LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[Bif1961]

7 carriers and only 2 CLAAs and 7 DDs escorts, it is vulnerable to a surface TF attack or airstrike with no heavy units to be the bomb catch.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

7 carriers and only 2 CLAAs and 7 DDs escorts, it is vulnerable to a surface TF attack or airstrike with no heavy units to be the bomb catch.

Yeah, I noticed that - probably because he knows my CVs aren't around. Figure he'll have a BB or two when the CVs clash.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Other than that CV TF, does he have enough other CVs to pose a serious threat in the Andaman area?

He's missing Kaga, Agaki, and two Katsuragi types by my count. Figure they're out near the Malacca Straits keeping watch. Of course, they could be refitting too. Or my PBYs haven't picked them up in the Eastern DEI.

[IdahoNYer]

7-8 Oct 43

Highlights – Combined Fleet looks to be heading for a raid on Darwin!

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Akatsuki)

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (I-39)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 67
Allied: 28

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Prome (Burma)
Damar (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: Combined Fleet comes out of Koepang and looks to be heading to Darwin likely with the BB Musashi TF out front to bombard. CVs in support with numerous Judys out searching.

West Coast/Admin: CV Bunker Hill arrives at Balboa, and with two CVLs will head to Pearl to provide a CV presence in the Pacific.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, assault shipping with CVEs in support remain at Kwaj taking off troops. Will remain busy shuttling troops in CENPAC for a bit. No sign of IJN activity.

In SOPAC, Hansa Bay Amph and supporting TFs enroute to New Hannover Island where they will be joined by transports carrying engineers from Buka and Torokina. Bombers rest in preparation for supporting the Hansa Bay landings. Bombers out of Merauke hit Hollandia with good effect; no CAP and about 10 planes destroyed on the ground along with a big AK set afire in the harbor without any friendly loss. Heavies will hit the base again next turn - goal is more to prevent expanding forts than anything else.

In SWPAC, Combined Fleet didn’t stay in Koepang long; looks to be a major effort aimed at Darwin in progress. Looks to be BB Musashi TF heading to bombard or disrupt shipping in the Darwin area, with the KB supporting - numerous Judy searches splashed by CAP - about 25 or so - gives good indication of the KB at sea. Allied defense of the Darwin area will resemble the climatic scene from “In Harm’s Way”, the classic John Wayne Naval film epic - trying to stop the Yamato class BB TF with PTs, mines and cruisers. 3 PT squadrons of 8 boats each, 3 destroyer squadrons of 6 ships each supporting a CA TF (2CA, 3CL, 6DD) will defend the anchorage which is bolstered by about 300 mines and some coast defense guns. Lots of light ships to wear down the behemoth and eat up OPs points so perhaps LBA can get a few strikes in. Darwin and Bathurst have robust fighter CAP, and have moved strike aircraft down to Fenton - 2 squadrons of SBDs and TBFs plus some army strike a/c with about 80 fighters. Not nearly enough to strike the KB, but perhaps can hit some damaged cruisers following the night time naval action. In any case, I fully expect much carnage if L_S_T pushes on to Darwin. Then again, he could pull off and hit Bathurst or Babar Is - but his track is towards Darwin now. Lastly, US Paras seized the small isle of Damar off Babar - solely due to my recon spotting something in the port, which turned out to be the DD Akatsuki which was then scuttled. Apparently was crippled by mines off Babar and was pumping out. So paras sink a DD! Nice!

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Prome is occupied. Again, surprised even a token delaying force wasn’t left behind to make use of the level 4 forts. The real question is whether or not Rangoon will be similarly abandoned…?? On the Lashio front, Allied troops push east towards Paoshan, driving an RTA Bde out of the way. I will need more troops here - one Indian Division will continue to drive east into the mountains, but the other Indian Division will head north towards Bhamo as the IJA defenders from Lashio have pulled back here and are trying to transit across into the mountains. If they get into the mountains intact, they will be much tougher to dislodge - out of supply or not. So the US 27th ID will come up from Prome to provide the extra firepower if necessary. That’s a long haul, but the division needs some time to build back up anyway. On the Pegu front, still repositioning and moving troops to renew the attack against the estimated divisional sized blocking force in the jungles NNE of Pegu. Will also look to renew the attack on Taung Gyi shortly which will expand the flanking capabilities in the attack to clear Burma.

In the IO, NSTR.

[jwolf]

Heh, nice touch that your paras got a DD. Sweet! [8D]

In Harm's Way is a great movie, one I really love to watch. Here's to hoping you are victorious as John Wayne was, though hopefully not as badly banged up, to say nothing of losing your flagship!

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf


In Harm's Way is a great movie, one I really love to watch. Here's to hoping you are victorious as John Wayne was, though hopefully not as badly banged up, to say nothing of losing your flagship!

Really loved that movie growing up - a bit dated now perhaps. Culminating naval battle was awesome back in the day! Got me building bigger and bigger naval ship models!

