Scott versus Kaleun. Major Victory!

[kaleun]

September 11th 42.
Dawn arrives at the Solomons. The sun rises over a crowded airfield at Lunga. The aircraft from Saratoga and Yorktown that diverted to the small base crowd the field. A tempting target for the Japanese. A bombardment task force could disable most of the available US strike power in a single, devastating raid. There’s no attempt at dispersal, all the airplanes, loaded for bear, sit in the open, their pilots, plenty angry at their cockpits, waiting for the reports from the scouts that took off even before it was fully light.
The first reports come in. Enemy carriers seen north of the islands. An advanced air HQ stationed in the island has many torpedoes available. 16 Avengers strike. There is no enemy CAP. Two torpedoes strike CVL Shoho but only one explodes. CV Hiryu takes one torpedo that also fails to explode. Maybe the tropical moisture corroded the firing mechanism. Following on the heels of the torpedo bombers come 42 Dauntless. This time Hiryu doesn’t escape, 4 bombs crash through its decks, Shoho gets one hit; Yamato takes 4 and CA Tone two.
It doesn’t end here; 6 avengers find the enemy. Two torpedoes hit Yamato; one explodes, one fails to. Ten Dauntless follow, 2 hits apiece on Shoho and Hiei. 6 Dauntless concentrate on Hinryu with three hits, as the dive bombers fly away, one of the rear gunners documents a massive explosion on the enemy carrier.
It is a very long day for the enemy sailors. A flight of 2 avengers and 5 dauntless finds the enemy again, 2 torpedoes and one bomb find the battleship Hiei. 6 more dive bombers follow to score once again on the battleship and twice on Ashigara. The army will not be denied. B26s find Yamato and score one hit on the super battleship.
Some of the enemy carriers are still able to mount air operations and 15 Kates, 15 Vals and a single Zero score on allied tankers sent to refuel the carriers. DMS Southard eakes one bomb hit; worse is the outcome for the slow tankers: TK Helong and Ostlow sink after 4 direct hits apiece. TK Pat Dohery takes 3 bombs and struggles on, on fire.
The battle continues as allied bombers in pairs, or quartets continue to strike at the enemy. CA Maya, one bomb hit. BB Yamashiro, one bomb hit, CA Chikuma, 2 hits and is dead in the water.

While the remnants of the enemy carrier force retreat towards Truk, a different kind of drama ensues south of the island chain. Hornet and Wasp make good progress towards the anchorage at Espiritu Santo; Yorktown, split from the main force, not so much, its pumps struggling with the flooding, its escorts hovering around helplessly.

[Crackaces]

WOW! A great day for the Allies! It shows it can be done in WitP AE in 1942 ..

Along with sinking CV's -- I count 6 bomb hits total and fires on the Yamato and five total on the Yamashiro leaving her a burning wreck also? If so that takes out 2 real threats to your amphib operations ..

If the Yorktown can make it to a AR or a dock she will live .. that will be 3 CV's out for awhile but man oh man what a day !!

Congraduations!

[kaleun]

Thanks Crackaces.
I like to play not necessarily a historical game, but at least a plausible game, I do not hold my carriers back as I feel the US (and UK) public would not accept that. If Australia is invaded it becomes first priority to repel that invasion as that would have been necessary IMHO to keep the Aussies in the war. The result is that I end up losing carriers in every game I play. Not the smartest way to play it, but it is more fun for both sides.

[kaleun]

September 12th 1942
Almost in sight of harbor, Yorktown’s pumps finally lose the battle with the sea and the mighty ship founders. The news fills the pilots on her air groups with resolve and they set out seeking the remnants of the Japanese task force with greater motivation. The first victim is heavy cruiser Chikuma. 2 torpedoes leave her dead in the water. Dive bombers find Yamato and Hiei creeping north and score one hit on each battleship. 6 more Dauntless score 2 bomb hits on the heavy cruiser Chikuma. 9 Dauntless find Yamato and Hiei and score three times on Hiei. 5 more dive bombers score thrice again on Hiei. Marine dive bombers get in the action too and score again in Yamato. A new flight of Dauntless scores on DD Tawakaze once, twice more on Hiei, once on Yamato and three times on CA Tone.

Mitscher’s task force arrives at Luganville. Engineers swarm over both injured carriers initiating some repairs and the air crackles with wireless signals to Pearl, the supplies, parts and spares both ships need, will be ready when they arrive in Hawaii.

[kaleun]

September 13 42
Quiet returns to the Solomon Islands; the retreating enemy is now too far for the Guadalcanal based airplanes to reach. The allied carriers are not operational at this time. The Japanese are not thought to have any carriers in the area but their largest carriers are thought to be in the southern PI or Babeldoab area, an easy transit to the Solomons. Without air cover the US Navy must be careful with its assets. Further expansion of this front will wait for the carriers to return to duty.
We now focus on Timor. The Japanese hold on to their beachhead at Koepang. The garrison, reinforced by the newly arrived 40th infantry Division launches an attack on the enemy forces. The dug in Japanese repel the attack. Allied loses number 1000 and Japanese are estimated at 350.

