The Coral Sea (Scenario 3): Grotius vs. Maikarant

[Salient]

Thanks for the AAR guys!

For beginner players like myself these things can be interesting.

[Grotius]

Here's a shot from the combat replay of May 5, as our wounded CVs disengage and he once again bombs my forces liberating Buna:

[Grotius]

Salient: glad you're enjoying it! Maikarant is completely new to PBEM, and my only PBEM experience is with UV, so we're kinda like newbies too. After six months of playing against the AI, I have to say that PBEM has completely addicted me.

Here's a shot from the 8 May 1942 combat replay. My Betties from Rabaul are busy attacking a surface force Maikarant has sent to Woodlark Island. I've been reconning Woodlark quite consistently, and I bet that has him worried. Of course, I've also been reconning Port Moresby, Goodenough, Russell, Ndini, etc...

[Grotius]

Here's one oddity. This turn I inherited Tassafaronga because of the base-proximity rules. (I have Lunga, Tulagi, and am about to take Russell.) But there was a damaged squadron of Catalinas there when I inherited it. Instead of being destroyed, the Catalinas now show up on my base screen. Is this a known issue? If not, should I send someone a save? Also, should I try disbanding the air group or something?

Here's a screenshot, with the mouse hovering over the base icon for Tassafaronga:

[Grotius]

9 May 1942: Today the IJN sank two USN fleet carriers with submarines. I was ridiculously lucky. How often has that ever happened in WITP, or UV for that matter?

It should be said that both Lexington and Yorktown were badly crippled and might not have made port anyway. One was close to Cairns; the other was somewhat further south.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/09/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 47 troops unloading over beach at Russell Islands, 66,96


Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 53,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]

Allied Ships
AP Moreton Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Largs Bay
MSW Wollongong
MSW Whyalla
MSW Toowoomba
MSW Mildura


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Fergusson Island at 57,94

Japanese Ships
AK Hakonesan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 49 troops unloading over beach at Kiriwina Island, 57,93


Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 51,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
5 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 17
Beaufort I x 6
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Akibasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nichibi Maru, heavy damage
MSW Seki Maru #3
AP Syoka Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [ouch]

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AD Dobbin, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90


Allied aircraft
SB2U Vindicator x 13
SBD Dauntless x 13
Kittyhawk I x 6
Beaufort I x 9
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 19


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed

Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 15000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
10 x SB2U Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2U Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Russell Islands

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1404 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Russell Islands base !!!

[Alikchi2]

Insanely lucky!! Well done.

[Grotius]

10 May 1942: The submarine war continues unabated. Maikarant has now depth-charged and sunk two of my subs, whereas I've landed maybe one depth charge on one of his -- and with Fog of War, who knows if I really hit it significantly. I'm annoyed that my air ASW isn't doing much of anything, and I've ordered more planes to take up this task.

In the meantime, Maikarant pounded Lae again, and he shot down a whole squadron of Zeroes. Ouch! He's not supposed to be able to do that in May 1942! Grrr. He also caught six on the ground, which hurts almost as much -- though at least I didn't lose those skilled early-war pilots. I did get off a couple of Nell attacks on his ships resupplying Port Moresby, and I put a whole in one cargo vessel. I also sank an AVD in the Coral Sea.

Maikarant has sunk 10 or 12 of my ships, and I've sunk only four of his. But two of my victims were fleet carriers, and that alone may keep me ahead on points through the end of the scenario. That, and my greedy grabbing of undefended island bases in the Solomons. But it now appears that I won't achieve my ultimate (perhaps unrealistic) goal of taking Port Moresby. Thus it seems likely that our Battle of the Coral Sea will mirror the real thing -- a tactical victory for me, a strategic victory for Maikarant.

[Grotius]

11 May 1942: The quietest day yet in our little 15-day war. Maikarant unleashed his bombers on Buna, and he also bombed (and, fortunately, missed) my task force supplying my newest acquisition, Kiriwina Island. Meanwhile, I finally sank one of his submarines.

