Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1943 May 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Imperials battered the battered in China.

Force R managed to interrupt the scheduled bombardment of Ramree Island, but not scrap it.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ramree Island at 54,48, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CA Kumano
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1
DD Murakumo
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 2
CL Capetown, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nepal, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Nestor, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 92% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 7,000 yards
CA Hawkins launches Torpedoes at CA Maya at 7,000 yards
CL Capetown launches Torpedoes at CA Maya at 7,000 yards
CL Capetown launches Torpedoes at DD Sagiri at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres launches Torpedoes at CA Maya at 7,000 yards
DD Nestor launches Torpedoes at DD Sagiri at 7,000 yards
DD Nepal launches Torpedoes at DD Sagiri at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Hawkins at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Maya at 2,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Caradoc at 2,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages DD Nestor at 2,000 yards
DD Nestor engages DD Murakumo at 2,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Nepal at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Hawkins at 6,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages CA Maya at 6,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages DD Nepal at 6,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages DD Nepal at 6,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Murakumo at 6,000 yards
DD Nepal sunk by DD Murakumo at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages CL Caradoc at 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Ceres at 10,000 yards
DD Nestor engages DD Murakumo at 10,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Nestor at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Ceres at 13,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages DD Nestor at 13,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Nestor at 13,000 yards
DD Nestor engages DD Shirayuki at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Kumano firing at 111th LRP Brigade

The fate of Maya is unclear. A series of carrier air strikes on shipping at Akyab followed.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
D4Y1 Judy x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
ML No. 230

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Infantry Regiment, at 56,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
D4Y1 Judy x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Belray, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

A surprising development, our fleet heading north in the Coral Sea about to cross into the Solomon Sea was all hidden by weather today. Due to the spotting yesterday we must assume that DAW HQ is aware of their approach, however. A further change in plans. As already mentioned, Torokina will still be invaded to block the retreat of Imperial troops from Shortlands, but the Shortlands assaulters will land directly there. The additional change of plans is that, because of clear weather predicted tomorrow, the USAAF 4EB will strike Rabaul tomorrow, without the benefit of prior naval bombardment. With 122 fighters and 30 bombers present there, the Empire would have a good chance of punching through USN CAP. The naval forces will bombard the following night, though.

The only problem is that I sent off the turn without remembering to shorten the ranges of the USN carrier planes as the fleet moved up even with Shortlands, a mere 6 hexes from Rabaul. Tomorrow could be a very interesting day in the air!

Here is a look at the IJN carriers in the Indian Ocean.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs
The only problem is that I sent off the turn without remembering to shorten the ranges of the USN carrier planes as the fleet moved up even with Shortlands, a mere 6 hexes from Rabaul. Tomorrow could be a very interesting day in the air!

A little bit too interesting perhaps! [:D]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: witpqs
The only problem is that I sent off the turn without remembering to shorten the ranges of the USN carrier planes as the fleet moved up even with Shortlands, a mere 6 hexes from Rabaul. Tomorrow could be a very interesting day in the air!

A little bit too interesting perhaps! [:D]

Oi! Perhaps the saving grace will be that I have 19 x 4EB squadrons going in, and even though some are not full that will still be more 4EB than the 122 fighters scouted there. I hope. [:)]

[witpqs]

1943 May 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The USAAF certainly did their part over Rabaul today. A total of 35 x 4EB were lost in the various raids there from both Australia and the Solomons. The groups at Russell Islands did not even get to fly due to extreme overcast. Rabaul airfield shows as 38% damaged and will be the target of two USN battleship bombardment groups tonight. After all the 4EB raids were on their way back out, the USN carrier planes struck sending a number of smaller combatants along with xAK/xAP into early retirement. Some sank today and others will surely follow from damage already sustained. Indomitable fliers of the Empire made attacks against the fleet, but none scored and many were lost. A few Zeros were also lost to P-38 sweeps over Darwin, and other aircraft in the air battles over Burma. In that theater both sides scored hits against ships (we lost an xAKL), at Akyab and at Rangoon, but nothing like the South Pacific saw. USN submarines hit two ships in the area of Kavieng as well, announcing that movements in the area will be hotly contested.

