PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

Actions in the Marshalls and on the southern tip of NG intensifies! David is determined to
sneak in as many men as possible and build bases for his future Corsairs and Thunderbolts.
I'm still only resisting him with relatively small forces while I'm slowly building my strength in
the area.

I'm preparing to release a division from China and send it to the Marianas. Saipan, Yap etc.
The good thing is that I've been forced to improvise while the army was busy in India. So I have
managed to 'scrounge' a lot of troops and already got a lot of strong garrisons manning the secondary
defensive lines. This means that my crack troops can be used as a strategic reserve - both for offensive
and defensive missions.

If anyone would like to take a look at the game I'll send a turn and password. There are probably a lot
of improvements that can be made, but there are a lot of Jap troops around the map now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/42

Surface Combat

A fast transport mission with troops for Majuro met with enemy PT boats!
The Wakaba was hit by a torpedo, but damage was slight. 8 sys, 9 flood and 1 fire.
3 enemy boats were sunk!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 83,83

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba, Torpedo hits 1
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yuzuki
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
APD APD-2
APD APD-36
APD APD-39

Allied Ships
PT PT-154
PT PT-156
PT PT-157, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-158, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-159, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Combat

I sent a small coastal sub south of Mili - of course it missed and got
sunk....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 85,86

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AVD Mackinac
SC SC-707
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

An enemy fast transport heading into Dobodura was intercepted by naval
bombers and a light cruiser and destroyer were hit!

Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Torpedo hits 1
DD Nicholas, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward
DD Hughes

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[String]

Oscar IIb's have a rather nice range though, so they make good fodder for allied cap while the bombers fly in.

[PzB74]

That's the plan String! My most experienced Oscar II units should also be able to
put up a good fight. Lots of 70-90 exp pilots...if I just could get them into Tojos or Tonys [:'(]

I now got 3*36 ac Tony Daitais and 3*36 Tojo Daitais on their way to the South Pacific.
A string of bases have been built from China - PI - NG - Admiralities - Truk - Ponape - Kwajalein.
This makes it possible to move even short legged ac like the Tony to contested areas.

I got another few plans for the next few days: weather will decide how it all works out, so we'll
just wait and see!

Only 18 more days until the Musashi arrives - the Yamato and Junyo are both repairing agonizingly slow
in Tokyo. Will most likely take 4-5 more months to get them ready for action again. Oh well, a nice reserve!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/17/42

Surface Combat

I sent my fast transport group back to Majuro today - even though I feared that
David might send in a surface combat group. I decided it was worth the risk as it
was the only way I could move in a large naval garrison.

I also sent in a scout - a poor PG..just as I thought it ran into the PT boats
and was sunk. During the debacle my FT unloaded and withdrew [8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 83,83

Japanese Ships
PG Choko Maru #2, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-118
PT PT-119
PT PT-120
PT PT-121
PT PT-122
PT PT-123
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Nothing of interest really...but I'll leave all the milk runs for you to see the
extent of the daily bombing missions.

Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 28
B-17E Fortress x 10

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-17E Fortress x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 21

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 41

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress 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-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yokosuka 4th SNLF, at 32,31

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Tank Regiment, at 45,34

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 14
SB-2c x 22

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
9 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
4 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
6 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 49th Chinese Division, at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-30 Ann x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 30th Chinese/B Corps, at 46,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A Val x 8
B5N Kate x 8
Ki-27 Nate x 22

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-27 Nate attacking at 100 feet
6 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 30th Chinese/B Corps, at 46,32

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 17
B-26B Marauder x 56


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
15 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
20 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

No Allied losses

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 12
B-26B Marauder x 42

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
18 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lord_Calidor]

Here's a few suggestions:
Base your shorter-ranged IJA fighters at outlying bases, and some longer ranged, like Zeros and OscarsII at keypoints behind your lines such as Truk, Palau etc. as a tactical reserve-response force, ready to be quickly deployed to any hotspots, from Eniwetok to Singapore.

Keep a sizeable CV/surface reserve in those bases, too - don't throw everything in a single theatre. There could be another surprise attack somewhere.
While I'm at it, what's the size of your Homeland LBA? I've seen AARs where players spend many PPs and transfer air units to other commands, and expose their mainland industry to Doolittle raids, but with multiple CVs packed with planes.

Create a fast surface combat TF, put it at Maloelap, set Majuro (or Jalauit) as a home base and react range of 3. Of course, some LRCAP would be nice.

Make Marshalls into torpedo alley! Nells, Bettys, Kates, everything that carries a torpedo. Cut their range so they don't wander off over Makin or Tarawa. Also, strafe those PTs, for sticking so close to your airfields.

