the battle continues......to be one sided
July 10th/July11th - more of the same in Darwin this turn. Bombardment TF's coming in and ripping up my troops, fleet subs getting hit by DC's (SS Salmon and SS Seal hit), fleet subs not hitting anything, and more and more Japanese troops coming ashore. So far only the 2nd and 5th Jap Inf Div have been identified along with a BF. I think he'll need a few more forces to take the base. So far my CD guns have been pretty pathetic setting only a DD and AP on fire this turn. Over at Derby my B17's launched 2 separate raids on Koepang, taking out 2 Betties and 2 Bab's with no losses to themselves.
Elsewhere in China, my Wellington attacks continue to exact a toll on the Japanese troops at Nanning. Meanwhile my assault on the Japanese troops situated b/t Wuchow and Canton failed due to poor leadership. The battle pitted 190,000 chinese troops vs 155,000 japanese troops. Despite the numerical superiority, the adjusted assualt value for the Japs was 5000 while mine was only 3000, therefore about twice as many troops will be needed to drive the eastern devils back to Canton. Not sure if thats possible at this point...may just keep it a stalement to tie up Japanese troops.
On last thing...my LB-30's struck Andaman Is. again...taking out a Nate. Afterwards it was noted that the LCU units went from 2 to 1. Therefore maybe miller is gonna give up on the isolated base.
Plan - 1) Withdraw of planes from Darwin to Derby continues, as i continue to build up a substantial base there. As of now there is 2 BF and a Cav Div there (at Derby). A brigade from Perth is on its way now, and a BF from Whydam will be moved in the near future to Derby. Also it looks like this is Millers main focus...as the Akagi, Shokaku and Shoho were ID'd this turn, therefore it looks like his main effort.
2) A bonehead mistake in China is gonna cost me the use of the AVG for a few turns. Last turn i moved them to a base without a BF present...and put them on LRCAP...now quite a few are damaged, and can't be moved until i get so AV support there..which will take a few days....grrr.
3) Bombardment of Andament Is. with 4 BB's will proceed next turn. I already have forces being prepped for the invasion for Andaman Is, which will commence sometime in late august. The operation is being term operation THORN. Details to follow soon.
KDonovan vs Miller41 Scenario 13-Nik Mod 5.0 (Allies)
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: July 12th, July13th - 1942
July 12th - more bad breaks for my subs, this time it wasn't just the subs near Darwin. Today say the SS Porpoise get run over by a heavily escorted transport TF heading to Truk. The sub suffered major damage that will need a couple months to repair (if it makes it back to port). Next the SS Swordfish located north of Biak, attacked a Tanker, but once again the torps failed to detonate. The sub was then hit by DC's causing minor damage that will need a port call. Finally the SS Tarpon was attacked by the same escorts that hit the SS Porpoise, causing minor damage.
There was some good news today though. First my bombardment of Andaman Is was a success as i destroyed 6 Nates and 1 Dinah on the ground, and completely wrecked the airfield there. Over in Darwin, the Japanese launched an assualt on my troops but were easily repulsed....in fact my fort levels actually went from 4 --> 5 at the end of the turn.
July 13th - once again my subs got hit hard. This time it wasn't the worthless fleet subs though....it was one of my S-boats. The S-28 moved in to attack an AP departing from Darwin, the shot was perfect, but the captain must've been crossed eyed, so all his torps missed. The escorts then hit the little sub hard, causing moderate damage. However there was one successful torpedo strike this day...and it wasn't my from my subs. 5 Beaforts managed to take off from Darwin and hit the BB Hiei sitting offshore. The damage was minor, but at least it will put the BB in the dockyard for a few weeks to patch up the hole.
Plan - Miller moved his KB to the west, putting the TF 4 hex's northwest of Derby. Looks like he's getting annoyed at the little base i'm building there, and is planning a strike. Therefore all forces are on alert. Unfortunately there isn't much planes to put on alert. Only 38 fighters consisting of a mix bag of P40E's, Kittyhawks, and Spitfires are airworthy enough for combat. Also only 33 Beaforts are ready for action, and 38 B17's. The KB can easily manage this small airforce.
Elsewhere i'm planning a huge strike on the base at Lunga in about 10 days. The operation is being dubbed operation POINT BREAK. Lunga currently is at level 2 AF, and i plan on keeping it that way. Intel reports there are currently 3 LCU's on the Island, probably consisting of a BF and 2 construction regiments. A small airforce is also located on the island that is probably either just search planes, or a small contigent of Zero's. In response a joint Aussie, NZ, and USA TF is being formed near Noumea to take out the airfield. As of now the plan is as follows: 1 BB, 7 CA's, 6 CL's, and 11 DD's either in one TF, or two TF's will proceed to Lunga for a night bombardment mission. This will be followed up by a 5 CV airstrike on the island's installations the next day. Depending on the intel obtained from these strikes, 2 marine raider btn's and 2 marine para btns, may assualt the base to take out the japanese troops there, then retreat via fast transport. The operation will proceed as long as the KB is preoccupied near Darwin. If KB falls off my radar screen, then the operation may be scrubbed.
Finally heres some good news. The CV Wasp arrives tommorrow, bring the total of 6 CV's to the pacific theatre. My carriers are about to get there first Avenger squadrens. And lastly, Canton Is is now at level 5 AF and level 5 port, thereby being a major hub for future operations agains the gilberts.