[Grotius]

KIRIWINA ISLAND, South Pacific, May 12, 1942 (UPI) - There are unconfirmed reports that Japan and the United States fought the war's first surface-ship battle near this tiny island off the coast of Papau New Guinea. According to Australian Coastwatchers, an American Bombardment Task Force surprised a small Japanese resupply Task Force that was preparing to unload supply over the beach.

TOKYO, Japan, May 12, 1942 (Reuters) - The Japanese government today denied rumors that its invasion of Port Moresby has been delayed by the naval and air forces of the United States. "Our troops are preparing to liberate Papua New Guinea as I speak," said a spokesman for the Prime Minister.

WASHINGTON, DC, May 12, 1942 (AP) - President Roosevelt publicly praised Admiral Maikarant for his tenacious defense of Port Moresby, the key Allied outpost on Papua New Guinea, just east of Australia. "Admiral Maikarant has stood his ground where others have failed," the President proclaimed. Privately, however, the President's aides expressed concern over the loss of two American carriers and over unconfirmed reports that Japan has seized the entire island of Guadalcanal, an obscure island south of Rabaul.

[Grotius]

12 May 1942: Today indeed witnessed the war's first surface-ship vs. surface-ship engagement. Maikarant sent a nasty task force of heavy cruisers to bombard Kiriwina Island, which I seized just a day ago, and in so doing surprised the two ships I had ordered to resupply the small garrison there. When he was through busting up those ships, he annhilated much of my ground force on the island with a massive bombardment from his big naval guns.

Of course, my valiant Betties and Nells flew to the rescue out of Rabaul...oh, wait. I'd ordered them all to rest for a day to shed fatigue. But surely my remaining aircraft carrier made mincemeat of the impertinent Americans?! Um, no, it was busy with other duties.

At least my submarine commanders were on the job, making more holes in the sides of imperialist naval vessels. Unfortunately, one of those sub commanders now has a permanent home on the ocean floor.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/12/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 51,97

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
PG Tui
PG Moa
PG Kiwi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese Ships
PG Shinko Maru #3, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Nagisan Maru, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Chester
CA Chicago
CA New Orleans
CA Astoria
DD Sims
DD Walke
DD Phelps
DD Dewey
DD Monaghan
DD Aylwin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kiriwina Island, at 57,93

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Walke
DD Sims
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CA Chester
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 56,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Walke
DD Sims
CA Astoria
CA Chester

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SB2U Vindicator x 15
SBD Dauntless x 13
Beaufort V-IX x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 23
A-20B Boston x 25
B-26B Marauder x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U Vindicator: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 78

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
15 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
5 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
12 x SB2U Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x SB2U Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
13 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on South Seas Det. , at 55,90


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 42
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 2
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10
Kittyhawk I x 14
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

[maikarant]

Sir! Only float planes will be able to start from Lae for the foreseeable future, Sir!

[Grotius]

13 May 1942: Indeed, as Maikarant says, Lae spent much of the game with runway and service damage around 50 each. I was disappointed that my Zeroes there didn't outperform your Warhawks and the like.

Today Maikarant sent his B-17s over Rabaul at 35,000 feet on a Naval Attack mission, and by golly if they didn't take a potshot at my sole remaining healthy carrier, Zuikaku. My heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, the Fortresses' bombs fell harmlessly in the ocean.

Meanwhile, I lost yet another sub. Maikarant has sunk about three times as many ships as I've sunk of his. Fortunately, I've sunk two very high-value American ships, so I'll take it. But these submarine losses have been ghastly.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/13/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey
DMS Southard
DD Electra

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 49 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 59,94


Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 57,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage [and sunk]

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Walke
DD Sims

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 55,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M Nell x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Cuyama

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 14
Beaufort I x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 7
Beaufort I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Largs Bay
AK Idomeneus

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[Grotius]

TOKYO, Japan, May 14, 1942 (UPI) - In a stunning development, Japanese Admiral Grotius and US Admiral Mats have laid down their arms, and the war in the Pacific is over! Grotius achieved a tactical victory "on points" in the Coral Sea, seizing many small bases and sinking two US fleet carriers. But Maikarant achieved a strategic victory, holding and reinforcing the key base at Port Moresby, on Papua New Guinea, not far from Australia.

