A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again)

[wobbly]

Hi folks - herb and I had a bit of a hiccup with turns so haven't played for the last couple of days. Things are quiet anyway.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/15/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Crane

Crane sneaks into PM harbour and lobs a few shells at the defenders. I'd have liked to have sunk this large AP but the captain was timid. Probably thought - crazy high command, sending me into the vipers nest. I'll just pop off a few salvos and then make sure I am miles away by the time the sun comes up.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #2, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT Gyoraitei #4

Allied Ships
DD Crane

Except... there are PT boats now closing the retreat route. Well OK - a couple of 4 inchers will deal to them - dodge the torpedos.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT Gyoraitei #5, Shell hits 1, on fire
PT Gyoraitei #6, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Crane

And - ahh crap more of the little buggers! Dodge the torpedos and give them some hot lead to think about. Now run away!
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Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Fuyo
DD Asagao
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
DD Mahan, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Dale, Shell hits 1
SS Saury, hits 1


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Runway hits 2
Port hits 1

Herb tries much the same thing at Darwin only he gets his DDs to bombard. This is particularly fearless as he has been savaged by Darwins static guns in other games. The Mahan is at 23 Sys damage.
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Day Air attack on Tenimbar , at 36,81


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 37
Buffalo I x 10
Kittyhawk I x 11
Beaufort I x 12
B-26B Marauder x 29


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 38

I take it he was trying to destroy my training fields. Thankfully that doesn't happen and business returns to normal. I put more Hudsons on naval search though.
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So thinks are still very quiet. This turn I have set up bombers in Mandalay to start my offensive of cities with resources in range. I don't really care about the resource damage I just want to force Herb to start moving the fighters around rather than having them all in one spot like he is currently doing. The weather, as always in Burma, will be the driving factor - Thunderstorms are the rule not the exception so I don't know when the first city attack will take place. First target is Hanoi's 600 resources.

The other spot of immediate interest is the liberation of Ndini. All troops are now on their ships covered by BBs and the Carriers. Some AKs are still loading supplies but will finish this turn and head out. Scouts noted a TF of DDs at Tassafaronga this turn. Likely to be Fast transports or ASW. The carriers may move up to take them out (as Lunga is not heavily loaded with ACs at present0. An attack on these ships is probably better before the liberation effort takes place. Liberators at Luganville move to 70% search. I don't want the KB appearing uninvited.

[ADavidB]

Hi Wobbly -

How about posting some status info on your forces - what you have available and where?

Thanks -

Dave Baranyi

[wobbly]

Very little of interest in this turn. A few bombing raids in China plus the normal training raids both of us are conducting.

Unfortunatley the weather gets in the way of the first bomber raid against Hanoi. Thankfully no planes attempt to go so the secret is still safe.

In the South Pacific I loose sight of the DDs at Tassafaronga, it is likely that they were only delivering supplies.

The Ndini liberation moves foward with all invasion fleets joiing in the same hex. This should go relatively smoothly. The only thing that should throw a spanner into the works will be the KB and I have many long range planes on search missions. With only a single, terribly harrassed, engineering unit there against a whole regiment, there should not be any chance of them holding. Go the Kiwis!!

Hi David - best of the New Year to you. I have written this away from my game - but yes, next turn I will do a comprehensive break down of forces, their locations and their next theatre of operation.

[wobbly]

Things at last start to hot up in this Pacific War - Herb finds my invasion forces with sub launched planes - my dauntlesses find his subs, 10 of them, at Ndini!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/17/42
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Sub attack at 63,70

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Senyu Maru #2
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

the hunted turns the tables on the hunters - This MSW has to be "reborn"
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Day Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 29
B-24D Liberator x 23


No Allied losses

Resources hits 19

The heavies take off from Mandalay and hit the undefended factories of Hanoi. It isn't anything devastating but it has prompted Herb to move planes there. Next target is Tanoy's resources. Then I think I'll hit Moulmein's airfield. Time to make him really spread out those defenders.
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Day Air attack on Sian , at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 113

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 6 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 80

Herb is on the warpath himself though as he flattens Sian, brushing aside the 6 I-16s located there like so much smoke.
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Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

I go back to hitting Koepang with Hudsons after making sure the fighters Herb based there had headed elsewhere. This is all about stretching him around the globe.
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Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 108089 troops, 1124 guns, 21 vehicles

Defending force 74900 troops, 436 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
323 casualties reported

Herb's artillery are whittling away at the Chinese at the crossroads below Homan. I don't know how many men are replaced when you have that setting on...?
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So obviously Herb now has to worry about where to defend in Burma and Siam. Hopefully he decides to try and hit Mandalay or Akyab to point my attention elsewhere as I have plenty of spitfires for defence.

The invasion of Ndini has now been found and will start landing in the next turn. I take a large risk and send the carriers above Ndini with many of the bombers on search. With a group of at least 10 subs taking men off it would be very nice to whack a few bombs into them. I must revert these guys to naval attack of course as a sneaking KB would be a nasty surprise to search-only carriers.