[Speedysteve]

As i've said above I believe Oscar II's will be eaten for breakfast if engaged by decent opposition. Maybe they would be better employed in areas where there is little fighter opposition (not likely I know!) or in areas where ONLY bombers are headed? That way they can maybe take down a bomber or 2 but at least should put off their aim?

Just my 2 cents

Steven

[PzB74]

Thx for the advice Calidor! I've now moved Oscar IIs to Wewak - they will stay there until needed elsewhere.
I got too few Zeros for the time being, most of them are training in China/Burma or refitting after the campaign
in Timor/Java. 35 Tonys were moved to Kwajalein today and I dare to say that the base is no 'bomb proof' - but don't
call me 'Meyer' if I'm wrong [;)]

Another 100 fighters will soon find their way to the area as well together with a large number of naval bombers. Davids
'excursion' into the Marshalls has to be stopped. I'm still short of surface combat tfs - and one of my cruisers were torpedoed
today. So we'll keep a low profile until more ships arrive.

In Japan I got a variety of ac: Mostly Nates on CAP together, but I also got 27 Kates and 44 Vals and 9 Zeros. These were moved
to Tokyo today. These ac are mostly reserve ac that have been trained for carrier duties, but they can also defend the Home Islands
against a potential threat. But believe me - David is not Doolittle, the thought of sending his valuable carriers to Tokyo would make him
laugh [:D]

Speedy, I'm still unsure how potent Oscar IIs are with extremely experienced pilots. Have to test them one day..but until needed I
will keep the ac in reserve!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/18/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

Enemy subs are getting more persistent and V.Adm Tanakas flagship - the Haguro
was hit by a torpedo from S-18 just south of Rabaul. 13 sys damage and 13 fires requires
an immediate return to a port with a very large fire extinguisher...

The escorts gave the sub a good shake though!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 61,90

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Wakatake
DD Uzuki
DD Shigure
DD Yamagumo
DD Oshio
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
SS S-18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,90

Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
DD Uzuki
DD Shigure
DD Yamagumo
DD Oshio
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
SS S-18, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

My Zero trainees in Burma got a new mission today: Sweep the Chinese fighters
over Mandalay! 12 enemy ac were shot down for 5 Zeros. Tomorrow a major
Army bomber mission will go in.

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 7 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 16,54 - strange, a lone transport close to Sumatra?

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Floridian, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
---------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

I carried out extensive reorganizations today! Lots of air units, HQs and base units are being prepared for the
South Pacific. I've also tried to 'collect' a variety of msw, pg, pc and dds. These ships will also be moved to Truk.
I need more escorts and asw ships.

A Nell group was also upgraded to Betties, now I only got a size 9 unit with Nells left. Will keep it until the remaining
24 Nells have been drawn out of the pool.

Most of my Lily bombers will go to China and support an air offensive there. I'm not sure were I should put my
remaining 150 Sally bombers. Will rest them and move them to the Marianas I guess. They're very fragile and I don't
want to waste them on heavily defended targets.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/19/42

Air Combat

The air offensive against Mandalay kicked off today! There were a few
angry little I-16s, but most of them were disptached off. Now I'll increase af
damage to 100% before starting to hit the ground troops. By then army
reinformcents should be right around the corner.

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 107
Ki-48 Lily x 34

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 6 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 43

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 16,56

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Floridian, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 4000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

I now got a carrier fleet at Truk, but my best ships are gathering in Tokyo! They will remain there
for another month before sailing south again. I will need this time to move my divisions from Java anyway.

There are now a lot of fighters at both Truk, Rabaul and Kwajalein. I will try to save my strength for the big
showdown, but smaller strikes will be ordered now and then.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/42

Air Combat

Todays attack against Mandalay met 21 old I-153s...most of them were
shot down! Air field damage at 43!

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
Ki-21 Sally x 114
Ki-48 Lily x 35

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 18 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83 - my newly arrived garrison has already dug in [;)]

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 51

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[String]

Actually sallies are the sturdiest bombers you'll get, more or less.

150 of them, when they get through, will do a number on any allied airfield.

[PzB74]

True enough...but I'm loosing a lot of them in accidents and my pool is empty. I've ordered an increase in production, but I can't sustain
heavy losses for a few months.

Another problem is that if I stack 150 of them in a base David will send 150 heavies after them. That means that I need 60 escort fighters + another 60
CAP fighters for the base..at least. For now I can only start a campaign against Port Moresby, and I think you agree with me that this isn't a good idea in early 43!?

So I'll build my strength and wait for a good opportunity to deploy them. A forward Allied base for example [:)]

[PzB74]

Tried to send a surface combat group into the Allied ships around Milne Bay today.
Ordered them to move in at flank speed (6/6) - plan was for a daytime engagement.

I've never managed to truly understand the movement rules for TF's. I thought a 6/6
movement indicator meant that the TF would travel 12 hexes during the day at flank speed!?