[IdahoNYer]

9-10 Oct 43

Highlights – Combined Fleet goes to Babar, not Darwin!

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 3 (Akigumo, Natsugumo, Sawakaze)
SS: 1 (I-39)
E: 1
PB: 1
AK: 1
xAKL: 1

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 109
Allied: 26

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 9 Attacks, 5 ships hit (2DD, E sunk, TK, xAKL dam; also….CV Katsuragi and CA Atago missed! So now we’re hitting DDs and missing capital ships!!!)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: Combined Fleet heads to Babar, then on to Ambon. I’m confused….

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Hansa Bay Amph and supporting TFs reach New Hannover Island to stage. Will go into Hansa Bay next turn, will all LBA in support. This one will be a bit dicey - nearest airbase is Wau at 5 hexes, and a few at 6 hexes to provide support. That’s potentially a long way for continued LRCAP if this becomes a prolonged fight. Fortunately, I know where the Combined Fleet is at (Ambon), and it will take a few turns to transit to northern New Guinea if L_S_T decides to heavily counter. I don’t think this is likely at this point. After Hansa, will likely land on Umboi Is to clear a direct route along the New Guinea coast. Two Army divisions are fully prepped with support.

In SWPAC, well….L_S_T has me guessing here. Sure looked like Darwin was about to feel the wrath of the entire Combined Fleet. Instead, the fleet headed to Babar. Heavy synch bug, so I didn’t see everything. From what I pieced together from the combat reports, three TFs bombarded Babar in succession (3CA, CL, DDs / 2BB, 3CA, DDs / 3BB, 4CA, CL, DDs) which didn’t do much - damaged the port and inflicted less than 200 casualties with no major supply losses. Mines hit two DDs, one later sunk by subs, the other (Michishio) heavily damaged. The fleet then proceeded towards Ambon, with US subs picking off two DDs and missing a CV and CA. Also during the night, PTs sortied away from Babar to intercept a barge convoy contact heading toward towards Saumlaki from the north. PTs did great, intercepting at Molu, ripping through the convoy sinking a PB and a few barges (a few 40mm gun PTs do great work against barges!). Best of all some 400+ IJA troops were lost. Will attempt to intercept the return run next turn as well. In daylight, Jpn CV airstrikes hit Babar (no CAP) and Bathurst Is (heavy CAP). CAP over Bathurst does very well, about 50 Zeros, 18 Judys and 3 Jills lost to 3 P-39s, and a pair of P-40Ks. Didn’t see any of that with the synch bug! So now the IJN looks to be concentrated at Ambon again. Koepang is reportedly empty. The other side of Timor, at the Dili/Lautem side a CVE TF is reportedly located. Perhaps protecting an unlocated convoy? Will send a DD squadron out of Darwin to “investigate”. Will also send a DD squadron up towards Molu to catch that barge convoy the PTs rumbled with last turn. I doubt I’ll catch either, but its worth a shot. So, L_S_T sure has me guessing and scratching my head in the Banda Sea here. He’s sortied the Combined fleet to Koepang and back - just to rough up Babar? With ships concentrated here - and fuel expended - I’d expect at least a counter landing or a major disruptive effort at my staging base - Darwin or Bathurst. Maybe its still coming, but each time the KB sorties, the subs get another chance.

In China, another major attack at Chungking is held. 1-2 odds don’t reduce the forts and cost the IJA 16k casualties in exchange for 4600 Chinese. Again, lots of IJA engineers killed off which should buy time. I’m sure L_S_T will try again in a month or so, and in the mean time I can’t do anything to prevent another attempt. Still, with holding off these last two attacks - and most importantly, keeping the forts intact - my confidence is slowly growing that perhaps Chungking will hold??!!

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 128108 troops, 1383 guns, 1615 vehicles, Assault Value = 3895

Defending force 132703 troops, 443 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3160

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 5443

Allied adjusted defense: 9463

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
16237 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 1012 disabled
Non Combat: 112 destroyed, 237 disabled
Engineers: 176 destroyed, 178 disabled
Guns lost 68 (1 destroyed, 67 disabled)
Vehicles lost 295 (38 destroyed, 257 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
4650 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 241 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 133 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

In Burma, troops continue to slowly advance and reposition. Looks to be about 2 IJA (or RTA) divisions cut off north of Lashio and towards Myitkyina. IJA attack to “relieve” Myitkyina was held off by a Chinese Division and a division sized mixed force of US, Indian and Brit Bdes will attack Myitkyina next turn. Chinese troops will also attempt another push west of Paoshan against the IJA Mixed Bde defending in the mountain passes. Although being hit by Heavies for about a week, I don’t expect this attack to succeed. I’m also flying in a refitted Chinese Division from Ledo to Lashio to bolster the effort here. On the Rangoon front, nothing exciting - just shuttling troops as the IJA looks to be pulling out. May have enough troops to renew the attack towards Pegu in the next turn or so.