David - half way through the marathon effort of recording locations of units - only done in pen and paper at the moment so it will have to be typed in - sigh.

[ADavidB]

Things at last start to hot up in this Pacific War - Herb finds my invasion forces with sub launched planes - my dauntlesses find his subs, 10 of them, at Ndini!

Did the Dauntlesses spot the subs at sea or in port?

So obviously Herb now has to worry about where to defend in Burma and Siam. Hopefully he decides to try and hit Mandalay or Akyab to point my attention elsewhere as I have plenty of spitfires for defence.

If you are serious about defending either or both bases from the air, make certain that you match the potential attacks in quantity of fighters. Can you put 70+ Spitfires in the air over Mandalay? If you only put in one or two 16-plane squadrons and your opponent moves several big Daitais like he did at Sian, your Spits will get creamed fast.

David - half way through the marathon effort of recording locations of units - only done in pen and paper at the moment so it will have to be typed in - sigh.

I find that it is worthwhile to do that myself every couple of game-months just to refresh my memory on where my forces really are and what I am intending to do with them.

Good luck -

Dave Baranyi

[wobbly]

Hi all - i had the fortune of having another hoilday, this time in Melbourne, and have only just got back to the game. Herb and I have had a number of turns - five of which follow - and the temperature is going up!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/20/42
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TF 1028 encounters mine field at Ndini (72,101)

TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Ndini, 72,101


Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins
DMS Southard
DD Chew


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported

My much awaited invasion of Ndini goes in with troops hitting the beach - this is actually the second day - I lost the combat replay for the first.
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Naval bombardment of Ndini, at 72,101

Allied Ships
DD Kennison
DD Crosby
DD Le Triomphant
DD Arunta
DD Vendetta
DD Farragut
DD Porter
CL Concord
CL Hobart
CL Tromp
CL Leander
BB New Mexico
BB Tennessee
BB Colorado
BB Maryland

Runway hits 24
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 4

The heavy metal, gurading the invasion fleet, softens the beaches.
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TF 1028 encounters mine field at Ndini (72,101)

TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Ndini, 72,101


Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins
DMS Southard
APD Waters
DD Bulmer, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported

The one naval casualty from the invasion Bulmer takes a mine and is at about 25 sys damage. SHe makes it back to Luganville safely.
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 56
B-24D Liberator x 25


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

Japanese ground losses:
593 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23

Just to keep the pressure on the other side of the pond Port MOresby gets a little treatment.
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Day Air attack on Ndini , at 72,101


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 68


No Allied losses

Runway hits 18

Carrier planes, from the carriers off Ndini, attack the defending Jap troops.
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Ground combat at Ndini

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3973 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 795 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ndini base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
171 casualties reported

And the Kiwis go onto the attack hitting the much reduced base force Herb had left on the island. Ndini is ours!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/21/42

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ASW attack at 27,29

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
MSW Cromer
PG Thyme
PG Cyclamen
PG Genista
PG Fritillary
PG Hollyhock

Up in the Bay of Bengal a glen toting sub is heavily damaged on about the 3rd attempt I made to catch up with him. I don't know if it will sink as it is not a long way to Rangoon - a currently untouchable port.
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TF 141 encounters mine field at Takamatsu (62,42)

Japanese Ships
PG Nishho Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
TK Ryuei Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire

A little sneaky this: laying sub transported mines in the port of Takamatsu harbour catches a passing tanker. If it is full of fuel or oil this could be trouble, otherwise this will just mean an extended stay in port.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 21

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 50
B-24D Liberator x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 75

I attempted a strike on Moulmein to further my strategy of forcing Herb to defend more than one base in Burma, unfortunately the Tonys located at Rangoon move across to disrupt the party and I end up loosing 11 Wellingtons. The heavies are retired to Calcutta and they are replaced by Mitchells and Blenheims.
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 95

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 6 destroyed

Despite the defence of Moumein by 20 odd tonys there are still oodles to attack Mandalay. My spits are heavily outnumbered but do fight well. The problem with this is the complete lack of British pilots in the pool.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/22/42
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15
Ki-21 Sally x 17

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Upon the next turn Herb now brings bombers to Mandalay. I had reinforced the fighters there with more spitfires but they are not strong enough to repulse this attack. The newly moved in Mitchells are hit on the ground... and there is more to come.
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 112
Ki-49 Helen x 49

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 12 destroyed
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

Whallop! A massively escorted strike on Mandalay and the reduced spitfires are savaged. Not many Mitchels are hit on the ground but their morale plummets. I move them and the Blenheims to Akyab.
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Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Trying to hit him around the clock means another strike on Paramushiromiro Jima to little effect unfortunately.
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Day Air attack on 51st Chinese Corps, at 44,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 31
Ki-51 Sonia x 62