Code: Select all

 Model			Type		Day Loss	Day Air	Day Flak	Day Ground	Day Ops	Total Loss	Total Air	Total Flak	Total Ground	Total Ops
 Ki-44-IIa Tojo		Fighter		39		27	0		0		12	768		553		0		30		185
 A6M5 Zero		Fighter		20		15	0		0		5	235		146		0		32		57
 G4M1 Betty		Level Bomber	20		16	0		3		1	544		217		54		15		258
 B-24D Liberator		Level Bomber	16		11	0		0		5	73		29		0		0		44
 B-24D1 Liberator	Level Bomber	16		15	0		0		1	41		27		0		0		14
 G3M2 Nell		Level Bomber	12		11	0		0		1	268		89		27		13		139
 Beaufighter VIc		Fighter-Bomber	7		5	0		0		2	7		5		0		0		2
 SBD-3 Dauntless		Dive Bomber	5		5	0		0		0	171		68		17		0		86
 F4F-4 Wildcat		Fighter		4		2	0		0		2	112		57		0		21		34
 E13A1 Jake		Float Plane	4		1	0		0		3	213		36		5		14		158
 P-40K Warhawk		Fighter		3		2	0		0		1	227		157		0		4		66
 H6K4-L Mavis		Transport	3		0	0		3		0	34		0		0		3		31
 LB-30 Liberator		Level Bomber	2		2	0		0		0	15		6		0		0		9
 P-38G Lightning		Fighter		2		2	0		0		0	29		23		0		0		6
 SOC-1 Seagull		Float Plane	2		2	0		0		0	38		4		0		20		14
 B-17D Fortress		Level Bomber	1		1	0		0		0	45		25		3		2		15
 B-17F Fortress		Level Bomber	1		0	0		0		1	19		8		1		0		10
 C-47 Skytrain		Transport	1		0	0		0		1	321		0		0		0		321
 F4F-3 Wildcat		Fighter		1		1	0		0		0	29		14		0		4		11
 F6F-3 Hellcat		Fighter		1		0	0		0		1	1		0		0		0		1
 OS2U-3 Kingfisher	Float Plane	1		1	0		0		0	31		1		0		14		16
 C5M2 Babs		Recon		1		0	0		1		0	32		1		0		1		30
 F1M2 Pete		Float Plane	1		0	0		0		1	46		5		0		8		33
 Ki-21-IIb Sally		Level Bomber	1		0	1		0		0	19		1		3		0		15
 Ki-57-II Topsy		Transport	1		0	0		1		0	53		0		0		1		52
 

To summarize plans for next turn:
- A small SCTF (2 x CA + 1 x DD) is 9 hexes west of Kusaie Island and will make a foray into the shipping lane between Kavieng and Truk. Heavy weather has prevented them being spotted so far.
- An SCTF (2 x CA + 1 x CL + 3 x DD) will sweep through Darwin's water tonight.
- Three SCTF of CA and DD will 'patrol' into Rabaul's waters tonight to block for the battleships.
- Two battleship SCTF, one of 3 x old BB and one of 5 x fast BB (both with DD escorts) will bombard Rabaul tonight.
- The 4 x B-24D1 squadrons at Russell Islands (48 aircraft) retain mission orders to strike Rabaul airfield and will do so, weather allowing.
- Transports will land assault troops at Torokina, Munda, and Vangunu.

Attached is a sunk ships report. Click on the attachment to open the little window, then click on the file name, then double-click on the top border to maximize the window for easy viewing.

[witpqs]

Here is a look at the Solomons.

[BBfanboy]

Nice Job! [&o]
Ahead in carriers and DDs, even in cruisers, but you only lost 5 CA/Large CL to his 7 CA. You've hit his APs and AKs pretty hard too. By end of summer you should be able to dominate the seas all over the map, save perhaps the Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea.

