Pathos in the Pacific - Yubari`s Humiliation
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BigBadWolf
- Posts: 584
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:01 am
- Location: Serbia
23rd August
Ahoy there Big Bad Wolf. It is indeed pleasing to see the Boise sunk. It has had a very uneventful war for us so far. It was moderately damaged at Menado in the DEI about a week into the war by one of the Fuso class battleships, and hasnt been seen since.
Guadalcanal.
The Japanese carriers retreat for one turn to allow the torpedo bomber squadrons to repair, they were around two thirds damaged on average after the strikes of the 22nd. Additionally, the Cruiser squadron which had attacked on the 21st August returns to Rabaul for a reload of torpedoes and fuel. A large task force including BB Ise and Hyuga arrive at Truk and should be in theatre in three or four days, and a second cruiser task force is one day further behind that. The Mutsu and Nagato are steaming over at full speed from Singapore, and are around eight days away.
There is more submarine action today. RO-64 puts three torpedoes into the already damaged BB Tennessee leaving it heavily damaged. A wolfpack of submarines descend to its location, I am hopeful of it sinking soon. Also, I-29 torpedoes an LST sinking it. Two Japanese subs are sunk, the RO-102 and the RO-60.
The allies are evidently still unloading at Tassafaronga, there remain at least two battleships there, along with the CVEs Copahee and Altamaha. A couple of small attacks are launched from Munda and Shortlands, however the allied fighters deal effectively with them and no hits are scored.
Elsewhere, the allies appear to be landing at Rennel Island, and at Irau, both of which are to the south east of Guadalcanal. Should the allies be able to get any of these airbases operational at size 2, then I will concede the battle, and draw a new defensive line at Rabaul. For the moment however, I want to keep fighting, and to keep fighting hard.
Guadalcanal.
The Japanese carriers retreat for one turn to allow the torpedo bomber squadrons to repair, they were around two thirds damaged on average after the strikes of the 22nd. Additionally, the Cruiser squadron which had attacked on the 21st August returns to Rabaul for a reload of torpedoes and fuel. A large task force including BB Ise and Hyuga arrive at Truk and should be in theatre in three or four days, and a second cruiser task force is one day further behind that. The Mutsu and Nagato are steaming over at full speed from Singapore, and are around eight days away.
There is more submarine action today. RO-64 puts three torpedoes into the already damaged BB Tennessee leaving it heavily damaged. A wolfpack of submarines descend to its location, I am hopeful of it sinking soon. Also, I-29 torpedoes an LST sinking it. Two Japanese subs are sunk, the RO-102 and the RO-60.
The allies are evidently still unloading at Tassafaronga, there remain at least two battleships there, along with the CVEs Copahee and Altamaha. A couple of small attacks are launched from Munda and Shortlands, however the allied fighters deal effectively with them and no hits are scored.
Elsewhere, the allies appear to be landing at Rennel Island, and at Irau, both of which are to the south east of Guadalcanal. Should the allies be able to get any of these airbases operational at size 2, then I will concede the battle, and draw a new defensive line at Rabaul. For the moment however, I want to keep fighting, and to keep fighting hard.
24th August
We are now getting to the crucial stage of the great battle of Guadalcanal. The allies have large engineering forces at three separate sites, Rennel Island, Tassafaronga and Irau, and will be working to get airbases ready. I need to stop them getting land based airpower in the theatre if I am to prolong the current battle, as I wish to do.
The allies lose a number of ships from previously inflicted damage. BB Tennessee sinks, the fourth of the Pearl Harbour battleships so to do. I-17 torpedoes a President class AP and sinks it, and a further four APs also sink. The air strikes on the allied fleet today are very disappointing, and only one bomb hit is scored on an AK. Annoyingly, for the second time, the entire KB strike misses the vast allied armada at Tassafaronga in the morning, and then in the afternoon, the KB is rained in.
Japanese surface forces are beginning to arrive in theatre. The cruiser force which previously attacked Tassafaronga, containing CAs Tone and Chikuma, CLs Tama and Kiso plus four destroyer escorts is ordered to attack the allied forces at Renell Island tonight. A large task force containing the Ise and Hyuga will hopefully attack Tassafaronga on the 27th, and a force containing 4 cruisers is scheduled to attack on the 28th. The other half of the KB at Kai Island is now also en route to Rabaul but is still a week away, the allies have kept me completely fooled in that area.
The allies lose a number of ships from previously inflicted damage. BB Tennessee sinks, the fourth of the Pearl Harbour battleships so to do. I-17 torpedoes a President class AP and sinks it, and a further four APs also sink. The air strikes on the allied fleet today are very disappointing, and only one bomb hit is scored on an AK. Annoyingly, for the second time, the entire KB strike misses the vast allied armada at Tassafaronga in the morning, and then in the afternoon, the KB is rained in.
Japanese surface forces are beginning to arrive in theatre. The cruiser force which previously attacked Tassafaronga, containing CAs Tone and Chikuma, CLs Tama and Kiso plus four destroyer escorts is ordered to attack the allied forces at Renell Island tonight. A large task force containing the Ise and Hyuga will hopefully attack Tassafaronga on the 27th, and a force containing 4 cruisers is scheduled to attack on the 28th. The other half of the KB at Kai Island is now also en route to Rabaul but is still a week away, the allies have kept me completely fooled in that area.
25th August
The slaughter continues.
Admiral Hirata`s cruiser force, which had been spotted the previous turn heads to Renell Island, looking to intercept the enemy transports there, which appear to be unloading supply. The two Allied surface combat task forces, which had been guarding Tassafaronga both react to the hex, and a massive battle. Hirata, a cautious Admiral expertly controls his fleet, and avoids a potential battering for the Japanese navy. In four separate engagements against two separate task forces containing five battleships. Here are the results of the engagments with the first TF
Japanese Ships
CA Tone, on fire
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Minegumo, on fire
Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
BB Idaho, Shell hits 3
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Salt Lake City
DD McCalla, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
And here is the second.
Japanese Ships
CA Tone, on fire
CA Chikuma
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Minegumo, on fire
Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 7
CA Chicago, Shell hits 3
CA Pensacola
DD Lansdowne
DD Lardner, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
I was lucky to avoid a serious beating here, maybe the reaction of the two allied task forces was the reason for their poor performance?
After the battle, I-168 torpedoes the DD Lardner, sinking it instantly. I-37 is sunk by destroyers which seem to be escorting the allied carrier fleet. This is still 5 hexes south of Lunga and Tassafaronga.
Very few airstrikes are flown the next day; the KB is covered by rain the whole day. The three Allied CVEs at Tassafaronga launch small strikes against Japanese ships retreating from the battle of Renell Island. 11 SBDs and 3 TBMs in five separate miniature strikes attack the heavily damaged CL Isuzu, but all miss. 2TBMs go after the CA Tone and again miss. Both ships should be able to get back to the Shortland Islands today. What undamaged planes are left at Munda, Shortlands and Rabaul then strike the allied ships at Tassafaronga. The three undamaged Bettys strike against the CVE Nassau, and score 1 torpedo hit. This is apparently enough to halt flight operations, a large number of Hellcats and Avengers are reported as ops losses. 4 Nells from Rabaul go after an AP but all miss. 9 Vals at Munda also put small bomb into CVE Altamaha setting it on fire. In the final action of the day, I-168 torpedoes an AK at Rennel Island.
For tomorrow, I will have the KB loitering in the vicinity of Tassafaronga to hit any surface ships that remain. In the same hex will be a task force of the Ise, Hyuga, plus three cruiser escorts who will attack Tassafaronga the following night. Surprisingly, the allies are yet to build an airfield at Tassafaronga, I would have thought that they would have had time by now. Ships going down today were; Japanese I-37, CL Kiso. Allies; DD McCalla, Barton, Lardner, PT 258
Admiral Hirata`s cruiser force, which had been spotted the previous turn heads to Renell Island, looking to intercept the enemy transports there, which appear to be unloading supply. The two Allied surface combat task forces, which had been guarding Tassafaronga both react to the hex, and a massive battle. Hirata, a cautious Admiral expertly controls his fleet, and avoids a potential battering for the Japanese navy. In four separate engagements against two separate task forces containing five battleships. Here are the results of the engagments with the first TF
Japanese Ships
CA Tone, on fire
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Minegumo, on fire
Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
BB Idaho, Shell hits 3
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Salt Lake City
DD McCalla, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
And here is the second.