[kaleun]

September 14 1942
At the northwestern tip of Sumatra, the 16th British Brigade arrives at Medan. The Burma front has been stable for a long time. There is not enough power for an allied offensive on that front, considering the difficult terrain. The British High Command fears a renewed enemy offensive at Shwebo. With Port Blair in relative safety, the sea approaches to Sabang are defensible. Reinforcing the Dutch garrison there might draw off Japanese forces from Burma or even create a stronghold from where to launch a bid to liberate the island. Further reinforcements are being considered.

[kaleun]

September 17th 42

Air battles rage on the skies over Sabang as Japanese bombers attempt to keep the British reinforcements from landing. The British Hurricanes now enjoy the support of a flight of US P40 E Warhawks freshly arrived from the mainland via Port Blair.

The 2nd British Division set out from Colombo to reinforce the enclave at Sabang.

DD Blue sunk yesterday from the damage received in the battle of the Solomons.

Enemy G4M1s attempt to bomb the transports evacuating the 2 Marine Division that, its work done, is now being withdrawn to Luganville to prepare for its next (as yet classified) mission.

In Lunga, the 147th Sep Infantry regiment prepares and awaits transport to Lunga where it is scheduled to relieve the Americal Division.

[kaleun]

September 19th
The Solomons are quiet except for intermittent and mostly unsuccessful raids by the enemy against our transports at Shortlands. Despite this visits by the long range enemy bombers, the Second Marine Division loading proceeds apace.

At Kendari, Banshees from Ambon score.

The Japanese forces at Timor will not be eliminated anytime soon with the forces available. At the same time, lacking any functional carriers, offensive operations by the US will be curtailed for a while. The decision is made to release the 27th US Infantry Div. to the Australians to be used to liberate Timor. Once the enemy forces are eliminated, the 27th will return to US control.

The 57 Coastal artillery and the Bobcat USN Seabees are being deployed to Shortlands.

[1275psi]

You are doing very well I think in this game kaleun!
You appear to be in the solomons to stay, but with a lot of "fun' to come!

Nice AAR too[8D]

[kaleun]

Thanks for the read and post 1275psi. Coming from you it means a lot.

[kaleun]

September 22nd 42
Both sides, tired and weary after the recent battles circle each others like boxers in a long fight.

The allies probe once again the Japanese forces in Koepang with 1100 losses against 400 Japanese casualties. The Australian 17th Brigade loads at Lautern, hindered by the primitive facilities, to transfer to Koepang.

On the 22nd Banshees score hits on shipping in Kendari.

In Java, Batavia still holds out against the Japanese forces.

September 23rd 42
17th Australian brigade unloads at Koepang.

September 26th 42
Wasp and Hornet are finally approaching Pearl Harbor; Tennessee and West Virginia exit the shipyard and prepare to transfer to the West Coast to leave room for the two carriers.

On the Timor front, the bombers that have been raiding Kendari report an unidentified carrier at port there. All Hudsons and Banshees at Ambon are ordered to port attack.

[kaleun]

September 27th 42
Oops! BB Revenge, escorted by DD Hughes and Nizam and Ralph Talbot are sent on a nighttime bombardment raid to harass the enemy forces at Koepang. Unfortunately, the small allied task force meets a much superior enemy force that had the same idea. The results are predictable.
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 49, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hughes, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Nizam

After the allied forces disengage, the enemy bombards the allied positions. In the morning, despite the pounding they took overnight, the allied forces attack the enemy positions. The Japanese were caught by surprise since they did not expect an attack after last night’s bombardment. 1300 enemy casualties versus 752 allied.

At Pearl, Wasp SD 40 F 5 E 4
And Hornet, SD 37 FD 55 enter dry dock.

[kaleun]

September 28th

Wasp, SD 40, F5 E 4 and Hornet, SD 37, F 55 are nestled comfortably in their dry docks, undergoing repairs as fast as the shipyard can work. The sailors enjoy a hearty welcome from all, military and civilian, and the ladies, in Pearl Harbor.

In Java, Batavia falls after a long siege.

September 29th

Action continues to be concentrated in the Timor Island front. An enemy task force resupplying the invaders comes under air attack; the allied bombers score hits on xAK Teiryu Maru and xAK Nasei Maru.

The allied forces launched a new attack at Koepang. Allied losses were 867 for 380 on the enemy side.

The 27th US Division is unloading at Darwin prior to transfer to the smaller ships that will transport them to Koepang.

September 30 42

Japanese forces continue to reinforce Koepang despite the increasingly effective allied bomber sorties. Banshees score one hit on xAK Shinsei Maru and 2 on xAK Tenryu Maru; Later in the day, one Hudson scores on xAK Shinsei Maru and a Banshee on xAKL Taifuku Maru.

Back in Noumea, orders are given to several coastal defense forces, previously deployed at Suva and Noumea to redeploy to Koepang. Once the redeployment is complete, the Japs will be in for a nasty surprise.

[kaleun]

October 1st 1942.


The shipyard’s report sits at Nimitz’s desk in Pearl Harbor. Both carriers will be ready to sail on October 26th. New Mexico will be ready on the 29th.

