NOMAD VS BIGBABA..or "who gets the best place at the beach of rabaul?"

[Nomad]

The game date has advanced to 8/25/43. I am starting another series of attacks, and there isn't mush Mehrdad can do about them. Kirawina Island and Gasmota will be taken this turn. Kirawina island by amphib assault and Gasmota by airborne assault. I have forces moving to Vela Lavella to take it four turns from now. Then two more airborne assaults will be done and the grand finalle of this set of attacks will be the landing of massive forces at Gili Gili to reclaim that base for the Allies.

BTW, Japan is ahead in victory points by about 1,000 now.

[bigbaba]

08/25/43

everything was well planed..i had 110 betty and nells along with 160 fighters (the creme de la creme of my pilots with avg. 60-70 XP) to escort them..i had 700.000 supply at rabaul and 2 air HQ there. and i had good flight weather.

so i decided to start a massive air attack on allied shiping at kirawina. they were mostly defenceless (only 16 P-47 flying CAP over several transport ships and were no match for my 160 escorting zeros) and no capital ships were reported at the base.

and what was the result?

this idiots (japanese aviation in generaly) flew alot of useless small strikes (those famous 3 betty strikes) on allied shipping (even capital ships with deadly AA) far behind kirawina with a stronger CAP over them then the transport fleet with its 16 fighter CAP at the closer base at kirawina.


but look at the results:

Air attack on TF, near Dobadura at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged


1LT R.Allison of VMF-112 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
AK Sterope, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Goodenough Island at 16,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 83
A6M3 Zero x 74
G4M1 Betty x 30

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 10 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 30 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Santa Fe, Torpedo hits 1
DD Stevens, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD DeHaven

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Dobadura at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged


Allied Ships
CL Birmingham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Dobadura at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed


1LT T.Jensen of VMF-112 is credited with kill number 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina at 18,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged


Allied Ships
MSW Skylark

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina at 18,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3 Zero x 12
G3M Nell x 10
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged


1LT M. Hnatio of 340th FS is credited with kill number 3

LT S. Hidaka of CI-1 Daitai bails out and is RESCUED

Allied Ships
SC 709
AK Charlevoix, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wollongong, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 23

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

Air attack on TF, near Munda at 31,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 5 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Reid
DD Spence, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

Air attack on TF, near Munda at 31,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 88
A6M3 Zero x 85
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged

LTJG H.Simmons of VF-28 is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
DD Wilkes
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

the japanese have already a hard time in 1943..so this stuppid and ineffective small attacks worsen the situation even more. plus the absurd high japanese OP loses. in my game with miller (i play the allied there), he had 49! Op loses in one turn..and i came close to that number in this turn.

i realy think that game coders hate the japanese in 1943 much more then it loves them early in 1942.[:D]

[Miller]

That last strike is the hardest to take, 173 Zeros escorting 6 Bettys....I bet you lost at least 20 of those Zeros to op losses!?

[Nomad]

I agree that the Corsairs are overrated, but the P-40Es and F4F-4s are under rated. But that is the way it has been since the start and
even though there was a lot of wailing and knashing of teeth, it never was changed that I remember. Here is the status after last turn:

[Nomad]

Here are the aircraft losses for that turn:

[bigbaba]

08/27/43

the imperial HQ notifies:

in the past night, a TF consisting several cruisers and destroyers made a highspeed run to kiriwina and attacked the shipping of the anglo-american aggressors around the island:

eather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kiriwina at 18,37

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
PT 114, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 115
PT 123, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 124
PT 120, Shell hits 33, on fire, heavy damage
PT 121


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kiriwina at 18,37

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
SC 738, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AK Cassiopeia, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Melucta, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
AK Beltrami, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 917


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kiriwina at 18,37

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
SC 709, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AK Charlevoix, Shell hits 8, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 69

[Nomad]

A couple of AKs lost and part of two SeaBee units. I have lots of those. No real problem, Kiriwina is building nicely. [:)]

[bigbaba]

thats the reason why my biggest mistake was to face your fleet at rossel island by day few months ago instead by night. i think, my results would have been much much better in the night earlier in the game.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/43

Weather: Overcast

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 17,32
 
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 6
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Matsukaze
 
Allied Ships
PT 323, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
PT 325
PT 327, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
PT 363
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 17,32
 
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Chokai, Shell hits 4
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Kako, Shell hits 4
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Matsukaze
 
Allied Ships
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Thatcher, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Wadsworth, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Dyson, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Eaton, Shell hits 1
 
 
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 198
Vehicles lost 1
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 17,32
 
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Isuzu
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Suzunami
DD Oyashio
DD Hayashio,  on fire
DD Hatsuharu
DD Matsukaze
 
Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
APD McKean, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
APD Stringham, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
APD Talbot
APD Dent
APD Schley
 
