PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[Mynok]

Same question I had...... I don't see any 5" Gatlings in this OOB.... [:D]

[Tom Hunter]

Mynok

When you consider that 20mm and even some machine guns count as a shot the 5000 shots is not absurd, I would be the Japanese fired 5000 shots the first day on Okinawa and probably many other places as well.

The thing that is amazing is the number of hits.

[Alikchi2]

I'm betting that a lot of it has to do with the lack of any naval bombardment beforehand.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Holy Moley ! .. looks like a lot less barge invasions from now on .. maybe he imagined you evacuating more than you did .. ouch and double ouch .. Paid the price for cheap invasions there .. no bombardment or decent landing force coverage .. the HQ for marines must be tearing thier hair out ! .. one cut off and soon to capitulate and another destroyed by withering beach defences ! ..

Gen Geiger would be turning in his grave !

congrats Pzb .. again ! ..

[wobbly]

I tells ya - playing PzB is a job - it must not be taken lightly!

[aztez]

You really seem to be kicking allied side pretty much everywhere [&:]

Good job indeed [:)]

What kind of forces you have in India? ...or do you intend to show mercy and let him recieve his British reinforcements? [:)]

[PzB74]

Clicked on Andy's thread by mistake - panicked and closed IE asap! [:'(]

The frontal assault on Rabaul was very unexpected! I didn't even identify the enemy
invasion armada. I thought Andy was 'warming the place up' with aerial bombardments and that he
would invade in a week or two.

He did have surprise on his side - he just didn't have the means to carry it out with.
Without a strong bombardment group the light invasion ships were no match for the coastal guns.

I've tried to keep Rabaul in supply and there's still some 10k supplies and 20k fuel there. Not much, but
the garrison has been stripped down so it doesn't require too much either. There were about 2000 mines before
Andy came and played around [;)]

From memory the following forces can be found at Rabaul:

2 large Naval Garrison units
Engineer Regiment
Tank Regiment
Coastal Defense Unit
Large Base Force Unit
A hodgepodge of leftovers from SNLF and Base Force units.

In all there were ca 33k troops I think. Not formidable in itself but a large base with 9 forts is a difficult nut to crack; guess poor Andy found out the hard way. Must be some 80 4-5.5 inch guns in total..tank regiments also provide a lot of firepower against light invasion forces I think.

My first reaction was to put 100 fighters back into Rabaul and order all my transport ac to fly in reinforcements
and supplies. Got several smaller combat groups that are easy to airlift and will provide Andy's bombers with numerous targets.

I don't think this setback will be too serious for Andy - more of a lesson really. He's a very aggressive player and it may not be easy for him to adjust to the demands of this game. I wouldn't write him off by far!

Got a lot of crack troops in India Aztez! Not going to let the rabbits come out of the hat unless I have to.
Guess there are some 10 divisions worth of troops behind large forts there. Would take a powerful surface group to
break them..don't have much to fear until late 44 me thinks.

Each time a victory is won I wonder if it's the last - how long can 'the fun' last!? [8|]
Thx for the support guys!

[PzB74]

I'm still working to get my laptop up and running again...rescuing all my data.
My old P3 did manage to run the next turn, I've not finished the orders phase as everything is so slooow, but
here is the combat report!

No more enemy ships in the vicinity of the guns at Rabaul [:D] Seems like the rest are unloading on the trial to
the west. Andy will most likely march his men in. That will take time and cause massive rot to malaria. If he wants
to bring in reinforcements later on they will have to follow suit.

I've lined up several surface combat groups - seems like I will have to bombard Kavieng instead or retreat to
base.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/05/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

There have been many sub attacks lately but only a couple of empty transports
have been hit. Several subs have been hit by asw ac and at least another two damaged
by asw ships!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,81

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo
DD Kiji
DD Otori
DD Hayate
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Yuzuki
DD Minazuki
CL Agano
CA Mogami

Allied Ships
SS Shark, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,82

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Iki
DD Wakatake
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
SS Harder, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We managed to hit the Marines at Kavieng again today. Our Sally's are operating
from Truk! 7 Allied attacks hit our troops there, but they were not particularly effective.

13! attacks (with results) were launched against Rabaul... On Wotje Tonys rose up to face
the aerial invaders and suffered losses. Air losses were heavy on both sides throughout the day.
96 Japanese and 48 Allied ac were shot down. We also lost 20 on the ground. Can't sustain these
losses but I hope to slow down the Allied onslaught and keep enemy morale and efficiency as low
as possible.

Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 9 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 30
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-47C Thunderbolt x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 14 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 6 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 18
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
Kittyhawk I x 9
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 7 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 13
P-40N Warhawk x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 79
B-17E Fortress x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 37
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 7 destroyed, 9 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
P-38G Lightning x 16
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st AA Regiment, at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Base Force, at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
SBD Dauntless x 20
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-47C Thunderbolt x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Base Force, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 15
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 64

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 33

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-25J Mitchell x 23
B-17E Fortress x 36
B-24D Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 83,83

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 83,83

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-40N Warhawk x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 47th Naval Guard Unit, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 7
B-24D Liberator x 28

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 68
Ki-46-III Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 19th/A Division, at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-40N Warhawk x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 32
P-38G Lightning x 10
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 15
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 15
P-38G Lightning x 10
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 20

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Italy Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 19
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 10
A-20G Havoc x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 7 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2063, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG AG-104, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7
P-40N Warhawk x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Dissappointing bombardment attacks...

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 69747 troops, 648 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 20585 troops, 96 guns, 104 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13539 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5013 troops, 49 guns, 2 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5372 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3366 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Here is today Operation Report! Shows the extreme activity in the South Pacific.
I've tried to sort it a bit...quite confusing in its original form.

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 09/05/43

Japanese

Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Majuro
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Salamaua
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Gasmata
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Darwin
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Kiska Island

Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 55,91 , Speed 17 , Moving Southeast
Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 57,88 , Speed 5 , Moving West
Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 55,90 , Speed 18 , Moving Southwest
Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 4 Allied ships at 60,89 , Speed 4 , Moving West

J1N1-R Irving takes recon photos of Port Moresby

Ki-48 Lily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 43,45 , Speed 4 , Moving Northwest
Ki-48 Lily attacking Raton at 43,45

G4M1 Betty sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 62,80 , Speed 13 , Moving Northwest
G4M1 Betty sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 67,78 , Speed 9 , Moving Northeast
G4M2 Betty sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 34,74 , Speed 9 , Moving Northwest
G4M2 Betty sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 55,89 , Speed 4 , Moving Southeast
G4M2 Betty has spotted Guysborough at 55,89
G4M2 Betty has spotted PT-171 at 57,88
G4M2 Betty attacking Thresher at 61,82

J1N1-R Irving sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,81 , Speed 3 , Moving Southwest

H8K Emily sighting report: 8 Allied ships at 84,85 , Speed 8 , Moving Southeast
H8K Emily has spotted PT-122 at 84,85
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 79,91 , Speed 16 , Moving East
H8K Emily sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 84,85 , Speed 5 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 61,82 , Speed 12 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 60,89 , Speed 5 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 61,83 , Speed 9 , Moving Southwest
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,83 , Speed 13 , Moving Southwest
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 63,89 , Speed 12 , Moving Northeast
H8K Emily sighting report: 3 Allied ships at 63,89 , Speed 6 , Moving Southwest
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 56,94 , Speed 12 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 7 Allied ships at 84,85 , Speed 7 , Moving Southeast
H8K Emily has spotted Irving M. Scott at 83,83
H8K Emily sighting report: 8 Allied ships at 84,85 , Speed 8 , Moving East
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 85,91 , Speed 11 , Moving Southeast
H8K Emily sighting report: 6 Allied ships at 84,85 , Speed 2 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 3 Allied ships at 75,93 , Speed 10 , Moving East
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 64,81 , Speed 6 , Moving Northeast
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 60,82 , Speed 10 , Moving Southwest
H8K Emily sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 60,89 , Speed 8 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 65,76 , Speed 8 , Moving Northeast
H8K Emily sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 62,90 , Speed 3 , Moving Southeast
H8K Emily attacking S-37 at 63,83
H8K Emily has spotted PT-243 at 63,89
H8K Emily attacking Perch at 62,80
H8K Emily attacking Thresher at 61,82
H8K Emily attacking Thresher at 61,82
H8K Emily attacking KXVI at 61,83
H8K Emily attacking S-27 at 63,81
H8K Emily attacking S-27 at 63,81
H8K Emily damaged by flak

E7K2 Alf sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 61,82 , Speed 6 , Moving Southwest
E7K2 Alf damaged by flak

E8N Dave sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 57,88 , Speed 6 , Moving Southwest
E8N Dave sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,83 , Speed 13 , Moving Southwest