Japanese Ships
CA Tone, on fire
CA Chikuma
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Minegumo, on fire
Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 7
CA Chicago, Shell hits 3
CA Pensacola
DD Lansdowne
DD Lardner, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
I was lucky to avoid a serious beating here, maybe the reaction of the two allied task forces was the reason for their poor performance?
After the battle, I-168 torpedoes the DD Lardner, sinking it instantly. I-37 is sunk by destroyers which seem to be escorting the allied carrier fleet. This is still 5 hexes south of Lunga and Tassafaronga.
Very few airstrikes are flown the next day; the KB is covered by rain the whole day. The three Allied CVEs at Tassafaronga launch small strikes against Japanese ships retreating from the battle of Renell Island. 11 SBDs and 3 TBMs in five separate miniature strikes attack the heavily damaged CL Isuzu, but all miss. 2TBMs go after the CA Tone and again miss. Both ships should be able to get back to the Shortland Islands today. What undamaged planes are left at Munda, Shortlands and Rabaul then strike the allied ships at Tassafaronga. The three undamaged Bettys strike against the CVE Nassau, and score 1 torpedo hit. This is apparently enough to halt flight operations, a large number of Hellcats and Avengers are reported as ops losses. 4 Nells from Rabaul go after an AP but all miss. 9 Vals at Munda also put small bomb into CVE Altamaha setting it on fire. In the final action of the day, I-168 torpedoes an AK at Rennel Island.
For tomorrow, I will have the KB loitering in the vicinity of Tassafaronga to hit any surface ships that remain. In the same hex will be a task force of the Ise, Hyuga, plus three cruiser escorts who will attack Tassafaronga the following night. Surprisingly, the allies are yet to build an airfield at Tassafaronga, I would have thought that they would have had time by now. Ships going down today were; Japanese I-37, CL Kiso. Allies; DD McCalla, Barton, Lardner, PT 258
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BigBadWolf
- Posts: 584
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:01 am
- Location: Serbia
RE: 25th August
Very nicely played by Hirata. Emperor should give him a medal [:D]
Tough luck on weather over KB, though ...
Tough luck on weather over KB, though ...
26th and 27th August
Yes, I was very lucky not to get severely battered at Renell Island. For both of the battles, the allied fleets were surprised, which seems somewhat odd as they reacted towards the hex after seeing my fleet approaching. All ships, apart from the sunk CL Kiso, from the battle are now docked either in Shortlands or in Rabaul. Hopefully they should all survive.
The 26th is a reasonably calm day. Again, the KB fails to launch strikes against enemy ships at Tassafaronga harbour, even though there appears to be a fleet of cargo ships unloading there. There is also at least three squadrons of PT boats there which the Ise and Hyuga will brave. More seriously, Renell Island has already been built up to a level 1 airfield, and so the allies will have land based air power in the region for the first time.
For the turn of the 27th August, the Ise and Hyuga make their bombardment run against Tassafaronga. First, the Hyuga sinks a heavily damaged AK, then three separate PT squadrons attack the large fleet. One of the escorting destroyers is hit by some small gunfire but little damage is done. Three of the attacking PT boats are sunk however. The bombardment is reasonably effective. The combat report shows 1234 casualties, 16 guns and 11 vehicles destroyed.
In the morning, the KB is in clear weather but again fails to launch a strike. In the afternoon phase however, a fairly large strike is launched against an enemy surface combat TF at Renell Island. Renell Island now of course has an airfield, and so 30 enemy Corsairs rise in defence. For the loss of 4 of their own, the Corsairs shoot down 11 elite KB Zeroes and 2 dive bombers. The flak is again very heavy, but the BB New Mexico is hit by 5 bombs and three torpedoes, leaving it heavily damaged. BB Mississippi is also in the hex, but only takes one bomb, starting a small fire. 5 Nells from Shortland Islands also attack but two are shot down, and no hits are scored. Japanese submarines sink an AK at Irau, but the attacking submarine is heavily damaged, and a second submarine is sunk by allied ASW. I now only have three submarines in theatre; allied ASW has sunk 8 and damaged 6 more.
A look at the map will show that the US carrier fleet has dissappeared from the action. Renell Island has a level 1 airfield, and Tassafaronga, a level 1 port. American troops are also at Irau and Stewart Island
The 26th is a reasonably calm day. Again, the KB fails to launch strikes against enemy ships at Tassafaronga harbour, even though there appears to be a fleet of cargo ships unloading there. There is also at least three squadrons of PT boats there which the Ise and Hyuga will brave. More seriously, Renell Island has already been built up to a level 1 airfield, and so the allies will have land based air power in the region for the first time.
For the turn of the 27th August, the Ise and Hyuga make their bombardment run against Tassafaronga. First, the Hyuga sinks a heavily damaged AK, then three separate PT squadrons attack the large fleet. One of the escorting destroyers is hit by some small gunfire but little damage is done. Three of the attacking PT boats are sunk however. The bombardment is reasonably effective. The combat report shows 1234 casualties, 16 guns and 11 vehicles destroyed.
In the morning, the KB is in clear weather but again fails to launch a strike. In the afternoon phase however, a fairly large strike is launched against an enemy surface combat TF at Renell Island. Renell Island now of course has an airfield, and so 30 enemy Corsairs rise in defence. For the loss of 4 of their own, the Corsairs shoot down 11 elite KB Zeroes and 2 dive bombers. The flak is again very heavy, but the BB New Mexico is hit by 5 bombs and three torpedoes, leaving it heavily damaged. BB Mississippi is also in the hex, but only takes one bomb, starting a small fire. 5 Nells from Shortland Islands also attack but two are shot down, and no hits are scored. Japanese submarines sink an AK at Irau, but the attacking submarine is heavily damaged, and a second submarine is sunk by allied ASW. I now only have three submarines in theatre; allied ASW has sunk 8 and damaged 6 more.
A look at the map will show that the US carrier fleet has dissappeared from the action. Renell Island has a level 1 airfield, and Tassafaronga, a level 1 port. American troops are also at Irau and Stewart Island
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28th to 30th August
The battles at Tassafaronga and Rennell Island continue. The major surface elements of the US Navy have retreated, leaving only PT boats to fight against the major surface units of the Japanese fleet.
On the 28th, the Haruna and Kongo attack Rennell Island. Haruna sinks a lone AK at the base which was apparently unloading supply, and the four DD escorts sink three of the PT boats there, although one of the DDs is moderately damaged by small arms fire from the PTs. The bombardment there is very powerful, causing nearly 6000 casualties, 70 guns and 60 vehicles destroyed, plus eight Corsair fighters, if the combat report is to be believed.
A smaller fleet bombards Tassafaronga causing around 800 casualties.
On the 29th, the major action is 126 2E bombers hitting Lunga port, presumably attempting to destroy the coastal gun batteries there in preparation for shore bombardments. Little damage is done, but the message is obvious; Lunga is lost as the airfield is down and major supply runs are extremely hazardous. Some 15000 tons remain there but will not last long in the face of enemy bombardments and combat. I will try to evacuate some of the key personnel, particularly the headquarters and construction units there.
On the 30th, Japanese Bettys and Nells launch attacks against enemy units south of Guadalcanal and at Irau. An AK is torpedoed at Irau, probably attempting to supply the three units based there, and a tanker carrying fuel is torpedoed south of Guadalcanal. The tanker is heading in the direction of Tassafaronga. Knowing that the Japanese have launched frequent surface raids against the base, it suggests that a large enemy surface combat fleet is also approaching. With the Ise and Hyuga scheduled to bombard tonight, there could be some major fireworks.
