Guadalcanal - BlackVoid vs. Testarossa

[testarossa]

Well, I was just jealous. I put 80 something on night mission and got 10 of them actually flying.

Well I knew it’s coming, but THAT big??!!! My poor P-39s.
[:(]

[BlackVoid]

Now I can reveal that the bombardment TF was only a trap to lure the enemy carriers into LBA range and also to jump on them with my CVs.
In a very strange naval battle no carrier based planes cause any significant damage. Betties save the day for me and put 3 torps into Wasp. Both sides suffer heavy AC losses (posted below). American planes are destroyed in very large numbers.

At Lunga there is a major battle. Some of my ships stay at Lunga by accident, but fail to engage the enemy, they just sit in the same hex with US forces during the day. [:@]

Map of action at the end of this post. Some TFs removed for FOW purposes.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/24/42 - Highlights

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Nagara, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Yura
DD Yukikaze
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Shiranuhi
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Australia, Shell hits 2
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
CL Hobart, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, on fire
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Yura, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 1
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 1
DD Ellet, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Wilson
DD Dewey, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hull, Shell hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101 - PT boats cause more damage than the US fleet. Mega LOL.

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Abukuma
CL Kuma, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
PT PT-20
PT PT-21
PT PT-22, Shell hits 116, and is sunk
PT PT-24
PT PT-37
PT PT-45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Abukuma
CL Kuma, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tama
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Asashio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-23
PT PT-25
PT PT-40
PT PT-42
PT PT-123
PT PT-126

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tulagi at 67,100 - I have no idea what is this about. I had no TFs with 3 DDs.

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 9, on fire
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CL Nashville
DD McCall
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Mahan
DD Cummings
DD Lamson
DD Conyngham
DD Cushing
DD Porter
DD Clark

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 59,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 50

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 27
TBF Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 40 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Atago

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 50

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 11
TBF Avenger x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 21 destroyed, 13 damaged
TBF Avenger: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CVE Unyo
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 13 damaged
TBF Avenger: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Ryujo
CVE Unyo

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 45 destroyed, 20 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo
CA Suzuya
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 67,98


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 40
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 37

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 104

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 72 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A Val: 22 destroyed, 15 damaged
B5N Kate: 55 destroyed, 27 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 69 destroyed, 21 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1 - fails to penetrate flight deck
BB North Carolina
CV Enterprise

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 67,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 49

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 41 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
DD Russell
DD Walke
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Honolulu
DD Meredith

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 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
2 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
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,98 - Betties save the day for Japan

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 14 destroyed, 7 damaged
B5N Kate: 32 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 31 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 13 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 33 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 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
---------------------------------------------------------

[BlackVoid]

AC losses for the day.

[testarossa]

Now I can reveal that my intention in this engagement was to put IJN fleet air arm into the meat grinder. I moved out all LBA from the PM (planes destroyed were the damaged ones). I left P39s for the slaughter cause expected morning follow up raid by LBA from Rabaul (no luck here as bombardment was so powerful that effectively put PM out of action).

IJN CVs were detected by the sub(showing as CAs on the report) and I expected attack on Lunga too and brought considerable surface force.

Well, all plans are good only on paper. G4M leakers screwed the Wasp. My CAP didn't perform that well after all. I hoped to deliver some damage to IJN CVs too, but BlackVoid put his TF out of my reach and well in range for his strike. Perfect use of IJN advantage.

I haven't received the turn yet so I cannot access the severity of damage. Well, defence of western civilization requires some sacrifices.

Edit: It is my first PBEM game and I have to admit that playing against human opponent is 10 times more exciting than AI. Well, it’s slow too.

[BlackVoid]

My CVs were in reach, one BB was even torped.
Zeros were the heroes of the day. I think the reason was layered CAP and during the strikes altitude advantage.

Kate performance was dissapointing. Allied strikes were not very well coordinated and were destroyed piecemeal. I think fatigue on the allied side was the big reason for poor fighter performance.

[testarossa]

The purpose of the layered CAP was to catch both DBs and TBs (and it worked as Kates didn't score a hit). As I see now it has a disadvantage too.

[BlackVoid]

Lol, I was refering to my layered CAP. It is needed to defend against most altitude possibilites.

Why did you engage my BBs if you were after my naval air?