Unfortunately the TF moved only 3 hexes in order to stage its final move. (The target base
was 7 hexes away). This put it within range of 100 medium and torpedo bombers.
Fortunately damage was slight, but I have to figure out how to avoid this in the future - so if
anyone wants to explain the TF movement rules....feel free [:'(]

I've ordered Tanaka back to Rabaul - again! It is now very risky to move south of Rabaul without
a heavy CAP.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/42

Air Combat

Lots and lots of air missions today...

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

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 11
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 62
Ki-48 Lily x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 51

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1
DD Yamagumo
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Juan Cabrillo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK John Adams
AK Edwin Markham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Arthur Middleton

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CA Myoko

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,92

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 26

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2
DD Shigure
CL Kuma
CL Yura, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes

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

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Tried to send a surface combat group into the Allied ships around Milne Bay today.
Ordered them to move in at flank speed (6/6) - plan was for a daytime engagement.

I've never managed to truly understand the movement rules for TF's. I thought a 6/6
movement indicator meant that the TF would travel 12 hexes during the day at flank speed!?

Unfortunately the TF moved only 3 hexes in order to stage its final move. (The target base
was 7 hexes away). This put it within range of 100 medium and torpedo bombers.
Fortunately damage was slight, but I have to figure out how to avoid this in the future - so if
anyone wants to explain the TF movement rules....feel free [:'(]

I think it was timing it's movement for a nightime appearance at the target base hex. If you have the TF set to Patrol/Do Not Retire it should move to the target base hex regardless of day or night. That's the way a Bombardment mission works, I'm assuming the same will hold for a Surface Combat mission sent to an enemy base hex.

[tsimmonds]

Another possibility is fuel. Your TF commander will check all his ships to see whether they have the endurance to make the whole run (to the objective and back to the assigned home base) at full speed. If he doesn't like what he sees he will slow down to refuel the DDs from the other ships in the TF. After that they won't have enough op points to make the move in one turn, and why they decide to end up in the hex they end up in, YGIAGAM. As IJ, I am constantly topping up my short-legged DDs, especially in the CVTFs; I now have a little bit more sympathy for Frank Jack Fletcher than I used to.[;)]

[PzB74]

Thx for the input guys... I guess it's always impossible to know how things are going to work out [:'(]
I put Tanaka in command and the ships had ample fuel. Could have surprised an enemy TF but ok, we live
to fight another day.

I did a quick inventory check - 87 destroyers left in the arsenal. Of these 79 are fit for fight.
This means that I have to be careful with them. I can afford to get them damaged, but not sunk!
Otherwise I've not lost many major naval vessels, only 2 ca's and 2 cv's and a few cl's. So I got a lot of escorting
to do.-)

There are now close to 400 fighters in Rabaul and the Marshalls - more than enough to defend my turf. More important,
I've moved in enough long range escorts to be able to launch major naval strikes if necessary.

The rest of my fighters are now in China or Burma - most of them are 50-60 exp units and I want to raise them
into their 70s before unleashing them in the Pacific.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/22/42

Air Combat

The Allied bombers in China are mounting nuisance raids on every undefended city, base
and unit in the area...I can live with it. A lot better than 300 heavies [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 10
Wellington III x 11

No Allied losses

Resources hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 48

Still no effect..

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
18 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88 - hehe the B-24s couldn't resist attacking my TF, too bad their morale was so low...

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 52
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lord_Calidor]

Do you have Player Defined Upgrades set? (not sure if it works on games started before v1.5)
Those OscarII's and remaining Nates could be upgraded to more useful planes. Maybe if you upgrade 1 Daitai to Ki-45 Nick, just to see how it goes? They should be useful in anti-fortress role.

[pauk]

no it doesn't work. You have to start new game (under 1.5 of course) if you want PDU. Sure, it can look now like disvantage for Japan, but i don't want to think what will happend in 1944 when allies start upgrade all fighters to, hmmm, Corsairs

[PzB74]

After Davids first raid against Paramushiro I decided to prepare a surprise for him.
For 3 days a small carrier force has been lying in wait together with an ac equipped sub!
Just in time for Xmas David again arrived without an invitation [;)]

Two old PH battleships, the Arizona and Nevada together with a cruiser were hit by multiple
torpedoes and heavily damaged! I've added a map at the end of this report.

My small strike force was mostly carrying Kate torpedo bombers - true battleship killers.
The CVE carried 27 while the light carrier had another 12. 7 were lost and more damaged, but
I still hope to deliver the coupe de grace tomorrow. If I'm lucky I will have gained another 392 points
and taken a giant step towards the autovictory. Afraid I'm still going to miss 1-200 points though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

It's pretty useless to intercept 'healthy' ships with subs...