The location of the US carrier fleet is still unknown. A submarine 5 hexes west of Luganville is spotted by an Avenger, so there is strong, but not conclusive evidence that it is still based in the area south of Guadalcanal.
On the 28th, the Haruna and Kongo attack Rennell Island. Haruna sinks a lone AK at the base which was apparently unloading supply, and the four DD escorts sink three of the PT boats there, although one of the DDs is moderately damaged by small arms fire from the PTs. The bombardment there is very powerful, causing nearly 6000 casualties, 70 guns and 60 vehicles destroyed, plus eight Corsair fighters, if the combat report is to be believed.
A smaller fleet bombards Tassafaronga causing around 800 casualties.
On the 29th, the major action is 126 2E bombers hitting Lunga port, presumably attempting to destroy the coastal gun batteries there in preparation for shore bombardments. Little damage is done, but the message is obvious; Lunga is lost as the airfield is down and major supply runs are extremely hazardous. Some 15000 tons remain there but will not last long in the face of enemy bombardments and combat. I will try to evacuate some of the key personnel, particularly the headquarters and construction units there.
On the 30th, Japanese Bettys and Nells launch attacks against enemy units south of Guadalcanal and at Irau. An AK is torpedoed at Irau, probably attempting to supply the three units based there, and a tanker carrying fuel is torpedoed south of Guadalcanal. The tanker is heading in the direction of Tassafaronga. Knowing that the Japanese have launched frequent surface raids against the base, it suggests that a large enemy surface combat fleet is also approaching. With the Ise and Hyuga scheduled to bombard tonight, there could be some major fireworks.
The location of the US carrier fleet is still unknown. A submarine 5 hexes west of Luganville is spotted by an Avenger, so there is strong, but not conclusive evidence that it is still based in the area south of Guadalcanal.
31st August to 2nd September
The action continues in the waters around Tassafaronga and Rennell Island. On the 31st, a Japanese bombardment fleet heads down The Slot to bombard the enemy positions at Tassafaronga. En route, they encounter the previously spotted tanker fleet, and sink one of the destroyers escorting the fleet, and damage one of the tankers. A second of the enemy destroyers hits a mine at Tassafaronga and sinks. Three PT boats are also sunk by this fleet.
On the 1st September, there is a massive battle at Lae, the heavily defended Japanese airbase. 180 Liberators escorted by 115 P-38s encounter around 90 Zeroes on defense. 28 Japanese fighters are shot down, for 21 Lightnings and 1 Liberator. Over 70 planes are destroyed on the ground, a crippling loss. Another bombardment fleet heads down the Slot, and again the enemy tanker fleet is encountered. The final enemy destroyer is sunk, along with three of the tankers. One Japanese destroyer is also damaged.
On the 2nd September, the main action is a Japanese evacuation fleet arriving at Lunga. Numerous attacks from allied level bombers do only a small amount of damage against the small Japanese transports, and over 11000 engineers and support troops are evacuated in the day. Elsewhere, an allied APD is sunk by Nell torpedoes, and two PTs are hit by bombs from dive bombers. Additionally, a submarine torpedoes what looks to be a large enemy minelayer, ML Manxman. The submarine is heavily damaged by escorting destroyers.
Soon, I will put together a list of ships sunk and damaged in the battles around Guadalcanal. So far, the attrition rate lies heavily in favour of the Japanese.
On the 1st September, there is a massive battle at Lae, the heavily defended Japanese airbase. 180 Liberators escorted by 115 P-38s encounter around 90 Zeroes on defense. 28 Japanese fighters are shot down, for 21 Lightnings and 1 Liberator. Over 70 planes are destroyed on the ground, a crippling loss. Another bombardment fleet heads down the Slot, and again the enemy tanker fleet is encountered. The final enemy destroyer is sunk, along with three of the tankers. One Japanese destroyer is also damaged.
On the 2nd September, the main action is a Japanese evacuation fleet arriving at Lunga. Numerous attacks from allied level bombers do only a small amount of damage against the small Japanese transports, and over 11000 engineers and support troops are evacuated in the day. Elsewhere, an allied APD is sunk by Nell torpedoes, and two PTs are hit by bombs from dive bombers. Additionally, a submarine torpedoes what looks to be a large enemy minelayer, ML Manxman. The submarine is heavily damaged by escorting destroyers.
Soon, I will put together a list of ships sunk and damaged in the battles around Guadalcanal. So far, the attrition rate lies heavily in favour of the Japanese.
3rd September
Japanese bombardment task forces make night runs against both Renell Island and Tassafaronga. BBs Kongo, Haruna, CAs Suzuya and Kumano and four destroyer escorts attack Rennell Island and are again swarmed by multiple PT groups, 18 boats in 5 small groups. 6 of the enemy boats are sunk, and no damage is done. The bombardment is again effective, with over 1000 casualties. However, no damage is done to the small airfield. The campaign is lost the moment it reaches level 2.
At Tassafaronga, CAs Furutaka and Kinugasa, plus CLs Yubari and Agano with three destroyer escorts raid. 14 PT boats in four groups attack, and one destroyer is slightly damaged by small arms fire. However, 5 of the PT boats are sunk. It is to be noted that the Americans seem to be amost cruel and callous people, sending brave sailors out in flimsy wooden boats against battleships is all but a suicide mission!
There are again numerous small air strikes during the day, mostly from Vals at Munda against PT boats. One boat is strafed, and another is bombed. Aditionally, two more are sunk by search planes. I forgot to report that on the 1st September, BB Mutsu was torpedoed by S-28. Mutsu is now safely docked at Shortlands, with system damage in the high-30s, and some flooding damage. I hope to send it to Rabaul the following turn, since Shortlands is within range of Hudsons at Luganville. The fleet of Japanese transports manages to evacuate some 12000 men from Lunga, including a large base force unit and a construction unit. These will be sent to Shortland Islands.
Here is an I hope correct list so far of the damage from the Guadalcanal campaign since 18th August.
Allies 154 planes.
BB Tennesse, CVE Sangamon, CL Boise, CLAA Oakland, 8DDs, 21 APs, 7AKs, 3TKs, 1 APD, 34MSWs, 1LST, 26 PTs all sunk
BB West Virginia, BB New Mexico, CVE Chenango, CA Vincennes, 2APs, 3TKs 1ML, heavy damage
BB Maryland, CVEs Suwannee, Nassau, Altamaha, CL Honolulu, 5DDs, 27APs, 7AKs, medium damage.
Japanese 202 planes
CL Kiso, 2DDs, 7SS, MSW sunk
CA Tone, CL Isuzu, 1DD, 5 SS heavy damage
BB Mutsu, 2DDs medium damage
At Tassafaronga, CAs Furutaka and Kinugasa, plus CLs Yubari and Agano with three destroyer escorts raid. 14 PT boats in four groups attack, and one destroyer is slightly damaged by small arms fire. However, 5 of the PT boats are sunk. It is to be noted that the Americans seem to be amost cruel and callous people, sending brave sailors out in flimsy wooden boats against battleships is all but a suicide mission!
There are again numerous small air strikes during the day, mostly from Vals at Munda against PT boats. One boat is strafed, and another is bombed. Aditionally, two more are sunk by search planes. I forgot to report that on the 1st September, BB Mutsu was torpedoed by S-28. Mutsu is now safely docked at Shortlands, with system damage in the high-30s, and some flooding damage. I hope to send it to Rabaul the following turn, since Shortlands is within range of Hudsons at Luganville. The fleet of Japanese transports manages to evacuate some 12000 men from Lunga, including a large base force unit and a construction unit. These will be sent to Shortland Islands.
Here is an I hope correct list so far of the damage from the Guadalcanal campaign since 18th August.
Allies 154 planes.
BB Tennesse, CVE Sangamon, CL Boise, CLAA Oakland, 8DDs, 21 APs, 7AKs, 3TKs, 1 APD, 34MSWs, 1LST, 26 PTs all sunk
BB West Virginia, BB New Mexico, CVE Chenango, CA Vincennes, 2APs, 3TKs 1ML, heavy damage
BB Maryland, CVEs Suwannee, Nassau, Altamaha, CL Honolulu, 5DDs, 27APs, 7AKs, medium damage.
