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Got a msg not delivered msg so I'm not sure Ken received yesterdays turn!

It's never nice to get a fleet carrier crippled or sunk, that's for sure. After this raid the KB will support a convoy to Lae but except
from this it will only be used for raiding and counter strike missions. Soon there will be too many advanced enemy fighters around the Allied
bases and this makes it very difficult to fend of the bombers.

So it's not a lack of carriers that will hurt me but the lack of a carrier fighter that can stand up against their opponents.
(I receive 2 new fleet carriers within a month and another one in 2 + the 2 converted CS' in 3)
But I've seen the uninevitable coming for some time Al - that the Kaga was hit may have been a milestone - even though a flawed CAP must hold some
of the responsibility. It's time to change tactics and dig in. Fewer 'public showcases' and more hit and run missions from now on.

I still expect my transports in the Solomons to take quite a few hits, but if I can't get in a 10-15k of supplies my troops will start rotting away asap.

ORIGINAL: PzB

Got a msg not delivered msg so I'm not sure Ken received yesterdays turn!

It's never nice to get a fleet carrier crippled or sunk, that's for sure. After this raid the KB will support a convoy to Lae but except
from this it will only be used for raiding and counter strike missions. Soon there will be too many advanced enemy fighters around the Allied
bases and this makes it very difficult to fend of the bombers.

So it's not a lack of carriers that will hurt me but the lack of a carrier fighter that can stand up against their opponents.
(I receive 2 new fleet carriers within a month and another one in 2 + the 2 converted CS' in 3)
But I've seen the uninevitable coming for some time Al - that the Kaga was hit may have been a milestone - even though a flawed CAP must hold some
of the responsibility. It's time to change tactics and dig in. Fewer 'public showcases' and more hit and run missions from now on.

I still expect my transports in the Solomons to take quite a few hits, but if I can't get in a 10-15k of supplies my troops will start rotting away asap.

I have not yet fought Corsairs in a WITP PBEM but in UV their arrival was always for me the sign that offensive operations by carriers were over. Two squadrons of Corsairs may trash a heavy Zero CAP enough so that bombers may get trough, and they have no more 50-exp crews. Cruising juts outside Corsair range and draw P-38 escorted raid is OK on the other hand and far less risky.

As for losing transports in the Solomons, it is a choice of losing them or losing AC and ships sent there to protect them. It depends of what is the most important for you. By the way sending forces to protect them and draw Allied reaction is the only way to allow them to get trough and unload but I will not spend one more day in the area to assure their escape once they have unloaded.

Very much true Laurent! I've counted on an extremely heavy CAP to fend of enemy fighters and bombers thus far and it was this that failed yesterday.
If I stay at least 5 hexes away from enemy land bases there should be less risk.

For the time being I'm willing to sacrifice transports and lower value LCU's and to a certain extent Zero's. My training camps in China can replace losses
quickly enough. What I'm not willing to sacrifice are carriers and surface warships. Especially my cruisers and destroyers are valuable. The latter are often hit
but they usually get back to port. One of the convoys to Shortland includes AK's that will take too long to unload in a size 1 port...I'm afraid they'll pay the price but
there are still 60 Zero's and a surface combat group left to protect them.

Battleships are not very useful anymore and I prefer to use them as escort vessels. The new rules means that even 5x500lb bomb hits on a ship like Musashi causes
16 sys damage and 8 fires. This is clearly too much as it takes 4 months to repair even these superficial damages in a large port.

Fast IJN battleships are always useful for bombardments. In 1943 it is the cheapest way to destroy Corsairs...

Just wondering about your training program in China. Are you using Mogami's method, ie disbanding air units, rebuilding them 90 days later with low-exp pilots and then train them and sending them again to the battle area ? Or do you rotate your units, fill the blanks and then let them train in China until all pilots are good enough ?

True, but my fast battleships are also my best carrier escorts. Using the Fuso's for bombardments and Yamato's and Nagato's for that and surface combat.
At Munda there are - like so many other places - 20 PT boats. Don't want my bb's caught in such a skirmish.

No, I'm not using the Mog method. I rotate my air units after they're down to ca 30% of their max strength. Can't afford to wait 90 days for them to reform.
By using this rotation system each Daitai is allowed to keep their cadre of highly experienced pilots and these are trained even more before returning to the front.
Much the same way the Nazis rebuilt their crack SS divisions after they were mauled in combat. It can be done quickly and with relatively good results.