[princep01]

Agree with BBFanboy, nicely done indeed.  Green dots are slowly but surely Pacmaning the red dots without unusually heavy losses.  IJ is feeling the heat and the temperature is increasing steadily.  Keep up the good tempo.  Make him dance, witpqs, make him dance and feel the pain of the oncoming cresendo of Allied power. 
 
Do you feel like Kavenig and the Admiralty Islands are vulnerable?  If so, perhaps a ring around Rabaul, rather than a direct assault?  I'd bet you'd essentially encircle a fairly large garrison at Rabaul.  Better than actually killing the LYBs at Rabaul, don't you think?  But then, there is a nice anchorage at Rabaul.  Is that the near term objective? 

[witpqs]

Thanks, guys! I don't feel like I've accomplished much additional lately, just on the verge (cross your fingers!) of shutting down Rabaul. I realize that the Solomons themselves are partly a strategic detour.

To the best of my recollection, I have no troops prepping for Rabaul. I have forces ready to load for Ponape (meaning ships in the harbor at their location, namely Nadi), and troops fully prepped for Kavieng and Manus, along with some of the minor islands east of New Ireland. In likely two days, Woodlark Island will be seized. So, yes, a cordon around Rabaul.

And I haven't decided exactly when, but I am leaning more and more toward that assault on Truk. If I do that, I am also toying with the idea of skipping (at least for now) the Marianas and pushing faster along the northern coast of New Guinea instead. I have two divisions fully prepped, and a third partly prepped. The notion is that the two divisions will land on D-Day along with the smaller units (tanks, etc). Whichever division is trashed the worst, gets pulled off on D+1 while the third division is landed. Only when the troops ashore are all fit for combat does the assault begin.

[BBfanboy]

Great planning for the amphib assault. I never would have thought of rotating out the disrupted division and landing a fresh replacement.

[JocMeister]

Well done witpqs! [:)]

How are your 4E pools fairing?

[witpqs]

I've been carefully managing the 4EB pools. I have one squadron each of LB-30 and B-17D just to mostly use up those air frames (both are only partially full now). India has mostly B-17E and B-17F models, but the day is approaching when they will have to start upgrading to B-24 models. I still have a bunch of B-24D squadrons, gradually upgrading to the B-24D1 model to keep replacements available for the other B-24D squadrons. And there are still probably at least 10 squadrons with just a couple of planes that are being used for training as there is not enough production to sustain them on the line (besides, I will need more and more trained pilots as squadrons expand anyway).

The USN 4EB I am only using for the search squadrons (at least so far), so inventories are building on those.



Edit: I should add that the B-24D1 and B-24D squadrons need some replacements after recent actions.

[witpqs]

1943 May 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Vangunu
Shortlands
Torokina

A very busy day. First off, the Empire was active attacking in China and forced our valiant defenders out of one position.

Ground combat at 77,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36915 troops, 314 guns, 297 vehicles, Assault Value = 1127

Defending force 51335 troops, 204 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 999

Japanese adjusted assault: 729

Allied adjusted defense: 205

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1023 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 153 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled

Allied ground losses:
15785 casualties reported
Squads: 485 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 651 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 32 (29 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 11

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
51st Engineer Regiment
15th/A Division
37th Division
14th Tank Regiment
104th/A Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
69th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
88th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
13th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26958 troops, 178 guns, 88 vehicles, Assault Value = 832

Defending force 30717 troops, 181 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 889

Japanese adjusted assault: 390

Allied adjusted defense: 346

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3161 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 123 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
997 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
64th Infantry Brigade
60th Infantry Brigade
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
32nd/B Division
34th/C Division

Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
33rd Group Army


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

Ground combat at Kweiyang (74,49)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35353 troops, 464 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 905

Defending force 45358 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 884

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1222

Allied adjusted defense: 541

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2603 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 357 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 62 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 71 (3 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (2 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
506 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th/C Division
116th/B Division
22nd/A Division
32nd/A Division
56th Recon Regiment
36th/B Division
27th/B Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
116th/C Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
3rd War Area
7th Chinese Base Force
21st Group Army
9th War Area
6th War Area
9th Chinese Base Force
4th War Area
20th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at 79,39 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4146 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 106

Defending force 18396 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 226

Japanese adjusted assault: 86

Allied adjusted defense: 133

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
29th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
1st War Area
36th Group Army
34th Group Army
8th Group Army
3rd Group Army
36th Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
24th Group Army
31st Group Army
37th Group Army

The upshot is that the Empire is still grinding away at our defense, as stubborn as it is.