Japanese 202 planes
CL Kiso, 2DDs, 7SS, MSW sunk
CA Tone, CL Isuzu, 1DD, 5 SS heavy damage
BB Mutsu, 2DDs medium damage
4th to 6th September
4th September.
A very rare quiet day in the South Pacific, the only action being a couple of Japanese minesweepers clearing mines at Tulagi. What looks to be a fast transport fleet of destroyers is heading northwest apparently en route to Renell Island. Unfortunately I dont have any surface forces able to reach the area to attack them.
The US carrier fleet hasnt been seen for at least three days, so I am beginning to wonder if it has left the area. The two other logical destinations if it has indeed left the area are towards Thursday Island, or to the Aleutians. Should there be no further sightings for a week or so, then I will consider withdrawing the KB back towards Japan. The Northern route across the Aleutians is what I am most scared of, as it is a quick and easy route to Japan. The Western most of the Aleutian Islands is within B-29 range of Northern Japan.
5th September.
In terms of planes lost, this is the most expensive day of the war for the Japanese Empire. A total of 152 planes are lost, the majority of them at Lae as another huge enemy strike hits the airfields there. In air to air fighting over the base, 28 Lightnings, 10 Zeroes, 15 Tonys and 16 Tojos are shot down. At this stage of the war, I take them to be reasonable odds, particularly as the majority of the allied airmen will be killed. However, a further 60 Zeroes and 20 bombers are destroyed on the ground, and Lae is left a cratered wreck. What was most worrying was the fate of the IJAAF planes. The Tonys managed to shoot down just 2 Lightnings, and the Tojos managed to shoot down only 1.
6th September.
The Ise and Hyuga again move to bombard Rennell Island, and are again swarmed by enemy PTs, including a certain PT 109. It manages to launch a torpedo which misses one of my destroyers but avoids any damage. Three other PTs are sunk, and the DD Akizuki takes a torpedo leaving it heavily damaged. More disappointingly, the bombardment mission is cancelled.
Over the past couple of weeks, Japan has been placed firmly on the defensive. The allies have broken my defensive perimeter at Guadalcanal, and closed the heavily defended base at Lae. They have also taken a base in China which will allow heavy bombers in range of Kyushu. The key priority for the near future is to keep Rennell airfield from becoming a size 2 airfield, and of course to keep the carriers safe.
A very rare quiet day in the South Pacific, the only action being a couple of Japanese minesweepers clearing mines at Tulagi. What looks to be a fast transport fleet of destroyers is heading northwest apparently en route to Renell Island. Unfortunately I dont have any surface forces able to reach the area to attack them.
The US carrier fleet hasnt been seen for at least three days, so I am beginning to wonder if it has left the area. The two other logical destinations if it has indeed left the area are towards Thursday Island, or to the Aleutians. Should there be no further sightings for a week or so, then I will consider withdrawing the KB back towards Japan. The Northern route across the Aleutians is what I am most scared of, as it is a quick and easy route to Japan. The Western most of the Aleutian Islands is within B-29 range of Northern Japan.
5th September.
In terms of planes lost, this is the most expensive day of the war for the Japanese Empire. A total of 152 planes are lost, the majority of them at Lae as another huge enemy strike hits the airfields there. In air to air fighting over the base, 28 Lightnings, 10 Zeroes, 15 Tonys and 16 Tojos are shot down. At this stage of the war, I take them to be reasonable odds, particularly as the majority of the allied airmen will be killed. However, a further 60 Zeroes and 20 bombers are destroyed on the ground, and Lae is left a cratered wreck. What was most worrying was the fate of the IJAAF planes. The Tonys managed to shoot down just 2 Lightnings, and the Tojos managed to shoot down only 1.
6th September.
The Ise and Hyuga again move to bombard Rennell Island, and are again swarmed by enemy PTs, including a certain PT 109. It manages to launch a torpedo which misses one of my destroyers but avoids any damage. Three other PTs are sunk, and the DD Akizuki takes a torpedo leaving it heavily damaged. More disappointingly, the bombardment mission is cancelled.
Over the past couple of weeks, Japan has been placed firmly on the defensive. The allies have broken my defensive perimeter at Guadalcanal, and closed the heavily defended base at Lae. They have also taken a base in China which will allow heavy bombers in range of Kyushu. The key priority for the near future is to keep Rennell airfield from becoming a size 2 airfield, and of course to keep the carriers safe.
7th to 9th September
Solomons and New Guinea.
The Americans are well and truly entrenched on Guadalcanal, and on three of the outlying islands. The battle for the area is lost, but I want to hold the large airfield at Lunga for as long as possible. With 360 AV behind level 9 fortifications and 16000 tons of supply, I hope to be able to hold it until November. The Americans have a seemingly limitless supply of PT boats to send into the area; 5 more have been sunk in the past three days.
At Lae, the Liberators hit the base on both the 8th and 9th September, thoroughly closing it. Japanese airframe losses were heavy, but a lot of the pilots survived the key battles. Their squadrons are now at Wewak and Hollandia resting and receiving new planes.
A submarine to the east of Noumea spotted a Seagull floatplane, so there is definitely evidence that at least some of the US fleet is leaving the area, with a possible destination of.......
Aleutians.
The allies are landing at the eastern most of the Aleutian Islands, which I think is Atka Island, one hex to the east of Adak. Unfortunately, not a single one of the 175 bombers I have in range in the area was able to attack due to poor weather. The weather forecast for tomorrow says rain in the whole area so hopefully I will be able to launch some kind of attack. On the 7th September, I sent the Fuso and Yamashiro down towards Singapore, and so the only forces I have in the area are 2 CAs, CVL Ryuho and around 10 destroyers. I think but am not certain that all the USN carriers have been in the Solomons area, so I should be able to use this fleet in reasonable safety from enemy carrier attack. The key issue in this theatre is holding the island of Adak until the start of November and the cold weather effects.
Burma and Sumatra.
I spotted something on the 5th September turn which made me think that an allied invasion of Port Blair was imminent. So far nothing has materialised, but there is currently nothing I can do to stop such an invasion.
Northern Australia.
Surprisingly, the allies havent taken Thursday Island or Merauke yet. In the north of the continent, the Japanese hold grows stronger. Katherine has now built up to level 9 fortifications, and Darwin is approaching level 7. Holding this area secures my hold on the strategic resources area. Allied control of Darwin allows allied 4Es to pummel many important bases.
China.
After the large Chinese victory at Yangku, China has become quiet again. The IJAAF continues to bomb Yangku airfield, to deny the allies a base within range of Japan.
The Americans are well and truly entrenched on Guadalcanal, and on three of the outlying islands. The battle for the area is lost, but I want to hold the large airfield at Lunga for as long as possible. With 360 AV behind level 9 fortifications and 16000 tons of supply, I hope to be able to hold it until November. The Americans have a seemingly limitless supply of PT boats to send into the area; 5 more have been sunk in the past three days.
At Lae, the Liberators hit the base on both the 8th and 9th September, thoroughly closing it. Japanese airframe losses were heavy, but a lot of the pilots survived the key battles. Their squadrons are now at Wewak and Hollandia resting and receiving new planes.
A submarine to the east of Noumea spotted a Seagull floatplane, so there is definitely evidence that at least some of the US fleet is leaving the area, with a possible destination of.......
Aleutians.
The allies are landing at the eastern most of the Aleutian Islands, which I think is Atka Island, one hex to the east of Adak. Unfortunately, not a single one of the 175 bombers I have in range in the area was able to attack due to poor weather. The weather forecast for tomorrow says rain in the whole area so hopefully I will be able to launch some kind of attack. On the 7th September, I sent the Fuso and Yamashiro down towards Singapore, and so the only forces I have in the area are 2 CAs, CVL Ryuho and around 10 destroyers. I think but am not certain that all the USN carriers have been in the Solomons area, so I should be able to use this fleet in reasonable safety from enemy carrier attack. The key issue in this theatre is holding the island of Adak until the start of November and the cold weather effects.