A couple of interesting turns!
Lots of air and sea action the Solomons - as expected. Losses are about equal.
I notice that no fewer than 37 Corsairs have been destroyed in 1 month and 13 days.
That's about half the production thus far.

The enemy looses 3 destroyers and the battleship Colorado is hit by two torpedoes.
1 Jap destroyer and 2 light cruisers are lost together with a few transports.

I'm rather pleased that my cargo ships at Shortland have been left alone and more
than 12k of supplies have been unloaded and the engineers are busy raising the forts.
5 and building now. Same story at Buin!

A little dissappointed that my bombers in Guinea doesn't hit the unescorted transports
that unloaded at Merauke. I've moved int escorts and additional naval bombers..but even
with an Air HQ it's a no go.

The Kaga reached Green Island but wasn't allowed to unload her air groups. I then ordered
the KB together with several escort groups to protect her on her way towards Rabaul.
In the first turn she had gone from 84/32/34 to 87/43/10 and in the second to 92/48/4.
As you can see the fires have been brought under control and both sys damage and flooding
have only increasing moderately. She's now only 2 hexes from Rabaul and should disband into
the harbour tomorrow. Talk about a close call...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/12/43

Invasions

Ken continues to land a full Oz div + a SeaBee unit. Woodlark - the
unoccupied island just east of GG also receives visitors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1021 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1168 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 59,94

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1021 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 63,86

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami
DD Shinonome
DD Fubuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
SS Cuttlefish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,87

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Numakaze
DD Satsuki
DD Murasame
DD Makigumo
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS Haddo, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 66,86

Japanese Ships
APD APD-36
APD APD-34
APD APD-31
DD Wakatake
DD Yakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Haddock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 60

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
48 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92 - squalls over Shortland

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD Dauntless x 4
TBF Avenger x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asakaze
AP Shinwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage - the cargo has been unloaded!

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBF Avenger x 8
Kittyhawk I x 10
Beaufort V-IX x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 12
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Tama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Asakaze
DD Yuzuki
CL Naka, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage - the Naka is a burning wreck
AP Shinwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
All SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92

Allied aircraft - strafing and skip bombing attack. Ken complains - morale dropped from 92->20 [:'(]
B-25J Mitchell x 36

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Tama Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru
DD Asakaze
CL Naka, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Taiho Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
A-20G Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93 - the surface group at Shortland is target instead of my transports!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
Kittyhawk I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buka at 63,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
PC Shonon Maru #3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
TBF Avenger x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 3 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Green Island at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

There are only very few Jap troops leftat Merauke as my transports are picking them up.
They still repulse a heavy Allied attack [&:]

Ground combat at Merauke

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5230 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 387 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/13/43

Invasions

Loads of enemy troops at Merauke now...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1021 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
378 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1156 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1002 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 59,94

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1021 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
382 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1156 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub/ASW Attacks

Two retiring and damaged transports are found by the subs and sunk!

ASW attack at 66,86

Japanese Ships
APD APD-36
APD APD-34
APD APD-31
DD Wakatake
DD Yakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Haddock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 63,87

Japanese Ships
AP Sumiyoshi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
PC Shonon Maru #3
PC Seki Maru #2
PC Toshi Maru #3
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS Cuttlefish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,90

Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

I tried to bombard Vella Lavella and several enemy TF's reacted! Tanaka got
the better out of them sinking 5 PT boats and several destroyers.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94
This first engagement was rather short and inconclusive

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 3
CA Shropshire
DD Russell
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94 - enter the PT boats

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire

Allied Ships
PT PT-296
PT PT-297
PT PT-298, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-299
PT PT-300, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-301, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94 - this second round was more...fruitful!-)

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire - yet another bb is long lanced
CA Shropshire (lucky British ba$tard..)
DD Russell, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Stuart, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo, on fire
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-189
PT PT-190
PT PT-219
PT PT-222
PT PT-224, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-295, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Shortlands at 63,93 - a PT group moves into Shortland

Japanese Ships
AK Shinetsu Maru, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-127
PT PT-187
PT PT-188
PT PT-191
PT PT-196
PT PT-220
PT PT-221
PT PT-223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 40

Allied aircraft losses - Hansa is well defended and will be difficult to subdue
PBY Catalina: 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 7
Hudson I x 12
P-38G Lightning x 34
B-17E Fortress x 29

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Runway hits 10
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
17 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95 - I try to hit Ken's bombers at Munda as I assume that his fighters are busy escorting his bomers.
I'm right but even 86 Sally's doesn't achieve much.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Ki-21 Sally x 92

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 3
P-38G Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 5 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Uga Maru
DD Karukaya
CL Isuzu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Green Island at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zeke x 12

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2 (bounces)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buka at 63,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
TBF Avenger x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92 - the damaged ships from the surface engagement attracts a lot of attention!

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-38G Lightning x 9
B-26B Marauder x 21

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
All B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Green Island at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,90 - this attack targetted the burning Kaga and her very heavy CAP. That's a negative [;)]

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
TBF Avenger x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
SBD Dauntless x 8
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
AK Shinetsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Merauke

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8935 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 241 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 100 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Merauke base !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses: - I got my men out! The few remaining SNLF troops banzai charge the banana benders!
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1367 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 32 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Derelicts

I scuttled these ships and saved a few points...

Today saw the remaining straggles in the Solomons being engaged by enemy air and sea units.

The Kaga reached Rabaul and has been disbanded into port while her air wings have been moved
ashore and then on to Truk. Damage is now at 93/60/2 - hopefully the water will be pumped out over
the next week. Then we'll move her to Truk and repair her to ca 50 sys before she goes home to Japan.
I don't think she'll be ready for her 4/43 upgrade - the 4/44 sounds more logical [:'(]

We have received substantial reinforcements! Another Burma Area Division has appeared at Shanghai.
This one goes to Kendari. New HQ units, aviation regiments and base forces are also available in Tokyo.
Not sure were I should send them, the Marianas perhaps.

In the next 3-4 months we'll receive another 3 div's and several amph brigades and army regiments.
These will be sent to both the Marianas, New Guinea, Truk and the DEI. It should be possible to strengthen
most of the important bases and prepare two powerful counter attack armies - one at Truk and another one
in the DEI.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/14/43

Surface Combat

The PT boats sink another of my cargo ships of Shortland while ac finished
yet another. The last has been disbanded into port - I got some 65% of their
cargo ashore. Not bad...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese Ships
AK Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-127
PT PT-187
PT PT-188
PT PT-191
PT PT-196
PT PT-220
PT PT-221
PT PT-223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A section of Oscars from Wewak troddles of to Hansa to defend against air strikes.
Most unwelcome...but they actually turn away 90% of the bombers as their morale
is very low <G>

Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87 - my massive supply convoy to Wewak has
now been divided through New Guinea and Lae also received it's fair share [:)]

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
Boomerang II x 7
Hudson I x 13
P-38G Lightning x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 12
B-17E Fortress x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Naval Construction Battalion, at 47,87 - I order these Sally's to hit
Merauke as there isn't a base force there - yet!

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,94

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* (same ship that was engaged by the PT boats...a double effort in other words!-)

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
SBD Dauntless x 14
TBF Avenger x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* (another damaged straggler)

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95 - yet again my bombers stay home while the escort dies for nothing [:@]

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD Dauntless x 16
Beaufort V-IX x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 7
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 47,87 - finally the bombers go against the undefended targets

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Sagadahoc, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Kentuckian
AK Minnesotan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Herald, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK Alnitah, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK Megrez, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Note the TF commander (and most likely Sendai captain) in the screenshot above [:D]

But a amazing result in that battle between that bunch of old CAs and the BB+CA - praise the japanese night battles

There are quite a few anomalies in this game WhoCares...
Yesterday Ken lost an LCU that tried to march from PM to Salamua. Just
dissappeared. This turn the combat animations were turned off! [&:]
Also got an international bag of commanders in my roster!

Night battles with Tanaka is one of my favorites [:D] I value my ca's just as
much as my carriers. It's a shame I don't get any replacements during the war.
So I only use the older vessels in missions of secondary importantce.

Less action in the Solomons now, most of my ships have returned to Truk and I'm
busy reorganizing my burned out Daitai's. In a few turns I'll prepare another convoy
mission - to Finschafen this time. A strong escort will also be provided for the Kaga.
She will be moved from Rabaul to Truk in 2 days. Sys damage stabilized at 92 while
flood is down to 29.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/43

Surface Combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1178 encounters mine field at Shortlands (63,93)

Allied Ships
PT PT-190, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2066, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-296
PT PT-297
PT PT-299
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

Sub attack at 66,86

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
APD APD-36
APD APD-34
APD APD-31
DD Wakatake
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
SS Haddock, hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Hansa , at 53,83

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 27

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
Hudson I x 12
P-38G Lightning x 35
B-25J Mitchell x 12
B-17E Fortress x 24


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Runway hits 18
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
22 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 7
P-38G Lightning x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
Kittyhawk I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2052, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - doubt it was worth the effort

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Phobos, Torpedo hits 1
AK Megrez
AK Leonis

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/16/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,87

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami
DD Shinonome
DD Fubuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
SS Cuttlefish, hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

If Oscar's can shoot down Boomerang II's - they ain't worth dip$hit [8|]

Day Air attack on Merauke , at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Received another A6M3 Daitai in Japan as well as a full strength Lily group. The Lily's will serve in China
and in a asw role until they upgrade to Randy's in late 44.

In Truk a large fast transport TF will move an engineer regiment to Finschafen. I'll try to make it difficult
for Ken to shut down both Lae and Finschafen.

Kaga is down to 13 flood and a large escort group is enroute to Rabaul including 2 CS. I'm mostly concerned about the
sub threat. Several of the Oscar II groups in the South Pacific have also been moved to Truk. They're at between 30 and 40%
of full strength and I'll replace losses and train them in China.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/17/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

2 ships are hit by US subs today - unloaded fortunate. The transport
may sink but the tanker will be fine. Ken has placed a sub in Balikpapan
harbour. I've seen it but a routine convoy arrived before my asw group.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 50,47

Japanese Ships
AP Tafuku Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 6
PC Showa Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
TK Ayazono Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 13
PG Santo Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #51
APD APD-38

Allied Ships
SS Grayback
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Another raid against the Chinese AF at Chunkging. They stubbornly
continue to carry out small size raids against my troops.

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-48 Lily x 64

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 2 destroyed
SB-2c: 3 destroyed
IL-4c: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 76

Aircraft Attacking:
All bomers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chengtu , at 41,29

Japanese aircraft - tried to find some B-25's - no one home..
Ki-49 Helen x 78

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-49 Helen bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
Hudson I x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 32

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombersl bombing at 5000, 6000 and 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 37th Division, at 45,34

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 9
SB-2c x 23


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
All IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
All SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,87 - this is an ASW TF that ventured too far south!

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-40B Tomahawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x P-40B Tomahawk attacking at 100 feet
3 x P-40B Tomahawk attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95 - AGAIN my bombers didn't follow the escort [:o]

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-38G Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Merauke , at 47,87 - I forgot to cancell the sweep

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Green Island at 63,89

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-354, Shell hits 4
AG AG-113
AG AG-5030, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
All P-40B Tomahawk attacking at 100 feet

ORIGINAL: PzB

Interesting - the task force commander appears to be Allied [&:][&:][&:] - Lt PRINGLE

Some Allied officers have seen the rightousness off our struggle for a greater
Asian co-prosperity sphere and joined the Imperial ranks Tallyho [;)]

Ken said he wondered whether there were any damaged ships in Rabaul (the Kaga)
and if his bombers could get to them. 41 Liberators came and were turned away by
the 75 ac strong CAP. 14 of them were shot down!

The Kaga has been 'pumped' and set out from Rabaul toward Truk under heavy
escort today. Will be 5 dangerous days before she arrives. Weather is going to
be foul over the next few days though.

I've moved 3 more ASW groups to the DEI and another one back to Japan.
need more escort and asw ships in these regions. The 8th Heavy Arty Brigade
and 3 Heavy AA Regiments have been released from China and are enroute to
the Marianas and Truk.

In Japan several smaller yards and armaments factories have been ordered to
expand. Nakajima engine production has also been expanded again.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/18/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

The sub that hit one of my tankers yesterday - the USS Grayback got its
payback today. Ken didn't move her R.I.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 13
PG Santo Maru
PG Kongosan Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #51
APD APD-38
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayback, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 27

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 13 destroyed, 15 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buin , at 64,92

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 67
B-25C Mitchell x 64

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 75

Aircraft Attacking:
64 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buin , at 64,92

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
P-40B Tomahawk x 2

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
TBF Avenger x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
8 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet

I've been trying to prepare both a tactical and strategical agenda for the remainder of the war!
How should the war be conducted in the fase of overwhelming enemy quantity and quality?
It's not easy to come up with the answers to this.

Nothing much will happen until the second half of 1943, so I've divided the remaining years of the war
into the following phases:

Phase 1 and 2

July-December 1943
January - June 1944

During these phases the Marshalls, Solomons, New Guinea and the area around Timor will come
under enemy attack. The strategic goal is to prevent the enemy from isolating Rabaul and Truk for
as long as possible and to protect our resources in and around the DEI. The tactical goal is to preserve
the Combined Fleet - especially the KB - as a capable force that is able to threat and hurt the enemy.

The units that are already in place in the Marshalls and Solomons will have to stand and fight as it will
become very difficult to bring in reinforcements or evacuate units. We will fight hard to win time but at the same
time units or critical importance will not be sacrificed unless there is a chance to inflict major enemy casualties.
(I'm especially thinking of the Navy's carriers, cruiers and destroyers as well as the army's crack divisions here.)

Since the KB will receive another 3 fleet carriers and 2 light carriers in this period I will consider using them as
commerce raiders when the enemy fleet is occupied with a major offensive somewhere. 3-4 carriers between the
West Coast and Pearl Harbour has the potential to disturb the buildup of enemy forces (This will only happend after
the KB becomes inferior to the enemy carriers. I assume that this shift will take place sometime in early 1944).

The all out effort by the Combined Fleet will not be triggered until the Marianas, the Philippines or Java are threatened.
It's important to maintain a powerful force for the decisive battles - if the Allies can be checked in one of these places
much will have been achieved.

The Sensuikan - the submarine arm has been seriously weakened and will be preserved. I'm planning on using them after a
major naval engagement. The subs are good at finishing cripples!

The Army and Navy Air Force will undertake increasingly more defensive positions throughout 1943. Bases in the forward
defense perimeter will not be defended by large formations of fighters and bombers after the enemy gains superiority in
the air through the use of advanced interceptors and overwhelming numbers. I'm more inclined to believe that smaller
numbers of Oscars and Zeros together with Vals and Kates are suitable in late 1943. By transferring these units to and
from the various bases it should be possible to force the enemy to be careful and thus forcing him to disperse.

A buildup of fuel and supplies will also be of crucial importance in this period. So will the continued construction of bases and
fortifications in the next defensive perimeter - Northern New Guinea, the Philippines and bases in the DEI. I don't think the
Allies will be strong enough to hit India until phase 3 and 4, but the continued construction of fortifications will continue.
I'm mostly concentrating on secondary bases like Panaji, Trivandrum, Madras now. Colombo and Trimcomalee also need
reinforcements.

I'll soon halt production of the most common ac types - there are so many in the pools that I don't need anymore.
We're going to need a lot of production capacity to upgrade all our obsolete Zero's when the Zeke arrives in the last months
of 1943. Some of these Daitais together with Frank, George and other advanced types will be trained to a very high level in
China. I want an elite Air Army to wind down enemy carrier air groups when they come for the Marianas or the Phillippines.

Seeing things in a long perspective it becomes clear to me that I have to preserve my fighting strength for the decisive
battles to come - most likely in 1944. If the enemy can't be defeated then, I don't really need a fleet as judgement day will
be next anyway [:'(] So we lead a flexible and aggressive defense until the end of 1943 and until the enemy threatens the
Marianas or the Phillippines. Then we strike back with all we got! It is essential that we can inflict heavy casualties upon
the Americans until then as this will increase our chance of success.

Phase 3 and 4

July - December 1944
January-June 1945

The decisive battles for the Marianas, the Philippines or bases in the DEI or India will take place in this period.
If the Phillippines are invaded kamikaze missions will be triggered. An enemy air offensive against strategic
targets will also commence in this period and seriously strain Japans ability to wage war. Subs will also cause an
increasing amount of victimes.

Is it possible to preserve the Combined Fleet as a viable force throughout this period? Probably not, after mid 44
the enemy will be in total control of the high seas.

Phase 5 and 6

July-December 1945
January-June 1946

In these phases the enemy will be advancing towards the Home Islands and the use of Kamikazes will become more
and more common. I expect the last year of the war to become quite horrendous....but a possible invasion of the Home
Islands will be interesting.

Phase 7

June 1946 -> end of war

Will the war continue this long?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next 3 months (03-06-43) will be used to reinforce and prepare my defenses and strike at the enemy when there's an
opportunity.

Comments, suggestions?

After thinking about it for a few weeks I've decided that Timor will receive substantial reinforcements!
The KB can protect the convoys from the North - a good 8-9 hexes away from the bases in Oz. I'll bring 2+ divisions, base forces, engineers
and lots of supplies. It will take Ken quite some time to reduce it.

Having the Allies mount long range B-29 attacks from Timor doesn't sound like much fun to me [:'(]
I will try to identify the necessary forces and organize the operation over the next 3-4 weeks.

Another issue: I've been editing the combat reports for this AAR for quite some while and what I'm curious about is
whether I still leave too much? A summary of losses each day could replace some of the tedious bits, e.g. Warhawks that are
strafing barges etc. The difficult part is to include enough to give you readers a full picture.

A monthly production overview + a short summary of events in China would also make it possible to reduce the CR's further.

Hi John

I have a personal preference to deleting what I see as routine in the combat report. Everything else I like adding a comment. I think I read the comments before I look at the combat report and if the comment is prudent I have a better look at the report. I do not frequent authors who just copy and paste their combat replay into the AAR.

You have a style much like my own so I really enjoy reading your thoughts. So, to answer your question directly, I think as long as you are commenting on the parts of the report you leave in then I am happy...

1 person's opinion.

Your plan is sound for the rest of the war. As always the best laid plans never survive contact with the enemy but there are some obvious places the allies are going to attempt to go and you appear to have covered them very nicely. I always feel that committing divisons to defense is a dangerous thing as the Japanese - if you are bypassed when the Allies are rampant you are going to struggle to get them out again - so choosing the places you do put divisions requires some thought. I don't know - maybe splitting up the divisions into regiments is a more effective way of covering the outer or secondary defensive rings?

As you have already so insightfully opinioned the loss of the Marianas is the tolling of the death bell for Japan. The problem being that loosing any of the islands equates to the loss of the whole group. So defense here has to be extremely pugnacious.

You are a master at the rapid reaction reinforcement so I think you set yourself up for such an attempt. Do as you've said by making sure you have the most supplies you can at each base. Then use Iwo Jima or a Phillipines base to get extra regiment/s into the location under attack. The timing will be vital as you are likely to meet up with bombardment and surface groups - but otherwise I don't know how you really make it hard for the allies other than moving a division plus to each of these islands. This may be possible with the way you have hammered India and China though (allowing reinforcements from here). Herein lies the quandary you will face: how much to commit to this defense out of how much is left? When you loose the Marianas there is little point in having a large navy anyway - the bombers will be coming!!!

I like the idea of your carriers going on a nuisance tour. You may be able to draw away a few of his carrier forces to chase yours allowing more troops into the combat zone. Transport planes ferrying from the other islands, augmenting the defense of the island he chooses to liberate first, will also benefit from no LRCAP off the carriers.

It is much like playing the Allies when the Japs are rampant - you have to try and strike obliquely. In most cases it wont come off as you are so outclassed but as the Japs in this early war it still feels like you can be hit from all sides and this can start to make you spread out a bit with your covering forces.

As another aside - you don't mention the Kuriles? Is this by design or do you just not expect landings there? It is the hardest thing about playing "the later years" Japan - too many places to cover and an awful prospect if you don't cover them all!!! However, at least your ground troops are still as good if not better than the allied troops - no amount of technology undermines you there.

I did this analysis for my AAR at Paradox interactive. I think it will show that the allied major offensive will start before june 1944, or perhaps even before 1944.

You also have to consider that in my AAR my opponent has lost all of his pre war us carriers + essex (hornet and essex were scuttled after this analysis was made) I think Nomad here has 3-4 pre-war carriers left + a good base to hop into the marshalls, makin i think? And his sunk carriers should arrive earlier i'd think? Didn't he lose some of them in may or april ?

[center]Intelligence review, end of February 1943[/center]






Recent events at and near Canton island have given us numerical superiority over our enemies again, atleast in carrier strength. Therefore an intelligence study has been issued to make clear when the enemy will launch his new carriers and regain it's superiority over our forces again.


Currently the enemy is reported to have:

CV Illustrious (british) 33 capacity
CV Formidable (british) 33 capacity
CV Victorious (british) 33 capacity - has just arrived in Karachi and won't be available in the pacific before a month or two
CVL Independence 30 capacity
CV Hornet 90 capacity - Heavily damaged, probably won't be operational before 5 months
CV Essex 90 capacity - Same as Hornet

My opponent has indicated that atleast one british carrier lost it's airgroups on Noumea, so they are employing marine squadrons of sixe 24 instead.

Therefore we can reason that the enemy has offensive carrier capacity (we leave out Hornet and Essex for 5 months) of:

87 fighters
24 torpedo bombers

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

April 1943:

CVL Princeton will be launched

Offensive power

108 fighters
33 torpedo bombers

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

May 1943:

CVL Belleau Wood will be launched

Offensive power

129 fighters
42 torpedo bombers

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

June 1943:

CVL Cowpens will be launched

Offensive power

150 fighters
51 torpedo bombers

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

July 1943:

CVL Monterey, CVE Breton* and CVL Prince William* will be launched

Offensive power

171 fighters
70 torpedo bombers

* indicates a CVE with replenishment squadrons only, can't be used in combat ops

July 1943 also sees the introduction of F6F Hellcat into service

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

August 1943:

CV Bunker Hill and CVL Cabot will be launched. CV Hornet and CV Essex will probably be repaired.

Offensive power

300 fighters
108 dive bombers
124 torpedo bombers

By now the carrier fleet should number

3 American CV's
3 British CV's
5 CVL's
2 CVE*'s

Also all carrier squadrons should be upgraded to F6F hellcats by then, enemy will probably take to an offensive. Our own A6M5 Zeke fighters are still a month away.

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September 1943:

CV Intrepid, CVL Langley and CVE Casablanca* will be launched

Offensive power

357 fighters
144 dive bombers
148 torpedo bombers

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October 1943:

CVE Corregidor will be launched

Offensive power remains the same due to CVE's slow speed

Convoy defense

16 fighters
12 torpedo bombers

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November 1943:

CVL Bataan, CVE Anzio, CV Liscome Bay and CVE Battler (arrives in Karachi) will be launched

Offensive power

378 fighters
144 dive bombers
157 torpedo bombers

Convoy defense

64 fighters
44 torpedo bombers

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December 1943

CV Franklin, CVL San Jacinto, CVE Barnes*, CVE Manila Bay and probably CV Yorktown and CV Lexington (essex class carriers named after sunk prewar carriers) will be launched

Offensive power

507 fighters
252 dive bombers
211 torpedo bombers

Convoy defense

80 fighters
56 torpedo bombers

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January 1944:

CV Enterprise and CV Saratoga will most proably be launched

Offensive power

579 fighters
324 dive bombers
241 torpedo bombers

Convoy defense remains same

Enemy will have

3 British CV's
9 American CV's
8 CVL's
4 CVE*'s
4 American CVE's
1 British CVE

If not before then now the enemy will surely start his offensive

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February 1944:

CVE Natoma bay, CVE Kalinin Bay and CVE White Plains will be launched

Offensive power will remain the same

Convoy defense

128 fighters
92 torpedo bombers

The enemy will also recieve 2 brand new Iowa class battleships. In recent months he has also recieved 2-3 new and several older battleships, making his battleline also superior to ours.

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March 1944:

CVE Kitkun Bay and CVE Gambier Bay will be launched

Offensive power remains the same

Convoy defense

160 fighters
116 torpedo bombers

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April 1944:

6 new CVE's in San Francisco and 2 CVE's in Karachi

Offensive power remains the same

Convoy defense

288 fighters
204 torpedo bombers

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May 1944:

4 new CVE's launched in San Francisco

Offensive power remains the same

Convoy Defense

352 fighters
252 torpedo bombers

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June 1944:

CV Ticonderoga, CV Bennington and 5 CVE's launched in San Francisco

Offensive power

651 fighters
396 dive bombers
271 torpedo bombers

Convoy defense

432 fighters
312 torpedo bombers

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As one can see the enemy numerical superiority will be overwhelming, and that will be without his land based aircraft support.

By june 1944 the enemy can put 650+ fighters and 660+ bombers into a fast carrier raid, that's over 1000 planes, even our land based air cannot match that. Add to that another 400 fighters flying cap over his invasion convoys and..

Will your opponent get those British ships when he doesn´t controll India anymore?

ORIGINAL: Frank

Will your opponent get those British ships when he doesn´t controll India anymore?

No he won't, atleast not until karachi or bombay is liberated. I must hasten to add though that the fact that MY opponent lost all 6 of his early CVE's will balance the loss of british carriers on PZB's opponent's behalf.

Thx for the replies guys!

You're right Al, I try to remove the tedious parts. You've also seen that I reorganize the CR into a surface combat,
air and ground combat part. This makes it easier to scroll down to the interesting stuff. I'll try to remove more 'routine'
happenings as you say and concentrate on the juicy stuff [;)] It's just like writing a precise...

Yeah, the Marianas will be WELL defended! I'm thinking of using the bulk of my 350 transport ac to fly in reinforcements
when I know what base Ken goes after first. In order to manage this I have to prepare a base that got both reinforcements,
supplies and base forces that can provision 200 transports or so. This base should be no further than 6-7 hexes away from
Saipan, Tinian and Guam.

Not given the Kuriles that much thought - I've reinforced Paramushiro and will but a few more troops there in due time.
There are no other suitable bases in the chain, and an attack on Japan proper will trigger Kamikazes - I don't think Ken wants
to meet them too early. Weather is foul as well up there, but you're right - I have to keep the place in mind if nothing else.
Perhaps a few spy subs could lurk around the Allied anchorages and provide me with intel.

Great resyme String! Really usefull... The British only got 2 cv's left - I sank one + the Hermes. I'm really glad that I don't get
to see those pests with Corsairs [;)] I recently sank 2 CVE's of Lunga and crippled a third. In addition to this I've sunk 3 US
fleet carriers. So according to your roster it will be January-February before Ken goes onto the offensive big time. The interesting
question is how quickly he will receive enough destroyers and cruisers to support his carriers!? I've sunk a lot of them and this is
evident in the last bombardments and surface engagements. The US can't match the power of the Combined Fleet yet!

I've attached an overview of the industry at the end of this report! I'll soon add another post were I sum up production stats etc.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/19/43

Bombardments

Ken sent his minions to bombard Shortland - but I've reinforced the place
with the 9th Coastal Defence Unit - 15x5.5" + 31x4.7" guns. Guess who
got a bloody nose [:D] The most disastrous bombardment mission I've ever seen <G>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Shortlands, at 63,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

251 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 26, on fire, heavy damage
DD Duncan, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen
DD Saufley, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
DD Radford, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 14
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 1
CA Shropshire, Shell hits 12
BB Colorado, Shell hits 20

Japanese ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

There are loads of enemy subs around the Pacific now and I have to step up my
asw campaigns and organzie better protection for my convoys. I will send one CS to the
Home Islands and use her to find and attack subs with her float planes. A heavy escort should
send potential courters were they belong...

ASW attack near Balikpapan at 31,64 - I hate subs in ports - at least they're easy to find!

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 13
PG Santo Maru
PG Kongosan Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #51
APD APD-38
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Sealion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 58,47 - saved by the bell. This tanker is loaded!

Japanese Ships
TK Kyoie Maru
MSW Hagoromo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 58,47 - an angry escort almost hit the Pollack!

Japanese Ships
MSW Hagoromo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
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Air Combat

Allied air strikes against the Solomons now concentrate on Buin and Shortland. The latter
got 10k supplies and loads of engineers and AA - a difficult target in other words! This is exactly what
I wanted, now Ken has to spend lots of time and resources to reduce the place. We've all seen that bombardments
doesn't work very well with 9 forts and coastal defences [8D]

Day Air attack on Buin , at 64,92 - buin got an engineer regiment now and
can repair damage quickly.

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
B-25C Mitchell x 58

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
112 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-25C Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 57
PB4Y Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-25J Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
All PB4Y Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93 - low flying ac are especially vulnerable to heavy flak

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
TBF Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
7 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Production statistics 19/3-1943

I think you now can stop for a while your vehicle factories and merchant shipyards. And your Aichi engine factories too. So you can rise your HI counter a bit.