Burma was air action only. It looks like two more days before we can order our next attack NW of Toungoo.

In NW Australia one Imperial unit escaped before an attack could be brought home today, but at sea it was a different story.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-5, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-6, Shell hits 1
xAK Kashiwara Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Neikai Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
xAK Nanko Maru, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nichiren Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Adelaide
DD Fletcher
DD Benham
DD Sterett

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Swales F. crosses the 'T'
CA Australia engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Nanko Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Neikai Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages xAK Neikai Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DMS W-5 at 10,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DMS W-5 at 6,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Neikai Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages xAK Neikai Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Sterett engages xAK Neikai Maru at 6,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Neikai Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-5
CA Australia engages DMS W-5 at 3,000 yards
DD Sterett engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Kashiwara Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DMS W-6 at 2,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAK Kashiwara Maru
xAK Kashiwara Maru sunk by CA Australia at 2,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Nanko Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Nanko Maru sunk by CA Australia at 2,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages xAK Nichiren Maru at 2,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 77,124, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Meigen Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Adelaide
DD Fletcher
DD Benham
DD Sterett

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra fires at DMS W-6 at 27,000 yards
CA Australia fires at DMS W-6 at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
DMS W-6 sunk by CA Australia at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages xAK Meigen Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Meigen Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Meigen Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages xAK Meigen Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Benham engages xAK Meigen Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
xAK Meigen Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Over in the Rabaul/Solomons region, things were much busier and more dangerous for both sides. Rather than try and break it out, here is all the naval combat in that area (not counting amphibious actions).

Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,124

Japanese Ships
AD Gyoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

AD Gyoko Maru is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes at AD Gyoko Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Green Island at 108,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-31, hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gwin
DD Hughes

SS I-31 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Chester
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Feni Islands at 107,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Gwin
DD DeHaven
DD Hughes

SS I-7 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Pensacola
I-7 diving deep ....
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hughes loses contact with SS I-7
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hughes is out of ASW ammo
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 270 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Mine hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 132 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD LaVallette, Mine hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 74 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 29 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 7 destroyed on ground
H6K4-L Mavis: 94 damaged
H6K4-L Mavis: 6 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 21 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 12 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 2 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-15, hits 1, heavy damage
SSX Ha-12, hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
BB Washington
BB North Carolina

Japanese ground losses:
1238 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 19 (8 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 35

BB Massachusetts firing at Rabaul
BB Indiana firing at Rabaul
BB South Dakota firing at Rabaul
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Washington
BB Washington firing at Rabaul
BB North Carolina firing at Rabaul


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 23 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 17 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 2 damaged
H6K4-L Mavis: 2 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho

Japanese ground losses:
569 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 31

BB Mississippi firing at Rabaul
BB New Mexico firing at Rabaul
BB Idaho firing at Rabaul


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 132 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD Kalk
DD Gillespie
DD Fanning
DD Monssen

10 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 255 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD Meade
DD Bailey

7 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 293 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD Hobby

1 mine cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Shimushu, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
E Uji, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Hawaii Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAP Tenzan Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAP Naminoue Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAP Ukishima Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA New Orleans
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 1
DD Woodworth
DD Hobby