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged



Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Herb had hit Kweiwin last turn so I moved the AVG there as some deterrent. Unfortunately I got the altitude slightly off so I didn't wreck havoc on the attackers. The AVG were moved back to Chungking after this defensive effort.
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Day Air attack on 14th NZ Brigade, at 72,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
C5M Babs x 1
Ki-21 Sally x 18

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

With Ndini now under the allied flag Herb has something for his Lunga based bombers to do. The Kiwis do not have a safe billet!
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/23/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Crane

Another sneaky attack on the small surface forces herb has at POrt Moresby. This was a pathetic effort however as the Crane only lobs one shell into this resident AP.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #2, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT Gyoraitei #4

Allied Ships
DD Crane

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
PT Gyoraitei #5
PT Gyoraitei #6, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Crane

It does slightly better against the PTs which both manage to get surprise but not capitalise on it.
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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 133
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Spitfire Vb x 7
P-40B Tomahawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 32 destroyed, 34 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 4 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 6 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
I-16c: 4 destroyed
SB-2c: 8 destroyed
IL-4c: 1 destroyed
I-153c: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

The AVG, moved back to Chungking, is able to help defend against a massive strike, without escort, of the capital. Herb looses many attacking bombers, but so do I, on the ground. Mine are the Chinese ones that are soooooo hard to replace - bugger.
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 21
Ki-49 Helen x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 13
Spitfire Vb x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 20

In an attempt to lull Herb into a false sense of security I moved some Hurricanes into Mandalay. He sends another large raid in and the defenders don't do too badly despite the inferior fighter being used. I then moved all other aircraft, other than some F-5 recon planes, out to safer locations and moved in the group of P-38s and 2 groups of P-40Es. It's time for the Americans to do some fighting!
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 48

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 7
Spitfire Vb x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

This type of attack should start to become more difficult!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/24/42


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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-49 Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Spitfire Vb x 7
P-40B Tomahawk x 16
I-153c x 7
I-16c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 damaged
I-153c: 4 destroyed
I-16c: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
IL-4c: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Another very large attack on Chungking, this time escorted, but only with oscars. The bombers again get through causing damage, but this is a long range mission and it must be costing him valuable pilots.
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Ground combat at 49,31

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 23988 troops, 182 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1558 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 271 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

One of the units below Homan, forced to retreat earlier in the game, is forced to do so again.
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Weather is really the winner on this day as Herb is unable to mount attacks on Mandalay but is able to tell there are sudddenly a large increase in fighters there. He will not know they are P-38s inclusive but he may be more reticent about his attack - bugger.

My attack on Ndini has been a success, now I am very tentatively reinforcing. The bombers out of Lunga have the ability to severely hurt a full landing, but that is what I am attempting: 2 Seabees units and a base unit, loaded in Luganville will land in Ndini (from Luganville). The 2 carriers in attendence for the initial invasion will provide more cover again - Ndini has no airbase ability of its own (size 0).

The invasion of Wake Island is next on the agenda, an RCT, and engineering unit, and a raiders unit will make the attack against what appears to be a full base unit. This should be plenty. I have combat loaded the APs and AKs to be able to offload most of the units rapidly. They will be covered by 3 CVs, 2 CVLs and as many as 8 BBs.

Herb has hinted that he is on the warpath and that within the next 2 weeks things will get very interesting. I wonder if we will be in the same vacinity as each other? The only place I have seen with intel has been Adak Island in the Aleutians. I am tempted to move some naval units up there but if he is serious he will take Carriers and that will almost certainly mean the loss of the surface units. There is no other supportive base out there on the end of the chain so one good Naval bombardment could put me out of business. All bombers are therefore put on 70 Naval search. I really only have subs to do my defending with if I don't see him early.

He may also try against either Baker or Canton - these are more difficult nuts to crack mainly because they have CD units and reasonably mutual support. The proximity of Pearl must also be a deterrent. Anywhere else I'll just let hime attack and do my best to limit the damage.

[wobbly]

Two quiet days dominated by the weather:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/26/42

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TF 1031 encounters mine field at Ndini (72,101)

Allied Ships
DMS Perry
DMS Boggs

My reinforcements arrive at Ndini and start unloading - remnants of an enemy minefield are swept. Later in the day bombers from Lunga take off but are unable to locate targets. Unloading will continue in the next turn; no sign of the KB and only carrier planes for defence against air attack...
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Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 68
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Resources hits 10

Herb continues to use his Sonias to hit the two cities (Wuchow and Kweiyin) rotating the targets around. Today it is back after resource locations. While he is taking on Chungking I can't really afford to defend these locations.
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 36


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Port Moresby suffers more damage from the heavies.
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Day Air attack on 98th Chinese Corps, at 50,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 92

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Herb bombs my blocking force below Homan with 3 aerial attacks, the above one being the largest, to preempt a delierate attack in the afternoon.
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Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 187657 troops, 2091 guns, 57 vehicles

Defending force 82314 troops, 495 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
3888 casualties reported
Guns lost 67
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
1162 casualties reported
Guns lost 40

Here is that attack - a pretty worrying repulse - 1 to 1 odds. Most of the units are now dug in to level 4 so he needs a whole lot more troops to raise it bubt it is still worrying.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/25/42
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 45


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
333 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 50

The heavies return to PM and that is about all of interest this turn. Herb admits that he is worried about Burma. He sent a recon plane to Mandalay today and of course noted the P-38s there. My trap is left unsprung but may still have a desired effect. From here I can escort the bombers to Rangoon and close it as the gateway to Burma.