There was some good news today though. First my bombardment of Andaman Is was a success as i destroyed 6 Nates and 1 Dinah on the ground, and completely wrecked the airfield there. Over in Darwin, the Japanese launched an assualt on my troops but were easily repulsed....in fact my fort levels actually went from 4 --> 5 at the end of the turn.
July 13th - once again my subs got hit hard. This time it wasn't the worthless fleet subs though....it was one of my S-boats. The S-28 moved in to attack an AP departing from Darwin, the shot was perfect, but the captain must've been crossed eyed, so all his torps missed. The escorts then hit the little sub hard, causing moderate damage. However there was one successful torpedo strike this day...and it wasn't my from my subs. 5 Beaforts managed to take off from Darwin and hit the BB Hiei sitting offshore. The damage was minor, but at least it will put the BB in the dockyard for a few weeks to patch up the hole.
Plan - Miller moved his KB to the west, putting the TF 4 hex's northwest of Derby. Looks like he's getting annoyed at the little base i'm building there, and is planning a strike. Therefore all forces are on alert. Unfortunately there isn't much planes to put on alert. Only 38 fighters consisting of a mix bag of P40E's, Kittyhawks, and Spitfires are airworthy enough for combat. Also only 33 Beaforts are ready for action, and 38 B17's. The KB can easily manage this small airforce.
Elsewhere i'm planning a huge strike on the base at Lunga in about 10 days. The operation is being dubbed operation POINT BREAK. Lunga currently is at level 2 AF, and i plan on keeping it that way. Intel reports there are currently 3 LCU's on the Island, probably consisting of a BF and 2 construction regiments. A small airforce is also located on the island that is probably either just search planes, or a small contigent of Zero's. In response a joint Aussie, NZ, and USA TF is being formed near Noumea to take out the airfield. As of now the plan is as follows: 1 BB, 7 CA's, 6 CL's, and 11 DD's either in one TF, or two TF's will proceed to Lunga for a night bombardment mission. This will be followed up by a 5 CV airstrike on the island's installations the next day. Depending on the intel obtained from these strikes, 2 marine raider btn's and 2 marine para btns, may assualt the base to take out the japanese troops there, then retreat via fast transport. The operation will proceed as long as the KB is preoccupied near Darwin. If KB falls off my radar screen, then the operation may be scrubbed.
Finally heres some good news. The CV Wasp arrives tommorrow, bring the total of 6 CV's to the pacific theatre. My carriers are about to get there first Avenger squadrens. And lastly, Canton Is is now at level 5 AF and level 5 port, thereby being a major hub for future operations agains the gilberts.
RE: July 14th, July 15th - 1942
July 14th - nothing important to report other than a Japanese Shock attack on my troops that retreated from Port Moresby about a month ago. The attack wiped out pretty much all my stranded troops. Only a few stragglers remain, which the japanese will be able to root out next turn. Also one of my subs, near Darwin, got hit again by ASW aircraft. This time it was the SS Stingray that was hit, suffering moderate damage.
July 15th - the SS Stingray was hit again today. This time causing serious damage. It may not make it to port. Then another sub was hit, the SS Seawolf, causing moderate damage. This area is becoming a death trap for my subs. I wouldn't mind it so much if they actually struck back. This time it was the SS Sculpin who's attack that failed. The sub fired a spread at an AP, in which the torps failed to detonate...grrr. The only good news out of the Darwin area, was there was a Japanese carrier strike on the base there. Only minor damage was done to the airfield (only 2 B-26's destroyed) and in return 6 planes were shot down. Also the DD Umikaze sunk today as a result of my 6in CD guns at Darwin a few days ago
Plan - only thing planned for next turn is a B17 bombing raid out of Derby on the Japanese troop invasion force at Darwin. Other than that...nothing new.
July 15th - the SS Stingray was hit again today. This time causing serious damage. It may not make it to port. Then another sub was hit, the SS Seawolf, causing moderate damage. This area is becoming a death trap for my subs. I wouldn't mind it so much if they actually struck back. This time it was the SS Sculpin who's attack that failed. The sub fired a spread at an AP, in which the torps failed to detonate...grrr. The only good news out of the Darwin area, was there was a Japanese carrier strike on the base there. Only minor damage was done to the airfield (only 2 B-26's destroyed) and in return 6 planes were shot down. Also the DD Umikaze sunk today as a result of my 6in CD guns at Darwin a few days ago
Plan - only thing planned for next turn is a B17 bombing raid out of Derby on the Japanese troop invasion force at Darwin. Other than that...nothing new.
Review by Theatre
Here's a review by theatre just in case you forgot whats going on....
China - Stalement continues at the railroad hex b/t Wuchow and Canton...no end in sight. All my P40's in theatre (about 100 of them) are still recovering from their last mission, and won't be available for about a week. My Chinese planes continue to build experience with little pinprick raids on Jap troops. And my Wellingtons (about 60 of them) continue to hit Nanning, in preparation for the upcoming battle there.
India - all is quiet. 1 carrier squadren is currently upgraded to Seafires, and the other 1 will be upgraded in about 2 weeks. Troops are presently prepping for the Invasion of Andaman Is to take place in Late August, Early September. Currently most of my planes are training in Burma. With Hurricanes hitting Mitykinna (sp?) daily, and my LB-30's hitting Andaman Is weekly.