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CA Salt Lake City engages E Uji at 25,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 25,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages E Uji at 21,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 21,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 21,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 18,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 18,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
E Uji sunk by CA New Orleans at 16,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 16,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Naminoue Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages E Shimushu at 12,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 12,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 12,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages E Shimushu at 10,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 10,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Naminoue Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Hobby engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages E Shimushu at 8,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Naminoue Maru at 8,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Naminoue Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Hobby engages xAP Tenzan Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 8,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages E Shimushu at 8,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 8,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Naminoue Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Hobby engages E Shimushu at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages E Shimushu at 7,000 yards
xAP Naminoue Maru sunk by CA New Orleans at 7,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages E Shimushu at 7,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 7,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Hobby engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 7,000 yards
E Shimushu sunk by CA Vincennes at 7,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAP Ukishima Maru at 7,000 yards
xAP Tenzan Maru sunk by CA New Orleans at 7,000 yards
DD Hobby engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages xAK Hawaii Maru at 7,000 yards
xAK Hawaii Maru sunk by CA Salt Lake City at 7,000 yards
xAP Ukishima Maru sunk by CA Vincennes at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Treasury Islands at 108,132

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Smith

SS RO-101 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Smith
RO-101 diving deep ....
DD Smith attacking submerged sub ....
DD Smith fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Smith fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Smith fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Smith attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Treasury Islands at 108,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-31, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 1
DD Mahan

SS I-31 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Colorado
I-31 diving deep ....
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Of all the Allied ships damaged, only CA Chester is in any danger with 60(51) flotation damage. All troops are ashore at the three targets, Torkina, Shortlands, and Vangunu.

The remaining 4EB (those at Russell Islands) made their attacks.

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Rabaul now shows with airfield damage of 98%, port damage 0%, 0 fighters, 3 bombers, 4 auxiliary. Two days ago it was a dangerous level 9 air base with a long range sting, now a smoking slag heap. [:)]

The ground opposition is weak.

Ground combat at Torokina (109,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1080 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 948 troops, 0 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 4th SNLF

Defending units:
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 510 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Defending force 15859 troops, 210 guns, 324 vehicles, Assault Value = 543

Assaulting units:
II/66th Naval Guard Unit
5th Engr Rgt /7
2nd JNAF Coy
16th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
3rd NZ Division


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

Ground combat at Vangunu (111,135)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1821 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Defending force 4806 troops, 38 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 160

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
7th Marine Regiment
3rd Pioneer Battalion

The assault forces at Munda and Vangunu will attack tomorrow. At Torokina they will wait one day until the Armoured Bde there reaches 30% prep.

CVE Santee arrived and CVE Barnes finished refit at Pearl Harbor.

Here are the day's air losses. Not sure how much of this is FOW from the naval bombardments of Rabaul.


Edited to add the amphibious operations to the preamble.

[princep01]

now a smoking slag heap
 
Well put!!  Their LYB ears are still bleeding from that smackdown.  I see him dancing....I see him dancing at the end of a war crimes rope:).  However, I suspect he has a goodly number of (dazed and confused) engineers ready to repair Rabual, so it will take continual attacks to keep it a "slag heap". 
 
Dang, that torpedo that scored on Chester must have been a wing-ding.  I suspect you'll get her home, but it really did a lot of damage.
 
Nice landings.  I'm sure the Devious One is stewing over all those AF assets sitting at Rabaul in ruins. 
 
I join the congratulatory chorus.

[witpqs]

No, no - executions would ruin our 2x2 game plus wreck the economy of Texas.

Considering the number of ships that were hit by submarine torpedoes and by mines, I consider that a very, very lucky outcome. As his subs are concentrating I figure there is a reasonable chance I will lose something. I'm just trying to get out of the area before that happens.

I forget the troop count scouted at Rabaul (maybe ~20,000?), but I guess they can be pulled out by seaplane from somewhere else. Tulagi is now a much longer way from decent Imperial air bases, has LRCAP from Lunga every day, and still shows >14,000 troops present. [:)] The 4EB that went against Rabaul today (from Russell Islands) had a much easier time than those that flew yesterday. So we should be able to keep it closed from our lower Solomons bases. As I've mentioned I have plenty of force prepped for Tulagi, but maybe it's better used as a bombing range for a while?