[testarossa]

It’ not like I’m a clairvoyant or something.
I kept my CVs south of Guadalcanal expecting powerful response in that area. CVE was playing bait; also I kept some AOs there (look like CVs and BBs sometime on reports).

Than my subs reported movement of several TFs south (with Tambor attempting an attack on CV) and Catalina reported BBs and CAs moving SW so I figured out that PM is going to be wasted. So I dashed to Gili-Gili to catch them on return trip.

Next turn I started to think that it is too simple and no sane commander will send so many BBs unescorted, so I thought that IJN CVs are somewhere near Shortlands and can catch me. Still I thought that main target was Guadalcanal.

That moment I thought about running my CVs back to Guadalcanal under land based fighter cover or to stay and finish off the stragglers. As always greed took over the common sense and I stayed (setting CAP to 80%).

Now I think I should’ve moved them to Luganville to replenish air groups. The only good thing is that I can afford staggering air group losses and you can’t.
And my CAP performed extremely unsatisfactory (to which fatigue I think is main contributing factor). Strikes didn’t perform well either but mainly to the weak fighter cover and disruption from previous day strikes. So I’m getting here what I was asking for.

Edit: I kept 1 sq at 5000, 2 at 10000 and 1 at 15000. What was your layered CAP altitude?

Something you forgot to mention:
1. There are 7 IJN subs closing in to kill the strugglers.
2. There was one dud torpedo hit on one of your CVL.
3. You moved CVL-CVE TF as a bait effectively covering it with CAP from main TF 60 miles to NW. Even if i managed to launch full size strike - your main TF was not in danger.

[BlackVoid]

Allied CV groups split and flee the scene. IJN CVs pursue and launch strikes against both group with not very good result. Allies do not have many fighters left, so they do not even launch.

Surprise! Japanese troops land at Milne Bay (Gili-Gili).

Yes, I have to admit that subs are swarming in the area of the CV battles, 1 of them even fired at Enterprise but all torps miss.
1 IJN SS sunk by escorts.

IJN admiral threatens to shoot any pilot who attacks non-CV ship. Stupid Kate pilots ruin CLAA Atlanta.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/25/42

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Sub attack at 56,99

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
DD Dale
DD Farragut
DD Benham
DD Gwin

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ASW attack at 56,99

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
DD Stack
DD Lang
DD Craven
DD Farenholt

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Night Time Surface Combat at 66,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-26
PT PT-27
PT PT-36
PT PT-39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Dale
DD Farragut
DD Benham
DD Gwin
CA New Orleans
BB North Carolina

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Day Air attack on TF at 55,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
D3A Val: 13 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB North Carolina

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 31

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Utahan
DD Warramunga
CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1
AK Steelmaker, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 55,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 17 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CLAA San Juan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [:@]
CLAA Atlanta
CA Portland

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,102

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 28
D3A Val x 2
B5N Kate x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Farenholt

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 23 troops unloading over beach at Milne Bay, 57,96


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Milne Bay, 57,96, firing at TF 26
TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Milne Bay, 57,96


144 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
820 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Milne Bay

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4045 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4614 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

[BlackVoid]

Cloud cover and refuelling prevent my CVs to launch this turn. Not much action. Unsuccesful attack by TBFs on invasion at Milne (from PM).
One allied AO torpedoed by IJN sub south of Milne bay.

[testarossa]

Not much to say, except CVs were not supposed to split. Either I forgot to give the right orders, either something else happened. All three were supposed to escort Wasp. And I would've had 28 F4Fs on CAP not 14. Well, defeated but not broken US Navy retreats.

And I sunk another DD with MTBs, damaged by Mk16 mine. It was tiny 28 mines minefield. i am very surprised.

[testarossa]

IJN shells Milne Bay and continues amphibious landing.
USN shells Tulagi.

Fighter-bombers from PM strafe invasion fleet at Milne Bay delivering superficial damage to transports and ground troops.

SS Albacore intercepts BB Mutsu and DD Hatsukaze. All torpedoes in salvo of six are duds. Miraculosly they strike patched holes from 5 torpedo hits from recent US carrier strike. Mutsu sinks.