E13A1 Jake sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 62,58 , Speed 10 , Moving West
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 61,81 , Speed 17 , Moving Northwest
E13A1 Jake attacking S-38 at 61,81
E13A1 Jake attacking Tarpon at 64,81
E13A1 Jake attacking KXV at 61,83
KXV is reported HIT

E14Y1 Glen sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 131,58 , Speed 11 , Moving Northeast

Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of Yunan
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of Kweiyang
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Chungking
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of Chengtu
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Majuro
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Salamaua
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Gasmata
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Kiska Island
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 3rd USMC Division
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 3rd USMC Division
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 3rd USMC Division
Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 57,88 , Speed 20 , Moving Northeast
Ki-46-III Dinah has spotted PT-171 at 57,88
Ki-46-III Dinah has spotted PT-172 at 57,88
Ki-46-III Dinah sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 55,91 , Speed 8 , Moving Northwest
Ki-46-III Dinah attacking S-37 at 63,83

Kill/Casualties

COL Inuzuka E. of 65th Ftr.Sentai bails out and is CAPTURED
COL Degawa P. of 77th Ftr.Sentai is credited with kill number 2

WO Inuzuka R. of 87th Ftr.Sentai is credited with kill number 2
WO Iwaya T. of 87th Ftr.Sentai is credited with kill number 4
WO Inokuchi N. of 87th Ftr.Sentai is credited with kill number 8
WO Inokuchi N. of 87th Ftr.Sentai is KILLED

LTJG Sugiyama F. of F2/Kanoya Daitai is credited with kill number 5
LTJG Sugiyama F. of F2/Kanoya Daitai bails out and is RESCUED

PO2 Katagi L. of F2/Kanoya Daitai bails out and is RESCUED

Allied

PBY Catalina sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 60,84 , Speed 10 , Moving Northwest
Catalina I has spotted AG-5052 at 61,86
PBY Catalina sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 79,79 , Speed 2 , Moving Northwest
PBY Catalina has spotted AG-5138 at 79,79
PBY Catalina sighting report: 6 Japanese ships at 79,79 , Speed 8 , Moving Northwest
PBY Catalina has spotted AG-2099 at 79,79
PBY Catalina sighting report: 9 Japanese ships at 81,80 , Speed 7 , Moving West
PBY Catalina has spotted AG-5052 at 61,86
PBY Catalina has spotted AG-104 at 61,86
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Jaluit
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of 41st Naval Guard Unit

Beaufort V-IX has spotted AG-355 at 61,86
Beaufort V-IX has spotted AG-2049 at 61,86

Walrus has spotted AG-5051 at 61,86
Walrus sighting report: 1 Japanese ship at 60,84 , Speed 7 , Moving Southwest

B-25J Mitchell has spotted Wakatake at 60,82
B-25J Mitchell has spotted Italy Maru at 60,84
B-25J Mitchell has spotted AG-2054 at 61,86
AG-2054 is reported HIT
B-25J Mitchell has spotted AG-121 at 60,84
B-25J Mitchell has spotted AG-2527 at 61,86
B-25J Mitchell has spotted Italy Maru at 60,84
Italy Maru is reported HIT
B-25J Mitchell has spotted AG-5189 at 61,86
B-25J Mitchell has spotted AG-2054 at 61,86
AG-2054 is reported HIT

PB4Y Liberator has spotted AG-5051 at 61,86
PB4Y Liberator sighting report: 10 Japanese ships at 63,82 , Speed 8 , Moving Southwest
PB4Y Liberator has spotted Agano at 63,82
B-24D Liberator has spotted AG-2054 at 61,86
AG-2054 is reported HIT
PB4Y Liberator has spotted AG-2054 at 61,86
AG-2054 is reported HIT

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Kavieng
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Kavieng
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Kavieng
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of 16th/A Division
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of 18th/A Division
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rabaul
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Kavieng

Avenger II has spotted AG-2054 at 61,86

SBD Dauntless has spotted AG-104 at 61,86
SBD Dauntless has spotted AG-5189 at 61,86
SBD Dauntless has spotted AG-104 at 61,86

Kill/Casualties list

CPT Scott P. of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 13
CPT Scott P. of VMF-212 bails out and is RESCUED

PO Doyle G. of No. 79 RAAF Sqdn is credited with kill number 2

CPT Davis, L.K. of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 3

1LT Day, W.C. of 49th FG is credited with kill number 2
1LT Leon L. of 6th FS is credited with kill number 4
1LT Peck L. of 8th FG/C is credited with kill number 2
1LT Raymond U. of VMF-211 is credited with kill number 4

2LT Farley R. of VMF-222 is credited with kill number 4
2LT Farley R. of VMF-222 is credited with kill number 4

FO Riley J. of VMF-222 is credited with kill number 2
FO Townsend P. of VMF-124 is credited with kill number 7

[Mynok]

Clicked on Andy's thread by mistake - panicked and closed IE asap!