In the IO, no sign of the IJN coming out to disrupt the troop shuttling in the Andamans. Will start to move a Bde to Trinkat and pull troops off in the coming turns. That’s when I expect IJN CVs to come calling if any are left in the Malacca Straits area.

[jwolf]

So now [subs are] hitting DDs and missing capital ships!!!

In fairness, weren't those the DDs that hit mines? Basically, subs act like vultures and feast on the cripples even though a fantastic banquet is available for the taking elsewhere.

[IdahoNYer]

11-12 Oct 43

Highlights – Hansa Bay Amphib goes in; US DDs catch CVE TF at Lautem!

Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Fuso - replaces Haruna on “sunk list” from Little Andaman Battle in Jul43)
AK: 1
YO: 1

Jpn ships un-sunk:
BB: 1 (Haruna)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 73
Allied: 26

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK sunk)
Allies: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph:
Hansa Bay (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Myitkyina (Burma)

SIGINT/Intel: Combined Fleet remains at Ambon

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, assault shipping begins concentrating at Tabit for the Ponape landings. Venturas hit Jaluit to keep it “surpressed” while the Heavies rest.

In SOPAC, Hansa Bay Amph and supporting TFs reach Hansa Bay and commence Amphib ops. Wash BB TF bombards, no mines or daylight air encountered. Naval bombardment inflicts almost 400 casualties on the defenders which is based around a Naval Guard Unit, which is also pounded by LBA. 37th ID will attack next turn, and should take the base without too many casualties. Amph TF will largely withdraw, as will the Wash BB TF as all combat troops are ashore. A small follow on Amph TF will remain, supported by a DD TF and Minesweepers. Although only a few Jakes hit the TFs off Hansa Bay at night last turn (and were disrupted by PV-1N Ventura night fighters on LRCAP), I expect a heavy air raid next turn, and LRCAP is always challenged to provide an effective umbrella. Elsewhere, the IJA’s 38th ID has apparently moved into Salamaua, which fortunately still has two Allied Bdes defending it. The three other Allied Bdes that were engaging the 38th, will now have to slog through the jungle to catch up which will take at least a week or more. I hate the way land movement/combat works in this game!

In SWPAC, the US DD raids come up with some success, but not as good as it could have been. Arleigh Burke’s 6 Fletcher DDs draws heavy LBA attention as it headed toward Timor - even strafing/low naval attack Zeros (that were likely set to hit a barge or PT convoy to Babar). Fortunately I had set a squadron of Corsairs, P-38s and P-40s to provide LRCAP. Between the LRCAP and good AA, the Jpn fliers suffered heavily: 38 Zeros and 15 Jills for 3 P-40Ks. Burke continues to Lautem and on the second night intercepts the CVE TF rumored to be there. While all three CVEs were hit by gunfire, none seemed to seriously damaged and not a single torp found its mark. One US DD (Claxton) will have to head for repairs from two 5” hits. While a successful intercept, it was more of a missed opportunity to inflict better damage. Hoped for more from the Fletchers who were well led. US crew experience is still much less than desired (still in the 50s on average). The other DD flotilla (Mooseberger) also intercepted its target - this time the barge convoy near Molu -and somehow the barge convoy evaded combat! Another missed opportunity! But PTs out of Babar did intercept, but this time only a single barge was sunk in a brief engagement. After two days of engagements, I’m not sure if these barges were reinforcing or pulling troops out of Saumlaki. Next turn will try a Fast Transport convoy of 2DD and 4 APDs into Babar bringing in the lead elements of an Air Adv Baseforce to begin air operations shortly at Babar. The damage from the previous naval bombardments has been fully repaired, and the AF should be completed in a few days if the IJN stays away.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, it looks like the IJA is hastily pulling out of Burma, including Rangoon! This is a big surprise, I expected a firm holding/delaying action at Rangoon/Pegu at least. But all indications are all IJA troops are pulling out - and faster than Allied troops can advance. So on the Rangoon Front, Allied troops will begin moving towards Rangoon from Prome, and I don’t expect contact till they actually reach Rangoon, if they don’t find it abandoned by then. On the Pegu front, Allied troops will attack the delaying position in the jungle next turn with about 3 Divisions worth of troops against the estimated Div plus holding up the advance. Should be a tough fight! On the Taung Gyi front, a Gurka Bde cut the main road from Taung Gyi to Pegu which forces any IJA defenders in the Taung Gyi area to rely on secondary dirt roads for supply and movement - and forcing them to withdraw into the Burma interior once dislodged from Taung Gyi. Will attack Taung Gyi next turn with 2-3 Divisions worth of troops, but I expect the defenders to be well dug in. Neither of these attacks on the Rangoon front will be supported by LBA as all air is focused on the Lashio Front. The Chinese attack west of Paoshan was, as expected, held by the IJA Bde in the mountains with about 100 IJA troops lost to 500 Chinese. But one division and the armor regiment of the Indian XV Corps is now in the mountains after advancing from Lashio and will attack the hex just to the west of the Chinese attack next turn, supported by all the Heavies I can muster. The other division from the XV Corps is in the jungles headed north to Bhama and will engage the withdrawing troops from the Lashio fight. Both of these attacks are probably premature, but it’s a chance to hit the IJA Lashio force before it gets into the mountains. Lastly, Myitkyina falls as the IJA/RTA troops pull south behind the river to Bhama - despite the Chinese Div still holding the south side of the river crossing! Did I mention, I hate land combat mechanics in this game?! Anyway, the Allied force in Myitkyina will begin to head south in pursuit - hopefully the Chinese Division on the far bank will still be there to support by the time they attempt to cross the river. The biggest issue right now in the Burma Theater is that the tempo of operations is exceeding the Allied ability to support it. I expected more of a “set piece” battle where I could support the Lashio fight, and then switch to the Rangoon fight. But with the IJA forces pulling out of Rangoon rather quickly, both fronts really need the support, and there isn’t enough airpower to go around. Supply fortunately continues to come in sufficiently through Akyab, and once Rangoon is taken, the supply flood gates will open for the entire Theater. The challenge then will be shipping. More shipping is needed and is now just being diverted to Theater since Rangoon’s fall is likely about 2 months earlier than envisioned. I can live with a problem like that!