[wobbly]

Herb fans will rejoice as he coaxes his LBA into hitting my covering fleet at Ndini

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/28/42

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TF 1056 encounters mine field at Ndini (72,101)

Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins
DMS Hovey
DMS Southard

The dangerous little eggs still cluster around Ndini harbour - anti-mine ships in the arriving supply TF clear more of them up.
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Day Air attack on Wuhan , at 48,35

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 26
SB-2c x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 22

A bit of a change of tack in China - I use the bombers to hit the Jap airfields to little effect really. However, it may make Herb defend his airfields rather than having the whole base on offensive missions.
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Day Air attack on TF at 71,104

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Herb's well trained naval pilots prove their worth. This was a very long range attack - Lunga to slightly NW of Luganville. I had reduced the fighter cover from 80% CAP to 40% as the pilots were starting to become fatigued (after LRCAPing the reinforcement effort). They are pretty poor at defending the ships beneath as this small raid finds the New Mexico. She is suffering 22 Sys damage and size 15 fires - bugger.
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Day Air attack on TF at 71,104

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Then insult to injury. Another flight of betties makes the same long trip and not only do they make it through putting a torp into the Saratoga but the defending Wildcats are smashed by the escorting Zeros! Grrr - Saratogo has damage of 35 Sys but has size 19 fires and float of 22 so planes are diverted to Ndini to land. This is a cast iron bastard. She will head to Noumea to get rid of flood damage and then on to Sydney to repair as fast as possible.
I have not yet concluded what is my next move in the South/SouthWest Pacific but whatever it is I am going to need the services of this ship - a setback indeed.
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As stated Sara will go to Sydney, which currently has no ships with damage in it, and the New Mexico will probably head back to the States. They take forever to fix and I have a large number of BBs so I can do without her services for the next 4 or so months it will take to get her moving again.

Speaking of damaged Capital ships the Yorktown is now down to 32 SYS damage while West Virginia is at 39. The Essex is 52 days from completion and delivery to the Navy after shake down. There are 3 CVEs available in 18 days but they are hardly frontline fighting ships.

A note. Many of the the airfields in Burma and China suddenly appear to have lost their enemy aircraft. Herb has been threatening a move as yet I have not concluded where it might be....?

[witpqs]

Just a thought, Sara might take a pretty long time to repair at Sydney.

[wobbly]

No combat replay

Little happens except for another attack on the reinforcements at Ndini by Betties and 40 A6M3s. They meet 12 P-38s and 16 F4F-4s. The Wildcats don't even take part but the LRCAP P-38s do very well knocking down 12 zeros and 3 betties for the loss of 6 of their own. None of the ships are hit by Bettie leakers.

The Saratoga is at 40 SYS damage and size 6 fires. Damn it - this is a real setback. She will be out for months now. The New Mexico has contained its fires with a SYS damage of 19. The only way forward appears to be move in Centpac Carriers.

Another interesting Haps is a floatplane sighting a sub in-between Johnson and Baker Island. This has to be the location of his forces. What he is up to has yet to be defined, I am sure I will find out in due course. Three steps are taken:

Another 2 sqds of Wildcats join the sqd at Johnson and the two dauntless sqds there.

A surface combat TF of 2 cruisers, 2 CLs and 6 DDs puts to sea. I will be very cagey with their use as I don't want them being Kate fodder, but there may be an opportunity to cause some mayhem if he neglects his defence.

The last thing is to route all transport TFs in the area around likely contact spots. I don't need to loose unnecessary transport ships with their supplies.

Witpqs: Yeah I know, a quandary. The Capital ships repair much faster in the States but this has to be offset by the amount of time it takes to get them there and then get them back. I'll mull over this decision; it is still Noumea first to get rid of flooding.

