Codename Sydney, Mogami(J) vs sveint(A)

[Arstavidios]

Nouméa is one of the most juicy targets on the map for the Japanese. It's worth something like 1200VP for the allies.So if the Japanese take it the allied score will suddenly drop by 1200 wich goes a long way to bringing the odds to 4:1.

The US crrier fleet won't be able to do much harm before mid '43 while the chinese losses will also make a big bag of easy VP's. That should be enough to bring Mogami well over the 4:1 ratio.

I feel Sveint may have comitted his forces too early and will have a hard time preventing a Japanese automatic victory.

[sveint]

The US crrier fleet won't be able to do much harm before mid '43

This made me laugh out loud - at work.

I feel Sveint may have comitted his forces too early and will have a hard time preventing a Japanese automatic victory.

I threw away 2 carriers at the beginning of the game (classical newbie mistake). Since that I haven't really made any serious mistakes. China lies in ruins and Noumea is a trading of blows - which serves me in the long run.

I like a challenge - it will be with great pleasure that I shall prove you wrong. In fact I have a hunch Mogami has already abandoned hope of capturing Noumea.

[sveint]

Mogami can tell you more exactly, but when I set orders for my B17s in Chunking... there are no worthwhile targets in interior China. Only Hanoi and the coastal cities still produce resources in any quantity.

In the Pacific: I've lost 4 CVs, Japan has lost 4 CV types (1 CV, 2 CVL, 1CVE) and 1 BB (the 4 I lost at PH don't count). Kitakami and Oi are sunk (his only radar ships). I've lost many cruisers and destroyers but still have many left. Most of those lost were older models. My ground troops are at full strenght and well supplied and dug in. So far not a single of my reinforcement runs have been intercepted. Not that I need many (I only brought in fighters so far) - Noumea has supplies to last long enough.

Noumea will be (if he continues the operation, which I doubt) a severe drain on Japanese resources and eventually help shorten the war. He still has to capture Java which is no walkover.

[Arstavidios]

Well, it depends on what you have on the island and how much Mogami wants to take it.
[:D]
I think you cannot afford to lose Nouméa and you and Mogami know it. So we'll see what will happen next. I guess the Japanese will either go all out for it or just give up and try somewhere else.

I think both fleets got seriously pounded but the Japanese still has the edge with his carriers for a few more months. His carriers have suffered heavily but so did yours and it won't work in your favour until you recieve new Essex carriers sometime into 1943.

Right now you only have 2 CV's left to go into 1943 with a few CVE's and British ships while the Japanese will recieve quite a few reinforcements, especially if he accelerates his carriers........

So you're probably going to be fairly pressed on during the upcoming few months and you cannot afford to lose your last few carriers if you do not want to lose New Caledonia.

I'm looking forward to see what's going to happen now, this campaign has been very interesting up to now[;)]

[sveint]

Also; Japan has several CVs and BBs in docks for repair. I'm not sure how many or how damaged they are but his losses are higher than the "sunk" numbers. All my damaged ships are lightly damaged (fully operational).

Furthermore, if he wants to take Noumea he'll be fighting within range of my LBA.

[Arstavidios]

Well, the Japanese have about 1 year to get there. So they have no need to hurry. Your carrier force won't increase significantly while Noumea is fairly isolated and you don't have many bases around to support it.

Moreover the Japanese can also take some bases within zeroe range and block the island with their own LBA. Your naval forces are not strong enough for the moment to go within range of LBA without support from your own LBA.

So you have to be careful about your defense there as it can be tricky. Well I'm sure Mogami's ole bag'o'tricks is very deep[:D].

[sveint]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/22/42

Scratch some Japanese experienced fighter pilots. In China the party continues.

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Day Air attack on TF at 83,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 23 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 21 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CV Shokaku

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Day Air attack on TF, near Suva at 86,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A Val x 42
B5N Kate x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
D3A Val: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Trento, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Minnesotan, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pacific, Bomb hits 3, on fire

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Day Air attack on TF at 83,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu

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Day Air attack on TF, near Suva at 86,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Trento, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Minnesotan, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pacific, on fire

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Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 255905 troops, 2673 guns, 155 vehicles

Defending force 114878 troops, 729 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)


Japanese ground losses:
10635 casualties reported
Guns lost 239
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
2551 casualties reported
Guns lost 72


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Ground combat at 46,38

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 62830 troops, 598 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 34467 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2166 casualties reported
Guns lost 39
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
706 casualties reported
Guns lost 7


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Ground combat at Nanking

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69232 troops, 702 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 80472 troops, 176 guns, 61 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[mogami]

Hi, 27 Mar 1942 (stats through 26 Mar 1942)

On 26 Mar the Japanese Empire lost 9,0,3,8 Aircraft (A2A,DOG,AA,Ops)
The Allies lost 34,7,2,2
bringing the totals to date

Allies Japan
A2A 676-248
DOG 513-75
AA 92-244
Ops 280-367
Sortie 418486-149309

Japanese loss by model (where a type has lost more then 20 total)
A6M2 91-8-7-102
Ki-27 42-0-10-34
B5N 10-43-20-12
Ki-30 24-19-0-31
Ki-43Ib 31-0-24-18
D3A 4-43-0-17
Ki-21 0-18-0-44
G4M1 7-26-5-10
Ki-51 5-23-0-15
Ki-46II 1-18-7-6
Ki-57II 0-1-0-25
Ki-15 4-17-0-5
G3M 8-8-0-10
Ki-48 11-6-0-4

Japan has lost a total of 934 aircraft to all cause. Current montly production is 831 aircraft per month.