 
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 215
Vehicles lost 3
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gasmata, at 17,32
 
 
Allied aircraft
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt x 2 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt x 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
 
 
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10
 
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 50
Port hits 1
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gasmata , at 17,32
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
A6M3 Zero x 51
G4M1 Betty x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 47
Ki-21 Sally x 51
Ki-48 Lily x 51
Ki-49 Helen x 27
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-47C Thunderbolt x 16
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 9 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt x 6 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt x 3 damaged
 
1LT O.Black of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 6
 
CPT J. Moore of 341st FS bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED
 
 
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
 
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 62
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7
P-38G Lightning x 19
A-20G Havoc x 30
A-20G Boston x 15
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 38
 
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 5
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Green Island , at 25,28
 
 
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8
 
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Green Island , at 25,28
 
 
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 12
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 34
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 72
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 28th Regiment, at 17,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 42
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 84th Base Force, at 31,36
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 45
 
 
no losses
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 84th Base Force, at 31,36
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 24
 
 
no losses
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 84th Base Force, at 31,36
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 93
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 95

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 84th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
Beaufighter VIC x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 49
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
A6M3 Zero x 35
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 29
 
Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 4
P-38G Lightning x 2
B-17E Fortress x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 15 damaged
 
LTJG S.Okura of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
 
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1,  on fire

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 8
P-38G Lightning x 12
 
 
no losses
 
Runway hits 3

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 44
SBD Dauntless x 26
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13
 
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 16
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 84th Base Force, at 31,36
 
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 33
P-38G Lightning x 8
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 17th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38
 
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 55
Beaufighter VIC x 11
 
 
no losses
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 34
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 28
 
Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 3
P-38G Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 22
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang x 1 destroyed
Boomerang x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 18 damaged
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed
 
ENS R.Murakami of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 4
 
PO2 D.Matsumoto of DII-1 Daitai is KILLED
 
Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Kumano
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
CA Chokai
CA Mogami

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PO2 D.Matsumoto was a double ace with 10 kills. he died while attacking american B-17 bombers over rabaul.

[bigbaba]

the last turns saw tokyo express visiting gasmata every night and destroying a good number of corsairs and thunderbolts on ground while destroying any allied naval resistance there (in the last turn, the US lost 2 DD there). at the day, we saw massive allied air raids against rabaul consisting (in the last turn) 90 fighters and 170 bombers running into 200 japanese fighters over rabaul. the allied try to close rabaul AF but with so many ENG units there, it will not still closed.

in the last turn, the allied lost 45 planes while the empire lost 55 planes. in the turn before the loses were around 55-55.

at rabaul, there are more then 10! AA units (most of them with 75 MM FLAK) but i am a little bit disappointed about their preformance. they simply dont shoot down/damage enough allied bombers.

so ken is loseing alot of pilots and planes over rabaul while i lose mostyl my planes and can save the pilots but i dont think that i can keep up longer.

[Nomad]

But all of those aircraft destroyed on the ground at Gasmata do not lose their pilots either.

I am happy with 1:1 attrition right now. It is September, 1943 and that is significant. I get
four new aircraft alotments.

60 P-38Js - I was getting 40 P48 Gs, Js have higher speed, climb, manouverablity, and durability.

60 P-47Ds - I was getting 40 P-47Cs, Ds have higher speed, climb, manouverability, and durabiltiy.

12 B-17Js - I was getting 7 B-17Es, Js have 30% more defensive firepower.

25 B-24Js - I was getting 10 B-24Ds, no real difference, just more of them.

I am now getting 250% of what I was getting in these very good aircraft and the extra 150% are better
that the orginal. I will be able to absorb losses much faster that Mehrdad.

Add to that that gasmata is still building its airfield, it will take longer with the constant bombardments, but
in about 7 days or less it will be a level 2 and I will then have SBDs and TBF within normal range of Rangoon.

[Kingfisher]

That must be carrying one hellava big drop tank to get them from Gasmata to Rangoon [;)]

[bigbaba]

09/02/43:

the last turn saw a perfect allied air attack against rabaul.

while my best air groups attack in "3 betty" or "170 fighters and 6 bombers" groups, the ken air force managed to attack rabaul like mitcher did it at truk in 1944.

first, a strong allied fighter sweep consisting 72 P-38, 36 corsairs and 21 hellcats showed up and mauled the japanese CAP over rabaul badly (87 zeros, 39 oscars, 17 nicks and 51 tonys).

the japanese lost 56 fighters in A2A combat while the allied lost 10.

after that, a massive bomber formation attacked the rabaul AF. the allied strike force conststed 45 fighters and 176 bombers and caused heavy damage to the japanese installations at rabaul (25 japanese planes destroyed at the ground and 246 runway hits were counted).

rabaul AF will still open because of 300 ENG there, but the perfection of the allied attack speaky for itself.

but at least, rangoon is safe for now and all allied propaganda about fighters flying from gasmata to rangoon is simply false.[:D]

[Nomad]

Special ops, Rangoon has been moved to the South Pacfic. Mixed up two games. Like Captain Kirk said, "One little mistake"

I hope they can do it again today, Gasmata is almost at level 2.