The Woodlark Island landing will take place in the second phase next turn, and so probably need the following day to finish unloading. Hopefully that was not a big mistake, I just wanted to get the transports in there and back out. In hindsight, I should have ordered full speed. Shortlands will be up and running quickly as engineers and base forces are already almost there to unload upon capture. That will most likely be tomorrow, considering the disparity of force. Vangunu should be captured tomorrow as well, and then the Munda force will land and all will begin marching.

[witpqs]

1943 May 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Shortlands

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Vangunu
Shortlands
Torokina
Woodlark Island

The pressure continues in China and in the air over Burma (from both sides there). Off the coast of Burma there appears to be another IJN incursion preparing to jump off. Three tank brigades are the last of the forces moving to NW of Toungoo for the next attack, all three should arrive tomorrow.

Colorado bombarded Torokina successfully before retiring, but was then torpedoed twice more despite heavy ASW protection. She needs yard time for sure but should be fine otherwise.

The cruiser force that ventured into waters between Kavieng and Truk was ordered to make for Feni Islands and intercept a convoy of small vessels there. Apparently their approach spooked the convoy, which was then intercepted by a larger cruiser force patrolling to protect the carriers and transports. Yet another cruiser TF found and dispatched some small boys at Gasmata.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Feni Islands at 108,126, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Hong Kong Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LB-113, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-114, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-115, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-116, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-117, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-118, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-119, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-120, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-121, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-122, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-123, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-124, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Astoria
CA Quincy
DD Patterson
DD Preston
DD Reid

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 71% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 13,000 yards
CA Quincy fires at PB Hong Kong Maru at 13,000 yards
PB Hong Kong Maru sunk by CA Astoria at 13,000 yards
LB-120 sunk by CA Astoria at 13,000 yards
LB-118 sunk by DD Preston at 13,000 yards
LB-117 sunk by CA Quincy at 13,000 yards
LB-116 sunk by DD Preston at 13,000 yards
LB-115 sunk by CA Quincy at 13,000 yards
LB-114 sunk by CA Astoria at 13,000 yards
LB-113 sunk by DD Preston at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
LB-124 sunk by CA Quincy at 7,000 yards
LB-122 sunk by DD Preston at 7,000 yards
LB-119 sunk by DD Reid at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
LB-123 sunk by DD Reid at 3,000 yards
LB-121 sunk by DD Preston at 3,000 yards
LB-121 sunk by DD Preston at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 270 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD DeHaven
DD Hughes

5 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 293 encounters mine field at 107,126

Allied Ships
DD Hobby

1 mine cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 104,128, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Takuna Maru #7, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Hitora Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA New Orleans
CA Vincennes
DD Woodworth
DD Hobby

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 71% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Hobby engages PB Hitora Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Hitora Maru at 9,000 yards
PB Hitora Maru sunk by CA New Orleans at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Takuna Maru #7 at 6,000 yards
PB Takuna Maru #7 sunk by DD Hobby at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

The original TF will bombard Vangunu instead to see if we can start disrupting the enemy forces there.

The assault on Shortlands was overwhelming, but Vangunu put up surprising resistance. I think the remaining forces will finish unloading at Woodlark Island tomorrow.

Ground combat at Woodlark Island (104,133)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1830 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 2661 troops, 131 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Assaulting units:
47th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
8th NZ Bde /6
15th NZ AA Bde /6
2nd RNZAF Base Force /3


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

Ground combat at Vangunu (111,135)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4234 troops, 38 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 166

Defending force 1803 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Allied adjusted assault: 61

Japanese adjusted defense: 253

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment
3rd Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
14th Naval Guard Unit


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

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14535 troops, 210 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 546

Defending force 2857 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 988

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 76 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1258 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
II/66th Naval Guard Unit
5th Engr Rgt /7
2nd JNAF Coy
16th JNAF AF Unit

Tomorrow the commandos will drop on Torokina, along with an attack by the forces already there and some bomber support. Whether the base is taken by them or not, the objective of placing a blocking force to prevent retreat from Shortlands was achieved. The other objective of making the landing of the Shortlands force easier was unnecessary. More medium and dive bombers have been moved into the Solomons to support ground operations. Probably I will land the Munda invasion force directly there within the next two turns.