[wobbly]

A few turns of little action have passed. The float planes that sighted my sub between Johnson and Baker Islands has now manifested itself into a sighting of 3 AKs South West of Midway. More on this later.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/02/42

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ASW attack at 68,48

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Oi Maru
PC Ishigaki
PC Kunashiri
PC Hachijo
PC Shimushu

Allied Ships
SS Runner

Herb has started a campaign of ASW action against the subs I have stationed south of Tokyo. There are 3 ASW groups that have been pinging away at my subs, so far without any luck, but they are making it very difficult to interdict shipping. Very unsportsmanlike Herb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, not alot to report from combat, but I think we are about to see some serious wrestling. Firstly, in the Indian Ocean the UK regiment tasked with taking Andaman is loaded along with another TF of supplies. They will be covered by a surface Tf including 4 BBs and the two Brit Carriers (in their own TF). Herb has emptied Rangoon of planes so some prelimary airfield suppression is on the cards. In fact I have been trying to get this to happen for the last 3 turns but the weather has been too bad. Hopefully it will be much the same during the liberation as he can easily move planes back to bases on the West Coast of Burma and Northern Malaya.
My invasion of Wake has nearly made it to the jump off location about 12 hexes North of Hawaii. Obviously with the sightings of Jap transport ships around Midway this venture may have to wait for a wee while. It may even have to be unloaded at Midway as added defence. At the moment Midway has 2 RCTs, an engineering regiment, a CD unit and two base forces. This is not a whole lot of defence but behind size 9 forts should be able to survive against 2+ divisions while reinforcements can be bought in. If I was Herb I would look to sweep and bombard Midway first. With an engineering regiment there I should be able to repair damage quite quickly, then it is move in Dauntlesses and Wildcats to make life difficult for the shipping. The Long Island has arrived North of Hawaii and not quite in range of Midway with 2 sqds of Dauntlesses. There are 3 more sqds on Johnson. As long as I don't get them all smashed by a preliminary bombardment they should be able to take some toll on attackers. As always it is Midway's lack of supporting bases that will be the main issue though, if he is serious, as he usually is, then he will hit the place very hard and it may be too much for me to be able to keep the place open.
Back by Noumea the Saratoga is docked and finishes with 40 SYS damage points, very disappointing. The New Mexico heads out with 2 DDs for the US. She has 19 Sys damage and will take a roundabout route on the way home. She should be available again in about 2 1/2 months - sigh

[saj42]

If possible replace the Engr Regt on Midway with a Seabee/EAB unit (best suited to construction and repair)- . The Engr Regts are too valuable, they are an assualt unit; the Allies only get a 5 total.

[wobbly]

Is Midway really the target???

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/03/42
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Day Air attack on 28th Chinese Division, at 45,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 64
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 32
Ki-21 Sally x 11

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Some very large bombing runs being undertaken in China and on the stuck troops in the Owen Stanleys (in New Guinea).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 51st Base Force, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 101
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M3a Zero x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Ouch! 101 A6M2s. He is really putting in the training sessions. There is nothing I can do about the troops being hit in the Owen Stanleys and little I can do about China. I am contemplating sending the AVG to India (for supply reasons) and upgrading them to P-38s. These can make training attacks in China a nightmare and may even bring the air superiority claim back a bit further in my direction. P-38s aren't Corsairs but they will be tough on rookie pilots. They also have such great range that I can looked to LRCAP from more behind the lines bases. I have 60 P-38s in my pool at the moment.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5
Beaufort I x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 67
B-25C Mitchell x 36


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 43

At last the weather over Akyab is good enough to allow the planes to hit Rangoon. Unfortunately the Liberators flying the greater distance from Dacca do not join in or take the opportunity by themselves. Still a reasonable amount of damage done for the first attempt. As you can see, and may remember, the once formidable airspace above Rangoon is now free of enemy fighters - how long will this last?
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Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
DMS Boggs

I had the resident P-38s resting and these Lunga based Betties reached out to Luganville. Thankfully they were bombing at 15,000 ft so don't hit their targets. The pitiful number of Wildcats on CAP do manage to find and despatch 2 of the raiders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,70

Japanese Ships
PG Choan Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Hayakafuku Maru
PG Hakkai Maru
PG Chosa Maru
PG Choko Maru #2
PG Chohakusan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

Despite Herb's best efforts to get rid of my marauding subs, sometimes the hunters become the hunted. I don't know whether this is a mortal wound, but it will definately mean there is one less ASW ship plying it's trade in the Pacific for a while (maybe permananetly).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK, to the haps that occur but are not part of the combat replay.

Herb has flooded the area between Ndini and Luganville with subs. I had most of the two Liberator groups on Luganville tasked with search missions and they spot many of these grey wolves, one even claims a bomb hit on one. Herb has his level bombers set to hit naval targets and he has already shown (by hitting the Saratoga and the New Mexico) he could put a serious dent in an ASW mission. So I am thinking I will do run out and run in missions against this cloud of subs.