In the IO, it remains quiet, so I’m sending out another Amphib TF capable of lifting a Bde sized force towards Trinkat to accelerate ongoing the troop exchange. I want to take advantage of the bulk of the IJN apparently at Ambon to get the troops moved now. Also, will have all 3 Yorktown Class CVs back in action after refit in about two weeks, and CV Wasp/CVL Independence are repaired and will sail from Aden next turn. So, by 1 Nov, I think the Allied fleet should be built back up enough to cause some damage - which also coincides with the CVL Independence class changing its aircraft composition from 12F to 24 with TBFs going down to 9. That’s a great increase in fighter cover! Lastly, although insignificant results were achieved, the actual act does have far reaching consequences….Brit Liberators temporarily based in Trinkat hit Rangoon Port at night. Only 4 of 22 bombers “found” the target, and dropped ordinance, hitting an xAK in port. Still, knowing that Rangoon is now in range (albeit in range from only two squadrons), should give L_S_T pause and further spread his air defenders out.

[IdahoNYer]

13-14 Oct 43

Highlights – Hansa Bay taken; Allied attacks held in Burma while Trinkat SBDs hit ASW DDs

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 2 (Wakazuki, Hatsuharu-old)
PB: 1
SS: 1 (RO-106 - hit a mine at Babar, then finished off by SS Thresher)
TK: 1
AK: 1
xAKL: 1

Jpn ships un-sunk:
DD: 1 (Hatsuharu)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 82
Allied: 46

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK sunk)
Allies: 7 Attacks, 4 ships hit (SS sunk, 2xAKL, xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Hansa Bay (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: Combined Fleet still reported at Ambon

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, Hansa Bay taken on the first assault, 500 IJA loss to 100 US. The base was taken completely intact, the AF already operational with a squadron of Hellcats flown in. The US 37th ID will immediately begin heading along the trail to Madang. US DD TF (5DD)s, swept up the New Guinea coast to Hollandia, sinking a lone PB. Transports carrying engineers completely offloaded, and will head back to Tulagi, and their DD TF will do another coastal sortie. The first barge convoy with another engineer battalion will begin offloading next turn as well. Heavies will hit Madang next turn to begin the softening up process. Mediums will rest. BB Washington TF and the primary Amph TF continues to head to Tulagi. So far, so good in SOPAC.

In SWPAC, IJN sub RO-106 hits a mine at Babar and is sunk by the SS Thresher - first time we’ve been on the winning team in a sub vs. sub fight in a long, long time! Fast Transport TF (2DD, 4APD) drop engineers at Babar without incident, although IJA fighter sweeps with Oscar IVs were met by LRCAP out of Bathurst. The half dozen P-47s did well against the 20+ Oscars with 20 Oscars lost for a single P-47. Big Jpn convoy intercepted SE of Ambon in the Banda Sea by SS Gudgeon which missed an xAK and was heavily damaged by DCs. Not sure if this convoy was bringing in troops to Western New Guinea from Ambon or pulling troops out. IJN still in Ambon, so perhaps a counter invasion of Babar is in the mix? That would take a division. Outlying Para taken islands can fairly easily be re-taken if L_S_T puts minimal effort into it, single small battalion without forts or CD guns wouldn’t be tough to take. Will be interesting to see what happens. Too much fleet concentrated too far forward to just sit for long.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, not a good day. Attack at Taung Gyi fails miserably with about 500 IJA loss to 1800 Allied in the fist assault, and for whatever reason, the Allies thought a 1-5 attack would have better success the second day and attacked again! Another 800 Allied casualties with no gains. Most of the losses were taken by the 20th Indian Div and the 22nd East African Brigade which will be good only for garrison duty for a while. Taung Gyi can only be taken with fresh troops, so a Brit Division is heading that way, as is the US 43rd Div - but by the time both these divisions are ready to go, my bet is that L_S_T will have pulled out. Which is what he’s doing at a very rapid pace near Rangoon. The expected attack to dislodge the delaying force NE of Pegu didn’t happen as the defenders headed to Pegu. Allied troops should enter both Rangoon and Pegu in the next few turns. The question is will they be entering an abandoned base or not.

