Myrts and Helens.

I've reopened the Sub War in the waters around Japan proper. So far only a handful of small fry have been sunk. Four more Baleo/Gato Class Subs from Aden, via Canada and US East Coast, are enroute; as well as eight more from US West Coast. Total inventory of Allied Subs is now 196 in or headed into harm's way. But pickings are slim. Talking about sailing into danger, SST Argonaut has almost finished a refit in Soerabaja and then will soon resume her Commando Operations.

Speaking of inventory, Allied carrier inventory also at a new high:

CVs: 14
CVLs: 11
CVEs: 40

Noteworthy also is the new beautiful Free French Battleship Richelieu recently docked in Columbo, with FF DD Le Triomphant moored nearby.


Stats as of 30 Ap 44

Allied A/C pts lost: 9,027
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 17,358

Allied Army loss pts: 12,582
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 12,345

Allied Ships sunk: 362
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,911

IJN Ships sunk: 1,884
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 19,804

Political pts: 6669

Japanese score: 29,126
Allied score: 63,927
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

31 May 44

Again, I'm going to skip the narrative and go to highlights.

Lanfa, four hexes SE of Sabang is secure, with port facilities being upgraded to level 3.
This leaves only the city of Medan occupied in all of Sumatra, not counting small offshore islands.

The assault to liberate Singapore began on May 13th. It was over in a week. 😲🤪 Only infrastructure damage remaining in Singapore is seven port damage. US heavy cruiser Indianapolis pulled in a week after the change of hands. Yardmaster says he wants her until about mid-June. All troops except Engineers have left. Some are on transports bound for the PI, while most are headed to clean up IJA troops from just outside of Mersing up to Kuantan.

The Americal Division, after a years worth of R&R /Occupation duty in Balikpapan traveled clockwise around Borneo to make a surprise landing in Brunei. Brunei was another short sharp battle. Seabees brought in have brought defense fortifications up to level 2. The Level 6 Port and Level 7 airfield are already busy. With the help of some support shipping, Brunei is the newest and most forward Allied Sub base closest to the PI. More support is on the way.

Iwo Jima.
Engineers have repaired Iwo's Level 3 port facilities and have brought up it's airfield to almost level 4. Two Squadrons of P-47s, one of Helldivers and a squadron of B-25Gs rule the local waters/islands. Next will be some defensive works. Just in case. Shipping has reduced the hands at Iwo to just over 18K.

In another surprise landing, Allied troops landed unopposed at Naga, PI. The 40th US ID then secured Legaspi. While Legaspi was being liberated, the US 752nd Tank Battalion had rushed up to Alimonnon, but was ignominiously and easily booted out by a strong IJA Infantry Division. The tanks are regrouping/recovering in Naga. The 40th US ID, then reversed course, and headed NE to Alimonon. Halfway there contact was made with the IJA ID. A large Amphib Tank Bn (LVTs) and three arty units are also assembling and making ready to move from Naga to Alimonan. Three Engineer units are improving defenses. Naga has Level 3 port and airfield facilities. A headquarters, AAA unit, and the 2nd MarDiv are inbound for Naga, PI. There are three strong USN TFs providing air support, air defense and surface presence. A tenuous landing so far.

AFDB-6's TF is approaching Canton Island. Talking about AFDB-6, here are it's sisters(?).
AFDB-1 - Guam working on LCI-83
AFDB-2 - Soerbaja working on APA Wharton
AFDB-3 - Tinian working on USS Gunnel (SS)
AFDB-4 - Wake working on USS Barnes (CVE)
AFDB-5 - IDFK. I thought she/it was online, but I can't find it. Not on active list, I can't find it as sunk and not on reinforcements at least for next 6 mos. Weird. I know I saw it listed once as inbound. Sigh. I guess I need to contact Navy S-2 and request LTs Mulder and Scully be assigned to solve this mystery.

Supported by Fast BBs South Dakota, Indiana, Iowa and New Jersy and their consorts, the US 32nd ID landed at and took Lunga/Guadalcanal. There is a broken IJA unit holed up NE of Lunga, unless it dispersed - but not for long.

As Guadalcanal was being liberated, Aussie forces, trekking overland, crashed into Lae. Unlike their attempt to Lae last year, which was easily beaten off, it appears the Aussies have the upper hand this go. After a day's fighting, the IJA scarpered into Finschhafen as the Aussies started setting up shop in Lae. Opposing forces are about even in size, but the 1st Aussie Corps is getting supplies and lots of air support. The same cannot be said of Imperial forces.

