Round Two

[borner]

once again, a DD group ran in front of the heavy bombardment group. Lots of damage all around, but not as bad as last time.
 
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43
 
Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 3
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 3,  on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Harusame
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 2
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 2,  on fire
DD Amagiri
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
CL Achillies, Shell hits 2
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Lardner, Shell hits 3
DD Barton
DD Welles, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1
DD Mugford
DD Benham, Shell hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Ellet, Shell hits 2,  on fire
DD Stack, Shell hits 3,  on fire
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1
DMS Zane, Shell hits 1
DMS Trevor
DM Montgomery, Shell hits 3,  on fire
DM Tracy
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43
 
Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Akigumo,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 4,  on fire
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 4,  on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Asashio, Shell hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Oshio
DD Michishio, Shell hits 2,  on fire
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 3,  on fire
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Asagiri,  on fire
DD Amagiri
DD Sazanami,  on fire
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
CL Achillies, Shell hits 1
CL Hobart
CL Boise
DD Lardner,  on fire
DD Barton
DD Welles, Shell hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1
DD Mugford, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Benham, Shell hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Ellet,  on fire
DD Stack,  on fire
DD Drayton
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor
DM Montgomery,  on fire
DM Tracy
 

[Ike99]

Borner has been sending some surface groups to bombard Nevea with massive air bombardments. For a moment it seemed as if he was going to try an invasion but if he was Allied air power changed his mind as several Japanese ships were sunk.

For certain he does not like Nevea airbase much.

It does seem the balance of power is shifting to the Allied side now as he has lost many skilled bomber and fighter pilots.

[borner]

the plan was to send in a BB/Ca force to catch the group that had been pounding Irau, and hit the airfield. I had a DD group that was also sent. I figured two golevel 4 airfield, and an stike by 100+ bombers may close it for a turn or two. If I was very lucky, I was going to run an AP convoy to Irau.
 
Well, the DD group got there first. too bad. Overall the damage inflicted was about equal, which is actuall a US victory. Still, the drain on him should start to tell. He has unlimited air, but not ships. Between surface combats, air strikes, and mines I feel I am making progress. This should bear fruit in 43 when he comes forward. Plus, by then my damaged Cv's which Ike said don't exist will be back.

[borner]

Last turn Ike sent in 2 PT's to Irau. One was sunk by a DD group there without loss or damage. no activity at all the next to close out Oct.

On 11-1, Ike decided to get active agan. I had my bombers down at the wrong time. recon shows a combat group one hex off Irau. I hate to have missed that opportunity, but nothing I can do now. He also sent an unescorted strikeon shipping off GC. CAP and aa guns downed 6 b-24's and 13 B-17's. He scored one hit on an AP in return. It's nice to gring down almost 2 months of his replacements on the first day of the month.

[borner]

Got em!
 
IKE tried to run a large group in to hit Lugna. after causing some minor damage to some convoys just off GC, my airforce found it on the way home. One US BB was sunk, and several other ships hit, some heavily, but so far only one other DD is gone, thanks to a sub picking it off as it tried to limp home.
 
My air losses have been heavy, but I cannot think IKE can keep up this rate of attrttion for much longer. Granted many of these damaged ships will return, but his 43 counter-attack should at least be delayed.
 
 
The air attacks on Irau continue. 6 b26's gone this turn.
 
 

[Ike99]

Got em!

IKE tried to run a large group in to hit Lugna. after causing some minor damage to some convoys just off GC, my airforce found it on the way home. One US BB was sunk, and several other ships hit, some heavily, but so far only one other DD is gone, thanks to a sub picking it off as it tried to limp home.

Losing the BB was bad but besides that and one destroyer I think that´s all I´ll lose. I think your airforce got shredded. Seventy odd aircraft destroyed.

[Ike99]

11-1-42
Scoreboard...

[Ike99]

hmmm...

[borner]

now IKE, I admit my Dr wants me to loose a few pounds, but that is a very unflatering picture.

[Ike99]

The 67th Fighter Sqdn has racked up an impressive kill record of 41 Japanese aircraft. Unfortunately most of the ones who gained this score or either dead, MIA or POW. Hopefully with their new P38´s the pilots will be able to stick around longer than the previous ones.

[borner]

not much to report for about a week of turns now. IKE has seemingly put his bombers on naval search, and they are sinking some barges. The supply situation in Irau is still starting to improve, and ENG units there have already built it up to a level 7 fort. A new batch ot 8th army units has arrived, so the garrisons around PM and GG should get strengthed in the next few weeks. I would hate for IKE to think that all my attention is on Irau.
 