In the IO, L_S_T decided to conduct heavy sweeps over Trinkat, but no bombers followed up to strike at the transports. The sweeps were heavy and costly to the 3 squadron CAP - 35 Oscar IVs, and 24 Franks lost to 10 P-40K, 6 P-47 and 6 Spits. The Allied squadrons were largely swapped out with fresh (except the Spits) with few pilots lost. A Hellcat squadron was flown in should L_S_T try again next turn as transports will still lay at anchor bringing up the fighter strength to just over 100. Just hope the IJN stays away! The single SBD squadron at Trinket earned its pay finding and striking against an ASW TF that was patrolling the northern exit of the Straits of Malacca near Phuket - 2 of three DDs reportedly were hit and one of those hit reportedly sunk. Lastly, CV Wasp TF arrived on map from Aden, linking up with an escorting CA TF at Socotra where they will head to Colombo.

[jwolf]

Considering what L_S_T has had to bear at Chungking, you really don't have grounds for complaint at Taung Gyi. [:'(] But overall this looks like good, steady progress as the slowly increasing weight of Allied power takes control here and there.

I have to admit I have been surprised at how quiet the Japanese carriers have been ever since your critical defeat in the IO. I wonder if his carrier plane losses were higher than you thought (or at least, higher than I thought).

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Considering what L_S_T has had to bear at Chungking, you really don't have grounds for complaint at Taung Gyi. [:'(] But overall this looks like good, steady progress as the slowly increasing weight of Allied power takes control here and there.

I have to admit I have been surprised at how quiet the Japanese carriers have been ever since your critical defeat in the IO. I wonder if his carrier plane losses were higher than you thought (or at least, higher than I thought).

I'm sure L_S_T will agree with you whole heartedly about the Chungking vs. Taung Gyi losses when he reads this AAR in a year or two! [:D]

As for not being more aggressive with the CVs, I am a bit surprised too, but then again, I think he's cautious playing for the long game. With the US CVs knocked about, he's gained about 6mo breathing space, especially in the IO. Any counter landing in the Andamans would have been costly.

I figured he'd try a big raid - I really thought he was coming to plaster Darwin. But in any raid - or counter landing even, the costs could outweigh the immediate gains. Fuel, pilots and possibly capital ships would be expended and/or at risk - I'm not sure what the best outcome "gain" he could get. He's already gained time, and that's probably the best outcome of any IJN sortie for the long haul, no?


With Japanese production, I can't fathom he's short airframes. Pilots? Maybe, but I don't think he's short in '43. Maybe a year from now....perhaps....hopefully...

[jwolf]

It makes sense as you said, the time he gained is a lot more valuable than a few more Allied losses, unless he could score a very lucky strike. But I think it must be very tempting to try to raid with the IJN carriers, even if a risk/reward analysis doesn't really look good. L_S_T is playing very carefully and disciplined. Nevertheless, even with the "breathing space" in time as you put it, you have been able to make more progress in several areas. Once you get your big ships back, you may be in position to really break through with a big landing somewhere deeper.

[IdahoNYer]

15-16 Oct 43

Highlights – IJN Babar bombardment run costly; IJA air strikes hard at Trinkat again

Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Kirishima torpedoed, highly doubt its sunk….)
DD: 1 (Asashio - another Babar mine victim)
PB: 1
xAKL: 2

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 2 (I-39, I-165)

Allied ships sunk:
DE: 1 (Gilmore - to sub off Trinkat)
SC: 1
PT: 3

Air loss:
Jpn: 74
Allied: 38

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DE sunk)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (BB Kirishima hit w/ 1 torp by SS Hake)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN quiet except out of Ambon area.

West Coast/Admin: CV Bunker Hill and two CVLs enter the Pacific through the Panama Canal, heading to Pearl and CENPAC.

In NOPAC, US CL TF (2CL, 5DD) begins raiding along the Kurile chain so far without contact or success.

In CENPAC, BB Pennsy TF (BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) bombard Mujuro with minimal effect and returns to Roi to re-arm and refuel. Will set out to bombard Ponape supported by CVE TF (5CVE, CLAA, DDs) next turn as prep of Ponape heats up. Allied air begins to focus on Ponape ground troops. Elements of the Amph TF still congregating towards Tabit. Loading will begin next turn, but with a division sized landing it will take multiple turns to fully load.

