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The broom is out as my fighters sweep the skies of Joe's remnants of the once mighty Japanese air fleet. 

The IJN hasn't sortied in a while and I can't say I'm surprised as the Allied fleets lurk waiting to give the IJN a warm reception. 

There is a lull in land combat as there is no contact at the present time, though the Aussies and their Yank buddies are hot on the trail of the Japanese troops in PNG. 

The VP spread as we enter September is just below 2K.

Todd hits every airfield in range as he puts the nails into IJ's coffin.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/03/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 18,27

Japanese Ships
ML Yurijima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tunny


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Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-I Topsy x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 237
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 22
Runway hits 64

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet

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Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 13
P-47C Thunderbolt x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed


Japanese Ships
AP Hokuhi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 98

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
11 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15
Hudson x 46
Spitfire VIII x 11
P-47C Thunderbolt x 26


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
Hudson x 2 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 193
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 33
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 1
Beaufort x 49
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-47C Thunderbolt x 15
A-20G Boston x 7


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 31
Port hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
7 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
1 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
7 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 128

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 29

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment, at 38,40


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 101
P-39D Airacobra x 99
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 67


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 62

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

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To keep supply levels at the Japanese bases as low as possible while damaged bases aren't as good at flying offensive missions is the goal.

I think that Joe deserves kudos for hanging in as a punching bag as I've never gone this deep into the game as the Allied player.

How does my BB get a fish when my TF has 2X as many escorts as tocaff's? I've heard of gunnery radar, but radar-assisted torpedoes?

In UV, it's hard to believe that Japan has the LL in this sim.

Well, at least my sub sank the Leander!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/05/43

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 34,40

Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa
CL Noshiro, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo
DD Kasumi
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba
DD Uranami
DD Hakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 5
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 2
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 2
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 1
DD Craven
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Reid
DD Flusser, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sepi at 38,38

Japanese Ships
SS I-11


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,35


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 26,33


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 8


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,36


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
F6F Hellcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 22
TBF Avenger x 48


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 5 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 16 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Noshiro
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 12
B5N Kate x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47
F6F Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 10 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 2 damaged

ENS F.Osborne of VF-23 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CLAA Reno
CV Saratoga
CV Hornet

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 3
B5N Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed

1LT W.Welch of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 5

2LT R. Haberman of VMF-121 is KILLED

Allied Ships
LST 463
LST 460, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 damaged


ENS S.Stewart of VF-23 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Sepi at 38,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen x 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
CA Indianapolis

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 47
P-38G Lightning x 16
P-47C Thunderbolt x 16


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 171

Port hits 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
1 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
8 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
5 x Beaufort at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 16
A-20G Boston x 7


no losses

Port hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
7 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy x 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 206
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 33

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 11000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment, at 38,40


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 107
P-39D Airacobra x 99
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 75


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 123

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 26,33


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 11


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 26,33


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 5


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,36


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 29
TBF Avenger x 35


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Noshiro, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hakaze, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,36


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
TBF Avenger x 12
P-38G Lightning x 24


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally x 1 destroyed


1LT C.Isaacs of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 1 damaged


1LT R.Turner of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
F6F Hellcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

LCDR H. Miller of VF-23 is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All of those shell hits on the Mississippi have chipped her new paint job!  The IJN and Allies had themselves a bloody day with the Japanese getting the short end of the stick.

The battle for Buna is about to commence and the Allied force there looks to be outnumbered for the present.  Maybe some air power can help.  The Japs must be out of or extremely short of supplies.

Allied forces continue their advance towards Lae.

Shortlands will soon be closed for business, even to barge traffic, once Vella's new airfield is up and running.

Will the Allies ever invade Guadalcanal?  Stay tuned...........................

Hard times for the IJN now...[:(] But I truly admire Joe for his relentless commitment! You certainly feel the actual urgent need "just to do something" against the allied offensive, but first you need to surmount some "rationality" to release everything striking power left. I was (and still be) always quite reluctant to send out my battlefleet into the death zone of allied air supremacy.

Great job guys - go on![:)] How about VP spread currently?

For most of the game, the IJN led by 2,000 plus points; now I'm on the minus end of that number w/o any chance of getting it back.