Australia - Port Moresby is lost. Darwin remains strong despite the presence of 2 Jap Divisions. Darwin is currently at Level 5 forts and 9000 supply. The base is about to be reinforced by a Tank Rgt and a Corps HQ in about 2 weeks. The airfield is not operational at the moment, due to the presence of Japanese Bombardment TF's and Carrier Groups in the theatre. Derby on the other hand, continues to be built into a major base to protect the left flank of Darwin.
SOPAC - Canton and Noumea are now major pacific bases with Canton at Lvl 5 port/AF and Noumea about to be Lvl 9 port. B/t the 2 bases are 4 Divisions, with another Division in transit. Espiritu Santo will be at Level 5 AF soon. Figther cover in the area is good, however offensive bombers are sorely lacking with only 16 SBD's and 32 Beaforts in the entire theatre. 50 B17's assigned to SOPAC are currently being lent to SWPAC command for operations against Darwin invasion force. Also half of the Pacific fleet is located in this theatre. Current thinking is the 1st major offensive in the Pacific will be at Guadacanal (very orginal)
CENPAC - Pearl Harbor is solidly defended with 3 Div's and nearby Lahina is also well off, defended by a RCT. Midway is also solidly defended with massive CD guns/mines and a RCT. Aircraft is short to come by though in the theatre with only 48 F4F's, 24 P39's, and 32 SBD's on duty. 64 B-26's assigned to SWPAC are currently serving with CENPAC in order to increase the anti-shipping capabilities of the region. Most of the battlewagen's are stationed here, with the BB Maryland stationed at Midway. The carrier Wasp is the only aircraft carrier operating in the region.
NOPAC - Anchorage is defended by 3 RCT's, Kodiack 2 RCT'c, and Dutch Harbor 2 RCT's. Kiska is about to get an RCT and BF and serve as a trip wire for the rest of my base's. The airforce is decent in the area with 24 P40's, 24 P39's, 16 Kittyhawks, 16 Blen IV's and 32 B25's in the region. Surface forces consist of only a CL and 4 DD's...and that super PG Charleston
China - Stalement continues at the railroad hex b/t Wuchow and Canton...no end in sight. All my P40's in theatre (about 100 of them) are still recovering from their last mission, and won't be available for about a week. My Chinese planes continue to build experience with little pinprick raids on Jap troops. And my Wellingtons (about 60 of them) continue to hit Nanning, in preparation for the upcoming battle there.
India - all is quiet. 1 carrier squadren is currently upgraded to Seafires, and the other 1 will be upgraded in about 2 weeks. Troops are presently prepping for the Invasion of Andaman Is to take place in Late August, Early September. Currently most of my planes are training in Burma. With Hurricanes hitting Mitykinna (sp?) daily, and my LB-30's hitting Andaman Is weekly.
Australia - Port Moresby is lost. Darwin remains strong despite the presence of 2 Jap Divisions. Darwin is currently at Level 5 forts and 9000 supply. The base is about to be reinforced by a Tank Rgt and a Corps HQ in about 2 weeks. The airfield is not operational at the moment, due to the presence of Japanese Bombardment TF's and Carrier Groups in the theatre. Derby on the other hand, continues to be built into a major base to protect the left flank of Darwin.
SOPAC - Canton and Noumea are now major pacific bases with Canton at Lvl 5 port/AF and Noumea about to be Lvl 9 port. B/t the 2 bases are 4 Divisions, with another Division in transit. Espiritu Santo will be at Level 5 AF soon. Figther cover in the area is good, however offensive bombers are sorely lacking with only 16 SBD's and 32 Beaforts in the entire theatre. 50 B17's assigned to SOPAC are currently being lent to SWPAC command for operations against Darwin invasion force. Also half of the Pacific fleet is located in this theatre. Current thinking is the 1st major offensive in the Pacific will be at Guadacanal (very orginal)
CENPAC - Pearl Harbor is solidly defended with 3 Div's and nearby Lahina is also well off, defended by a RCT. Midway is also solidly defended with massive CD guns/mines and a RCT. Aircraft is short to come by though in the theatre with only 48 F4F's, 24 P39's, and 32 SBD's on duty. 64 B-26's assigned to SWPAC are currently serving with CENPAC in order to increase the anti-shipping capabilities of the region. Most of the battlewagen's are stationed here, with the BB Maryland stationed at Midway. The carrier Wasp is the only aircraft carrier operating in the region.
NOPAC - Anchorage is defended by 3 RCT's, Kodiack 2 RCT'c, and Dutch Harbor 2 RCT's. Kiska is about to get an RCT and BF and serve as a trip wire for the rest of my base's. The airforce is decent in the area with 24 P40's, 24 P39's, 16 Kittyhawks, 16 Blen IV's and 32 B25's in the region. Surface forces consist of only a CL and 4 DD's...and that super PG Charleston
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Rob Brennan UK
- Posts: 3685
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 8:36 pm
- Location: London UK
RE: Review by Theatre
KD , have you got a screen saver program to post screenies ? can save a lot of typing 
.. i use FxFoto .. its free and not too bad.
3 Divs at PH ? seems a bit high. but i guess you can prep them for future ops in safety .. maybe start prepping for the marshall islands .. Tarawa etc .
.. i use FxFoto .. its free and not too bad. 3 Divs at PH ? seems a bit high. but i guess you can prep them for future ops in safety .. maybe start prepping for the marshall islands .. Tarawa etc .