Burma and Sumatra.
I spotted something on the 5th September turn which made me think that an allied invasion of Port Blair was imminent. So far nothing has materialised, but there is currently nothing I can do to stop such an invasion.
Northern Australia.
Surprisingly, the allies havent taken Thursday Island or Merauke yet. In the north of the continent, the Japanese hold grows stronger. Katherine has now built up to level 9 fortifications, and Darwin is approaching level 7. Holding this area secures my hold on the strategic resources area. Allied control of Darwin allows allied 4Es to pummel many important bases.
China.
After the large Chinese victory at Yangku, China has become quiet again. The IJAAF continues to bomb Yangku airfield, to deny the allies a base within range of Japan.
-
BigBadWolf
- Posts: 584
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:01 am
- Location: Serbia
10th to 13th September
Hi Wolfie.
You are right, the allies are going to gradually grind through my defences, but I should be able to extract a heavy price in terms of shipping. We are at a very unusual point, as both sides have massively powerful carrier fleets, and yet neither side wants to initiate a carrier battle away from friendly land based airpower. This suits me as I am able to sink a lot of invasion ships, but it does also mean the allies can force through invasions. Although future invasions will I am sure not be quite so bloody, at some time, the allies will have to force a carrier battle by invading somewhere that I cannot afford to lose.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The Japanese fleet bombards Rennell Island on the 10th, but with coastal guns apparently having been brought in, little damage is done. DD Sagiri hits a mine and is heavily damaged. In another PT boat battle, DD Teruzuki is torpedoed and left on fire, and PT 295 is hit by an incredible 182 shells before sinking, surely a record. The crucial airfield at Rennell reaches level 2 on the 10th, and with that I will stop attempting to bombard the island. A number of small Japanese ships sink in the area after the battles. Two destroyers are sunk after hitting mines, and a submarine is sunk after being hit by a bomb from a PBM Mariner. There is more bad news on the 13th, as BB Nagato is torpedoed, and left with 28 flooding damage. Hopefully she should make Rabaul tomorrow to remove the flooding. That means that both the Nagato and Mutsu, having raced across the ocean from Singapore have been torpedoed, and failed to fire a shot in anger. I should have left them at Singapore because.....
Burma and Sumatra.
My observation from the 5th September seems to be correct. A convoy apparently full of AKs is spotted 7 hexes away from Port Blair. It seems that they will arrive at Port Blair on either the 15th or 16th September. I have a lot of submarines in the area, and four large airbase are in range; Sabang, Singora, Tavoy and Moulmein. If this isnt a diversionary feint, lets see what damage I can do.
Aleutians.
Poor weather hinders me again, but on the 10th, Bettys from Attu are finally able to attack the allied ships at Atka. One small PC is sunk, and another is torpedoed. So far, one unit is observed on the island, and a flotilla of what look to be landing craft are inbound on the 13th. I have a task force of two heavy cruisers that I will send in tomorrow.
China.
As expected, the allies are launching an attack in the south. I think that I have sufficient strength to be able to hold the two forest hexes.
Marshalls.
There has been no allied move in the area at all to this point in the war. This is good as the area has been lightly defended for the whole war. However, in the next three months or so, the 4th Fleet command will receive a lot of air reinforcements. Invading the island chain will be a lot harder in 1944 than it is now.
You are right, the allies are going to gradually grind through my defences, but I should be able to extract a heavy price in terms of shipping. We are at a very unusual point, as both sides have massively powerful carrier fleets, and yet neither side wants to initiate a carrier battle away from friendly land based airpower. This suits me as I am able to sink a lot of invasion ships, but it does also mean the allies can force through invasions. Although future invasions will I am sure not be quite so bloody, at some time, the allies will have to force a carrier battle by invading somewhere that I cannot afford to lose.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The Japanese fleet bombards Rennell Island on the 10th, but with coastal guns apparently having been brought in, little damage is done. DD Sagiri hits a mine and is heavily damaged. In another PT boat battle, DD Teruzuki is torpedoed and left on fire, and PT 295 is hit by an incredible 182 shells before sinking, surely a record. The crucial airfield at Rennell reaches level 2 on the 10th, and with that I will stop attempting to bombard the island. A number of small Japanese ships sink in the area after the battles. Two destroyers are sunk after hitting mines, and a submarine is sunk after being hit by a bomb from a PBM Mariner. There is more bad news on the 13th, as BB Nagato is torpedoed, and left with 28 flooding damage. Hopefully she should make Rabaul tomorrow to remove the flooding. That means that both the Nagato and Mutsu, having raced across the ocean from Singapore have been torpedoed, and failed to fire a shot in anger. I should have left them at Singapore because.....
Burma and Sumatra.
My observation from the 5th September seems to be correct. A convoy apparently full of AKs is spotted 7 hexes away from Port Blair. It seems that they will arrive at Port Blair on either the 15th or 16th September. I have a lot of submarines in the area, and four large airbase are in range; Sabang, Singora, Tavoy and Moulmein. If this isnt a diversionary feint, lets see what damage I can do.
Aleutians.
Poor weather hinders me again, but on the 10th, Bettys from Attu are finally able to attack the allied ships at Atka. One small PC is sunk, and another is torpedoed. So far, one unit is observed on the island, and a flotilla of what look to be landing craft are inbound on the 13th. I have a task force of two heavy cruisers that I will send in tomorrow.
China.
As expected, the allies are launching an attack in the south. I think that I have sufficient strength to be able to hold the two forest hexes.
Marshalls.
There has been no allied move in the area at all to this point in the war. This is good as the area has been lightly defended for the whole war. However, in the next three months or so, the 4th Fleet command will receive a lot of air reinforcements. Invading the island chain will be a lot harder in 1944 than it is now.
14th September
Burma and Sumatra.
I was wrong, the allies are actually landing at Nicobar Island, which has been unoccupied throughout the entire game, I dont even know what size of potential airbase and port it can build. On the turn of the 14th September, the leading transports are 2 hexes to the north west of Nicobar, and the British carriers are three hexes away.
With a long time to prepare for this attack, I have brought some of the best Japanese navy pilots into the battle. F1/6th Daitai, containing my top scoring ace, Hidaka Y. with 17 kills will hopefully be escorting elite Bettys into battle with the enemy carriers from their base at Sabang. F1/Tainan Daitai, the top-scoring squadron with 190 kills will be escorting 2 more squadrons of Bettys from Singora. Nearly 100 planes are based at Kota Bharu and will just be in range of the Nicobar Islands. I also have one additional surprise, which I shan`t reveal yet. It has been unspotted by the allies so far.
The first action of the operation is from a submarine. I-11 torpedoes a Dutch AK, and is slightly damaged by the Dutch DDs escorting it. Around 12 submarines are in the area.
The major concern for tomorrow is the weather; it is thunderstorms everywhere.
Elsewhere.
In the Aleutians, the planned attack by the two heavy cruisers didnt go to plan. DD Murasame hit a mine, and the entire task force retreated back to safety. A big disappointment's.
In the Solomons, Nagato makes it back to port at Rabaul and disbands. She is at 10 system damage, and 28 flotation damage. Two more submarines were hit by bombs from PBM Mariner patrol bombers in the Solomons area. I will withdraw all but two Glenn carrying submarines back to Rabaul, it is simply too dangerous out there now.
I was wrong, the allies are actually landing at Nicobar Island, which has been unoccupied throughout the entire game, I dont even know what size of potential airbase and port it can build. On the turn of the 14th September, the leading transports are 2 hexes to the north west of Nicobar, and the British carriers are three hexes away.