Here is an overview map.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I've been carefully managing the 4EB pools. I have one squadron each of LB-30 and B-17D just to mostly use up those air frames (both are only partially full now). India has mostly B-17E and B-17F models, but the day is approaching when they will have to start upgrading to B-24 models. I still have a bunch of B-24D squadrons, gradually upgrading to the B-24D1 model to keep replacements available for the other B-24D squadrons. And there are still probably at least 10 squadrons with just a couple of planes that are being used for training as there is not enough production to sustain them on the line (besides, I will need more and more trained pilots as squadrons expand anyway).

The USN 4EB I am only using for the search squadrons (at least so far), so inventories are building on those.

Edit: I should add that the B-24D1 and B-24D squadrons need some replacements after recent actions.

Looks like your pools are hurting a bit. I´m a lot more careless but just recently had the 4E pool drop under 100 in the pool since 42. Have you upgraded any 2E squadrons to 4E?

Personally I´m using the Navy 4Es for ground attack together with the rest of the 4Es. I feel they are more useful that way. [:)]

You will be very short on bomber pilots. I suggest you devote at least a portion (30-50%) of your fighter training squadrons for ground attack and use them for bomber pilots. I overdid my fighter training program and now have over 2000 pilots (EXP 60/Air70/Def70) in the pool. As the allies many squadrons come on map almost completely trained. Many only need 2-3 weeks of training until ready for CAP missions.

[witpqs]

2EB squadrons - by now most all of the squadrons that have it in their pre-programmed path. But even some of those are sitting with a couple of planes each, training new pilots.

My pilot pools are a mixed bag. USAAF fighter pilot pool is 172 fully trained. Plus the three P-47 squadrons headed for CBI are fully manned with the top of the pool. USAAF bomber pilots is only 79, and those are all high level bombing trained. I have none in pool trained for low level, so I'm training those in squadron and have one squadron training some for the pool. USAAF has 54 nicely trained recon pilots. British fighter is 60, with some partially trained also in pool. British bomber pool is 50, being a mix of high ground and naval torp, maybe a few others thrown in. USMC 114 fighter, 32 bomber (trained in high naval, high ground, and lesser training in search and ASW). USN fighter 174, bomber 59, patrol 19. USN bomber training is high naval or naval torp, plus search, ASW, and high ground. The search, ASW, and high ground are less than the high naval/torp. Search and ASW are greater than USMC. USMC high ground is often greater than USN high ground. USN patrol (and float but there are none now) is aimed for the same as bomber pilots for interchangeability. Australian fighter 49, bomber 59 (mixed), patrol 1. New Zealand fighter 11, bomber 29 (mixed), patrol 2, recon 2.

So I still need to increase the pools of both USAAF fighter pilots and bomber pilots.

[witpqs]

1943 May 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Torokina
Katherine

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Woodlark Island
Torokina

The inevitable happened, in spite of repositioning overnight in an attempt to confound IJN subs.

Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 105,134

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hobby

SS RO-64 launches 6 torpedoes at CA New Orleans
RO-64 diving deep ....
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hobby fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

New Orleans sunk. The carriers and surface forces are leaving the Woodlark area and retiring. The AA unit ashore with the troops at Woodlark is quite large and should provide adequate protection for the transports continuing to unload (some troops remain and much supply).


The Allied ground attacks went well today.

Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14476 troops, 210 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 533

Defending force 1659 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 980

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 196 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
674 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
2nd JNAF Coy
16th JNAF AF Unit
5th Engr Rgt /7


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

Ground combat at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1784 troops, 0 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 1046 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Allied adjusted assault: 44

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
2/9 Commando Bn /1
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
Maizuru 4th SNLF


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

Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1152 troops, 0 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 177

Defending force 528 troops, 0 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Allied adjusted assault: 90

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Katherine !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 69 (69 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 29 (6 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/7th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment


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Ground combat at 76,130 (near Daly Waters)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8724 troops, 148 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 276

Defending force 1844 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied adjusted assault: 201

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 201 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
812 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (6 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
Northern Territory Corps

Defending units:
Kimura Det


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16th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Shortlands by attrition!!!