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit
RE: Review by Theatre
3 Divs at PH ? seems a bit high. but i guess you can prep them for future ops in safety .. maybe start prepping for the marshall islands .. Tarawa etc.
yeah those Div's at PH are getting the cozy life right now, resting up, going down to Hotel Street. But high command feels its necessary to make sure PH is invincible at the moment [:D]
RE: Review by Theatre
smart play. no fault there. Pearl Harbor should be very strongly defended. Ya never know what Yamamotto is cookin.
RE: July 16th, July 17th - 1942
July 16th - more troops landed at Darwin today. However, it looks like my CD-guns are finding the range as they set ablaze a gunboat and heavily damaged a troop transport. In turns out that the Japanese landed 2 Engineer Rgt's. Despite this, the assualt on the base's fortications failed to yield any ground to the Japanese. In other news, an ASW hunter/killer group off the coast of Cairns got its ass handed to, as a Jap I-boat slammed a torp into a MSW, sinking the boat instantly. Looks like the TF will need another commander.
July 17th - my CD-guns at Darwin were at it again, hitting 2 more troop transports and a gunboat. Elsewhere, a dozen oscars jump a small flight of chinese planes attacking jap troops outside Canton, shooting down 2 I-16's and 1 SB-2.
Plan - Looks like Miller plans on making a move on Derby. 1st intel reported the Kure SNLF is planning an attack on the base. 2nd it appears an invasion TF 3-4 days out from Derby is heading it's way, but it could be going to Whydam. Either way, Derby is on full alert, and ready to lash out at any invasion TF. Elsewhere i've started prepping my forces for the retake of NW Australia, once miller takes it. So far i've alotted, 2 Aus Div's/1 USA Div to take Darwin, and 1 Aus Div/1 Aus Bde to take Derby. 1 Bde will be in reserve for the operation. 3 Div's (1 us, 2 aus) will remain on the east coast to defend against any move there.
Some good news, today...the Lexington and Saratoga got Avenger's today.....excellent
July 17th - my CD-guns at Darwin were at it again, hitting 2 more troop transports and a gunboat. Elsewhere, a dozen oscars jump a small flight of chinese planes attacking jap troops outside Canton, shooting down 2 I-16's and 1 SB-2.
Plan - Looks like Miller plans on making a move on Derby. 1st intel reported the Kure SNLF is planning an attack on the base. 2nd it appears an invasion TF 3-4 days out from Derby is heading it's way, but it could be going to Whydam. Either way, Derby is on full alert, and ready to lash out at any invasion TF. Elsewhere i've started prepping my forces for the retake of NW Australia, once miller takes it. So far i've alotted, 2 Aus Div's/1 USA Div to take Darwin, and 1 Aus Div/1 Aus Bde to take Derby. 1 Bde will be in reserve for the operation. 3 Div's (1 us, 2 aus) will remain on the east coast to defend against any move there.
Some good news, today...the Lexington and Saratoga got Avenger's today.....excellent
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RE: July 18th, July 19th - 1942
July 18th - the Japanese were busy today landing more troops at Darwin, under a hail of fire from my CD-guns. This time the shore batteries hit 3 more AP's and 2 PG's setting them ablaze. Nearby, that transport TF that i thought might be heading towards Derby, instead turned towards Wyndham. 29 B-17's out of Derby, attack the CV Hiyo escorting the landing force, but failed to score any hits. When the Jap troops hit the beach's they were yet again by CD-guns at Wyndham, setting a PG on fire, and cuasing heavy causalities to troops coming ashore. My cunning troops at Wyndham then beat a hasty retreat towards Derby, declaring Wyndham an open town.
Lastly my troops in the jungles, outside of Port Moresby finally surrendered to the Japanese
July 19th - more troops landing at Darwin, more CD guns firing, more ships ablazing. This time 4 AP's and 1 PG are on fire. Nearby my B17s out of Derby finally hit something. They hit the invasion TF off Wyndham, heavily damaging a ML and scoring hits on 3 AP's and 1 PG
Plan - my goal is to keep the KB busy off NW Australia so i can carry out my plan on Lunga (operation POINT BREAK). Therefore i've moved 96 B-25's to Alice Springs. Next turn they will move to Darwin, and stage air attacks on shipping in the area. Meanwhile in the Solomns theatre i've formed a recon in strength force to probe Lunga, to gather intelligence on enemy forces on the island. The force will consist of the BB North Carolina, 3 CA's and 5 DD's. They will arrive at target in 6 days. To cover the force, i'll place a few F4F's on LRCAP at Nindi in the Santa Cruz island chain.
Here's a map of the situation in NW-Australia...
Lastly my troops in the jungles, outside of Port Moresby finally surrendered to the Japanese
July 19th - more troops landing at Darwin, more CD guns firing, more ships ablazing. This time 4 AP's and 1 PG are on fire. Nearby my B17s out of Derby finally hit something. They hit the invasion TF off Wyndham, heavily damaging a ML and scoring hits on 3 AP's and 1 PG
Plan - my goal is to keep the KB busy off NW Australia so i can carry out my plan on Lunga (operation POINT BREAK). Therefore i've moved 96 B-25's to Alice Springs. Next turn they will move to Darwin, and stage air attacks on shipping in the area. Meanwhile in the Solomns theatre i've formed a recon in strength force to probe Lunga, to gather intelligence on enemy forces on the island. The force will consist of the BB North Carolina, 3 CA's and 5 DD's. They will arrive at target in 6 days. To cover the force, i'll place a few F4F's on LRCAP at Nindi in the Santa Cruz island chain.