The Andaman liberation is moving ahead nicely, in the next turn covering forces should refuel in Columbo. The transports are already at sea waiting for their escorts.
So, lastly, what is Herb up to in the Central Pacific. He sent a number of recon planes to Midway and moved about 3 AKs within 5 hexes (to the SW). He also moved what looks like 1 CA and one CV (although this is one search result I am very dubious of) to within Alf range, conducting yet another recon mission. This just doesn't look like a viable attack.
Search planes this turn scouted another Jap TF, with cruisers included, about 9 hexes SW of Johnson and about 10 NNW of Palmyra. Neither of these places is terribly well defended. These reconned ships areI now feel that one of these is the target, and as such have to be prepared to loose them. I cannot get reinforcements there easily. However, it is now the last month in '42 and if he takes one of these two islands you have to wonder why? Sure it can provide a base that will allow scouting to some depth and more specifically of Pearl. But it will be so easy for me to shut them down unless he keeps the KB in close attendance - something he is not likely to do as that is just an invitation for me to hit somewhere else. So this may be just an attack to kill an RCT and base force. Something I don't want to encourage but will hardly undermine the war effort and more likely will give me the opportunity of killing more naval targets than Herb wants.
So if this is the plan - roll on Herb!

Tallyho - He thanks for that info - didn't know how scarse the engineering regiments were! I don't think the target is Midway now - see my thoughts - and I would have had all manner of difficulty getting them out if the whole combined fleet turned up. I am going to take your advice as soon as the area gets a little cooler - Midway is now at full size and fortification so no need for such engineering firepower. Thanks for reading.

[wobbly]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/04/42

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Sub attack at 64,70

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7
PC Ch 2
PG Nagata Maru
MSW W.21
MSW W.10
MSW Wa 5

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

Something I wouldn't usually include in the CR except Herb seems to really hate this sub - he has 3 ASW groups in the same hex - ye tthe Trigger still tries to add to its tally - no luck though.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 33


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 50

The Liberators add their weight to the Rangoon suffering only to have the mediums bogged down by the weather.
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Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

I still have eyes for Gili Gili as a possible invasion target so I can get the blocked in past protectors of Port Moresby out to Oz and let them recuperate numbers.
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Day Air attack on Vanikolo , at 72,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Herb keeps sweeping this dot hex and the Wildcats keep wandering away from Ndini. No loss today but instead I now LRCAP with the P-38s from Luganville. Lets see if he forgets to change their setting?
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ASW attack at 42,65

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The Seadragon, a previously successful boat, radios a frantic warning that it is under attack. She has not been heard from since. She was on Patrol between Celebes and Mindanao so is in a difficult place to investigate.
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Sub attack near Utupau at 73,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
ML Weehawken, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Arrgghh. I really don't want this ML sunk. It has a wicked payload. Herb has moved this mountain of subs in around Ndini and Luganville and they find their first mark. I am trying to move this damaged ship out of the likely path of the subs to try and get back to Luganville - I'd say a 50-50 chance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As to Midway and the other Islands. I admit I am lost as to Herb's intentions. The units below Midway again stay in the locations they were in this turn - I have tried a bit of fancy footwrk - sending 6 PT boats out to where the AKs he is using as plane bait (I believe) are located. I don't think he will expect this. He is likely to then set zeros to low level naval attack - so I'll move in Wildcats at 5000 ft to defend the boats.

The other TFs off the coasts of Johnson and Palmyra have also not moved. A sub has been despatched to try and glean a bit more info.

[wobbly]

Herb's Night school days have started again and that will mean some further slow down in the number of turns. herb emails that he has been sprung and that it was only a recon in force to Midway.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/05/42

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ASW attack at 74,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DD Chew
DD Barker
DD Allen

An ASW TF sniffs at a sub but can't land a hit. B-24s from Luganville have much better luck reporting 3 hits on different subs! He should get the message - sod off you horrible Imperilist!
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Day Air attack on Ndini , at 72,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
C5M Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

A bad day for the marine wildcats as Herbs zeros hand them the arses.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Beaufort I x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 53
B-25C Mitchell x 57


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49

Many bombing runs, by both sides actually, my main targets being Rangoon and the troops camped over the river from Mandalay. His have been my crossroads troops below Homan and spatterings of other troops in no particular order. Heaviest strikes are against the lost troops in PNG including some of the new A6M3a fighters.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
Kittyhawk I x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun

Just as the day was looking like a bad one for Allied air losses the Betties try another unescorted raid on Luganville. A poor showing numbers wise by the defenders but the P-38s are in touch enough to make the attempt damgerous to Pilot health.
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Day Time Surface Combat at 93,65

Japanese Ships
PC Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 3
AP Kasuga Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Seiwa Maru, Shell hits 9

Allied Ships
PT PT-159
PT PT-160
PT PT-161
PT PT-162
PT PT-163
PT PT-164

heh heh - my little attempt on Herb's stationary ships off the coast of Midway. It doesn't pay to stay too still Mr Herbie-san. Not a bad effort by the mosquito boats. This is enough to convince Herb that I am not taking the bait. He will either move forward to bombard and damage any areas within reach and retire, or just retire.
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Not too much to add. The ball is in Herb's court about Midway, I am not coming out to play.

The Andaman Island operation is massing East of Ceylon. A base force has been lifted from Akyab by the force that just landed a UK air regiment there - the base force will move in to Andaman after the capture. Plans are to use Andaman as a fighter base for LRCAP of BB bombardment missions of the coast of Burma and Malaya.