The attack NW of Toungoo is set up for tomorrow with all 4EB, 2EB, and vengeance DB supporting. We are over stacked as you can see below, and armor heavy. The Americal Division (feinting a move to the defenders' rear) has been absorbing Imperial bomber strikes.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

2EB squadrons - by now most all of the squadrons that have it in their pre-programmed path. But even some of those are sitting with a couple of planes each, training new pilots.

My pilot pools are a mixed bag. USAAF fighter pilot pool is 172 fully trained. Plus the three P-47 squadrons headed for CBI are fully manned with the top of the pool. USAAF bomber pilots is only 79, and those are all high level bombing trained. I have none in pool trained for low level, so I'm training those in squadron and have one squadron training some for the pool. USAAF has 54 nicely trained recon pilots. British fighter is 60, with some partially trained also in pool. British bomber pool is 50, being a mix of high ground and naval torp, maybe a few others thrown in. USMC 114 fighter, 32 bomber (trained in high naval, high ground, and lesser training in search and ASW). USN fighter 174, bomber 59, patrol 19. USN bomber training is high naval or naval torp, plus search, ASW, and high ground. The search, ASW, and high ground are less than the high naval/torp. Search and ASW are greater than USMC. USMC high ground is often greater than USN high ground. USN patrol (and float but there are none now) is aimed for the same as bomber pilots for interchangeability. Australian fighter 49, bomber 59 (mixed), patrol 1. New Zealand fighter 11, bomber 29 (mixed), patrol 2, recon 2.

So I still need to increase the pools of both USAAF fighter pilots and bomber pilots.

Yeah, I think you do! I think all of your pools looks dangerously low. I actually found a old save from 9th of May -43 from my game.

-I had over 1200 fully trained USAAF fighter pilots and 320 bomber pilots.
-Navy pools were really low though with only about 150 pilots in each pool. But I lost probably 300 pilots when my CVs went down.
-I also had 300 USMC Fighter and 110 Bomber pilots.
-100 OZ Fighters and 180 bomber pilots.

We hadn´t had much fighting though with only 4500 Allied losses and 6500 Jap. But you pools still look oddly low? What are your thresholds before sending them to the reserve? Mine were:
Fighters 50EXP 70Air 60DEF
Bomber 45EXP 70Bombskill

I don´t "double train" my bomber pilots. They go to 70 in whatever skill I train before they are off to the reserve. In the beginning I trained them up to 50EXP but that simply takes too long. They will gain EXP fast enough once they see combat. I really, really regret not switching over most of the USAAF Fighter Squadrons to train GRB earlier. I should have done that once the fighter pool reached 1000.

You really need to step up your training and do it fast! In May 43 I had 1200 KIA/MIA pilots. In May -44 I have 3000. Thats about 150 per month only to keep up.

[witpqs]

OMG! How the heck does the Allied player lose 1,500, let alone 3,000 pilots in a month?

Well I've got lots of squadrons working on training so we'll see if/how well I can ramp up the pools. My pilot losses for the entire campaign are MIA 409; WIA 751; KIA 1,079. I think if I start losing 3,000 pilots per month I'll start the Allied Kamikaze Corps.

For fighter pilots I use 70 Air and I prefer at or getting close to 50 Exp. Bombers = 70 Grd, but low bombers get a split (60 Grd, 60 LGrd, 50 Str, 50 LNav).

Milking the turn because Walter is tied up most of this weekend, so here is an advanced installment on the turn post. Vangunu fell to us. Woodlark brought the forts down and will fall with repeated attacks. No more ships torpedoed.

NW of Toungoo was a 1 to 2, which is better IIRC but our losses were still more than theirs. The troops will recover over a few days and go again. The Australian divisions (three of them, two in today's battles), will be able to upgrade to the powerful '43 standard squads very soon. The Indian squads will take longer (some units are upgraded, many are not), but if we are this close to punching through the Australian upgrades will make a big difference.