IE! [X(] [X(] Come to the Thread, good soul, where we will introduce you to the wisdom of the Blessed Firefox.
[:D]

[PzB74]

This may be the last turn before Xmas as I'm reformatting my laptop tomorrow and on Friday
I will be going out of town to celebrate xmas.

Unfortunately Andy had a nasty surprise for me: He moved his carriers almost into Kavieng!! I didn't spot a
thing and still thought he kept em in PH.

The bad news:
- No clouds over the enemy carriers or my ships
- Two cruiser squadrons were maimed badly and the light cruiser Agano has been sunk and the Jintsu scuttled
- The cruisers Mogami, Suzuya and Furutaka will most likely sink in a day or two
- Another 5 heavy cruisers took heavy damage but should be able to reach Truk if subs doesn't get them
- The light cruiser Yubari and and one destroyer took moderate damage while another 3 destroyers are heavily damaged but will most likely be saved.

In all 3 heavy and 2 light cruisees as well as a destroyers are therefore write offs while another
5 heavy cruisers and 3 destroyers are out of the fight and will have to struggle back to port.

The good news:- I sent the Yamato bombardment group to Sag Sag as the enemy ships left Rabaul. The Yamato, Haruna and Kirisihima, 2 heavy and 1 light cruiser + 4 modern destroyers therefore avoided enemy attention even though they were only a few hexes away from the enemy carriers [&o]

Guess Andy will be a bit pi$$ed about this as his carriers should have targeted this extremely valuable TF!
Unfortunately no screenie...guess Andy will provide one [;)]

In all it was a good raid by Andy - told you he's very aggressive. Don't think he will keep his carriers around
for another round though. My heavy cruisers have been hurt badly, only 4 operational left in Truk now with another
3 repairing battle damage in Japan. My battleships seem blessed: all 12 are still fully operational.

My destroyers and light cruisers will take the job and the battlewagons will provide heavy firepower when needed.
I don't want to sacrifice my most valuable assets before the enemy reaches the main defensive line.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/06/43

Surface Combat

At Sag Sag my bombardment group ran into several PT boat TFs and shuffled them away.
I did send the light cruiser Noshiro and 4 dds in a surface combat TF but I guess it had a hight TF number
cause it didn't engage. Silly system: surface groups should always engage BEFORE bombardment groups.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-173, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PT PT-241
PT PT-374
PT PT-375
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships - a little bonus
APD Gilmer, Shell hits 81, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-171, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 3
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-167
PT PT-172
PT PT-177
PT PT-235
PT PT-237
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-241, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-374
PT PT-375, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-167
PT PT-172
PT PT-177
PT PT-235
PT PT-237
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Kavieng, at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Chokai
CA Maya

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Sag Sag, at 57,88

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses - dunno why it's so hard to destroy Allied ac on the ground [&:]
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Haruna

Allied ground losses: - not bad
984 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 16

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1073 is one of the Allied carrier TFs or escort groups I think. Moved
through a sub laid mine field at Tabar...

TF 1073 encounters mine field at Tabar (62,86)

Allied Ships
DD Guest
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 63,81

Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #6
PG Kure Maru #5
PG Daido Maru
DD Chidori
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
SS S-27, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,83

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Amagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Uranami
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
SS KXVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Both Kavieng and Rabaul were hit by heavy air strikes and the CAP I placed
over my ships struggled vainly against Hellcats and Corsairs.

Only going to show the anti shipping strikes today!

Day Air attack on TF at 60,82

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7
A-20G Havoc x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yakaze
DD Numakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Hatsukari
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My asw distracted quite a bit of attention and got away with it!

Day Air attack on TF at 61,82

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 33

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 16 damaged

Japanese Ships
PC Kunashiri
DD Hakaze
APD APD-39
APD APD-46
DD Minekaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,82

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 16

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
PC Oki
APD APD-39
DD Hakaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the raid that caused the most damage!