Allied intelligence has confirmed that Hiryu, and Shoho did, indeed, sink on the naval air battles around Guadalcanal in September. There is no confirmation of any of the other carriers reported as sunk or heavily damaged. The Shokaku carrier task force is unaccounted for. Under these circumstances, no offensive operations can be carried out outside of land based air support.

Nimitz’s pet project, the invasion of Tarawa, with the double intent of better protecting the convoy lanes between the West Coast and Australia/Noumea, and projecting power against the Marshall's must be, once again, delayed until November.

The Australians anticipate that Koepang will have been cleared of enemy forces by then. They also announce a small operation to retake the Lae pocket enemy bases. An operation of no strategic value, but with some political importance for the home front. Using mostly Australian forces, they do require US Navy support.

“They can take a chair and wait,” Nimitz tells his aide.

[kaleun]

October 3rd, 42[/b] The 147th Sep Infantry regiment arrives at Lunga relieving the Americal Infantry division that embarks for Luganville. At Koepang, the 16, 17 and 19th Brigades plus cavalry assemble into the 6th Division.   October 4th 42[/b] Shortlands has an operational airfield.  

October 6th 42.[/b] At Koepang, SS KXVII hits DD Hibiki with two torpedoes. For some reason there was a universal groan at headquarters when this news was radioed in.  

October 8th 42[/b] CV Illustrious leaves Sidney for Pearl Harbour to undergo further repairs before being transferred off theater,

[kaleun]

In an amazing turn of events, IJN DD Hibiki is reborn as a...






Whisky bottle. (And an expensive one I may add)

[kaleun]

The actual game is now only about a month ahead of the AAR so posting may slow down a little.

[kaleun]

October 11th 42
2nd British Division reaches Langsa a the NW Sumatra action area and will attack on the morrow.

October 16 42
US 27th Infantry has arrived at Koepang and is unloading.

October 18th 42
Enemy battleships led by BB Haruna approached Koepang to intercept the transports and bombard the defenders. They were met by the covering force of 6 battleships and heavy cruisers. Despite the vastly superior allied numbers, the results were indecisive but the allied transports escaped damage.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 9
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Oklahoma
BB Idaho, Shell hits 2
BB Mississippi
BB North Carolina
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 2
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans
CA Minneapolis
CA Vincennes
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen
DD Lansdowne
DD Lardner
DD Farenholt
DD Bailey
DD Hull

[kaleun]

October 20th 1942

The 2nd British Division and 16th British brigade, together with the Langsa Base force reached and attempted to recapture Langsa in the island of Sumatra. The allied advance met with stiff resistance from the Japanese 21st Division and 4 infantry regiments. Now, the Japanese counterattack met with determined resistance from the allied forces that prepare to retreat to Sabang.

In Koepang, the allies attempt yet again to dislodge the enemy invaders and, this time, it seems the breaking point is near for the beleaguered Japanese forces. At one to one odds, the enemy suffered a thousand casualties against 500 allied.

October 21st 1942
The Imperial Japanese Navy tries, once again, to forestall the inevitable. A potent surface task force including the heavy cruisers Haguro, Nachi, Mogami, Suzuya, Kumano, Aoba and Furutaka approach Koepang at night with the intention of attacking the transports and bombarding the defenders. This time, things are different. The cruiser force meets an allied Battleship covering force including Colorado, Oklahoma, Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, and the heavy cruisers Pensacola, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Vincennes. Aided by radar, the allies detect the enemy force at 20,000 yards and, when the range closes to 12,000 yards, the allied forces open fire on the surprised Japanese ships.

CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 2
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akebono

The surprised Japanese only score one hit on Colorado, Idaho, CL Concord and DD Lardner.

As daylight breaks, the allied forces attack the Japanese yet again. Running short on ammunition and supply, the enemy suffers a thousand casualties against only 300 by the allied forces.

[kaleun]

October 22nd 42
Allied forces attack enemy in Koepang. On even odds, the Japanese suffer 990 losses against 355 for the allies.

October 23rd 42
Allied forces achieve 2 to 1 odds on Koepang. The Japanese, running short on supplies and exhausted by the long siege suffer almost 2000 casualties while the allies only lose 180.

October 24th 42
SS S-43 hits destroyer Amagiri with three torpedoes sinking her off Larantoeka.
Japanese losses at Koepang were 2000 today,

October 25th 42
SS Sailfish, patrolling near Balikpapan finds itself in shooting position and fires 4 torpedoes at Shokaku. All fish miss however. The contact report sent by the sub’s captain reports sighting, in addition to the carrier, Battleships Hyuga and Fuso.
Near Hakodate, Greenling achieves a hit on xAK Manzyu Maru. Later Grunion scores a hit on the same Maru.

October 26th 42
The carrier force reported by Sailfish approached Timor and attacked shipping unloading at Lautern. 4 xAKLs were sunk by carrier air.
The Japanese soldiers desperately defending at Koepang suffered 4000 casualties in today’s attack.
In Pearl Harbor, carriers Wasp and Hornet finish repairs and rapidly refuel and prepare for operation Flying Lantern.