I'm currently bogged down hoofing it to Buna & Lae in PNG.

Joe continues to strike out at me on an almost daily basis.
 
He has sent bombardment missions to Buna from, I assume, Rabul and the last TF that attempted it was dealt with by Allied naval air while the LBA was hitting ships at Rabul and other far flung, not so safe ports.

The Japanese air strikes grow more feeble as there must be a lack of air frames and decent pilots to fly them.

Vela should be up and running by tomorrow (9/12) so Rabul will be in deep stuff.

I've played this game very conservatively, even after the Allied strength became a steamroller.  I've tried some different things as I think that there's always something new to be learned. 

I officially resigned. Here's the latest report showing how my position becomes more precarious w/each turn, and I have no resources to even attempt a defense.

Oh well, at least Todd didn't get the Yamato; she will live just long enough to sink off Okinawa.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/12/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 25,33

Allied Ships
SS Sargo


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Sub attack at 25,33

Japanese Ships
AG 109, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sargo


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Air attack on Lae , at 9,33


Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 12
B-17E Fortress x 12


no losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 11000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35


Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 22
B-24D Liberator x 54


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator at 11000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Umbukul at 16,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Umbukul at 16,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kiyozumi Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sangetsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Umbukul at 16,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 34


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Maya Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Kaishi Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yoshino Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nissen Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Giyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
F6F Hellcat x 50
F4U-1 Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 3 destroyed


LT H. Funk of VF-23 is credited with kill number 4

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 102nd Regiment, at 12,38


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Beaufort x 48
P-47C Thunderbolt x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 68
A-20G Boston x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 58

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
1 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
11 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
2 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Umbukul at 16,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 11


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Toa Maru
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 30,37

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
F6F Hellcat x 47
F4U-1 Corsair x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed


ENS E.Horner of VF-23 is credited with kill number 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8214 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14770 troops, 211 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 14


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be interesting to see Todd take this all the way to Rabaul, but I've taken enough punishment; there will be an AAR after Todd's gets the word that he's won.

In the mean time, what's the opposite of "banzai"?

I don't know what the opposite of Banzai is, but Joe gave me a hell of a run for longer than most Japanese players could.

I was planning on:

Hitting Lunga with 3 plus divisions shortly.

After taking Buna Amphib on Lae to support the overland assault.

CV raids to cut of the area from Truk.

Again my thanks to Joe for a great game and my apologies to him for the 2 long delays between turns due to my loss of the internet.

Here's where I think I went wrong as the IJ player in this scenario:

-- assuming that I could turn the PTO into an impregnable fortress that would bleed Todd white as he advanced up the Solomons

-- putting all my "eggs in one basket" -- Guadalcanal -- where they essentially rotted after the fall of Irau and Tulagi

-- not sending enough troops to the islands south of the 'Canal. These "trip wire troops" would have proved more effective if they held out longer

-- not sinking enough Allied CVs; the game went on so long that even heavilly damaged CVs came back to haunt me

Frankly, after '43, the IJ player has one arm tied behind his back as the tide will turn against him whether or not the Allied player takes back the 'Canal -- it was a hard lesson to learn.

I can't stress enough the need to be patient when playing as the Allies.  It killed both of us while I played turtle.

I gave battle only when it suited me and I felt it was favoring me so IJN damaged ships would be iffy making it back home while my ports were nearby.

I waited until mid April '43 before starting my offensive and it paid off because ships were in PH waiting to make up my loses.  The Corsair is the beast and once Hellcats are online it's the final nail in the coffin.

When the offensive began and Joe was countering I wouldn't give a thought to not fighting as my ships were being sunk & crippled at an alarming rate because I knew the same was happening to him and attrition favors the Allies.

An excellent game and Joe didn't even blink until I mentioned that if he wanted to pack it in that I would understand.  We played on for about another week, but the outcome was clear to see.

I think that we both had the same general overall strategy in this game and it was to make the enemy bleed for whatever he did.

ORIGINAL: tocaff

...I think that we both had the same general overall strategy in this game and it was to make the enemy bleed for whatever he did.

But I ran out of blood first, despite having more ships available in Tokyo. However, w/Allied airpower in '43, it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference -- CVs are the key to victory, and most of mine were at the bottom of the PTO.