Here's a map of the situation in NW-Australia...
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RE: July 20th, July 21st - 1942
Slow turn....
July 20th - nothing of importance today other than the capture of Whydnam today by Japanese forces. Of course i had no troops there...so it was a cake walk for Miller.
July 21st - another slow day as each side traded artillery barrages at Darwin. There was some good news though, as the DD Kuretake sank today, the result of taking a 9.2in shell hit 10 days ago off the coast of Darwin.
Plan - Looks like the KB is leaving the area, as its now near Kai Is. Nevertheless, 96 B25C's are moving into Darwin, to interdict the shipping lanes. Nearby, an invasion TF looks to be 2-3 days out from Derby, so i've sent my last PT boat to intercept. I've also put my 60 Beaufort's and 50 B17's on high alert there.
Over near the solomns, my "recon in strength" TF continues to plow towards Lunga under the cover of F4F's based out of the Santa Cruz Is. Should arrive at target in 3 days.
July 20th - nothing of importance today other than the capture of Whydnam today by Japanese forces. Of course i had no troops there...so it was a cake walk for Miller.
July 21st - another slow day as each side traded artillery barrages at Darwin. There was some good news though, as the DD Kuretake sank today, the result of taking a 9.2in shell hit 10 days ago off the coast of Darwin.
Plan - Looks like the KB is leaving the area, as its now near Kai Is. Nevertheless, 96 B25C's are moving into Darwin, to interdict the shipping lanes. Nearby, an invasion TF looks to be 2-3 days out from Derby, so i've sent my last PT boat to intercept. I've also put my 60 Beaufort's and 50 B17's on high alert there.
Over near the solomns, my "recon in strength" TF continues to plow towards Lunga under the cover of F4F's based out of the Santa Cruz Is. Should arrive at target in 3 days.
RE: July 22nd, July 23rd - 1942
Great day for Allied forces.....
July 22nd - as usual, the morning saw my Hudson's and Catalina's spotting numerous Japanese TF's off the coast of NW-Australia. What was different this time was the departure of KB. The Japanese Army brass thought their newly acquired airbase at Whydnam would be able to provide the neccessary fighter cover for the Japanese Navy, but the Army guys were wrong, and the Navy paid the price. All throughout the day my planes from Darwin and Derby pounded Japanese shipping in the area. The day's greatest success was the slamming 6 torpedo's!!! into the CA Kumano, touching off the magazines, instantly sinking the cruiser. In addition 1 AP, 1 MSW, and 1 PG were sunk during the day, and 5 AP's were heavily damaged. The only bad news, was the Japanese launched a fresh assualt on Darwin, reinforced with 2 more Eng Rgts. The new reinforcements were able to knock down the fortifications (to 4), causing the Allied line to fall back.
Elsewhere great success in the Burma theatre, as my night fighters destroyed an Oscar on the ground, and my Liberators shot down 2 Nates over Andaman Is.
July 23rd - on this day, one of my S-boats decided to join in on the action my aircraft were having off the coast of NW-Australia. The S-18 spotted a troop transport leaving Whyndam and slammed a torpedo into the ship. The sub escaped unarmed. However, my bombers wasn't gonna let the silent service steal their thunder, as they pounded Japanese shipping yet again, severly hitting 6 more AP's. The day ended with a sacrificial effort by PT-40 to stop the Japanese invasion TF from landing troops at Derby. The lone PT boat managed to launch its torps at one of the escorting ships, but missed. The japanese were then able to draw a bead on the retreating PT boat, hitting it 5 times with 3in shells, sending it to the bottom. However, the crew's sacrifice wasn't in vain, as the Japanese commander, fearing more PT-boats, turned is invasion TF around.
Plan - good day for my bombers. The B25's at Darwin will rest this turn out, since they are pretty fatigued. But my beauforts and B17's at Derby will remain on alert, just in case the invasion TF returns. Also i have a surface TF coming up from Perth, to possibily engage some Japanese shipping in the area. The force is a joint Aus, Dutch, French, US venture consisting of the CA Canberra, CL Tromp, CL Adelaide, and several destroyers. I'll have to be careful though as i'm sure Koepang and Whydam are both operating Betties at this point.
Elsewhere, my BB North Carolina lead "recon" force will hit Lunga tommorrow. However, now that KB has fallen off the radar screen, my Marine Btn raid on Lunga will be on hold. I'm hoping after today's disaster, miller will send the KB back to NW-Australia where i can keep an eye on it.
Here's a screenie of the malee...
July 22nd - as usual, the morning saw my Hudson's and Catalina's spotting numerous Japanese TF's off the coast of NW-Australia. What was different this time was the departure of KB. The Japanese Army brass thought their newly acquired airbase at Whydnam would be able to provide the neccessary fighter cover for the Japanese Navy, but the Army guys were wrong, and the Navy paid the price. All throughout the day my planes from Darwin and Derby pounded Japanese shipping in the area. The day's greatest success was the slamming 6 torpedo's!!! into the CA Kumano, touching off the magazines, instantly sinking the cruiser. In addition 1 AP, 1 MSW, and 1 PG were sunk during the day, and 5 AP's were heavily damaged. The only bad news, was the Japanese launched a fresh assualt on Darwin, reinforced with 2 more Eng Rgts. The new reinforcements were able to knock down the fortifications (to 4), causing the Allied line to fall back.