In SOPAC, Umboi Island transports assembled at Tulagi, will head to Kirakira to begin loading Americal Division next turn for Umboi. Many US DDs undergo quick repairs at Tulagi. Engineers and now USMC Def Bn heading toward Hansa Bay. To cover the influx of troops, US DD TF (4DD) patrol along the New Guinea coast as far as Sarmi, sinking two xAKLs off Hollandia and a PB off Sarmi. To support more offensive operations along the New Guinea coast, advance elements of the fleet train (AKE, AGP, AD) will establish at New Hannover Island next turn. Jpn response so far to the Hansa Bay operation has been non existant. Lastly, Madang hit hard by B-24s as the next target of the advancing 37th ID.

In SWPAC, IJN BB TF (3BB, 3CA, CL, DDs) bombard Babar with minimal effect. PTs are brushed aside, sinking 3 as well as a SC disbanded in port. The “fuel barge” LST I had disbanded at Babar to fuel PTs was also damaged, but its still floating so can still support PT ops for now. IJN did not return to port unscathed. Mines claimed another DD, SS Hake put a torp into BB Kirishima and B-25s landed a bomb on CA Kinugasa at night starting a brief fire. In the air, sweeping Zeros (A6M5c models) tangle with small numbers of LRCAP Corsairs out of Bathurst, losing 10 to only one Corsair. Lastly, the IJN TF missed the just arriving barge convoy - which, with any luck can offload the troops/supplies and clear. Next turn will see another US Fast Transport run, and somewhat increased LRCAP over Babar in support. The question is what the IJN will bring to bear to run the sub and mine gauntlet to Babar.

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Indian troops clear a mountain hex closer to the stalled Chinese troops attacking from Paoshan who were again held by the IJA’s 65th Bde with heavy loss - 1300 Chinese lost for 150 IJA. The main IJA force that withdrew out of Lashio is still attempting to advance to block this mountain trail, and I’m going to try a low likelihood of success attack on this force next turn with a fairly battered Indian Division. I’m also brining in at least one, likely two US divisions to clear this corridor to China. I can do that as British troops have entered Rangoon and find a reportedly weak rear guard, and will attack next turn. Troops are still heading toward Pegu, also reportedly lightly head. So with some luck, Rangoon and Pegu will be in Allied hands before the end of the month, at which point the main Allied Burma Army will need to take a well deserved pause.

In the IO, IJN sub ventures into Trinkat and puts a fish into the Amph TF’s DE Gimore and likely survives the reported 6 hits in return. The air is the big show as sweeps again go in against Trinkat, but this time they preceed strikes against the TF offloading supplies and that will take a US brigade off. Tojos come in to sweep and are mauled by the CAP; 26 lost to two US fighters. But, they do tire out the CAP a bit, and 41 Lilly dive bombers come in well escorted by 39 Oscar IVs and 12 Franks which are met by 7 Spit Vs, 18 P-40K, 16 P-47, and 16 Hellcats. CAP does well, but not well enough; 15 Oscar, 2 Frank and 6 Lillys splashed for 2 P-40, 3 P-47, and 3 Hellcat. The remaining Lillys hit the TF, putting two 100kg bombs into CLAA Van Heemskerk and four on a big LSI(L) starting fires on both at the cost of 7 Lillys to AA fire. An expensive raid for the attackers, but the LSI(L) is heavily damaged and will have to be detached with a DD escort back to Colombo. The TF is still able to load an IN Bde, and the LSTs will load a tank battalion beginning next turn. CAP is again reinforced with two fresh Hellcat squadrons replacing the one there, and the Spits also pulled out. The wildcard of course is whether the IJN comes into play. Also in the Andmans, another convoy arrives in Port Blair and is offloading supplies before loading up an Indian Bde to bring to Trinkat and then take off another US Bde. So, the plan is to have much transport traffic at Trinkat in the coming days - if - and only if, the IJN stays away. I’m not ready to commit the US carriers back to the fight.

[IdahoNYer]

17-18 Oct 43

Highlights – US APDs get hung up at Babar and pay for it; Tuang Gyi taken and fighting begins in Rangoon.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-165)

Allied ships sunk:
APD: 3 (Chew, Gregory, Dent)

Air loss:
Jpn: 39
Allied: 31

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tuang Gyi (Burma)

SIGINT/Intel: Station Hypo has picked up chatter that the IJA’s 2ID is planning on attacking Babar. With the IJN still concentrated at Ambon, this is now very possible.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, US CL TF (2CL, 5DD) raid along the Kurile chain only manages to have CL Trenton hit a mine at Paramushiro. Moderately damaged (11/27(24)/0), she’ll make Amchitka, and then head stateside for repairs. Well…at least I know that Paramushiro is mined!

