PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[ChezDaJez]

The plane is a land-based plane, point - when you take a look at its service records, indeed it's better that they never tried to land it on a carrier

Maintenance wasn't the problem. Landing onboard a carrier without a tailhook would be the problem. The Jack was never equipped with one and had no provisions for later installation as the tail was not stressed for it.

Chez

[Fishbed]

Maintenance wasn't the problem. Landing onboard a carrier without a tailhook would be the problem. The Jack was never equipped with one and had no provisions for later installation as the tail was not stressed for it.

I thought the tailhook thing was obvious enough in my thought - talking about "landing on a carrier" i was talking about the carrier-borne adaption too, in addition to its several structural and mechanical problems. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough [:)]

Not to talk about other problems, as its relatively poor visibility when landing or the engine instability...

[PzB74]

I agree that only the Zeke should be a carrier capable ac. It's easy to correct with a house rule though.
As long as Andy keeps his Corsairs off his carriers I'll keep my George and Jacks on dry land [:)]
The Tony '100' will arrive in early 45, hope it's as capable as it's supposed to be Fishbed!

Difficult questions Pauk! My plans are..flexible and depends on Andy's approach!
Until Wewak is captured the Palau's will be out of enemy heavy bomber range - after that I will consider moving
my main fleet anchorage from Ulithi to Saipan. If the threat of enemy carrier raids grows the main fleet base may
be moved back to Manila. Davao can also be used as a forward base - port size 5.

For now I'm trying to get the Combined Fleet back to optimal strength: several cruisers, battleships, carriers and
destroyers are undergoing repairs. I don't want wear and tear to leave me with a rusty blade, going to need a sharp
edge in 44. But the occasional hit and run attack, perhaps even a carrier strike will be used to hit the enemy's
spearheads and flanks when he advance up the coast of Guinea.

If possible I'd like to engage Andy in a decisive battle for the Marianas: the fleet would be ordered to engage if it
became possible to engage the enemy on an even basis. My carriers may play a more..diffuse role though. I'm thinking
about using it to ferry strike ac to the Marianas and act as a decoy with all its fighters put on 100% CAP. Forcing the
US carriers to strike from 5 hexes could be beneficial. I don't think the Kido Butai would fare well in a major encounter with
a US death star carrier fleet in 44. It's vital to keep the KB intact for as long as possible: just as Tirpitz its mere
presence will force the enemy to be cautious and tie up large naval formations.

If a decisive battle in the Marianas isn't possible we will wait until the Philippine islands are invaded. The combined strength
of army and navy ac - including Kamikaze's supported by a strong Combined Fleet will make life difficult for Andy [8D]

12 November
Solomon Islands - In the Treasury Islands the 8th Brigade of the New Zealand 3rd Division wipes out all enemy resistance in the
island of Mono. The Japanese loose 205 dead, the New Zealanders and Americans 52.
New Britain - The Japanese withdraw the carrier-based aircraft reinforcements from Rabaul. The Japanese base no longer represents
any serious danger to the Allies.

13 November
Pacific - The southern group for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands sails from the New Hebrides. American Flying Fortresses taking off
from Funafuti bomb Tarawa atoll. There is little resistance from fighters but a powerful anti-aircraft barrage.
Solomon Islands - On Bougainville the Americans attack Japanese positions at the crossing between the Numa Numa track and the track running
east to west. The cruiser Denver is damaged of Bougainville by a torpedo from a Japanese aircraft.

14 November
Solomon Islands - The Americans on Bougainville resume their attacks on the crossroads manned by the Japanese, this time supported by five
tanks, and succeeds in taking it. Their defensive perimeter is thus widened and the safety of the airfield that they are to build is guaranteed.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/14/43

Air Combat

Continued operations in China while the Allies hammer bases in the Marshalls, Admirality Island
and New Guinea.

Ground Combat

Including a screenie of the last battles in Rabaul - it shows the enemy's strength in some detail.
The battles at Rabaul cost Japan a tank regiment, engineer regiment, 2 naval guard units, a large base
force, coastal defense unit and a variety of remnants.

Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 103748 troops, 833 guns, 268 vehicles

Defending force 4405 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 493 to 1

Japanese ground losses: - Casualties are mostly made up from supply units. Still remnants of a naval guard unit left!
7512 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
-------------------------------------------------------------

Final battles at Rabaul

[PzB74]

A little picture quest for you all: which ship is this?