With a long time to prepare for this attack, I have brought some of the best Japanese navy pilots into the battle. F1/6th Daitai, containing my top scoring ace, Hidaka Y. with 17 kills will hopefully be escorting elite Bettys into battle with the enemy carriers from their base at Sabang. F1/Tainan Daitai, the top-scoring squadron with 190 kills will be escorting 2 more squadrons of Bettys from Singora. Nearly 100 planes are based at Kota Bharu and will just be in range of the Nicobar Islands. I also have one additional surprise, which I shan`t reveal yet. It has been unspotted by the allies so far.
The first action of the operation is from a submarine. I-11 torpedoes a Dutch AK, and is slightly damaged by the Dutch DDs escorting it. Around 12 submarines are in the area.
The major concern for tomorrow is the weather; it is thunderstorms everywhere.
Elsewhere.
In the Aleutians, the planned attack by the two heavy cruisers didnt go to plan. DD Murasame hit a mine, and the entire task force retreated back to safety. A big disappointment's.
In the Solomons, Nagato makes it back to port at Rabaul and disbands. She is at 10 system damage, and 28 flotation damage. Two more submarines were hit by bombs from PBM Mariner patrol bombers in the Solomons area. I will withdraw all but two Glenn carrying submarines back to Rabaul, it is simply too dangerous out there now.
15th September
This was not a good turn for me. The first action of the day sees RO-104 put a torpedo into an enemy AK, the sub is depth charged for its troubles. Also, RO-109 sinks a Dutch AK Malaaka Straat.
In the morning air phase, the Elite F1/Tainan Daitai escorts 22 Bettys from 2 full squadrons against the Allied carrier fleet. The results are somewhat disappointing.
A6M3a Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 13
G4M2 Betty x 9
Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 65
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat II: 3 destroyed, 27 damaged
The best Japanese fighter squadron is all but destroyed. To make matters worse, the surviving planes dont even go for the enemy carriers, instead taking potshots against a number of Dutch destroyers, they all miss. With the poor weather covering all the other airbases, that is all of the morning phase.
The afternoon phase opens with the remnants of F1/Tainan Daitai escorting 8 Bettys to attack the unloading transports at Nicobar. One torpedo hit is scored, but the LRCAP Seafires take down another 3 Zeroes. Only 5 Zeroes of Tainan Daitai remain at the end of the day. Two further strikes then attack the same hex, and this time, the Seafires are slaughtered. More than 20 of them go down, for little loss to the Japanese side. An MSW is sunk, and BB Valiant has two bombs bounced off it. Afterwards, two subs are sunk by the concentrated allied escort forces.
The good news for the Japanese can be seen in the map below. The Shokaku and Zuikaku are fast sailing towards the area, and are so far unspotted. The Japanese force, 2CVs, 2CVLs and a CVE can carry about 255 planes. A further 130 or so undamaged navy planes are in range of the current location of the allied CVs. Previous strikes from the allied CVs have been of about 50 torpedo bombers. From the numbers on CAP today, I estimate they have about 120 fighters, but 30 of them were shot down, and another 27 damaged. Will the weather hold up to allow a CV battle?
In the morning air phase, the Elite F1/Tainan Daitai escorts 22 Bettys from 2 full squadrons against the Allied carrier fleet. The results are somewhat disappointing.
A6M3a Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 13
G4M2 Betty x 9
Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 65
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat II: 3 destroyed, 27 damaged
The best Japanese fighter squadron is all but destroyed. To make matters worse, the surviving planes dont even go for the enemy carriers, instead taking potshots against a number of Dutch destroyers, they all miss. With the poor weather covering all the other airbases, that is all of the morning phase.
The afternoon phase opens with the remnants of F1/Tainan Daitai escorting 8 Bettys to attack the unloading transports at Nicobar. One torpedo hit is scored, but the LRCAP Seafires take down another 3 Zeroes. Only 5 Zeroes of Tainan Daitai remain at the end of the day. Two further strikes then attack the same hex, and this time, the Seafires are slaughtered. More than 20 of them go down, for little loss to the Japanese side. An MSW is sunk, and BB Valiant has two bombs bounced off it. Afterwards, two subs are sunk by the concentrated allied escort forces.
The good news for the Japanese can be seen in the map below. The Shokaku and Zuikaku are fast sailing towards the area, and are so far unspotted. The Japanese force, 2CVs, 2CVLs and a CVE can carry about 255 planes. A further 130 or so undamaged navy planes are in range of the current location of the allied CVs. Previous strikes from the allied CVs have been of about 50 torpedo bombers. From the numbers on CAP today, I estimate they have about 120 fighters, but 30 of them were shot down, and another 27 damaged. Will the weather hold up to allow a CV battle?
- Attachments
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- NicobarSe..ber1943.jpg (169.44 KiB) Viewed 250 times
Strange results.
Oh dear, we have hit a problem, and something I have never seen in the game before.
The situation is this. I received Jims turn last night about half an hour before I had to go out. As it was a crucial turn, I decided to run it to see the results of what I thought would be a carrier battle. This first running of the turn gave a very violent carrier battle where both the Indomitable and the Zuikaku were sunk. Feeling somewhat pleased with myself, I saved the turn in a separate slot and then went out, with the intention of running the turn again the following morning and then sending it back to Jim.
Unfortunately, running the turn again the following morning gave a completely different set of results. The Zuikaku wasnt hit at all, it was the Shokaku that took three torpedoes. None of the British carriers were sunk either.
This leaves the problem that running the same turn two times has given completely different results, something that I thought couldnt happen. I await Jims reply about what to do about this, but I have sent him the save from the original carrier battle.
The situation is this. I received Jims turn last night about half an hour before I had to go out. As it was a crucial turn, I decided to run it to see the results of what I thought would be a carrier battle. This first running of the turn gave a very violent carrier battle where both the Indomitable and the Zuikaku were sunk. Feeling somewhat pleased with myself, I saved the turn in a separate slot and then went out, with the intention of running the turn again the following morning and then sending it back to Jim.
Unfortunately, running the turn again the following morning gave a completely different set of results. The Zuikaku wasnt hit at all, it was the Shokaku that took three torpedoes. None of the British carriers were sunk either.
This leaves the problem that running the same turn two times has given completely different results, something that I thought couldnt happen. I await Jims reply about what to do about this, but I have sent him the save from the original carrier battle.
16th September
We are back with the game after the problem.
A thrilling day. It opens with submarine warfare. I-158 at Nicobar island is attacked multiple times and left crippled. I-159 is sunk after multiple depth charge hits from PC boats guarding the hex of the enemy carriers. Allied subs hit an AK in Vietnam, and sink a barge at Palau. Menwhile, a Japanese sub sinks an LCT at Irau.
The main action is all around Nicobar. In the morning phase, poor weather covers both of the carrier fleets. Japanese strikes against the multitude of transport ships unloading at Nicobar manage to torpedo the CL Ceres, sink an MSW and damage two AKs. There are still clouds covering both carrier fleets. Encouragingly, there are still Hellcats over the transport fleet, the Japanese fleet is completely unspotted.
The carrier battle happens in the afternoon. The first strike comes from the British.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M5 Zeke x 27
A6M3a Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 6
Barracuda x 33
Avenger I/II x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat II: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Barracuda: 19 destroyed
Avenger I/II: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho
The CAP fights fairly well, and shoots down a lot of the fragile Barracudas. However, the skilled British aviators manage to put multiple torpedoes into the Zuikaku, and it sinks instantly. Surprisingly, the Shokaku is not attacked at all.
After this, 38 Kates at Sabang attack British shipping at Nicobar. 4 AKs are hit by a total of seven torpedoes, leaving three of them heavily damaged. 16 Betties also attack and all miss.
Finally, the Japanese carriers manage to launch their strikes, and they are effective. Here is the major Japanese strike.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 10
D4Y Judy x 23
A6M3a Zero x 14
B6N2 Jill x 40
Allied aircraft
Seafire I/II x 3
Hellcat II x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed, 30 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Seafire I/II: 3 damaged
Hellcat II: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glasgow
DD Fortune
This is the second strike; evidently one of the CVs failed the co-ordination test.