Elsewhere great success in the Burma theatre, as my night fighters destroyed an Oscar on the ground, and my Liberators shot down 2 Nates over Andaman Is.
July 23rd - on this day, one of my S-boats decided to join in on the action my aircraft were having off the coast of NW-Australia. The S-18 spotted a troop transport leaving Whyndam and slammed a torpedo into the ship. The sub escaped unarmed. However, my bombers wasn't gonna let the silent service steal their thunder, as they pounded Japanese shipping yet again, severly hitting 6 more AP's. The day ended with a sacrificial effort by PT-40 to stop the Japanese invasion TF from landing troops at Derby. The lone PT boat managed to launch its torps at one of the escorting ships, but missed. The japanese were then able to draw a bead on the retreating PT boat, hitting it 5 times with 3in shells, sending it to the bottom. However, the crew's sacrifice wasn't in vain, as the Japanese commander, fearing more PT-boats, turned is invasion TF around.
Plan - good day for my bombers. The B25's at Darwin will rest this turn out, since they are pretty fatigued. But my beauforts and B17's at Derby will remain on alert, just in case the invasion TF returns. Also i have a surface TF coming up from Perth, to possibily engage some Japanese shipping in the area. The force is a joint Aus, Dutch, French, US venture consisting of the CA Canberra, CL Tromp, CL Adelaide, and several destroyers. I'll have to be careful though as i'm sure Koepang and Whydam are both operating Betties at this point.
Elsewhere, my BB North Carolina lead "recon" force will hit Lunga tommorrow. However, now that KB has fallen off the radar screen, my Marine Btn raid on Lunga will be on hold. I'm hoping after today's disaster, miller will send the KB back to NW-Australia where i can keep an eye on it.
Here's a screenie of the malee...
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RE: July 24th, July 25th - 1942
talk about a swing in Allied morale....the day after a huge success off the coast of NW Australia, the USN suffer's a huge loss and morale is shaken
July 24th* - In the early morning hours before daylight the "recon in force" TF lead by the BB North Carolina arrived off the shore of Lunga. The mighty BB let loose with it's 16in guns on the Japanese garrison. The 3 accompanying CA's soon followed with their 8in shells. 2 hours later, the airfield was a smoking ruin knocking out 4 Rufe's float plane fighters. Then...... the unexpected happened. While turning to starboard to depart the area, the North Carolina ran aground on an uncharted reef. With daylight arriving in a few hours, panic struck the task force. Not wanting to risk the entire fleet to air attacks in the morning, the commander sent the rest of the TF soutward, leaving behind the CA Indianapolis to try and pull the BB off the reef using cables. Every attempt failed. Meanwhile, around the same time Japanese coastwatchers became aware of the BB's presence in the lingering darkness, and notified southern command in Rabual. The mighty airbase immediately launced all available bombers at the striken BB. With darkness quickly fading, orders were given to evacuate as many personal from the North Carolina as possible via small lifeboats. The AA-crews would be the last to go and afterwards the ship would be scuttled. Only 20% through the evacuation process, 67 Betty's streamed in from the west. Wave after wave of betty's attack the 2 ships. The new radar directed AA system on the BB worked superbly, knocking betty's out of the sky left and right. For 45 minutes the North Carolina fought off it's attackers unharmed. But eventually overwhelming number's overtook the BB, as the Japanese managed to slammed 7 torpedo's into the BB within 20 minutes. Without watertight integrity due to prepartion for scuttling, the BB quickly rolled over on its side and exploded with massive loss of life. The CA Indianapolis then attempted to escape on it's own. Despite the pursuit of 15 Betty's the cruiser managed to escape with only minor damaged caused by a single torpedo hit. With the loss of this newly commisioned fast BB, operation POINT BREAK is hereby suspended.
*in reality i forgot to change the "patrol/don't retire" to "retirement allowed" thereby resulting in the loss of the BB. However, if this was real life, the commander wouldn't have stood around waiting to get pelted...therefore i've invented this scenario to justify the loss of the ship
Elsewhere in the Pacific, things were a little better for me. The Japanese landed more troops at Darwin, consisting of 2 construction btn's and a tank rgt. However the landing wasn't unopposed as my CD-guns managed to set 3 more AP's on fire. In the same theatre, my bombers out of Derby hit an approaching invasion TF, sinking an already damaged AP, and hitting the CL Sendai with a 500lb bomb. This came at a price though, as the Japanese were able to provide 18 Zero's as CAP, which managed to shoot down 7 of my planes to no loss of their own.
July 25th - The Japanese started to land troops at Derby and were largely unopposed as my CD-guns failed to find any of their targets. In the morning my bombers out of Derby managed to launch another raid on the TF sitting offshore, hitting the CL Sendai with a torpedo setting it on fire. Once again the raid was met with fierce resistance from Japanese Zero's which managed to shoot down 2 of my planes and losing 1 of their own. With the Japanese ashore, my troops at Derby fired a massive artillery barrage on the Japanese, knocking out all the field guns of the pittful japanese SNLF. Later that day another japanese AP sunk, the result of mutliple torp hits 2 days ago.