East of Ambon, light forces found Noela abandoned and liberated it. The light force was withdrawn for some R & R in Ambon. NE of Ambon there was an IJN unit located by Recon. After several days of aerial and naval bombardment, the Japanese have either left or more likely melted into the countryside. It appears the task will fall to an East African unit to make an official determination

The Sub War in the waters around Japan has recommenced. So far, only a few more small fry have been sunk, along with two PBs being sunk by submarine torpedos. However, the enemy is aware. IJN patrols have banged up a few Subs with Muskallunge being perhaps mortally wounded. Gudgeon is overdue, and presumed lost with all hands. Gudgeon is my eighth Allied Sub lost to date.
- - - - -
USS Gudgeon
USS Halibut
USS Porpoise
USS Runner
USS Spearfish
USS S-36
HMNS KVII
HMNS KXII
- - - - -

I've withdrawn my last scheduled surface ships - four fast troop transports/liners, sigh. Figuring out how to best use them only took two years, and I was just getting the hang of their usefulness. I've also recalled several fleet subs to forward bases to prepare for final war patrols before heading stateside for decommissioning.

Stats as of 31 May 44

Allied A/C pts lost: 9,549
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 17,868

Allied Army loss pts: 12,621
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 12,885

Allied Ships sunk: 366
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,952

IJN Ships sunk: 1,861
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 19,611

Political pts: 7,841

Japanese score: 29,533
Allied score: 68,086

Noteworthy: For the first-time, IJA/IJN army loss points are presently greater than the Allies army loss pts, if only by a few hundred.
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ChiefOC
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by ChiefOC »

30 JUN 44

Again, I'm going to mostly skip the narrative and go to highlights.

Allied troops have landed at and taken the island town of Georgetown, Malaya. That is a nice prize, 72 vps by my reconning. Also destroyed a handful of a/c on the ground while doing so. That leaves only about eight mangled IJN/IJA ground units in Malaya between Patini and Malacca. All of which have been ejected from at least one town and, for that matter, are subsisting off the land. Georgetown was also the last IJN port greater than Size 1 west of Bangkok.

Commonwealth troops are massing in Singkawang/Sambar (NE corner of Borneo) prepping to tackle nearby Kuching.

Allied forces have also retaken Manado - the last Japanese holdout on Celebes. The bad news is the place is a mess, no functioning facilities and a mob of troops sorting themselves out. +48 vp. I'm eyeing the three small towns on nearby Moluccas, and their combined 56 vp.

In similar fashion, the chaps in Ambon are still likewise milling about smartly. I have a few APs headed there to start picking up all but the construction fellas, and dropping them in Soerabaja for regrouping and reassignment.

The retaking of the Philippines is progressing. The southern half of the island of Luzon has been liberated, with Allied troops fighting in Manila. Tough going. There are more and heavier Allied units, but the level 8 forts are unbudging. Four Infantry Divisions slated for the Bonin Islands of Chici and Haha-Jima have been reallocated to the PI campaign. Long range Betty and other type bombers are just still something my carrier based fighters are having a tough time with. For example, I thought I had neutralized IJA airbases in the Marshall Islands, but no. Two small raids flew out of Wotje, and now I have two CVEs with @20 float damage each from damaged Kamikazi twin-engined planes or their slung torpedoes. Once the two Combustible Vulnerable Expendibles have been stabilized, I'll herd them to Pearl. Both CVEs as well as four or five others in the area have refits due in September, so I might as well as get them doggies moving.

Speaking of moving, and it's final this time, my US Subs are getting ordered out of Japanese home waters. Permanently.

I'll probably keep them close to Iwo, and put them in a tight belt around the PI. Why? Why indeed. I'm starting to get an idea of how Adm Doenitz was rubbing his temples late '43. This month, two US Subs found mines the hard way and are headed home with @20 float damage (FD) each. Several others had run ins with IJN escorts and suffered 30-40ish FD and are making their separate ways to Adak, Brunei, Iwo, Saipan, Guam, Wake, as well as Canadian shipyards via Adak - depending on their respective damage/locations. There are also a half dozen US Subs with @10 structursl or float damage. Additionally, Muskallunge drifted on the tide into Brunei with 80 FD. Capelin is likewise bound for Emergency Sub Base Brunei with 92 FD. Barb is crawling towards Advanced Base Naga in the Philippines, also with 80 FD. And, Attention on deck - US Fleet Subs Picuda, Puffer and Devilfish were sunk. Puffer and Devilfish on the same day. That is five subs sunk in five(?) weeks. Unacceptable. I don't know who is training the Emperor's ASW skippers, but he knows his stuff.