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
D4Y Judy x 23
B6N2 Jill x 28
Allied aircraft
Seafire I/II x 1
Hellcat II x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 damaged
D4Y Judy: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Seafire I/II: 1 damaged
Hellcat II: 6 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Glasgow
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Two final small strikes from 12 Jills, and then from 3 Bettys all miss. At the end of the day, the Indomitable is confirmed sunk, along with the Zuikaku. The British carriers are certainly a powerful force. Even having suffered heavy fighter losses the previous day, and with at least one of their fighter squadrons on LRCAP duty, they still fought a tough battle against a force massively superior in terms of numbers of planes.
Elsewhere, I order a sweep from Attu against Lightnings on LRCAP over Atka. The Zeroes outnumber the Lightnings four to one, and manage to shoot down ten of the enemy planes. I am now all but certain that the next allied operation will be in the Aleutians in early October.
I am unsure on whether to send the carriers in to attack the enemy invasion fleet. Although I want to hit the US fleet hard, the most important thing is to keep the carriers alive for my long-planned decisive battle in February or March 1944. Now the allies know the sinking of the Zuikaku, and the location of a significant amount of the carrier fleet, they may be more tempted to fight a carrier battle.
A thrilling day. It opens with submarine warfare. I-158 at Nicobar island is attacked multiple times and left crippled. I-159 is sunk after multiple depth charge hits from PC boats guarding the hex of the enemy carriers. Allied subs hit an AK in Vietnam, and sink a barge at Palau. Menwhile, a Japanese sub sinks an LCT at Irau.
The main action is all around Nicobar. In the morning phase, poor weather covers both of the carrier fleets. Japanese strikes against the multitude of transport ships unloading at Nicobar manage to torpedo the CL Ceres, sink an MSW and damage two AKs. There are still clouds covering both carrier fleets. Encouragingly, there are still Hellcats over the transport fleet, the Japanese fleet is completely unspotted.
The carrier battle happens in the afternoon. The first strike comes from the British.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M5 Zeke x 27
A6M3a Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
Hellcat II x 6
Barracuda x 33
Avenger I/II x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat II: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Barracuda: 19 destroyed
Avenger I/II: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho
The CAP fights fairly well, and shoots down a lot of the fragile Barracudas. However, the skilled British aviators manage to put multiple torpedoes into the Zuikaku, and it sinks instantly. Surprisingly, the Shokaku is not attacked at all.
After this, 38 Kates at Sabang attack British shipping at Nicobar. 4 AKs are hit by a total of seven torpedoes, leaving three of them heavily damaged. 16 Betties also attack and all miss.
Finally, the Japanese carriers manage to launch their strikes, and they are effective. Here is the major Japanese strike.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 10
D4Y Judy x 23
A6M3a Zero x 14
B6N2 Jill x 40
Allied aircraft
Seafire I/II x 3
Hellcat II x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed, 30 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Seafire I/II: 3 damaged
Hellcat II: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glasgow
DD Fortune
This is the second strike; evidently one of the CVs failed the co-ordination test.
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
D4Y Judy x 23
B6N2 Jill x 28
Allied aircraft
Seafire I/II x 1
Hellcat II x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 damaged
D4Y Judy: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Seafire I/II: 1 damaged
Hellcat II: 6 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Glasgow
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Two final small strikes from 12 Jills, and then from 3 Bettys all miss. At the end of the day, the Indomitable is confirmed sunk, along with the Zuikaku. The British carriers are certainly a powerful force. Even having suffered heavy fighter losses the previous day, and with at least one of their fighter squadrons on LRCAP duty, they still fought a tough battle against a force massively superior in terms of numbers of planes.
Elsewhere, I order a sweep from Attu against Lightnings on LRCAP over Atka. The Zeroes outnumber the Lightnings four to one, and manage to shoot down ten of the enemy planes. I am now all but certain that the next allied operation will be in the Aleutians in early October.
I am unsure on whether to send the carriers in to attack the enemy invasion fleet. Although I want to hit the US fleet hard, the most important thing is to keep the carriers alive for my long-planned decisive battle in February or March 1944. Now the allies know the sinking of the Zuikaku, and the location of a significant amount of the carrier fleet, they may be more tempted to fight a carrier battle.
17th September. Battle of Nicobar day 2.
This turn is just as violent as the previous turn. Overnight, a Japanese battleship force, led by the aggressive RADM Kono leads an attack against the British transports unloading troops and supplies at Nicobar. I had expected the British surface fleet to flee, but a massive enemy force is in the area, consisting of 2 BBs, 4CAs, 4CLs and two DDs. Over 4 separate phases, Kono leads his force into attack, but the Royal Navy battleline is just too powerful. BB Kongo suffers a magazine explosion after taking a 15 inch shell from BB Valiant. BB Haruna is torpedoed by DD Pakenham, and is pummeled repeatedly by the BB Royal Sovereign. CA Kumano fights a long battle with the CA Devonshire but is heavily damaged, its strong belt armour saving it from an even worse battering. CA Suzuya fights well damaging the CLs Danae and Dragon but is also left heavily damaged.
At the end of the battle, the Kongo and three destroyers are sunk. Haruna is left a crippled wreck, see below. CA Suzuya, CA Kumano and DD Suzunami will head to Sabang port to attempt to reduce flooding damage, and may survive. Even after such a heavy defeat, it is still exciting to see battleships duke it out!
In a strange sub-battle in the Nicobar Island hex, an ASW force of four destroyers manage to sink the CL Ceres, which had been previously damaged despite the fact that they were supposed to be following the CVs.
The Japanese aviators on board the CV Shokaku and the smaller carriers get the chance to strike against the fleeing British carriers in the morning. CV Formidable has managed to move four hexes, but is only 240 miles from the Japanese fleet. She takes three more torpedoes and quickly sinks. One of her escorts, DD Isis also takes two bomb hits. CVL Hermes has only managed to move three hexes, but is covered by bad weather in the morning phase. CV Illustrious was only slightly damaged in the first day of the battle and is seen to have returned to Trincomalle port.
In the afternoon phase, the Japanese carriers are clouded in, but land based air manages to torpedo the CA Cornwall, and hit the CLs Sumatra and Capetown with bombs. A couple of cargo ships are also damaged. Rather more seriously, the allies manage to complete a level one airfield at Nicobar, which can eventually be built up to level 5. This looks to be fast turning into a strategic defeat for the Japanese. With the carrier force planes shredded by the enemy flak; Zuikaku has just one operational Jill torpedo bomber left, the Japanese carrier fleet heads home. It is left to the submarines to try and get the heavily damaged Hermes.
There are two other major events in the turn. There is a major battle over Moulmein, 93 Warhawks escort 103 2E bombers into a major Japanese CAP concentration of 155 fighters. The Warhawks are defeated heavily. Total losses are 21 Japanese fighters, 62 allied fighters, 13 allied bombers.
A second large scale aerial fight occurs over Yangku, where 21 Chinese fighters are lost for 7 Oscars and 2 Ann dive bombers. The IJAAF is managing to slow, but not halt expansion of the Chinese airbase at Yangku.
At the end of the battle, the Kongo and three destroyers are sunk. Haruna is left a crippled wreck, see below. CA Suzuya, CA Kumano and DD Suzunami will head to Sabang port to attempt to reduce flooding damage, and may survive. Even after such a heavy defeat, it is still exciting to see battleships duke it out!
In a strange sub-battle in the Nicobar Island hex, an ASW force of four destroyers manage to sink the CL Ceres, which had been previously damaged despite the fact that they were supposed to be following the CVs.
The Japanese aviators on board the CV Shokaku and the smaller carriers get the chance to strike against the fleeing British carriers in the morning. CV Formidable has managed to move four hexes, but is only 240 miles from the Japanese fleet. She takes three more torpedoes and quickly sinks. One of her escorts, DD Isis also takes two bomb hits. CVL Hermes has only managed to move three hexes, but is covered by bad weather in the morning phase. CV Illustrious was only slightly damaged in the first day of the battle and is seen to have returned to Trincomalle port.