[wobbly]

A report after two days. Herb appears to be retiring, I get a minor victory in the ASW war, and Liberators out of Luganville kill "Hanamoto"; the object of Herb's AAR. I don't know what he will do about his AAR now...?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/42

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ASW attack at 69,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC SC-642
DD Rathburne
DD Humphreys
DD Crosby

The culmination of a successful ASW response to Herb filling the sea around Luganville with subs. He has sunk a SC and damaged a ML (which is still finding it's way back to Luganville via a circuitious route). This sub (one of the Glen boats more's the fun) is the 3rd to be sunk along with airbourne damage to 3 others.
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Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 56
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 77

The second day of attacks on Gili Gili. I have a decent heavy bomber contingent in the South Pacific now. I have also managed to protect them from suffering devastating losses in pilots so they are high in experience. These planes, out of Cooktown, regularly hit Port Moresby and GG, i am thinking of adding a sneaky strike on Lae as he has heavily occupied the place with training planes to bomb my units in the Owen Stanleys.
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Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
B-24D Liberator x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
C5M Babs: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 69

The deathbringers of Hanamoto. I have been regularly reconning Lunga and Herb had been covering the base with some tonys. In the last 2 days he had not sent them up so I figured I might have a window to hit the base. The Liberators make a pretty good mess of the place loosing 1 of their number and hammering the fighters on the ground.
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Sub attack at 63,74

Japanese Ships
ML Tsugaru
ML Ikitsushima

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

Damn, I would have loved to put one of these little pests under the waves!
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In the Indian Ocean the liberation of Andaman is about to enter the more dangerous part of the venture. There are no planes stationed at Andaman itself but there are still plenty of working airfields on the mainland. With no planes on the island I may yet have another day of grace.

China is at a loggerhead. I have blocked all his advances and he has stopped mine. In the end I should fail in this escapade as he has better troops and more of the rail line to move them around.

Ndini's reinforcements (of two seebee units) continue to unload unmolested, hopefully this continues now that the Liberators have had their visit of Lunga. It is still taking a long time to build up the dot base despite the presence of 4 construction engineering units.

It is in the Central Pacific that everything is happening.

Herb's southern group, which from scouting, appears to hold the carriers (or most of them) begun to head SW last turn. I bolstered Baker Island with 2 Wildcat sqds, 2 dauntless and an Avenger sqd. This day though they haveheade more westerly out of range of Baker. I think their destination is now Truk. With the location of this fleet yesterday I sortied Mitchum at full speed with the 3 Pearl based carriers, Lexington, Hornet and Wasp, due West from Pearl in a hope of catching up to the smaller Northern group threatening Midway.

I have also started the liberation of Wake. At Pearl multiple TFs are formed: two bombardment/surface fleets, one with 4 fast BBs and the other with 4 slower, 2 ASW TFs, a minesweeping TF, a minelaying TF and another DD only surface TF for replacement escorts. Also I have a aircraft replenishment TF built around the Nassau - I have attached a picture of her aircraft layout. I would have thought this was far too overloaded to even allow the planes to fly off to land at Wake (once captured), will I therefore have to dock with Wake to offload?

These TFs will join with the invasion TF, followup TF (Holding base forces), supply TF and replenishment TF that are currently 9 or so hexes North of Pearl.

Watch this space Gentlemen!

[wobbly]

Andaman Liberation begins - awful attack against Rangoon - bah.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/09/42

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Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 15
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 11
Port supply hits 4

A bit of preparation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Andaman Island, 23,34, firing at TF 1127
TF 1127 troops unloading over beach at Andaman Island, 23,34


8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Romney


Allied ground losses:
448 casualties reported

Alot of casualties for a single Brit Brigade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Andaman Island, 23,34, firing at TF 1127
TF 1127 troops unloading over beach at Andaman Island, 23,34



Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported

A few more just to add salt to the wound.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 65


No Allied losses

So I thought Herb was defending Moulmein, sent the P-38s there, nope they are somewhere else.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 35

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7
Beaufort I x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 43
B-25C Mitchell x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 15 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Then this attack goes in with P-40Es as escort damnit! The P-40s get smashed at their full range and the Mitchells have such fragile morale that a few damaged and detroyed and they are on their way back to Akyab. I set the P-38s to sweep Rangoon and retire the Blenheim IVs, upgrading them to Wellingtons, and move up the other Wellingtons to Akyab.
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Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 13
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 9

Another strike against Andaman. These ships will stay to continue the attack but they have expended a bit of ammo now so their power will be reduced. Liberators out of Dacca are tasked with bombing the defending troops - the weather will be important in this one's possibility of going ahead.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3717 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2921 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

The first attack is encouraging with the fort being removed. I don't know what Herb could have in store for me but I set the Brigade up to strike again. Hopefully they accomplish a takeover but they are at about half strength, with disruption, and are very disorganised. It could be a bad move. There was a sneaky NLF unit there that aerial recon failed to pick up. If this next attack doesn't work I will have to rest the troops for a day or so.
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Herb will no doubt be wondering what next. I note the KB (or at least get carrier based search planes buzzing around my subs) is heading SW now - maybe back to the area of Luganville. This is very positive for the attack on Wake, which is now heading west. My foray with the carriers failed to find anything and they are now moving to intercept the invasion and replace fuel used on their 2 day full speed sprint.