Back to the Solomns, my retreating "recon in strength" TF ran into a japanese sub. The DD McCall managed to score 2 major hits on the sub, severly damaging it.
Plan - with operation POINT BREAK suspended my carriers will remain at Noumea for the time being as another plan is worked up. As of now..no sign of KB anywhere
Elsewhere a potential surface battle is shaping up at Derby, as my CA TF near Broome is expected to pounce on the Japanese invasion TF sitting offshore of Derby. Thunderstorms are in the forcast so i'm not as worried about Betty intervention, but regardless the TF will be under LRCAP from Derby. One fly in the oinment is that the TF has already been spotted by an Alf, therefore the invasion TF may bugger out before my force arrives.
Meanwhile, a 50 plane B17 raid is being launched at the Whydam airfield where those bothersome zero's are thought to be operating out of...
pic of the N. Carolina's final seconds....
July 24th* - In the early morning hours before daylight the "recon in force" TF lead by the BB North Carolina arrived off the shore of Lunga. The mighty BB let loose with it's 16in guns on the Japanese garrison. The 3 accompanying CA's soon followed with their 8in shells. 2 hours later, the airfield was a smoking ruin knocking out 4 Rufe's float plane fighters. Then...... the unexpected happened. While turning to starboard to depart the area, the North Carolina ran aground on an uncharted reef. With daylight arriving in a few hours, panic struck the task force. Not wanting to risk the entire fleet to air attacks in the morning, the commander sent the rest of the TF soutward, leaving behind the CA Indianapolis to try and pull the BB off the reef using cables. Every attempt failed. Meanwhile, around the same time Japanese coastwatchers became aware of the BB's presence in the lingering darkness, and notified southern command in Rabual. The mighty airbase immediately launced all available bombers at the striken BB. With darkness quickly fading, orders were given to evacuate as many personal from the North Carolina as possible via small lifeboats. The AA-crews would be the last to go and afterwards the ship would be scuttled. Only 20% through the evacuation process, 67 Betty's streamed in from the west. Wave after wave of betty's attack the 2 ships. The new radar directed AA system on the BB worked superbly, knocking betty's out of the sky left and right. For 45 minutes the North Carolina fought off it's attackers unharmed. But eventually overwhelming number's overtook the BB, as the Japanese managed to slammed 7 torpedo's into the BB within 20 minutes. Without watertight integrity due to prepartion for scuttling, the BB quickly rolled over on its side and exploded with massive loss of life. The CA Indianapolis then attempted to escape on it's own. Despite the pursuit of 15 Betty's the cruiser managed to escape with only minor damaged caused by a single torpedo hit. With the loss of this newly commisioned fast BB, operation POINT BREAK is hereby suspended.
*in reality i forgot to change the "patrol/don't retire" to "retirement allowed" thereby resulting in the loss of the BB. However, if this was real life, the commander wouldn't have stood around waiting to get pelted...therefore i've invented this scenario to justify the loss of the ship
Elsewhere in the Pacific, things were a little better for me. The Japanese landed more troops at Darwin, consisting of 2 construction btn's and a tank rgt. However the landing wasn't unopposed as my CD-guns managed to set 3 more AP's on fire. In the same theatre, my bombers out of Derby hit an approaching invasion TF, sinking an already damaged AP, and hitting the CL Sendai with a 500lb bomb. This came at a price though, as the Japanese were able to provide 18 Zero's as CAP, which managed to shoot down 7 of my planes to no loss of their own.
July 25th - The Japanese started to land troops at Derby and were largely unopposed as my CD-guns failed to find any of their targets. In the morning my bombers out of Derby managed to launch another raid on the TF sitting offshore, hitting the CL Sendai with a torpedo setting it on fire. Once again the raid was met with fierce resistance from Japanese Zero's which managed to shoot down 2 of my planes and losing 1 of their own. With the Japanese ashore, my troops at Derby fired a massive artillery barrage on the Japanese, knocking out all the field guns of the pittful japanese SNLF. Later that day another japanese AP sunk, the result of mutliple torp hits 2 days ago.
Back to the Solomns, my retreating "recon in strength" TF ran into a japanese sub. The DD McCall managed to score 2 major hits on the sub, severly damaging it.
Plan - with operation POINT BREAK suspended my carriers will remain at Noumea for the time being as another plan is worked up. As of now..no sign of KB anywhere
Elsewhere a potential surface battle is shaping up at Derby, as my CA TF near Broome is expected to pounce on the Japanese invasion TF sitting offshore of Derby. Thunderstorms are in the forcast so i'm not as worried about Betty intervention, but regardless the TF will be under LRCAP from Derby. One fly in the oinment is that the TF has already been spotted by an Alf, therefore the invasion TF may bugger out before my force arrives.
Meanwhile, a 50 plane B17 raid is being launched at the Whydam airfield where those bothersome zero's are thought to be operating out of...
pic of the N. Carolina's final seconds....
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- barh6th.jpg (30.85 KiB) Viewed 218 times
RE: July 24th, July 25th - 1942
ouch.
how many cuss words did you spew forth after that result?
how many cuss words did you spew forth after that result?
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Rob Brennan UK
- Posts: 3685
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 8:36 pm
- Location: London UK
RE: July 24th, July 25th - 1942
Nice story !