In the afternoon phase, the Japanese carriers are clouded in, but land based air manages to torpedo the CA Cornwall, and hit the CLs Sumatra and Capetown with bombs. A couple of cargo ships are also damaged. Rather more seriously, the allies manage to complete a level one airfield at Nicobar, which can eventually be built up to level 5. This looks to be fast turning into a strategic defeat for the Japanese. With the carrier force planes shredded by the enemy flak; Zuikaku has just one operational Jill torpedo bomber left, the Japanese carrier fleet heads home. It is left to the submarines to try and get the heavily damaged Hermes.
There are two other major events in the turn. There is a major battle over Moulmein, 93 Warhawks escort 103 2E bombers into a major Japanese CAP concentration of 155 fighters. The Warhawks are defeated heavily. Total losses are 21 Japanese fighters, 62 allied fighters, 13 allied bombers.
A second large scale aerial fight occurs over Yangku, where 21 Chinese fighters are lost for 7 Oscars and 2 Ann dive bombers. The IJAAF is managing to slow, but not halt expansion of the Chinese airbase at Yangku.
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18th September
Indian Ocean.
The allies have brought in a squadron of the powerful P-47D fighter into the level 1 airfield at Nicobar, and these fight well against the elite fighters at Sabang, which comprises the F1/6th Daitai, the unit with the second highest number of kills, and the remnants of the fighter squadron from the Zuikaku. The Thuds manage to shoot down three Zeroes. The flak surrounding the enemy transports at Nicobar is so heavy, that my pilots would have trouble hitting one side of a barn door with the side of another barn door. The 35 bombers that attack in the morning score just one bomb and one torpedo hit against the stationary transports. Bad weather protects the transports in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, SS I-160 crucially misses the heavily damaged CVL Hermes. As I expect the allies to expand Nicobar to a level 2 airbase today, I decide to withdraw the Japanese carrier fleet of Shokaku, Ryuho, Shoho, Hosho and Unyo back to Singapore. It is not worth the risk of having them damaged or even sunk for the chance at a shot at a couple of damaged light cruisers.
Solomons.
The first tanker fleet trying to bring fuel into Tassafaronga was largely turned away by Japanese forces a few weeks ago, but there is a second tanker fleet currently at the crucial frontline base. Japanese planes attack the ships, which are under light protection from Corsairs on LRCAP.
The flak here, although heavy is not as intense as at Nicobar, and the CL Richmond is torpedoed twice, two destroyers are bombed, and two tankers are torpedoed, setting them on fire. In his historical theatre, RADM Tanaka will lead a small destroyer force down the Slot to try and torpedo some of the enemy shipping.
The allies have brought in a squadron of the powerful P-47D fighter into the level 1 airfield at Nicobar, and these fight well against the elite fighters at Sabang, which comprises the F1/6th Daitai, the unit with the second highest number of kills, and the remnants of the fighter squadron from the Zuikaku. The Thuds manage to shoot down three Zeroes. The flak surrounding the enemy transports at Nicobar is so heavy, that my pilots would have trouble hitting one side of a barn door with the side of another barn door. The 35 bombers that attack in the morning score just one bomb and one torpedo hit against the stationary transports. Bad weather protects the transports in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, SS I-160 crucially misses the heavily damaged CVL Hermes. As I expect the allies to expand Nicobar to a level 2 airbase today, I decide to withdraw the Japanese carrier fleet of Shokaku, Ryuho, Shoho, Hosho and Unyo back to Singapore. It is not worth the risk of having them damaged or even sunk for the chance at a shot at a couple of damaged light cruisers.
Solomons.
The first tanker fleet trying to bring fuel into Tassafaronga was largely turned away by Japanese forces a few weeks ago, but there is a second tanker fleet currently at the crucial frontline base. Japanese planes attack the ships, which are under light protection from Corsairs on LRCAP.
The flak here, although heavy is not as intense as at Nicobar, and the CL Richmond is torpedoed twice, two destroyers are bombed, and two tankers are torpedoed, setting them on fire. In his historical theatre, RADM Tanaka will lead a small destroyer force down the Slot to try and torpedo some of the enemy shipping.
19th September
19th September
A cruiser task force attacks the numerous ships unloading at Nicobar Island. First, they encounter a lightly escorted cargo ships convoy and cripple a destroyer, a minesweeper and two empty transports.
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu
DD Shimakaze
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
Allied Ships
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes
MSW Cromarty
MSW Orissa, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Botlea
AK Cape Sable
AK City of Durban
AK Athene, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Auckland Star
AK Empire Star
AK Dardanus
AK Orestes, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
AK Talthibius
AK Tantalus
Next, they meet a task force composed entirely of ships which have been already damaged by air attacks. Heavy damage is done.
Allied Ships
AK King Guffyd, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Empire Falstaff, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AK Empire Trumpet, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AK Empire Villager, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Eugenie Livanos, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Johanne Justesen
AK Skagerak, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AK Chengtu, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Taiyuan, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
Somewhat disappointingly, they then retreat not attacking the other 6 or so transport task force that are still at the island.
During the day, numerous air attacks are launched on the island. The first attack sees 29 Helens escorted by 30 Oscars meet a 16 Thunderbolt CAP. 7 Oscars are lost but all of the Helens get through to attack, causing 20 runway and 4 airbase hits. The next attack comes from the IJNAF at Sabang. The outnumbered and by now tired P-47s lose this battle 6 to 1 and all the bombers get through. Accuracy is again very poor; the 36 bombers score just one hit.
I will be launching a large bombing campaign against the island from now on. I have developed a plan where I hope to lure out and sink the British battlefleet in the Indian Ocean, and I need the Nicobar base to be inoperational for it.
Solomons.
Tanaka led three destroyers down the Slot to attack the enemy shipping at Tassafaronga. It didnt work, and one destroyer was lost in a combat with enemy destroyers.
Aleutians.
As I am expecting a major offensive in early October, I will send four Japanese carriers to Paramushiro Jima, the Northern most of the Kurile Islands. This is a level 4 port and so can provide a safe place to dock. Hopefully, the spotting of the a large carrier force in the area will encourage the British battleships out.
A cruiser task force attacks the numerous ships unloading at Nicobar Island. First, they encounter a lightly escorted cargo ships convoy and cripple a destroyer, a minesweeper and two empty transports.
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu
DD Shimakaze
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
Allied Ships
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes
MSW Cromarty
MSW Orissa, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Botlea
AK Cape Sable
AK City of Durban
AK Athene, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Auckland Star
AK Empire Star
AK Dardanus
AK Orestes, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
AK Talthibius
AK Tantalus
Next, they meet a task force composed entirely of ships which have been already damaged by air attacks. Heavy damage is done.
Allied Ships
AK King Guffyd, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Empire Falstaff, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AK Empire Trumpet, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AK Empire Villager, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Eugenie Livanos, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Johanne Justesen
AK Skagerak, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AK Chengtu, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Taiyuan, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
Somewhat disappointingly, they then retreat not attacking the other 6 or so transport task force that are still at the island.
During the day, numerous air attacks are launched on the island. The first attack sees 29 Helens escorted by 30 Oscars meet a 16 Thunderbolt CAP. 7 Oscars are lost but all of the Helens get through to attack, causing 20 runway and 4 airbase hits. The next attack comes from the IJNAF at Sabang. The outnumbered and by now tired P-47s lose this battle 6 to 1 and all the bombers get through. Accuracy is again very poor; the 36 bombers score just one hit.
I will be launching a large bombing campaign against the island from now on. I have developed a plan where I hope to lure out and sink the British battlefleet in the Indian Ocean, and I need the Nicobar base to be inoperational for it.
Solomons.
Tanaka led three destroyers down the Slot to attack the enemy shipping at Tassafaronga. It didnt work, and one destroyer was lost in a combat with enemy destroyers.
Aleutians.
As I am expecting a major offensive in early October, I will send four Japanese carriers to Paramushiro Jima, the Northern most of the Kurile Islands. This is a level 4 port and so can provide a safe place to dock. Hopefully, the spotting of the a large carrier force in the area will encourage the British battleships out.