In CENPAC, BB Pennsy TF (BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) supported by CVE TF (5CVE, CLAA, DDs) heads to Ponape, and should bombard during the night. Allied continues to hit Ponape ground troops. Ponape Amph TF begins loading at Tabit, and will continue to do so for a few days before heading to stage at Kusaie.

In SOPAC, Umboi Amph TF begins loading at Kirakira. LBA begins softening up Umboi and other bases in the area. US DDs will again sortie along the New Guinea coast next turn to disrupt coastal shipping. New Hannover now capable of supporting DDs and PTs. More fighters flown into Hansa Bay as shipping begins jamming the harbor with both supplies and new arrivals.

In SWPAC, US Fast Transport TF (2DD, 4APDs) fails to clear Babar Is after dropping off Advn BF troops and is pounded by low level Oscar IVs, supported by heavy sweeps. LRCAP out of Bathurst is no where near enough, although 12 Zeros and 2 Georges are claimed in exchange for 4 P-47 and 3 F4Us. With the possibility of the IJA’s 2ID now planning to counter invade Babar, all US engineering effort is now going to focus on digging in. Fort level now at level 2 and should be at level 3 in a few days if the bombardments stay away. In response to the low level strafers, a barge TF will begin heading to Babar, escorted by a DD TF, but will hold short of the island, heavily covered by 4 fighter squadrons. Hopefully, I can avoid the sweepers and lure in the strafers. Even if this doesn’t pan out, the barges should then be able to make the short run from the holding hex to drop troops and supplies, and then head back home before dawn. Of course, the wild card is, as always, what will the IJN do?

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, the Central Burma campaign looks to be winding down. Fighting begins in Rangoon, with the Brit 18th Div supported by an Indian Armored Bde begins reducing the defenses. Two attacks with minimal losses to either side, 500 IJA and 150 Allied, manage to reduce the forts from level 4 to level 2. Allied attacks, with additionally arriving troops, will continue next turn which should secure the city. Allied troops also entered an undefended Pegu which was surprising as this cuts off the Rangoon defenders’ withdrawal route, and it was very defendable - the IJA main body is now in and around Moulmein. Also, the IJA did pull out of Taung Gyi, and the base is liberated by Allied troops in the hex. Again, even a token force would likely have required a costly attack, so I’m good with the IJA pulling out, and I’m surprised they are pulling to the SE along the trail instead of down the main highway towards Pegu. That was the good news in Burma. On the not so good news front, on the Lashio front, the already reduced Indian 23rd Div was held by the Lashio garrison troops south of Bhamo. Not really surprised here, but had to try the attack. At the river crossing south of Myitkyina, the Chinese Division attacking with the US Regiment and Indian Brigade got pummeled in getting across the river. 2700 Allied casualites, fortunately mostly in disabled squads. But the Allied troops are across the river, and now threaten Bhamo from the north. In any case, it’s likely going to take both US divisions to clear this “Bhamo Pocket” up and clear the route to Poashan.

In the IO, it was quiet. No raids against the convoys at Trinkat, and they successfully pulled off a US IN Bde and Tank Bn, and are halfway to Colombo. Another convoy will begin loading up an Indian Bde at Port Blair to transit them to Trinkat, and then take off another Bde. As with the Babar situation, the question is whether or not the IJN will come out to disrupt operations.

[IdahoNYer]

19-20 Oct 43

Highlights – Rangoon taken! KB at sea clobbers DDs and barges near Babar

Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 1
xAK: 1
xAKL: 2

Jpn ships un-sunk:
SS: 2 (RO-36, I-179)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Nicholas)
SS: 2 (Gudgeon, Scorpion)
SC: 1
PT: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 42
Allied: 42

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAKL dam) SS Gudgeon sunk by convoy escorts off Damar; Scorpion (already crippled by bomb) sunk by airstrike while in port at Babar.

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Rangoon (Burma)
Pegu (Burma)

SIGINT/Intel: Looks like L_S_T is making a major attempt to retake Babar; KB out at sea in force, and what looks like a major Amphib convoy at Damar heading towards Babar.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, CL Trenton two DDs will head to Bremerton for repairs.

In CENPAC, BB Pensy TF (BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) supported by CVE TF (5CVE, CLAA, DDs) bombards Ponape and is rudely surprised by mines and some nasty accurate 8” shore batteries. CVE Casablanca (12/34(29)/0) and DD Warrington (18/30(19)/0) both hit mines while CA Vincennes (16sys) takes a 8” shell. Bombardment accomplishes little. On the bright side, better to know Ponape has a robust CD battery and minefield in place prior to the Amphib landing. Will sortie minesweepers to see if they can reduce mines, but with the CD batteries, they’ll probably take the worst of it. Amphib TF continues to load at Tabit. Half the bombers will switch to hitting the port in an attempt to suppress the CD batteries. This one looks to be a tough nut to crack!

In SOPAC, Umboi Amph TF completes loading at Kirakira, and will head to Kiriwina to stage where it will link up with BB Wash TF. LBA continues to soften up Umboi and other bases in the area. US DD TF (6DDs) sink a PB and xAKL off Hollandia, and will continue to sweep the New Guinea coast before heading back to New Hannover. LBA will also make limited sweeps over Hollandia next turn - limited due to P-47 and Hellcat squadrons transferring to SWPAC due to the situation at Babar. More than enough LBA is avail to support Umboi Amphib ops, but fully suppressing Hollandia will have to wait. On the ground, 37th ID continues pressing towards Madang with a successful attack on delaying IJA 82nd Naval Guard, 775 Jpn casualties for only 50 US.

In SWPAC, that barge TF paused enroute to Babar, escorted by a DD TF (6DD) got pummeled by heavy KB airstrikes that the LRCAP was ill prepared to deal with. I actually consider myself lucky that only 1DD, a SC and 5 barges were sunk outright. 1DD will be scuttled, and the other 4 will need some sizeable yard time, but they should be able to reach the Brisbane yards. Babar is also the focus of concentrated LBA sweeps and a KB airstrike which sinks the fuel barge LST and the crippled SS Scorpion. The entire IJN, presumably with the Amph and bombardment TFs, look to be staged at Damar Island, and I can likely expect this armada to move on Babar next turn. The one US Bde and USMC Def Bn will have their work cut out for them! Forts are at level 2, 86% close to level 3 and there are still some 320 mines. Babar is 6 hexes from Bathurst Island, so its in fighter range. Allied air will have over 300 fighters available, but that 6 hex range will be costly, especially if the KB is in full support. Still, this might be an expensive foray for the IJN to retake Babar. Bottom line though is that if L_S_T wants to retake the island, he does have the forces available to do it as I’m still not committing major fleet elements in SWPAC any time soon.

[IdahoNYer]

In China, NSTR.

In Burma, Rangoon is liberated in the first attack, and in the second attack, the defending IJA 21st Ind Mixed Bde with an arty Reg retreats to the swamps to the SW. About 2500 IJA casualties to under 150 Allied. Surprisingly Rangoon was only at fort level 2! I expected a drawn out city fight to take Rangoon. Pegu flipped unoccupied was at fort level 3. This concludes the central Burma Campaign. IJA forces have pulled behind the river to defend the “Moulmein Line”, and Allied troops will need to reposition to the NE to flank them - there is no way I’m going to force a river line with the bulk of the IJA having pulled out of Burma successfully. At sea, minesweepers begin sweeping Rangoon, and transports are currently being loaded in Allied ports with both troops and supplies to head to Rangoon. The port of Rangoon is key - it is only at level 4, but it will be built to max (9), to bring in not only mass supplies to eventually get to China, but also to transit the bulk of the Allied support troops still in India/Burma border bases to Burma. Troops moving by foot off of Ramree are stopped, they will transit by ship. Of course, the earlier than expected seizing of Rangoon means necessary shipping is still enroute from Ceylon, but what is available is loading the first engineers at Chittagong and should head to Rangoon next turn. The other ground game in Burma is still ongoing to open the road to Paoshan, and another attack will be tried next turn with the fresh 14th Indian Div and supporting tank regiment attacking from the west to assist the bloodied Chinese elements attacking from the east. Airpower will fully support. LBA needs a rest badly, and also needs to reposition out of India to the Prome/Rangoon airfields. More troops are enroute to clear the IJA from this LOC, including US troops arriving by rail at Lashio, but it will be a few turns till they can fully re-deploy.

In the IO, it was quiet again. Troop shuttling continues to and from Trinkat. So far, so good.

[jwolf]

Half the bombers will switch to hitting the port in an attempt to suppress the CD batteries.

Dumb and/or rookie question -- did not know this -- attacking the port will also target the CD guns?

Also, given how tough, apparently, Ponape is, would it make sense to bypass it? What can you do with Ponape that you couldn't do better with, say, Kavieng?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Half the bombers will switch to hitting the port in an attempt to suppress the CD batteries.

Dumb and/or rookie question -- did not know this -- attacking the port will also target the CD guns?

Also, given how tough, apparently, Ponape is, would it make sense to bypass it? What can you do with Ponape that you couldn't do better with, say, Kavieng?

I am not so sure it is because of the port attack that the CD guns were targeted. I have used Ground Attack quite often to target LCUs in a base and they do attack the Naval Fortress as a priority. After that the unit with the highest AV seems to be most targeted. So that makes me think that the Squadron Commander used initiative to change from Port Attack to Ground Attack to hit the most dangerous unit he saw - the CD Unit or Naval Fort.
I have seen Air Squadrons change targeting contrary to orders before, most often to attack an adjacent hex instead of the one ordered.

[jwolf]

Thanks, BBfanboy, that's very interesting. The AI targeting actually does a better job than I do, most of the time! [:D]