[saj42]

ORIGINAL: wobbly

Ndini's reinforcements (of two seebee units) continue to unload unmolested, hopefully this continues now that the Liberators have had their visit of Lunga. It is still taking a long time to build up the dot base despite the presence of 4 construction engineering units.

IRL Ndini was scouted and surveyed but never occupied as the strain of Malaria on the island was so virulent that no-one was able to function effectively there.

It is in the Central Pacific that everything is happening.

Also I have a aircraft replenishment TF built around the Nassau - I have attached a picture of her aircraft layout. I would have thought this was far too overloaded to even allow the planes to fly off to land at Wake (once captured), will I therefore have to dock with Wake to offload?

DON'T land those VR planes on Wake. VR squadrons are used to send replacements to your CV squadrons (rather like a mobile aircraft replacement pool). Nassau is not overloaded - she will launch a/c in this 'ferry' role. The VR units are actually groups , not squadrons, and will rapidly expand to a huge size if based ashore. Check the pilot experience - in most stock scenarios they are 25 Exp - you don't want those on your CVs , nor Wake for that matter.

[wobbly]

HI Tallyho - thanks for the input - how do I split the Nassau groups up to drip feed them to carrier groups while at sea????

A very very good day for the forces of good, although I have had a combat replay discrepancy.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/10/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Andaman Island at 23,34

Japanese Ships
AK Borneo Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Revenge
BB Ramilles
BB Resolution
CA Hawkins
CA Frobisher
CL Sumatra
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius
CL Birmingham
CL Glasgow
DD Van Galen
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound
DD Napier
DD Nepal

The bombardment group is still about Andaman and this freighter pulls into the Island - I don't understand why this was done. Anyway - no more transport.
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Naval bombardment of Andaman Island, at 23,34

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow
DD Van Galen
CL Glasgow
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Dragon
CL Danae
CL Sumatra
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Revenge
BB Warspite

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 5

Another preparatory bombardment.
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 17 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

At last I get the sweep orders correct and the well trained P-38 drivers make a hell of a mess. Strange observation here is that 10 Tojos get into the air, the P-38s shoot down 17, and in the intel 17 Tojos are lost to AtoA....?
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Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 60
B-24D Liberator x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
H8K Emily: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 70

This one really caught Herb on the hop. Heavy bombers coming in at 15K find no fighters on CAP and bomb uninterrupted - 1 is lost on the way back through operational damage. The raid nets 41 aircraft on the ground!!!
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Day Air attack on 136th IJA Base Force, at 23,34


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 30


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported

The Liberators actually fly! All the way from Dacca to Andaman.
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Day Air attack on 41st USA Division, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
A6M3a Zero x 35

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported

Despite the damage done to their airfield these trainers get into the air and hit the troops in the Owen Stanley mountains.
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Day Air attack on 29th UK Brigade, at 23,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 4 destroyed

These Lilys meet the seafires on LRCAP over the Andaman invasion and are repulsed.
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Day Air attack on Andaman Island , at 23,34


Allied aircraft
Seafire x 4
Swordfish x 30


No Allied losses

Here is the combat discrepancy. This is the only action the swordfish take part in and as you can see none are damaged. When I open the turn I can see a Jap TF of 2 BBs and 2 DDs, undoubtable not all there is, and I have lost 7 (!!!!) swordfish, 2 to ops and 5 to flak!! I can only surmise that the swordfish took a swipe at these ships and lost a sizable number of them in the attempt - for who knows how much damage in return.
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Sub attack at 22,33

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
DD Panther
DD Paladin
DD Pakenham

I also have this attack against a sub nosing around - which apparently sinks it. However, when the turn opens I can still see a Jap sub in the same hex as the carrier force - the one attacking here... Who knows?

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Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3468 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2606 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Andaman Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
151 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

The conclusion of the matter though is that Andaman Island is taken. It is in a very sorry state of repair, but matters are such that I need to move fighters, P-40Es, to bolster the defense of the landings. I new set of troops is about to land - a base unit. So the surface ships will rush back in to Andaman in case herb tries to retrieve his men or get in the way of this new landings. The carriers will also be about.
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[saj42]

ORIGINAL: wobbly

HI Tallyho - thanks for the input - how do I split the Nassau groups up to drip feed them to carrier groups while at sea????

That should be automatic - if the Nassau is within range and the CV squadrons are set to replacements 'ON'.
Not sure what the range is (normal / extended / ferry) as the manual isn't too clear (IIRC).