[bigbaba]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/03/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 17,32

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Kako
CL Naka
CL Yubari
DD Shimakaze
DD Akitsuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Nowaki
DD Isonami

Allied Ships
PT 61
PT 64
PT 66, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT 67, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
PT 176
PT 194


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gasmata, at 17,32


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt x 2 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt x 1 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 3 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 6 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 51

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 45


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 30
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 28
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 17
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 50

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-38G Lightning x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 11 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged

1LT R.Bannister of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 9

FO D. Owen of VMF-121 is KILLED


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
Beaufighter VIC x 10
P-47C Thunderbolt x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 121
B-24D Liberator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged
P-47C Thunderbolt x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

2LT C. Kendrick of VMF-223 is credited with kill number 7

LCDR M.Nakajima of F1/6th Daitai bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 840
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 153

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18

at least, the allied lost 13 corsairs in this turn. but with 2 BB and several CA in the bombardement TF, the results (the destroyed allied fighters on ground) should be much better then that.

[bigbaba]

09/06/43:

A6M5 are available now with a production rate of 25 per month. with their 34/27 values they woulld be a better fighter against all this thunderbolts, hellcats and corsairs but they came to the front way too late. if the japanese would get them at the same time the allied get corsairs, the air dominance of the US fighters wouldnt be that great.

ken has moved his carrier TF (consisting at least 3 CV and several CVL/CVE) NE of rabaul and attacks shipping around there damageing 3 AP heavily and sinking 1 AG[:D].

rabaul is still under heavy air attacks and the CAP lost nearly 60% of its strength in the last few turns. the replacement rate can not catch up with this loses. the empire lost 45 planes in the last turn while the allied lost 35.

thats am example of the typical air battle in late 1943:

Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 43

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged

and the empire can not close a level 2 AF even with so many bombers flying at 5k:

Air attack on Gasmata , at 17,32

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 82
D4Y Judy x 9
G3M Nell x 11
G4M1 Betty x 72
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-48 Lily x 25
Ki-49 Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed

MAJ H. Carpenter of 340th FS is credited with kill number 6


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 73
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 100

Air attack on Gasmata , at 17,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-48 Lily x 26

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 62

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

[bigbaba]

the empire gives up the south pacific. ken has his carrier fleet between truk and rabaul and there is nothing i can do to face this cut of of my supply line.

i still have 200 land based fighters, 100 DB and 250 level bombers, but ken can easily prevent any supply ship from sailing from truk to rabaul by staying out of range of the LBA between this 2 bases. beside that, his land based fighters and bombers decimated the japanese LBA and its only a matter of time to destroy the japanese LBA completly.

with thanks to ken for this good game, here a summery of loses for the empire. it would be nice to see the allied total loses too in this AAR:

-VP 12958 (still lead here, but with PM and lae nearly unmanned and GG close to fall to the allied, ken would get more then 1000 VP for this 3 bases and take the lead easily.

-army loses: 1736.

-AC loses: 4248 (1794 zeros, 352 bettys, 265 vals). my OP loses were nearly at 1800 although i flew less then half the allied sorties in the whole game. the japanese take way too high OP loses in this game and also in WITP.

-ship loses: 3 CV, 2 CVL, 1 CVE, 3 BB, 2 CA, 5 CL, 40 DD, 66 AP, 2 TK, 30 SS. 5 BB and alot of CA are operational, but without own air power, ken would destroy them with his LBA or carrier based SBD/TBF with little resistance.

things i would do in the next game and which were critical for this game:

-occupy rossel island and rennel island! the turning point in this game was the time when ken managed to build level 1 AF there and place corsairs there.

-engage the allied SF fleets by night! in the initial attack against rossel island, my battlefleet engaged the allied ships at day and did not preform well. at night their preformance would be much better like the late battles at gasmata show, in which the IJN was the winner overall.

[Nomad]

Right now I am very disappointed about Mehrdad ending this game. He didn't even send me the final turn. I will write something in a day or two after I have a bit of time to cool off.

[Ike99]

I don´t think you should surrender bigbaba, i think you should fight for the draw.

Right now I am very disappointed about Mehrdad ending this game. He didn't even send me the final turn. I will write something in a day or two after I have a bit of time to cool off.

Give me the password bigbaba and I´ll finish the game out.

[bigbaba]

there is no reason to be disappointed. we played the game from mid 1942 to september 1943 and a draw is impossible because ken can capture gg, lae, pm with little effort and get a huge VP advantage.

anyway..pw sent ike.