I tend to invent scenarios in my head for things going wrong or the engine having a hiccup. Looks like im not the only loony who does that[:D]
Good going with N.Aus .. make it as expensive as you can for him.March up the australian command divs and pound him back into the sea ! .. simple plan , can b17's from alice springs reach darwin ??? just a thought . I tend to build up alice asap from day 1 .. never have enough Av support but it cuts down ops losses for transits over australia. could be a big bomber base too if you wanted in to be [:D]
I tend to invent scenarios in my head for things going wrong or the engine having a hiccup. Looks like im not the only loony who does that[:D]
Good going with N.Aus .. make it as expensive as you can for him.March up the australian command divs and pound him back into the sea ! .. simple plan , can b17's from alice springs reach darwin ??? just a thought . I tend to build up alice asap from day 1 .. never have enough Av support but it cuts down ops losses for transits over australia. could be a big bomber base too if you wanted in to be [:D]
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit
RE: July 24th, July 25th - 1942
ouch.
how many cuss words did you spew forth after that result?
plenty...i was so steamed, i had to walk away from WITP for 24 hours, nothing worse than losing my best battleship in the game to such a bonehead error.
RE: July 24th, July 25th - 1942
March up the australian command divs and pound him back into the sea !
in due time my friend. [:D] I'm actually holding back most of my Div's in Australia for the time being, and just sending smaller brigade's and Cav Div's to hold the line. My plan is for Miller to beat his troops into the ground to take NW-Australia (which he probably will). All the while my Div's in australia will be resting in prepping. Once they are fully prepped, then i can spring my trap, hopefully trapping the 2 Jap Div's on Australia and taking them out. I figure its better to fight Japanese Div's on mainland Australia than the atolls of the pacific.
can b17's from alice springs reach darwin ???
sadly no...in fact none of the NW Australia base's are within reach. Derby will have to due, for now.
RE: July 26th, July 27th - 1942
July 26th - the Japanese landed more troops in Darwin despite the heavy attacks on their shipping lanes. This time a Tank Rgt landed. Afterwards the Japanese launched an assualt on the base's fortification, knocking them down to 3, driving my defenders back. However the Japanese weren't the only one's to gain some ground in the land war. The defender's at Derby managed to drive the Jap SNLF unit out of the town, sending them into the vast desert's of Australia....they won't be coming back for a while). Meanwhile, my B25's were back in action, and it was another massacre, as 10 more AP's were hit hard (none comfirmed as sinking....yet). Even one of my Hudson's on Naval search managed to score a hit with a 250lb bomb.
Also today, 3 AP's that were hit a couple days back finally sunk...adding to the ever growing list of ships sunk in the Battle of NW-Australia
Unfortunately this turn my CA TF was supposed to hit the transport off Derby...but they had already retreated by the time they arrived
July 27th - my B17's from Derby hit Wyndham today, but only minor damage was done to the airfield, and no planes were destroyed. Elsewhere off the coast of Cairns, on of my ASW hunter/killer groups spotted the submarine SS I-15. Unfortunately the sub already had line up its shot, and slammed a torpedo into the MSW Horsham, sinking it instantly. The sub tried to escape but a hard pursuit by my ASW force, manage to score 2 hits on the sub causing severe damage (no confirmation on it's sinking as of the moment)
Plan - i got 2 theatre's that i'm concentrating on right now (China and NW Australia)....so i'm gonna post 2 different screen shots on the planes for each.....so here's the situation in NW-Australia first....
Also today, 3 AP's that were hit a couple days back finally sunk...adding to the ever growing list of ships sunk in the Battle of NW-Australia
Unfortunately this turn my CA TF was supposed to hit the transport off Derby...but they had already retreated by the time they arrived
July 27th - my B17's from Derby hit Wyndham today, but only minor damage was done to the airfield, and no planes were destroyed. Elsewhere off the coast of Cairns, on of my ASW hunter/killer groups spotted the submarine SS I-15. Unfortunately the sub already had line up its shot, and slammed a torpedo into the MSW Horsham, sinking it instantly. The sub tried to escape but a hard pursuit by my ASW force, manage to score 2 hits on the sub causing severe damage (no confirmation on it's sinking as of the moment)
Plan - i got 2 theatre's that i'm concentrating on right now (China and NW Australia)....so i'm gonna post 2 different screen shots on the planes for each.....so here's the situation in NW-Australia first....
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- 727.jpg (122.95 KiB) Viewed 218 times
Operation Whirlwind
here's my plan for next turn in China, dubbed Operation WHIRLWIND
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Rob Brennan UK
- Posts: 3685
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 8:36 pm
- Location: London UK
RE: Operation Whirlwind
Nice plan for both areas i think ..
china especially might be fun .. from the map your in danger of losing the rail link to darwin ? is that feasable? or can your tanks hold the line ?
good luck
china especially might be fun .. from the map your in danger of losing the rail link to darwin ? is that feasable? or can your tanks hold the line ?
good luck
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit
RE: Operation Whirlwind
your in danger of losing the rail link to darwin ? is that feasable? or can your tanks hold the line ?
I hope my Tank Rgt can hold....they are in range of a Corps HQ (is 5 hexe's within range?) so thats good. I'm guessing he's bring over a SNLF...so i'm not sure if they can hold against that.....
I have started to move a Cav Div from Townsville....but it will be a few weeks before they get there