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

Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 1

Allied Ships
SC SC-646
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 81,79

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5141, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
SS Triton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
Ki-21 Sally x 132
Ki-48 Lily x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 67

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34 - another strike at my extreme right flank..

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79 - my Tonys claimed 12 enemy heavies!

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 83
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83 - a strike against my new base at Hansa! (Btw - Hansa is a Norwegian beer:)

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-17E Fortress x 37
B-24D Liberator x 43

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 35000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,34 - bring your daughter to the slaughter....

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [:D]
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage [:D][:D]

Aircraft Attacking:
All B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Ambush!

[soeren01]

For 3 days a small carrier force has been lying in wait together with an ac equipped sub!

That is the way to fight the war now. Stay defensive and wait for openings.

[PzB74]

Thx Soeren, I'll try to find a balance between offensive and defensive actions [:)]
We managed to sink the Detroit and put another torpedo into the Nevada today. Only the
Arizona remains. I managed to transfer another 9 Kates to the escort carrier to make up
for losses. Hopefully we can sweep the slate clean tomorrow.

David said that he didn't think carriers could operate in the far north during the winter...neither
did he think my Tonys could operate at 36k feet. He learned a lot yesterday he said [;)]

The carrier Saratoga has been spotted outside of Maloelap together with heavy enemy
surface units. PT boats are also present in large numbers. I'll let em play in my backyard
and lash back at them whenever I can. Feeling pretty secure in my island forts for now.

In Tokyo 3 of my 4 main fleet carrers have now finished their upgrade. Another one is slated
for 02/43. May wait for this before leaving the Home Islands. I'm a little worried about receiving
the Taiho. I'll get Zekes, Judys and Jills - and I can't replaced their losses [:'(] Will therefore provide
backup air groups that can replace them if they suffer heavy losses.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/42

Surface Combat

David played in my minefields today...

Firts a transport hit a sub laid mine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1061 encounters mine field at Gili Gili (56,94)

Allied Ships
AK George Ross, Mine hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A sweeper group entered Maloelap, but the Jarvis got lost and hit a number of
mines...which made it sink!

TF 1062 encounters mine field at Maloelap (82,81)

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Long
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DD Jarvis, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

A powerful bombardment group tried to neutralize Maloelap, but I got almost
9 forts here and casualties were slight!

Naval bombardment of Maloelap, at 82,81 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Quincy
BB Indiana
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A medium bomber force challenged my CAP over Maleolap today. I guess
David wants to close it down... The B-25s bombed at very low altitude and my
CAP and flak downed 12 mediums and 8 P-38s for very low losses [8D]

In all I lost 8 ac on the ground, not bad considering all the ordnance that rained
down on the atoll.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-21 Sally x 123
Ki-48 Lily x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 22
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 8 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 9 destroyed, 33 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
51 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 90,35 - a long range (4 hexes) strike took out the damaged Detroit...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
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
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 87,35 - a breach in the clouds revealed the stricken Nevada late in the afternoon...
She's not long for this world!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Interesting turn! I dispatched 2 destroyers to intercept the damaged battleships.
They actually found more than they bargained for, 1 escort destroyer - the old Chew
and 2 damaged battleships.

In a close range engagement the agile Jap ships pumbed 25mm, 4.7 and 5in shells into
the Nevada. A single torpedo hit then finished her off. Several large shells splashed down
around the destroyers, but non hit!

Later in the day Kate torpedo bombers found the Arizona and sent her to the bottom with
a single torpedo.

In the afternoon the Jap destroyers engaged the Chew and in a long engagmenet from
between 9 and 20000 yards more than a dozen 4.7 and 5in shells hit the old ship. She was
left dead in the water... Both Jap destroyers got 0 sys damage and will steam victoriously
back to their home port! [8D]

David was not happy with what damage his bombardment group did against Maloelap.
I found the same last time I bombarded Tjilitjap - relatively low causalties even though there
were lots of engineers and troops in the base that were busy building fortifications.

I must admit that I don't know why some bombardments cause 5-6000 casualties while others
only cause a few hundreds [&:]

Here's a list of major warships that have been sunk so far:

Allies:

4 carriers
1 light carrier
13 battleships
1 battlecruiser
15 heavy cruisers
20 light cruisers (inc CLAA)
89 destroyer type ships
18 submarines

Japan:

2 carriers
2 heavy cruisers
6 light cruisers
53 destroyers
45 submarines

I looked at the destroyers I've lost and only halv of them were fleet destroyers.
The rest were smaller escort crafts worth only 4-6 points.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/42

Surface Combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 88,35

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate, Shell hits 1
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB Arizona, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Chew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 89,35

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagao

Allied Ships
DD Chew, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on TF at 89,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson

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