[BlackVoid]

2 turns....
Allied convoy shot up at PM. Proof that even AKs can stop effective bombardment. Read below and defend your bases instead of whining.
Wasp sinks.
Major IJN air defeat over PM.
First ground attack at Milne bay fails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 54,93

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta
DD Mutsuki
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Mikazuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
MSW Starling
MSW Robin
SC SC-703, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AK Arkansan, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Kentuckian, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Utahan, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Santa Rita
AK Edgar Luckenbach, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Robert Luckenbach
AK Mormacmar, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Vincente, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Nabesna

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 54,93

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba


Allied ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 41

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 18
P-39D Airacobra x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 27 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 35 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Santa Rita
AK Robert Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nabesna
MSW Starling, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 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
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Milne Bay

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15056 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6762 troops, 59 guns, 1 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[BlackVoid]

Japan captures Milne Bay!
IJN sub near Cairns torpedoes MSW (sinks) but ASW force scores 2 DC hits.
Invasion force is bombed from PM, 1 DD damaged, some transports lightly damaged. I simply cannot afford to put LR CAP over Milne Bay - almost all Zeros are on the CVs. Thankfully allied crews are low on morale and fatigued, PM still damaged from BB bombardment.

After loosing Guadalcanal, IJN takes the initiative by winning CV battle and immediately landing at Milne. Can the allies wrestle it back?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Milne Bay

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14918 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6225 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Milne Bay base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Milne Bay

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14918 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6225 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Milne Bay base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[testarossa]

I can whine about almost everything. Even about being stupid or careless.

One thing especially. Why in the hell pilots carrying 250 and 500 lb bombs try to sink BB or CA? Don't they know that this is pointless? Why not DDs or transprots where hits count? Why dive-bombers attack BBs with 1000lb bombs knowing that they will not penetrate the deck? Why not to attack CAs in the same TF? Looks like they just go after biggest ship in the TF, with some acs attacking smaller ones. Right now even 1000lb GP bomb is impotent against BB. Well it shows Mutsu was sunk by 1000lb bomb. I bet they just scratched the hide. Ha, what about 5 Mk13 torpedoes?
Yamato was hit by at least 10 1000 GP bombs and what? Nothing!

And Wasp sinks in the harbour having 84 floatation damage. Well this one was just a bad luck. Got leader bug during wasp demise. commander was killed and escorting DDs got WO commander.

Well everything will depend now on how fast allies replenish naval air groups.

[BlackVoid]

Testarossa: whining comment was NOT directed at you! Many complain about bombardment effectiveness when they leave big juicy targets without any protection.

Just noticed that there is no off-map repair in this scenario. Is that right?
Mutsu was definetely sunk by torpedo, what is shown on the intel screen is useless BS (last dmg was bomb).

I learn today that allies can even crater the ocean as my Rufes refuse to fly CAP over Milne Bay. Yes, runway is at 100 dmg, but since when do float planes fly from the runway?

There is one thing that this game is not: simulation. It is just a game with many annoying, illogical stuff.

Allies devastate IJN convoy at Milne Bay.
IJN sunks convoy between PM and Oz.
Rufes killed on the runway(!!!) at Milne bay.

Allied air power is scary. My engineers' ability to repair bases is close to non-existent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 53,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 28
D3A Val x 36
B5N Kate x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Robin, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nabesna, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Santa Rita, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 57,96


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 12
TBF Avenger x 7
Beaufighter VIC x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter VIC bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[BlackVoid]

Looked up Yamato in combat reports, she was hit by 13 bombs. 2 guns knocked out, but sys damage is only a moderate 16.

Apparently BBs cannot be sunk by allied bombs at all.

[testarossa]

They promised special 1000 lb AP bomb for allies. Instead they should've increased penetration power of 1000 lb GP bomb (they cannot implement advanced damage model for ships as I’ve read somewhere).

I've read your post later about port bombardments. I didn't take offence first time either. Don't worry about that. I really enjoy playing with you. You should move into the Pacific time zone. [:D]

There is no off map repair option. They forgot to transfer it from UV. Sounds like a nice feature though.

[BlackVoid]

USN sub sunk near Rabaul.
Allies bombard Shortland, coastal guns fight back!
Big E is lurking near Milne.

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Naval bombardment of Shortlands, at 64,96 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

109 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 12
CL Boise, Shell hits 4
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 5
CA Shropshire
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 16, on fire
CA Northampton, Shell hits 9

Japanese ground losses:
885 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

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[BlackVoid]

Pause in large-scale actions. PM recovered fully from bombardment 300+ planes are there again.

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Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 46


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet

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