[borner]

Not much to report for about 2 weeks. a large SS group was spotted moving north around Guadalcanal. ASW flights only hit ine 2-class boat, and they all cleared the minefileds without loss. I am not sure at this point if they are heading for Truk, or will take station north of the SOlomans.

[Ike99]

Not much to report for about 2 weeks. a large SS group was spotted moving north around Guadalcanal. ASW flights only hit ine 2-class boat, and they all cleared the minefileds without loss. I am not sure at this point if they are heading for Truk, or will take station north of the SOlomans.

At me SS hit rate not much worry for you! [:D]

[borner]

Naval battle off Rennell Is.
 
2 turns ago IKE landed a force of at least 5 eng units and some infantry on the island. The mighty KB, both CVL's, sailed. 4 transports and a couple of PT's were sunk, this turn, IKE sunk in his CVE's and I have a very lucky result in the battle. IKE has also been pounding Lugna from the air. Inflicting serious damage but not quite closing the airfield. Seems like he has committed his whole 4-E force to this effort. HIs MWS units have been doing quite impressive work clearing the lanes to Irau during this time as well.
 
One great thing from my point of view is my CV's are beginning to return. [:D]  With IKE's small carrier force all but gone, cutting off and re-taking this island should follow shortly.
 
 
 
Air attack on TF at 37,48
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12
 
no losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 10 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
CA Ashigara
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,48
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
TBF Avenger x 9
 
no losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 4 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged
 
WO O.Sakai of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
 
Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
DD Asagumo
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,50
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 31
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
 
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 27 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
 
LTJG J.Shibata of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
 
Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
CVE Chenango
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,50
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 3
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
 
no losses
 
no losses
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,50
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 10
 
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
CA Pensacola

[borner]

Ike got his last CVE away, but overall I am quite happy. The long Island is an eggshell, and even that one torp should keep her out of actions for quite some time. The other CVE is not reported sunk yet, but 3 fish surely will send her to the bottom. All for no hits in return.
 
scouting reports show several small convoys en-route to Rennell Is. I am sure IKE hopes to get the airfield going before I can land troops there. I still think that it is a doomed operation. I can keep my CV's on station around the island, and thus close off sea-supply. This all may be a iversion for a strike around PM, but we shall see. Ike may have come forward too early.
 
 

[Ike99]

I´m in.

[borner]

for now.

[borner]

the one that got away came back. Land based Vals put 6 bombs into IKE's 3rd CVE. Needless to say I am very happy to have the US with no operational carriers.
 
Rennell remains in US hands, but this should be addressed shortly

[Ike99]

01-07-43 Rennell

AP Taiho Maru, heavy damage
AP Takuei Maru, heavy damage
AP Nagisan Maru, heavy damage
AP Tenzan Maru, heavy damage
AP Haguro Maru, heavy damage
AP Tarushima Maru, heavy damage
AP Shinai Maru, heavy damage
AP Taimei Maru, heavy damage
AP Tamashima Maru, heavy damage
AP Atlantic Maru, heavy damage
AP Shinko Maru, heavy damage
AP Shinwa Maru, heavy damage
AP Shinai Maru, heavy damage
AP Mitsu Maru #3, heavy damage
AP Haguro Maru, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #20, heavy damage
AP Neikai Maru, heavy damage
AP Atlantic Maru, heavy damage
AP Unkai Maru #3, heavy damage
AP Neikai Maru, heavy damage
AP Yoshinogawa Maru, heavy damage

[borner]

"Fox News" Ike strikes again!
 
OK, admittedly I have made what I consider my first major mistake of the game. My 9kt invasion convoy somehow covered 10 hexes to get there one turn early, so I only had about half the CAP up I would have wanted. Ike's air strike caused considerable damage. Still, a 3rd CVE was sunk this turn, that makes 3 plus Long Island damaged. multiple US AK's AP's have been sunk, 2 or 3 AV's, and 3 DD's also I beleive. Ike seems to be letting me pound his surface fleet to try and kill off my carrier airforce. I have lost about 50 planes the last two turns, but I am not sure if he can maintain the drain for much longer.
 
Pearl must have been releasing a lot of ships for him. My Carriers launced a strike on the Maryland last turn, 4 bomb hits apparently caused little damage.
 
My land force on Rennell is in trouble. Most of the 6th Div was landed, and is faced by a far larger US force. The land battle is not going well at this point.