(8 Nell and 7 Betty have been shot down in A2A. 5xB17E have been shot down in A2A)


Japanese economy is feeling the impact of failure to secure SRA and begin shipment of resource/Oil (although large amounts have been moved or are in transit.

Total Japanese supply on map 216,120
(Fuel over 3 million. Impact of non delivery of oil is heavy inductry does not produce supply without it. Much fuel has been captured in SRA but oil shipments are just now exceeding 100k in transit at any one time. )

[BlackVoid]

Just a note: When allies score points, Japan has to make 4 times as many points to hope winning on points. Trading blows as allies in 1942 is actually a good thing, for every point the allies score, Japan has to score 4.

[mogami]

Hi, I have 3 Daitai of A6M2 at Luganville. Their mission is simple...Gain control of the air over Noumea.
The three Daitai contain 77 pilots at present (4/29/42) These 77 pilots claim 109 air to air victories at present. Of the 77 pilots 7 are "untrained" (experiance below 50) (the 7 pilots have 17 missions total between them)

In the bullpen (reserve) I have 81 fully trained pilots in 3 Daitai (3x27A6M2)

The question (and future course of the battle) revolves around whethter or not the Japanese can cover landings of troops onto Noumea (or neighboring bases) There is no doubt that units are present and ready to land only can they get there?

In my mind I ask "If I cannot win this battle in 1942 how can I expect to win another battle in 1943?"

[sveint]

Japanese attention seems to have turned to Java, at least temporarily. Besides daily air sweeps by Zeros, New Caledonia is quiet.

Java is typical - the Dutch cannot stop the Japanese advance but they manage to land bombs and torpedos in more ships than the Japanese would like. The landings in Kragen have been successful.

[sveint]

May 1st, 1942

The Commonwealth upgrades its aircraft, and her majesty is informed that the crown colony, India, is considered secure.

The Dutch are putting up spirited resistance in Java, and expect to keep fighting for at least another month.

The Chinese are safely dug in and holding the line. Most occupied Chinese cities lie in ruins and Chunking is slowly becoming operational as a base for heavy bombers.

Mr Roosevelt has just been informed that all currently held territories are sufficiently defended. No doubt the Japanese will fight tenaciously, but their prospects for capturing Noumea or any other islands are very slim. High command needs another 6 months before any offensives can be undertaken though. It's still going to be a long war.

[sveint]

Total Japanese supply on map 216,120

[mogami]

Hi, Those Allied policticians will say anything to keep their jobs. The Japanese Prime Minister just told his people everything is coming Roses. Svient and I both know the truth however. We have not yet begun to fight.

Yes 219k supply on map. And 300k resource and 200k oil in overseas Japanese ports and 500k oil and 1,000k resource in the Home Islands. (but I can only have 14k heavy industry)

[mogami]

Greetings, The A6M3 made it's combat debut on 1 May 1942. F1/6th Daitai sent 26 aircraft into battle in Noumea air zone. 24 remain and the group registers 9 kills. The 2 lost aircraft were recorded as op loss. (although both pilots were lost)
Air to Air loss for the day 27 Allied and 3 Japanese. (another 4 Allied and 14 Japanese aircraft were lost to other causes)

[mogami]

Java on 2 May 1942. Lets see if it can hold out a month.

[sveint]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/02/42

Airborne assault on Andaman fails horribly.

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Ground combat at Andaman Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 562 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8349 troops, 38 guns, 2 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[mogami]

Hi, My poor paratroops. I had arranged a massive assault but recon (conducted over a long period) led me to believe the island was empty so "Paratroops go remove that ugly enemy icon from the map. I'll pick you up next turn and throw you a party"

Several commanding officers of recon units have been sent to floatplanes on submarines (those guys never come back)

[sveint]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/10/42

I have no idea what he is trying to do but it sure is good target practice (this is near the northern tip of New Caledonia). The Dutch are also sinking a transport or two per day.

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Day Air attack on TF at 67,110


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 6
A-20B Boston x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Hagoromo Maru
MSW Fukeui Maru #7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Chitose Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choyo Maru #2
MSW Fuji Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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Day Air attack on TF at 67,110


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
SBD Dauntless x 35
Kittyhawk I x 16
Beaufort V-IX x 23
P-39D Airacobra x 39
A-20B Boston x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 30


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Chitose Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choyo Maru #2
MSW Fuji Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Hagoromo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Takasago Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Seki Maru #3
MSW Asahi Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

[mogami]

Hi, I'm busy screwing up. The MSW are faster then the other TF and they ran out from under the CAP