History repeats itself, almost

[Zeta16]

Man the P38J's suck, my highlty skilled pilots get killed without doing any damage to them. It is real demoralizing to watch when the groups had skill levels of 75 or more. Just real sad.

[freeboy]

I think thatis too much abouthe 38's.. I remember the early days when they had crap for pilots and they went down like so many kites on a windy day... I did use them dailly for months now as fb bombing wewak and the area to gain experience.. So, at a two or three to one ratio and good experience levels... they better shread your planes....

[Zeta16]

ORIGINAL: freeboy

I think thatis too much abouthe 38's.. I remember the early days when they had crap for pilots and they went down like so many kites on a windy day... I did use them dailly for months now as fb bombing wewak and the area to gain experience.. So, at a two or three to one ratio and good experience levels... they better shread your planes....

The G's seem to be no problem, but the J's and cosairs are tuff. I think I will stay away from them.

[freeboy]

again the G's where crappy for experience, by the time this event happened the J's are all in the 80's for the most part... amazing how bombing enemy positions for months helps.. but you know that fom your "training" in China
The amazing invisable CV fleet disappered.. it was right of the coast of OZ.. then poof gone... what a pisser, I had 250 planes all set to run low level bombing runs against them... they seem to be pulling back to Soerbaja... With Wewak in the clean up stages.. we are concentrating on moving into the next stage of operation leapfrog

[Zeta16]

ORIGINAL: freeboy

again the G's where crappy for experience, by the time this event happened the J's are all in the 80's for the most part... amazing how bombing enemy positions for months helps.. but you know that fom your "training" in China
The amazing invisable CV fleet disappered.. it was right of the coast of OZ.. then poof gone... what a pisser, I had 250 planes all set to run low level bombing runs against them... they seem to be pulling back to Soerbaja... With Wewak in the clean up stages.. we are concentrating on moving into the next stage of operation leapfrog

How do get them that high, I can only get mine to about 70 then I start to lose pilots. Latly since my replacement are even worse it's hard to get them above 60. But it is nice to still a bunch of groups with high 70's skill left. I keep a lot groups in reserve, but latley it is hard to do that with attacks coming from every where.

[freeboy]

or you could just abandone the SRA... ready or not here I come

[Tom Hunter]

In answer to your question about bringing the Brits in. Do it. The more fronts you can open the harder it is for the Japanese to hold.

[freeboy]

I am somewhat limited as to how far down into maly, towards SP... I can attack due to the limited range of all but 2 bomber groups .. but as the sra crumbles under my steady presure.. Davao round 3 starts today.. allond with an invasion somewhere

it will not be too long untill I can leap over Rangoon and hit all along that exposed coast

Thanks for the input

[freeboy]

Invasion leapfrog ??????????
guesses anyone? Davao is now a "closed base" as are most of the bases in this capture

[freeboy]

And the Winner is ... Morotai
and today plane loses.. it is air to air like this that make an allied commander smile

[freeboy]

Operation leapfrog stag 1 Morotai falls on first attack... horaa horaa horaa
any guesses on second base .. please note base does note HAVE to be in the picture

[freeboy]

Another operation leapfrog contest pix

[freeboy]

fyi Ulithi is now a size three airfield...

[freeboy]

manado is being attacked next, as is Sorong.. as in So long guys

[freeboy]

Day Air attack on TF at 50,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 19
J2M Jack x 44
G4M1 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 32
F6F Hellcat x 119
F4U-1 Corsair x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 45 destroyed, 1 damaged
J2M Jack: 93 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 69 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 33 destroyed, 7 damaged
The attack against the CV group pictured before the move ..below

[freeboy]

loses from the above engagement

[freeboy]

Next turn the cv tf's accedentally get seperated as the "flollow me" speeds up and the follow tf slows to refuel presumably.. took several bad hits and mission;"knock on Manilla" is scrubbed
lots of Jap plane losses
Day Air attack on TF at 47,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 60
D4Y Judy x 53
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 73
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 129 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y Judy: 91 destroyed, 34 damaged
B5N Kate: 23 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 29 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 1
CL Santa Fe
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA San Diego