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/15/43

Air Combat

Relatively quiet...before the storm I guess! Some minor Allied raids today, that's it.
Ac only lost in operational accidents.

Mussau Island - in the hex above Emirau Island - has been expanded to a size 1 port.

Day Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 60,83

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Cape Henry

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

The last defenders at Rabaul goes out in a glorious Banzai charge!

Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 108821 troops, 890 guns, 268 vehicles

Defending force 33 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2552 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1469 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Maloelap [8D]

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19862 troops, 150 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8084 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
538 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview: the Philippines

Been a while since we looked at the Philippines! As you can see I'm busy reinforcing the bases there.
I'm bringing construction units to all bases with AF size 3 and above. These will receive base units and supplies
and a garrison. Within a few months the entire region will be turned into a large military camp. In 6-7 months 7 divisions
and brigades will arrive and complete these preparations. 2 armoured divisions are already in place and 3 aviation regiments
and 3 base forces are only weeks away. Minelayers are also operating out of Manila.

Similar preparations are taking place on a smaller scale on Borneo. In a few days 2 brigades will arrive in Bangkok and Camrahn Bay.
These will be allowed to stay as there are woefully few combat units in this area.

[PzB74]

Most disturbing news in China - Andy has scrounged enough supplies to upgrade an British bomber
formation in China to B-24 Liberators. At first I thought he had managed to move them in from Australia.
Such a development worried the High Command and saber rattlers in the Army talked about resuming offensive
operations. For now we will step up the bomber offensive and try to keep the airfields closed.

A squadron of Chinese Warhawks managed to operate from damaged airfields and shot down a handful of Zekes
on training missions. Really difficult to chop the heads of this troll!

November 16
Pacific - Since 13 November, US heavy bombers have been attacking the Gilbert and Marshall Islands every
day, dropping 173 tons of bombs on military installations.
New Guinea - The Australian 9th Division, with support from the air, heavy artillery and tanks, begins operations
to eliminate the Sattelberg strongpoint, north of Finschafen, where the nature of the terrain favors the defenders.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/16/43

Surface Combat

A surface combat group headed into Kwajalein and a destroyer hit a mine...their
revenge cost 20-25 barges their existence!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1101 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (79,79)

Allied Ships
DD Edwards, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
AG AG-104
AG AG-105
AG AG-108, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AG AG-113
AG AG-359, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AG AG-5052, Shell hits 1, on fire
AG AG-2054, Shell hits 3, on fire
AG AG-2530, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-21
PT PT-24
PT PT-26
PT PT-42
PT PT-119
PT PT-142
PT PT-149
PT PT-150
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Kwajalein at 79,79

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2065, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AG AG-2089, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AG AG-2098, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL Richmond
DD Lansdowne
DD Farenholt
DD Welles
DD Sampson
DD Kennison
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Kwajalein at 79,79 - never seen so many barges sunk
in a single action before [;)]

Japanese Ships
AG AG-117, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-351, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-356, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-357
AG AG-360, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-363, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-365, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-366, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-367, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-373, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG AG-5067, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5069, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG AG-5070, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG AG-5071, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5087, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5088, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-5089, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AG AG-5090, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5091, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-5139, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-5140, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5142, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-5143, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-2059, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL Richmond
DD Lansdowne
DD Farenholt
DD Welles
DD Sampson
DD Kennison
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 16
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 14

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chengtu , at 41,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 108
Ki-46-III Dinah x 4
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 destroyed - grumble!
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
94 casualties reported

Airbase hits 14
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 9
Kittyhawk I x 9
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 92
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Chinese Corps, at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 24
G4M2 Betty x 61

Allied aircraft - annoying little bugger
I-16c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 84th Chinese Corps, at 43,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 176
D4Y Judy x 72
B5N Kate x 44
G4M2 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft - even more annoying!
P-40N Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 8 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 77th Chinese Corps, at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 51
B5N Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 82nd Chinese Corps, at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18
G4M2 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Naval Construction Battalion, at 39,80

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
P-47D Thunderbolt x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Malama, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another anti shipping strike by the very accurate heavy bombers. Sent in some semi trained
Tojos - they shot down 10 Lightnings but 27 failed to return. And the ships received a pounding.
Moving out a last base force unit for Palau. Don't need aviation support for 600 ac there anymore.

Day Air attack on TF, near Truk at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 43
B-17E Fortress x 20
PB4Y Liberator x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 27 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Fusemi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Gyoko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Enju Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1
APD APD-39, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein at 79,79

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships - close...
CL Tromp

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

China - still life!?