There was one bright USN engagement this month, which will be a tale told for a long time. I couldn't get USN Carrier a/c or USAAF planes on Iwo to strangle/blockade the other Bonin Islands. So desperate times call for desperate orders. I had earlier convoyed Lamprey-Fashion 12 MTBs to Iwo for point defense. I sortied them to find out what if any enemy ships were at Haha-Jima. The PT Squadron found 15 enemy ships and sank seven, for no losses. Those are my only PT victories of the war. The only other surface victories this month were when two IJN MTBs were sunk when a large powerful Allied Bombardment mission shelled Manila, PI.

Additional thoughts. Mighty Yamato is still a tiger in the woods and hasn't been spotted in about a year. I also suspect, unconfirmed, the IJN has a couple Fleet carriers on hand or nearing completion. But do any of them have fuel?

It is 30 June 1944. My victory ratio best I can tell is roughly 2.3291 to 1. I need 3 to 1, before years end. After New Year's, if I read the rules correctly - a 2-1 victory will conclude hostilities. I have 184 days til New Year's eve, counting the 31 days in July, August, October and December. If this is correct, I need to stop letting PB's knock off my subs like clay pigeons; predicated my subs don't score 3x their VP before making final port in Davy Jones Locker. Finally, giving the extreme danger of Kamikazi attacks, esp when damaged via aerial or AA damage, I'm going to restructure my CV groups. As is, each currently has three CVs with standard loadouts of 1 Ftr, 1 DB and 1TB each. With a couple exceptions. Now I am going to have mirror CVTFs (each with 3 big decks) following the usual 3 deck CVTFs range 0. Further, each big deck will only have a single strike group. Thus, essentially each Flotilla will have 6 big decks (the rulebook says 3 max in each CV (air combat) task force - with only six total DB/TBs, the rest all fighter squadrons. And perhaps have a shadow group of 1 CVL with a reduced airgroup loadout with an escort group of 3-5 cruisers with another 10 DDs. This will let the shadow group replace one or two squadrons, and have a built in ability to jump on surface contacts with a surface Group. Again, the rules say that normally, CV groups will break contact with surface groups. I have found RADAR, and faster surface ships can contact, maintain contact, and sink CVs. But I gotta stop losing the subs.


Stats as of 30 JUN 44

Allied A/C pts lost: 9,932
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 18,445

Allied Army loss pts: 12,921
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 13,860

Allied Ships sunk: 375
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 3,008

IJN Ships sunk: 1,912
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 19,806

Political pts: 9,153

Japanese score: 30,167
Allied score: 70,261
Attachments
Bonin Bombardment
Bonin Bombardment
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PT Engagement
PT Engagement
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Sub warfare
Sub warfare
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Pain in the PI
Pain in the PI
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Last edited by ChiefOC on Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
Chief O'C
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Platoonist
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by Platoonist »

ChiefOC wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:09 am But I gotta stop losing the subs.
Yeah, the so-called "super escorts" have been an issue in the game for a long time. I feel a large part of the problem is that virtually every sub attack or even sub-sighting results in an immediate counterattack by Japanese ASW. In reality many subs slipped away even from successful attacks undetected due to the poor training of Japanese escort crews. My big gripe is when a sub skipper declines to attack a small target (like an AKL) and then undergoes an automatic depth charging for having the nerve to even think about it.
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Re: Air Raid Pearl Harbor (Navy CPO vs Imp AI)

Post by RangerJoe »

Well, here is some things to consider.

Use Fletcher DDs in fast moving surface combat groups to attack his ASW forces. Use your subs to fish pilots out of the sea, put them at the enemy base when there is a strike going in and there are no known minefields there. You can also have your carrier TF go behind your submarines to conduct airstrikes on his ASW forces but hopefully staying out of his fighter escort range. If you can combine your Fletcher TF sweeps with carrier strikes, you can somewhat damage his ASW forces. The Avengers should use bombs at 1000 feet for better accuracy and increased changes of bombs hitting the IJN ships. Otherwise, use your submarines to put minefields in shallow water choke points but then immediately move the submarines back.

Put an additional fighter unit on your carriers, Corsairs if at all possible. Use Fletcher DDs one hex away from your carrier TFs and closer to the enemy air bases so the kamikazes will impale themselves on those nimble, durable, and AA heavy ships. Make sure that you have some CAP/LRCAP over those destroyers.

Also, keep pounding the Marshal Islands and have units preparing to invade or use paratroopers on the same turn as naval and air bombardments. The paratroopers won't need preparation nor will they need an amphibious TF so coastal guns won't need to be a concern for your amphibious ships. But I would only use the paratroopers on lightly held bases. Use those Marshall targets as "live fire targets" for both ships bombarding and aircraft bombing.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing! :o

“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
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