Day Air attack on TF at 62,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 20
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 74
Corsair IV x 6
SBD Dauntless x 127
TBM Avenger x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 26 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 19 damaged
TBM Avenger: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiji - lucky lucky...
CL Agano, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Yuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Hankow Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
Avenger II x 4
P-38G Lightning x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Kamoi Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 22
SBD Dauntless x 13
Beaufort V-IX x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Aiyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Amakasu Maru #1, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Majuro at 83,83

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Benjamin Ide Wheeler

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Majuro at 83,83

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK George Davidson

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Must say I was afraid this TF should be anihilated... All considered we were lucky!

Day Air attack on TF at 61,83

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 91
TBM Avenger x 52

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
CA Maya, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kisaragi
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki
DD Amagiri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,81

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 70
Corsair IV x 6
SBD Dauntless x 10

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake
DD Chidori
PG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire - almost no damage!?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
P-40N Warhawk x 15
A-20G Havoc x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

It may be difficult to finish of the Allied troops as hundreds of enemy bombers
hit my troops almost every day.

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 69710 troops, 653 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 20636 troops, 94 guns, 105 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro - did Andy forget to stand down?

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5105 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3260 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1

Allied ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Honda]

Ouch! Any consideration to bring the KB out in strenght? Probably a deathwish, but considering his ac are now fatigued? And Hellcat is no Corsair in WitP...
On the other hand, i belive that previous experiance has taught you not to listen to my advice[8|]
good hunting[:D]

[PzB74]

Seems like I can't have it all my way...too bad, was beginning to like it [;)]

The problem is that Andy will most likely retreat his carriers back into the Solomons and cover them under
dozens of Corsairs and T-bolts. So no, the KB is not going out. Crawling with subs as well. Air sank one by their own today
in addition to the one sunk by an asw group.

I got a large number of naval bombers ready and 200 Zekes. This force will strike at anything within 8 hexes
of Truk. Guess I will have to keep it this way from now on. All my damaged ships will be well within this umbrella.
Think it's wise to preserve as much as possible now instead of trying some desperate ploy to catch the US carriers.

[Honda]

I agree. You should be VERY careful about Truk. The place is your main base and we know what happens to Japanese concentrations from '43 onwards...
Cap it heavily. Not a single bomber should be allowed to break through. Otherwise, the consequeces would be dire. No need in reminding you about that. He may get cocky and try a CV raid on Truk. You never know, but get used to playing against a side with a formidable CV force now. Happy time is over.

[bbbf]

Bad luck!

Sooner or later, you will get a spanking.

Unfortunately for those of us that prefer to play as Japs, spankings are deadly.

It's a delicate balancing act to keep your fleet as a viable threat while still projecting force where required.

You have done really well so far, walking this tightrope.

I have no doubt you will fight your defense as strongly as you have run your offense!

[PzB74]

Small setbacks are inevitable and it's only fair that our opponents
have something to cheer about as well...as long as it doesn't happen too often [;)]

The good news is that most of our sturdy cruisers will make it back to port. The Mogami
was scuttled while the Furutaka and Suzuya settled on the seabed in Emirau's port. The Maya,
Chokai, Kinugasa, Kako and Aoba as well as the Yubari and 3 damaged destroyers will be back
in 1944!

Not bad if you take a look at the beating they took!

CA Maya, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

So Andy's xmas surprise cost us 3 heavy, 2 light and 1 destroyer (still not sunk)
A bad blow that could have been much worse!

I'll try to get even by New Years Eve [8D]

[PzB74]

Would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
We're now taking a well deserved break for a few days....

[String]

Happy Holidays [:)]

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Seems like you were right Pauk!

[8D][;)]...

I'm glad that i well guessed about next Andy's move. I'm gonna need that in my game against tough Scott...

As for his bold move with his carriers. It seems he just like to do such daring moves - i have missed two opportunitis to caught his CVs in our game...grrrr....

And Merry Christmas to you all too[:)]

[String]

ORIGINAL: pauk

ORIGINAL: PzB
Seems like you were right Pauk!

[8D][;)]...

I'm glad that i well guessed about next Andy's move. I'm gonna need that in my game against tough Scott...

As for his bold move with his carriers. It seems he just like to do such daring moves - i have missed two opportunitis to caught his CVs in our game...grrrr....

And Merry Christmas to you all too[:)]

He will make a mistake in the end, and then you get to slap him REAL good [:D]