Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

Those big shells did good work:

Night Naval bombardment of Hengchun at 84,67

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 198 damaged
Ki-84r Frank: 9 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 28 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 7 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 53 damaged
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M8 Zero: 32 damaged
A6M8 Zero: 9 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
CL Columbia
CL Cleveland
CL Phoenix
DD Fanning
DD Harding
DD Taylor
DD Stevens
DD Stanly
DD Sigsbee
DD Saufley
DD Renshaw
DD Halford
DD Foote
DD Bullard

Japanese ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 93
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

BB Indiana firing at Hengchun
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter fo

[Lowpe]

I guess Japan has a lot of LRCAP flying here, but the Jugs do good work:

Morning Air attack on Orchid Island , at 85,67

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 191 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 12
J2M2 Jack x 4
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 15 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 39000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Orchid Island , at 85,67

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 172 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M5 Zero x 11
A6M5b Zero x 18
A6M8 Zero x 8
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 45010.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

[Lowpe]

It was a major aerial attack on Orchid Island off Formosa....we have three AAA there but Japan did manage to score a few hits but no lasting damage and the runway is improved to 55% towards level 2. A good trade.

Morning Air attack on Orchid Island , at 85,67

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 5
D4Y2 Judy x 20
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 12 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
348th FG/341st FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers

[Lowpe]

Singa is just a matter of time, don't worry

Yep, just have to keep bombing and attacking. I would like the shipyard, but I bet it will be heavily damaged when the base falls.

[Lowpe]

Sorry for the lack of updates.

Relatively quiet days after Japan ate about 600 plane losses for one sunk escort carrier and one destroyer (Allies lost less than 50 planes)...Orchid Island will be a level 2 runway today. Big shortage of Navy fighter pilots but front line units are in good shape skill wise.

We are slowly grinding forward....today a paratroop landing on one of the islands north east of Orchid Island will go thru...surging desrons forward to provide some interference.

An amphibious brigade landed on Batan Island, south of Orchid Island, prep was very poor 35....which will be standard now pretty much as we move forward taking what opportunities we can.

Looking at landing on Luzon from the Aparri side so to speak...still prepped for Formosa. More concerned about grabbing islands approaching Honshu though.

Invasion was tougher than expected, mainly because I didn't realize it was a shock attack.


Ground combat at Batan Island (85,70)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 330 troops, 0 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Defending force 1078 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

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

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 55 (28 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Arm Amphib Battalion

Defending units:
2nd South Seas Gsn
87th Nav Gd /1

We are ashore, not in great shape but good enough I think.

[RangerJoe]

Now you can reinforce with Fast Transport TFs if you have the APDs available. I would suggest reserving your paratroop units for these invasions since they don't need preparation, then they can be reinforced while the paratroopers are picked up and send elsewhere.

[Lowpe]

Dec 15th, 1943

Caught the small merchant convoy north of the Malacca Straits....

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sinabang at 40,72, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Mito Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Teihoku Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
PB Akagane Maru, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Holland Maru
xAK Hukusei Maru
xAK Kotohira Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Teisen Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Midori Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Ceylon
DD Tenedos

Improved night sighting under 85% moon

[Lowpe]

I surged four squadrons east of Formosa....one Desron really got spanked:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
CA Mikuma
CL Noshiro
CL Tama
DD Fubuki
DD Asagiri
DD Nagatsuki
DD Uruyuke

Allied Ships
DD Hobby, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Harding, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sampson, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Warrington, Shell hits 33, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 85% moonlight: 6,000 yards

[Lowpe]

Another squadron got spanked by a 2 task force carrier group one hex north of them....

Morning Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,66

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11
A6M8 Zero x 81
B6N1 Jill x 32
D4Y1 Judy x 14
D4Y2 Judy x 46

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Ammen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Leander, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CL Cleveland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Columbia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CL Phoenix
CL Trenton
DD Bennett
DD Bache
DD Chevalier
DD Bullard

[Lowpe]

But now there is a 5 squadron Desron one hex north of the carrier group, and enough ships one hex south to form a five ship task force....so his carriers are sandwiched, and I believe his main SAG has returned for rearming.

Not expecting much....but we shall see....

Paratroopers ran into some freshly arriving troops....this island is the furthest east of the three east of Formosa....pictures coming.

Ground combat at Miyako-jima (91,66)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 70 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 63 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 2

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
50th Indian Para Bde /1

Defending units:
6th Div /1

[Lowpe]

Dec 16th, 1943

The sitrep

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[RangerJoe]

But now there is a 5 squadron Desron one hex north of the carrier group, and enough ships one hex south to form a five ship task force....so his carriers are sandwiched, and I believe his main SAG has returned for rearming.

Not expecting much....but we shall see....

Paratroopers ran into some freshly arriving troops....this island is the furthest east of the three east of Formosa....pictures coming.

Ground combat at Miyako-jima (91,66)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 70 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 63 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 2

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
50th Indian Para Bde /1

Defending units:
6th Div /1

Oh boy, a race to see who can airlift troops there faster!

[Lowpe]

Evade....knew it would happen....

Night Time Surface Combat, near Miyako-jima at 91,65, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo
CVE Chuyo
CL Isuzu
DD Suzunami
DD Onami
DD Kagero
DD Usugumo
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Phoenix
DD Bache
DD Bennett
DD Bullard
DD Chevalier

[Lowpe]

Another evasion....figures....IJN seems to get away to the east.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Miyako-jima at 92,66, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Hayate
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
E Amakusa
E Mikura
E W-27
E W-28
PB Edo Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Kenyo Maru
xAK Kogyo Maru
xAK Kyusyu Maru
xAK Seia Maru
xAK Yamaura Maru
xAK Mexico Maru
AMC Bankok Maru
xAK Tuyama Maru
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Nanman Maru
xAK Hakubasan Maru
xAP Yoshino Maru
xAP Kamo Maru
xAP Taizan Maru
xAP Keihuku Maru
xAP Teison Maru

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Phoenix
DD Bache
DD Bennett
DD Bullard
DD Chevalier

[Lowpe]

The morning hours....

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[Lowpe]

My CAP is kind of weak....probably from making a full speed run there, while a second CV task force is in Escort mode....

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ishigaki at 90,67

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 58
B6N1 Jill x 26
D4Y1 Judy x 5
D4Y2 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 13 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Harrison
DD Trathen
DD Woodworth

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

[Lowpe]

Afternoon attack does better for Japan....will have to spend a bit more than 10 minutes on the turn to find our why our CAP was so weak.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,67

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 80
B6N1 Jill x 61
D4Y1 Judy x 19
D4Y2 Judy x 65

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51
F4U-1A Corsair x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 6 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 9 destroyed, 22 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y2 Judy: 17 destroyed, 11 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Halford
CLAA Prince Robert
CA Wichita
CA Vincennes
DE Gilmer
DE Whipple
DE Ward

Aircraft Attacking:

[Lowpe]

Making progress at Singers:

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[Lowpe]

More paratroopers land and we take Miyako-Jima. Japan has troops on the other two adjacent islands....

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 114 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Defending force 56 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 7

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Miyako-jima !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
50th Indian Para Bde /1

Defending units:
6th Div /1

[Lowpe]

Sitrep

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