[Grotius]

14 May 1942: This, the last day of our 14-day scenario, was an interesting one. Maikarant ordered a group of surface ships to bombard my new base at Woodlark Island. I had stationed a screen of submarines ringing the south side of Woodlark to stave off any seaborne assaults, and Maikarant's bombardment Task Force encountered at least one and possibly two of those subs. We think the encounter with the subs may have slowed the Bombardment TF down enough that it didn't sneak away before daylight, which is what Maikarant had hoped to do.

Unfortunately, my Betties and Nells in Rabaul were just too tired to hit much of anything. I'd given them the day off a day or so earlier but they still had a lot of fatigue. As for CV Zuikaku, I kept her in a TF in Rabaul instead of ordering her out to cover Woodlark, which was a mistake. Maikarant had subs prowling all around Rabaul, and after he lost two CVs to subs earlier in the week, I was jumpy about his subs. Too jumpy, no doubt.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 58,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey
DMS Southard
DD Electra

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 58,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Walke
DD Sims
CA Chicago

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 13
F-5A Lightning x 2
A-20B Boston x 12
B-26B Marauder x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
11 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 59,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M Nell x 4
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
DD Sims

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Sabine, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort I x 10
Beaufort V-IX x 13


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort I bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 5000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 47,100

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island, at 59,94

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Walke
DD Sims
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
CA Chester

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 99 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Empire: 4 destroyed

[Grotius]

And now a couple screenshots for your viewing pleasure. First, the disposition of my forces on 5 May 1942, five days into the scenario. My CVs were hunting for US carriers, while I was forming up Fast Transport TFs from Shortlands to Woodlark etc. Subs were preparing to establish screens for Lunga and Papua New Guinea. I also had Transport TFs ferrying troops and supplies to invade Russell and resupply my other bases in the Solomons.

[Grotius]

By May 8, we had fought our big carrier battle. He sank CVL Shoho; Shokaku limped to Rabaul with 40 SYS 10 FLT; but Zuikaku was fine. In the meantime, Lex and Yorktown were both on their last legs, making for Australia as indicated here. My subs torpedoed and sank both on the same day.

In the meantime, I delayed my Fast Transport operations for a day or so because I suspected that Maikarant intended to intervene with surface vessels prowling around the Coral Sea, along the path indicated by a green arrow pointing at Woodlark. My Betties and Nells were already getting pretty tired, and Zuikaku was busy escorting Shokaku back to Rabaul. As for Maikarant, he bombed Lae and Buna incessantly, as indicated.

[Grotius]

And indeed, the next day one or more US surface ships did pay a visit to Woodlark. I think most retired, but one got hung up, perhaps by a US submarine; I'm not sure what happened. It was a DE or some such. Anyway, my Betties sank it but didn't get anything else.

Incidentally, the range circles actually stem from a squadron of damaged Catalinas that somehow became "mine" after I took control of Tassafaronga. I mentioned the bug in the Support forum, and I'm happy to send an e-mail to anyone who wants it.

[Grotius]

In the east, my recon of Nendo (Ndini) kept showing several BBs and an AP or two formed up in a Task Force there. My garrisons at Lunga and Tulagi were weak, and I had very few surface ships to spare, so I was a bit worried about a counterattack from this direction. I positioned subs as a screen, and I sent a minelayer to place some mines at Tulagi.

[Grotius]

This is the last screenshot I have of the map; it was taken on May 13, the next-to-last day of the scenario. Maikarant was preparing to send his surface ships to Woodlark again. When he did so, one of my subs delayed him, and his TF got stuck at Woodlark even though he had "Retirement Allowed" set. But my Betties and Nells only sank one DD. In any case, my troops seized Woodlark on the last day of the scenario.

[Grotius]

Final intel screen: