PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

The Jap commander suddenly got a very strange msg - Turn around IMMEDIATELY [;)]

Seems like Ken's carriers got away Hoepner! My ships had refuelled even though I had
instructed them not to..so they ended up 3 hexes short of their destination and had 2/1 and 3/3
movement points left.

I'm pretty sure our prey was just 6-7 hexes away. 2 Catalina's were shot down over the fleet
today, so Ken knows that he picked up a shadow.

Well, it was a good hunt [8D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/19/43

Nothing much to report - received my first Nick fighter bombers today. Should come in handy!

[Wolfie1]

Look on the bright side - now you don't have to worry about Hoepner trying to kiss you[;)]

[Honda]

If you look carefully you will see that it took PzB almost an hour to cook up a good cover story to retreat his CVs instead of striking Essex & co. He even bothered with screenies and everything. Bloody good job! Don't think Hoepner will be extending his "services" any time soon.[;)]
On the bright side, I may even offer some usefull thaughts...
Let me start by saying after a few monts away I was very happy to see this AAR up and running. Nice to see PzB is still floating across the Pacific. Some notes:
1. Reactive v. active -> don't see any problems with being reactive at all, all the more in '43 when a single Corsair sqdrn on CAP can spell certain destruction of any air offensive. KB just needs to stay alive and around. Any allied offensive in the Pacific will be seriously hampered by their lack of CVs (at least for a few more months). Just now you had a real chance to bag 2 more CVs and it was purely reactive of you. This game offers some great opportunities for the defender.
2. Flexible defence -> You can afford to give space for time. Leave your forward bases lightly defended and mass forces in malaria free base hubs. They should serve as springboards for any counter-offensive. Only defend bases out of Corsair range. Make a few 1-3 BB TFs for bombardment of any bases you loose that are a direct threat to your main bases. Invasion hex shoud be cleared by a crack Tanaka lead CA TF. In case of a major offensive, KB will be of great help. It should come in play 2-3 days after initial engagements by his main CV force. If the CV force fields Hellcats make it 4-5 after they begin operations and use LBA for attrition and disruption (but not in droves; try to make attacks as small as possible to minimize your losses). It would be bad to coordinate the KB strike with an all-out push by you LBA (partly what you have conserved by carefull use, partly fresh reinforcements).
3. Fast CV hit-and-runs -> Good but risky. What you can gain is seriously outweighed by what you can lose. But, it is one of few options you have in offensive operations. What if your hit and run coincides with his major offensive. Your KB will be crippled. I'm a VERY defensively orientated player and belive everyone should follow his style of play. That doesn't mean one can't use the best of both worlds...
4. Karachi -> Have you forgotten about it? I bet your opponent hasn't. That single place has to be immensely garissoned against any suprise attack. Glen subs west of Java, search planes, anything to know if and when the invasion fleet is on it's way. Just immagine what would happen if Allies got their hands on that base...Death and destruction. But, out of sight out of mind. Perhaps the Allies aren't coming back after all. You can never know...
5. A bit longish -> sorry[>:]

[PzB74]

As always, appreciate the input guys!
I probably would have let Nagumo get all the glory Wolfie [;)]

Honda,

Re-active is sometimes necessary! Can't afford to loose my most precious assets before the US
offensives that will commence for sure in 1944. Ken got more than 2 full years to move from Tarawa to Tokyo!!! [X(]

It's difficult to know just how many troops to put on the forward bases. If Ken finds them weakly defended he will gobble them
up in no time. If I put light to moderate forces there and build a few forts he has to make much more thorough preparations.
So I'm using smaller naval garrisons as 'cover units' for this purpose. Invading a small island with 9 forts and 10k troops will
require quite an effort! As soon as Ken got Corsairs within range of Rabaul it has
to be disbandoned as a forward base. This will probably happen sometime by the end of the year.

If - or when - Ken move his carriers to Lunga or Tarawa it will be time for a little visit in his back yard [8D]

Karachi is in a good shape, there are 3 full crack divisions there. Another 2 are in Bombay and yet another in Calcutta together
with 2 brigades/regiments. I'm currently in the process of reinforcing the bases between Panaji and Madras. 3 tank regiments
are currently in place or enroute. Ceylon has also received reinforcements.

Its a good idea to put a glen equipped sub in the Indian Ocean though!

Here is a list of the reinforcements that will arrive over the next 6-7 months.

Combat Air Units

A6M2 Zero: 102
A6M5c Zeke: 48
A6M5 Zeke: 291
Jack: 48
Judy: 27
Val: 81
Kate: 114
Nate: 36
Oscar II: 72
--------------------------
Total: 819 ac
--------------------------

If you add 125 carrier ac we will receive almost another 1000 combat ac!

Naval Units

CV: 1
CVL: 2
CVE:2
CL: 1
DD: 5
SS: 7
--------------------------
18 vessels and 125 ac
-------------------------

Army Units

7x Mixed Brigades
5x South Sea Detachments
1x Naval Guard Unit
3x Ind. Mixed Regiments
1x Amphibious Brigade
2x Divisions (Not China/Japan)
1x Division (released from China)
------------------------------------------
Total: the equivalent of 8-9 divisions
------------------------------------------

I will place the 3 divisions in the 3 main Mariana islands: Guam, Saipan and Tinian.
Pagan will receive 3 brigades while Yap and its two neighbouring islands receive one brigade and one South Sea
Detachment each. The last two Detachements will go to Boning and Iwo Jima. A mixed regiments and naval guard unit
will go to Marcus Island. The rest of the units will be placed in Paramushiro and Shikka.

Further reinforcements in 44 will go to the Phillippines, DEI, and Marianas.

4 crack Army divisions will at all times be kept in readiness to either counter attack enemy landings or
reinforce threatened sectors.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/20/43

Not much out of the ordinary! Ken said his search planes reported 2 Ap's heading east...said
that it is amazing what pilots see [;)]

[PzB74]

We just passed turn 500..almost 1/3 of the way!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/21/43

Air Combat

Even I-16's are superior to the Oscar II...even with crack pilots :p)
Veery difficult to find good use for the hundreds of Oscars. A game with
player defined upgrades will be a completely different one!!

Kinda doesn't seem right to convert all these Oscars to Tojos, Franks and
Georges either. Japs didn't have capacity to produce so many of these ac,
did they!?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

The reorganization of split units continue. There are:
IJN Base Forces
IJA Base Forces
IJNAF Base Forces
Special Base Forces

Confusion to your enemies they say..I think Confusious organized the Jap military!

Ken is talking about how many new toys he's receiving these days:

It is truely stagering how much the Allies end up with. Even with all the Allies lost and with out the
supply and such from India, I have over 1,000,000 supply in ships going somewhere, 2,000,000 fuel
moving, and 100,000 oil going to australia. Next month I get 6 fletcher DDs, and then the next month
12 more and at least 12 each month after. We know about the CVs and BBs but the small ships win
the war. And I start getting DEs next month. Cant wait for July, there are lots of things coming then.

So for all of you that gave up playing the Allies in mid 42 - hang on for another year [;)]
If you remember my last post, I stated that Japan would receive 1 cl and 5 dd's throughout the rest
of 1943...Ken will most likely get 80 + DE's [:'(]

From now on we have to make every ship count! Taking out the British made our task easier - now its
only mission impossible!-)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/22/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

We've not observed an enemy sub for days on end..has Ken had enough for
this round and ordered them home? Good news no matter how you put it.

My subs between the WC and PH found another convoy today - but refuse
to attack because of the doctrine setting. Very frustrating.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 127,57

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
SC SC-743
SC SC-640
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 127,57

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
AK West Nilus
AK West Camargo
AK Maine
SC SC-743
SC SC-640
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I ordered 2 crack Tojo Daitai's to cover Gasmata today. The results were
very good!

Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 12
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 8
P-40N Warhawk x 13
B-24D Liberator x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 6 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 7 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 4 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking: - half the B-24s were turned away
16 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90 - it was the Lightnings that hit my Tojos hard. The Corsairs didn't shoot down anyone.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
Avenger I x 6
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Avenger I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Avenger I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 1
Kittyhawk I x 12
A-20G Havoc x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed
A-20G Havoc: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In all 37 enemy ac were shot down for 12 Tojo's. This must be considered a very
good result taking the odds into consideration. It will force Ken to be more careful and
escort his raids even better.

[PzB74]

Nothing much to report over the last 3 days.
My subs were attacked by carrier ac 14 hexes ENE of PH. Ken sent them to hunt me?
Perhaps we can use this later...

Sent a Glen equipped sub to the Indian Ocean as a watch dog. Another one went east of Wake Island.

Another issue is the placement of the relatively few Coastal Defensive units Japan got.
One for each of the Marianas islands including Pagan for sure. Then Rabaul, Truk, Kwajalein, Eniwetok
got one as well as yet another one in India. For now I only got 'one spare unit'. Were should it go?
The DEI most likely - can place it at Balikpapan for now.

It's important to place them in bases that can't be easily bypassed or bombed into submission.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/22-25/43

[PzB74]

For the third time I sent a small surface combat tf to Woodlark island and for the third
time the enemy transports there fled [&:] Not just one, but two transport tf's managed to
flee in time today. This happends way too often if you ask me....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/26/43

Air Combat

Ken finally decided to sweep one of my bases in the Marshalls. 66 Lightnings
fought it out with 38 Tonys. 13 P-38s and 14 Tonys were lost. Fortunately I didn't
loose more than 8 pilots. The fighters have been withdrawn to Kwajalein, got 120 Tojos
and Tonys there now. No reason to waste trained pilots unless I have to.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 38

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 14 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 13 destroyed, 5 damaged

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

Trained A6M2 unit

This is one of the units that has received advanced training in China. It will be kept in reserve and upgraded to
the A6M5 Zeke in 4-5 months.

[PzB74]

I think there has been an important advance in air research! The A6M5 Zeke is now slated
for production in 08/43! That's only 3 more months [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/27-04/30/43

The last 4 days hasn't seen much else than the routine bombing missions.
Ken has started to bomb the islands in the Marshalls (except Eniwetok and Kwjalaein that is).

He also stated that he has withdrawn his subs for R&R - the high dud rate, 60%, was also depressing.
It will be fixed in september 43, so I got 4 months until they're back [:)] This is excellent news, my asw
units will remain in station but I can ferry troops with a higher degree of security.

Timor is getting reinforcements and supplies as well, but I'm doing it in a very slow and inconspicious
way. A small convoy here and a fast transport tf there.

Several aviation regiments and base force units have been sent from malaria bases to Singapore and Palembang.
By rotating them it's possible to repair damage and raise morale.

[saj42]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Another issue is the placement of the relatively few Coastal Defensive units Japan got.
One for each of the Marianas islands including Pagan for sure. Then Rabaul, Truk, Kwajalein, Eniwetok
got one as well as yet another one in India. For now I only got 'one spare unit'. Were should it go?
The DEI most likely - can place it at Balikpapan for now.

It's important to place them in bases that can't be easily bypassed or bombed into submission.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/22-25/43

Been following this AAR religiously - great read [&o]
Could you please explain - Rabaul is one of those bases that can be bombed back to the stone age and bypassed - so why place a precious CD unit there ???
Would it be better used on Ponape or Ulithi [&:]

[String]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I think there has been an important advance in air research! The A6M5 Zeke is now slated
for production in 08/43! That's only 3 more months [8D]

So it is possible to research in PBEM.. how many factories do you have on zeke r&d?

I just reached April in my game, and it would be great if I could advance the Zeke 1 month..

[PzB74]

Thx for the praise Tallyho! Always nice to hear that people are following this AAR [:)]
You're right, Rabaul - as well as Kwajalein - can be bypasses...but not yet. These are my main forward
bases and:

1.) I want to keep them 'operational' for as long as possible
2.) I don't want Ken to occupy them.

Until Ken can sweep these bases with Corsairs (the capture of Bougainville in the Solomons would do the trick against Rabaul)
I will retain a powerful presence there. When the bases can't be protected anymore the most valuable units (CD) will be evacuated.
It is nevertheless important to make Ken think that the base is impregnable - a bypassed base can't be used by the enemy.

String, yes I've managed to advance the availability of both the Oscar II and Zeke by one month in this game.
The latter is especially important as there are more than a 1000 A6M2s and A6M3s that can be upgraded to a superior ac.

My research on the Zeke amounts to more than 300. I think the rule is that with 100 units there is a chance that the type will be ready earlier.
With 2 and 300 units there is a much greater chance of advancing the type - and if I got it right - there's also a smaller chance for advancing the
type 2 or even 3 months.

This should be confirmed by someone like Mr Frag though!

[Honda]

There was much silence from the devs concerning r&d. The way I see it you can take 2 months off from major types (with large production, something like the beforementioned 300 will do nicely), and if you are extremely lucky, your zodiak gives you a boost (there's a rumor it helps if you bathe in beer on sunset of every second Thursday you play WitP-before the turn of course), you can even make it 3 (THREE!) months.
I was however absent during the summer so if r&d matter was clarified, please ignore this post and feel free to make some humorous remarks. Bordering with insults will also do, but anyhing beyond will trigger a similar reaction[;)]
Cheers

[PzB74]

Lol! I think a bit of effort combined with even more luck is a good approach Honda...a silent prayer can't hurt either.
But I think we've covered the basics of R&D.

The defenses throughout the Pacific are getting into shape. There woun't be many 'soft spots' left when Ken gets
on the move in half a year or so.

I've decided to move the 1st Coastal Defense Unit from Chandpur to Trimcomalee. Trivandrum and Trimcomalee are
both prime targets if Ken wants to return to India. Large guns are therefore needed here. All that's needed in India
is another large brigade and tank regiments and a Army HQ. Sent one from Singapore to Karachi today.

We now got 1500 political points, want to release a crack division from China (99 exp). It's currently preparing
for Tinian at Hong Kong. It will cost 3500 points to release it. Several smaller garrison units will also be released from
China. They come in handy when I want to defend the myriad of smaller bases around the Pacific.

Noticed another thing of interest: A full division has an assault value of 370 to 420. It cost 3500 points to change its
HQ. Japans 2 tank divisions (1st and 3rd) have assault values of ca 330 and it only cost 1500 points to change their HQ.
So I ordered the 3rd Armoured Div to move to Hong Kong and prepare for Manila. Tanks should come in handy in the
Philippines and provide me with a core defensive unit. I'm not planning to move additional army units to the Philippines
until there is an actual threat (Probably not until late 44). Several construction units are busy building air fields and forts though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/01/43

Bombardments

Ken is getting restless...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gasmata, at 59,90

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
CA Canberra

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The fighter bombers didn't suspend their attacks on my barges so I arranged a little
trap for them. 11 P-40Ns were downed [:)]

Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG AG-104
AG AG-2081
AG AG-5188
AG AG-2060, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG AG-116
AG AG-5164
AG AG-369, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Evacuated the engineer regiment from Finschafen today - well half of it anyway. The FT TF left
with only half its max load so I need to send it back [:'(]

Also preparing to pick up the small coastal defensive unit that I put into Shortland. It has done its
job and sunk and damaged several Allied ships, but most of the guns are now out of action. A good month
of constant air attacks will reduce any unit to rubble.

Will move 2 battleships to Balikpapan to provide the fleet there with a bigger punch.
I also think that major ports should repair ship damage at a fixed rate. As it is today as single large ship
can lay in port for a very long time to fix a relatively moderate sys damage.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/02/43

Air Combat

Still some easy pickings in China. 17 ac were destroyed on the ground
today including a handful of Hudsons.

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-49 Helen x 48
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 5 destroyed
Hudson I: 4 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-49 Helen bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-21 Sally x 23
Ki-48 Lily x 10

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
All Sally and Lily bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Only 10 more days until the carrier Katsuragi arrives. Then we will have
10 fleet carriers, 4 light and 4 escort. Another 2 cvls and 2 escort will arrive in a couple
of months.

How many good troops should I put on the Mariana islands? There are 4 if you count the small
island above Saipan. This island got a size 4 af and can't support B-29 strikes but its capture
would undermine the defense of the other islands.

I'm thinking about something like this:

2 Army Divisions (Or 1 Division + 2 brigade or regimental sized combat units)
1 Coastal Defense Unit
1 Construction Unit or Engineer Regiment
1 Heavy Arty Unit
1 Heavy AA Unit
250 aviation support (for the 3 largest islands)
10k mines
9 forts
50k supplies
50k fuel

Even 5-6 large US divisions would have to fight very hard to capture any of the bases
and this would have to be increased to 8 or 9 if I managed to successfully land 2 more
reserve divisions from the air and sea.

At least a 1000 good fighters can be based in the Marianas and then another 1000 fighters
and bombers will arrive on the KB and then be supported by 4-600 land based attack ac that will
be transferred in as the CAP is reduced fighting the Allied carriers.

Does this sound like a sound plan? Without invading the Marianas the road to Tokyo will have to
go through the Phillippines or Kuriles.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/03/43

Air Combat

Put some fighters back on Wotje - shot up all the forts pretty badly
but they die hard. Will force Ken to provide escorts though and the P38s will
be worn out if he continue to hit the base every day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rob Brennan UK]

Your defence of the mariannnas sound terryfying as an allied player, so yes i for think it would work very well as long as you can get the 'fire brigade' reserves transportd in on time.

The amount of airpower looks awesome too, but the allies will eventually wear your elite units down and i think that by 44 you will be hard pressed to train as many as you lose.

just my 2p

good luck and a brilliant AAR .. I do feel sorry for wobbly and Adavid .. I never want to face anyone who has such an eye for detail. [;)]

[String]

Bring more supplies, or have a very large load ready somewhere near.

[PzB74]

Thanx Rob [8D] I will not allow my elite units to be worn down before Ken attacks either the Marianas of the
Phillippines. Not sure that an eye for details will be enough to weather the storm, but it's going to be a lot of
fun to try!!

Let us use Churchill for inspiration:
In war: Resolution
In defeat: Defiance
In victory: Magnanimity
In peace: Goodwill

You may be right String, but an even larger amount of supplies will be very very exposed to enemy bombardment
attacks. Not sure how to approach this problem. Perhaps I could try to bring the amount up to 75k at each base.

Ken unleashed he11 over Rabaul today - no less than 500 heavy and medium bombers escorted by
95 Lightnings came in several waves. The Tojos and Tonys on CAP mauled the first wave but as soon as
their ammo was spent it became impossible to prevent the bombers from torching the air fields.

In all 81 enemy bombers and fighters were shot down for the loss of 38 Jap fighters. This was a very good
effort but couldn't prevent that ca 135 ac were destroyed on the ground. These were mostly transport ac that
were flying supplies to the Solomons.

Unfortunately several units had receive replacements turned 'on' - so there still is a sizeable number of damaged ac
at Rabaul. Runway damage is at 91% while service damage is at ca 50.

I'm expecting Ken to send in his dogs of war to complete the destruction. Not going to give it to him for free, there
are now 100 operational fighters ready for him. His long range fighter escorts shold be fatigued by now.

It's nevertheless obvious that it's very dangerous to stand in the way of the massed resources of the US air forces!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/04/43

Air Combat

The following enemy ac attacked Rabaul today:

B-17E Fortress x 147
B-24D Liberator x 164
B-25 Mitchell x 179
P-38G Lightning x 95
--------------------------------
Total: 585 ac
--------------------------------

The first raid was shot up completely:

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 62
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 120

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 22 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 23 destroyed, 31 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88 - the second one was more deadly

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 27
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 72
B-25C Mitchell x 59
PB4Y Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 26 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
L3Y Tina: 2 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 18 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21200 feet
5 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
5 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 21200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88 - few fighters were able to confront the remainding raids

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 4 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 5 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 58

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
41 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
22 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 95
B-24D Liberator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-57-II Topsy: 9 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 11 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 74

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
20 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
27 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
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Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 52
PB4Y Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 2 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 52
Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
7 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
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Air Losses

The following table illustrates todays air losses.
The only serious loss for Japan is the loss of points. The lost ac will be replaced asap and
most of the pilots survived. It is going to be very difficult to protect Rabaul from now on though.

[Mynok]

I would put a CD unit plus a base force with CD guns on Saipan, Tinian and Guam. In addition, each should have a crack division and at least two const engineer units.

The biggest issue is keeping an LBA air threat in the area in the face of massive allied carrier attacks. In combination with BB bombardment, the Allies can shutdown or heavily damage all three major airfields. You will be forced to use carrier-based airpower to counteract a determined attempt at the Marianas, which puts you at serious risk of losing carriers.