I need to keep my training academies running - fortunately the 1200 participants should
be able to look after themselves. Kweiyang is in for it now!

[PzB74]

What do you think of the following plan; If Andy attempts an amphibious landing in the Marianas/Palaus/Philippines the following plan will be executed:

Stage 1 The enemy fleets arrive and start bombarding their target while carrier fighters fight it out with the local CAP
Stage 2 The KB is loaded up with 1000 good fighters and set to 90% CAP and sails within range of the enemy carriers. LBA should already
have reduced the number of enemy fighters and fatigue should be on the raise.
Stage 3 Large number of reserve LBA (fighters and bombers) are sent to the threatened sector while the remaining KB carriers take aboard dive and torpedo bombers.
Surplus carrier units will supplement the land based ac.
Stage 4 The surface fleet moves in to intercept the landings as the air battles reaches a climax.
Stage 5 The enemy is defeated and forced to withdraw [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/17/43

Air Combat

Chinese Warhawks withdrew into the interior...will direct a few heavy bomber strikes
there as soon as I can bring some long range A6M2 Zero's in. Still got a trained group in China.

Maloelap is receiving a heavy pummeling, guess Andy is dying to crack its defences by now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 44
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35 - closing it...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M5 Zeke x 9
B5N Kate x 39
G4M1 Betty x 80
G4M2 Betty x 147

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 120
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83 - 2 AA regiments make life difficult for the bombers!


Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 10
Kittyhawk I x 15
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 83
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 41

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 247
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Fishbed]

I hope he will not rather try out a hit and run strategy against you, that would be somewhat painful - something that happened in Japan or in Taiwan for instance in 1944, just about coming, wiping out planes and going away in two little days. At least it would be my way of dealing with it, in order to weaken you enough before the true invasion...
The other problem are the AI priorities: if he comes in force, how to be sure that not half your strikes will be directed against transports or support TF instead of the carriers? Maybe as long as you are sinking ships and killing US troops it doesnt matter that much, but still...

[rogueusmc]

ORIGINAL: PzB

A little picture quest for you all: which ship is this?

Akagi?

[Sneer]

not possible - it is western origin - I prefer US navy

[Fishbed]

Probably an Essex Class - Lexingtons have their bow totally closed, and Yorktown/Wasp bows don't look like that neither...

Checked some Essex, but the ones with launching photos I saw had no anchors set yet.

[Sneer]

it looks like essex to me too

[hawker]

CV on picture is USS Wasp of Essex class[;)]

[hawker]

Ups,my mistake,that is USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)
Is any reward for this PzB

[PzB74]

Good work Hawker [8D] You get the honor of voluenteering for the Empire's first Kaiten torpedoes!

It will indeed be difficult to carry out such a plan; circumstances will decide how it all goes down.
I'm still going to try to preserve my best fighters and bombers for the 'second round' if you get me.

Soon I've replaced the 300 Oscar IIs we lost: they will man the front lines together with a part of our good
fighter and bomber formations. If Andy wants to conduct a hit and run he will have to risk his best ships
for very little gain. The Philippines will become the armory from were reserves will be drawn. Capturing
one of the bases in the main defensive zone will take weeks at best - so there should be more than enough time.

[PzB74]

Today I 'found' 3 Sally bombers and crews in Phnom Penn - they've been sitting there for almost
2 years as the base force moved out. Explains why one of my Sally Daitai's never would fill out [:'(]
Imagine being awol for almost 2 years, must be a record....

When I asked Andy how he managed to upgrade his Chinese air unit he said:
"Yup but my Chinese Airgropups when withdrawn are returnng upgraded albeit with 0 aircraft.
So free upgrade of I 16's to P40N's and SB2's to B25J's. The Libs were always there just had zero aircraft."

Is it only me or does this sound fishy to you as well?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/18/43

Invasions

Andy is moving back into Tenimbar, the small island just north of Darwin. Not going to
resist this move, size 0 airfields takes forever to develop.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1152 troops unloading over beach at Tenimbar, 36,81

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1152 troops unloading over beach at Tenimbar, 36,81

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 35
B5N Kate x 35
G4M1 Betty x 76
G4M2 Betty x 143
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another large strike hits Truk - moved the Tojos out yesterday but the damaged apd sank.

Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 31
B-17E Fortress x 42
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 68

Allied aircraft losses - these raids are rough on the heavies
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD APD-39, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 93
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 60,83

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Cape Henry, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[rtrapasso]

When I asked Andy how he managed to upgrade his Chinese air unit he said:
"Yup but my Chinese Airgropups when withdrawn are returnng upgraded albeit with 0 aircraft.
So free upgrade of I 16's to P40N's and SB2's to B25J's. The Libs were always there just had zero aircraft."

Sounds like the truth to me - at least the part about the "free" upgrades. When i've withdrawn units, they often come back with 0 aircraft, and so you can make them whatever you like (in what's available). But it's not like you pay PPs to upgrade (at least not in the standard game). You just have to have the aircraft available.

[PzB74]

Andy also finds the 'glitch' to be unrealistic and explains it the following way:

"The way it apparently works is if you withdraw units and when they return there are no aircraft of the correct type
in the pool then the program looks 1 down the upgrade path then one up.

Given that i16's and SB2's havent got a downgrade option they go to next upgrade which is B25J's and P40N's.
Its totally wrong especially when there are no outside LOC's."

I've promised to stay away from Chengtu - the northernmost Chinese base - if he doesn't use his new ac in an offensive role.
I'm only interested in pacifying China. 200 bombers and 60 fighters are standing ready to crush this last bastion if necessary.

Hundreds of ac have now finished their training in China and will be redeployed to the Philippines and Marianas.
The crack division that is heading for Palau from India will be used as a tactical reserve, I expect something nasty is going to
happen anytime soon. Still rebuilding my transport fleet, takes time to replace 200 Topsy's when only 70 units arrive each month.

19 November
Pacific - Carrier-borne aircraft pound the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands and Nauru in preparation for the coming invasion.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/19/43

Air Combat

More interesting to show the Jap air strikes. Allied air activity concentrates
on the Marshalls: Kwajalein in particular.

Day Air attack on 7th Naval Construction Battalion, at 39,80

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This little Val unit got an average exp of 55...doesn't hit anything. So never bother to
send naval bombers into action against enemy capital ships unless they got 70+ exp.

Day Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 60,83

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Cape Henry, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Again, too quiet...don't like it! Very few ships around and even the heavies seems to be roaming around
half hearted. Sending more Glen equipped subs around the Pacific.

Receiving a lot of new ac and production is peaking - it's really difficult to increase ac engine output to
meet demands. The need for new aviation regiments is especially hight: another couple of months before new ones
arrive. Have to withdraw base force units from besieged bases - can't afford to loose them all.

20 November
Pacific - Start of Operation Galvanic. More than 100 warships, transports and landing craft of all kinds approach
the atolls of Tarawa and Makin, in the Gilbert Islands, during the night. For some time the Japanese have been building
up the fortifications of these two islets, especially Tarawa, where Rear Admiral Keichi Shibasaki has 5000 men, as well as
400 specialists, on the airfield and a certain number of Korean labourers turned into auxilliary riflemen. Guns of all calibres,
from 37mm to 203mm, light tanks dug in, well-camouflaged pillboxes, beach obstacles and huge bunkers covered in earth and sand
many feet deep make the atoll an extremely difficult objective, and its capture costs the Americans dear.
Solomon Islands - On Bougainville the 3rd Marine Division extends its position near the river Piva after
overcoming the last enemy resistance. The 37th Division broadens the defensive perimeter of the beachhead without
coming in contact with the enemy.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/20/43

Air Combat

Truk can really withstand a heavy pounding - the last couple of raids didn't do much damage.
Time to move 250 fighters in and blow Andy out of the skies!? [:D]

Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 44
B-17E Fortress x 24
PB4Y Liberator x 8
B-24J Liberator x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 57
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is mightily annoying: 7 crack Jill torpedo bombers can't hit a derelict freighter [:@]
Day Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 60,83

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Cape Henry, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[rtrapasso]

Andy also finds the 'glitch' to be unrealistic and explains it the following way:

"The way it apparently works is if you withdraw units and when they return there are no aircraft of the correct type
in the pool then the program looks 1 down the upgrade path then one up.

Given that i16's and SB2's havent got a downgrade option they go to next upgrade which is B25J's and P40N's.
Its totally wrong especially when there are no outside LOC's."

Are you saying his stuff upgraded even though no aircraft of that type were in the pool??

When that happened to me - i just got no a/c, although i didn't try it with the Chinese...