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Menado , at 39,67


Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Davao , at 41,61


Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 45


Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed, 23 damaged

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBM Avenger bombing at 4000 feet
6 x TBM Avenger bombing at 4000 feet
15 x TBM Avenger bombing at 3000 feet
8 x TBM Avenger bombing at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lamon Bay , at 44,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 16
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 13
TBM Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 12 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBM Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 47,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zeke x 27
D4Y Judy x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 51
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 51 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 9
D4Y Judy x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 32
F6F Hellcat x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y Judy: 11 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 22 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
We will confirm these loses tomorrow at the daily plane loses briefing.. does not suprise me Z went for a kill, and I think my cap would have shreaded his planes again without leakers if I had been able to keep the tf's together.. another cv coordination rule application, [X(]

[freeboy]

Fleet ops failed to check on planes loses.. we know that the Japs took sevear loses in those raids.. but they did succeed in turning away my port manilla raiders.. too bad.. Z reportedly has 300plus ships in Manilla... maybe after I exchange my damaged carriers for some nice freshly painted ones we can do this raid again[&:] hopefully with a BB lost or three...

new reports show in the area of 80 plus Zekes shot down to apx 20 Helcats.. no reports on KAtes Betties, but estimates remain on the high side.. meanwhile the attack against Mendano begins as Jap ships are spotted off the coast of Borneo.. could it be a bb raider.. or cv attack group... if either is the case I would be surprised if Z will get away unscathed as Morotoi is home to several alternate cv groups as my main twin engine bomber force, as well as 38j's whhich having a range of 11 easily cover the landing areas around the area

[freeboy]

later in Jan 44
here is an aar

Babo falls, other attacks proceeding as planned, fort level drops to 8 from nine with massive fow reported Jap loses at manado

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Babo, 42,77, firing at TF 1209
TF 1209 troops unloading over beach at Babo, 42,77


12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied ground losses:
787 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Babo, 42,77, firing at TF 1225
TF 1225 troops unloading over beach at Babo, 42,77


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Resources hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Babo, 42,77, firing at TF 1015
TF 1015 troops unloading over beach at Babo, 42,77


3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Babo, 42,77, firing at TF 1209
TF 1209 troops unloading over beach at Babo, 42,77


10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied ground losses:
266 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nanning , at 40,38


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 8


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Thunderbolt II bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wasile , at 41,69


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 15


No Allied losses

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x F6F Hellcat bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palau , at 52,67


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palau , at 52,67


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7


No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 27000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 27000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yap , at 54,66


Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 37


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
34 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78


Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 80


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 15 destroyed, 31 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
22 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
10 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 72
SBD Dauntless x 35


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
21 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
21 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
21 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
3 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
3 x F4U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 168th Chinese/A Division, at 44,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 90th Chinese/C Corps, at 53,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zeke x 23
D4Y Judy x 17
B6N Jill x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 30

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
17 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
23 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
13 x B6N Jill bombing at 25000 feet
7 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 90th Chinese/C Corps, at 53,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 90th Chinese/C Corps, at 53,28

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 20

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
9 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Menado , at 39,67


Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 22


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 18 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
12 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Babo

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2282 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8004 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 576 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 51339 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Menado

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15116 troops, 118 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 45904 troops, 473 guns, 318 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Menado

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45864 troops, 473 guns, 317 vehicles

Defending force 31112 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 8

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8


Japanese ground losses:
3016 casualties reported
Guns lost 49

Allied ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Babo

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6919 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3094 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Babo base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported

[Zeta16]

Damn the corsairs wish I could have shot at least one down. I guess I need alot better pilots. The pounding has begun and the Japanese are just going to have to take it. Hopfully 1.5 gets here before we get to the kami's so my fighters can be ones too.