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... and then an amphib TF near the Chinese coast ...

... and so on ...

... and so on ...

While sinking some 30 ships in the morning phase seems positive, it doesn't feel like it when some unknown part of the KB and it's escorts is within 50 miles of the entire Allied CV fleet!

Luckily, in the afternoon phase the weather cleared and the strikes flew true.

This strike changes a lot about this game. I still don't really know how much he has here, but I know there is some real damage and some CVs out of action. The extra messages are especially good to see, especially on those CVs that didn't take as many hits.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Samah at 71,68

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 32
A6M8 Zero x 21
A7M2 Sam x 21

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 19
F4U-1A Corsair x 114
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
F6F-5 Hellcat x 155
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 83
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 99
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 41
TBM-1C Avenger x 30
TBM-3 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 10 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 destroyed by flak
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 3 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Aso, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CVL Chiyoda
CV Kasagi, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
BB Nagato
BB Hiei
DD Shirakumo
CL Yahagi
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2
CV Ikoma
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CL Ninaru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Teshio
CVL Ibuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
CL Rishiri
CL Kushida
CL Sendai
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Takase
DD Wakazuki
BB Kongo
CL Tokachi
DD Shikinami
DD Chugoa
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Ammo storage explosion on CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Ninaru
Fuel storage explosion on CV Katsuragi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Katsuragi
Ammo storage explosion on CV Taiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Kasagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Soryu class CV

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Annoyingly, that was it, and three more strikes went on to target the oilers and transports nearby again.

Both sides only have moderate plane losses so far. Japanese sweeps did well against the tired LR CAP as well, but that's another story.

What will tomorrow hold?

The turn is away!

Holy Cow! Very dramatic. Good Luck...

!!!

Looking forward to this clash. If you don't mind, what do you have on hand in the hex? How many CVs and CVLs and what kind of surface TFs? That looks like pretty much the whole kaigun there.

Cheers,
CB

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Looking forward to this clash. If you don't mind, what do you have on hand in the hex? How many CVs and CVLs and what kind of surface TFs? That looks like pretty much the whole kaigun there.

Cheers,
CB

It's definitely not the entire KB, but a lot of the surface ships are there.

I've got about 10-12 CVs, essentially everything except Yorktown that is currently available. All four Iowas are there, as are five other fast BBs, three of which will split off and two of which will stay with their respective CV TFs.

I've got about 12 CA/CL, plus a few destroyer only TFs and a lot more streaking in to cause late confusion if there is a running battle.

I can post shots later, but don't have it open right now.

One thing I've been wondering. Does the HQ assignment of a surface ship affect it's performance in a TF assigned to a different HQ?

Does the assigned HQ have any function at all?

After this turn Loka sent a note saying he was a bit uncomfortable with the change in Allied player, and had been having a hard time adjusting to the different tactics. I understand after having gone through this several times already in other games. It's odd and unsettling, and each game takes on such a different feeling dependent on player settings, risk/reward thresholds, general strategic thinking, etc.

We went back and forth a bit and I think he's on board to continue regularly, although that has meant a turn every 7-10 days so far. This one took two weeks.

I hope it comes back soon! Itching to see how this plays out. [X(]

ORIGINAL: obvert

One thing I've been wondering. Does the HQ assignment of a surface ship affect it's performance in a TF assigned to a different HQ?

Does the assigned HQ have any function at all?

I asked that question once and was told the HQ assignment has no effect - it simply is meant to help you keep track of what you have assigned to different areas of operation. I don't know of anyone who does keep track of what they assign in each area like this, but it could be used.

Thanks. It's too bad that area commanders don't have more influence. It kind of negates Nimitz and others in Naval HQs.I was hoping that even after a decade of playing I'd neglected this important command feature. [:D]

Changing commanders was a common occurrance during WWII, especially on the Axis side.. The Germans had a rotating door policy, whenever they told Hitler no they were canned. Japan was a little more robust it usually took the death to remove somone from high command.

Still no replay after six days. Will update as soon as I get a replay to watch.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: obvert

One thing I've been wondering. Does the HQ assignment of a surface ship affect it's performance in a TF assigned to a different HQ?

Does the assigned HQ have any function at all?

I asked that question once and was told the HQ assignment has no effect - it simply is meant to help you keep track of what you have assigned to different areas of operation. I don't know of anyone who does keep track of what they assign in each area like this, but it could be used.

+1

My understanding as well.

Ok. The night of the 23rd started off with some trepidation, no doubt on both sides. Massive fleets squared off and ready to hit each other only 40 miles apart.

Some Allied DDs found IJN battleships first. Nothing much hit and they disengaged.

Then the big boys got s shot at each other. The Japanese TF is massive and the fast BBs hit hard. The Alabama takes severe damage and the King George V moderate damage. CL Kio looked in trouble after the battle and one IJN DD is sunk, as is one USN DD.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Samah at 70,68, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Naganami
DD Tamanami
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 2
DD Katsutade, Shell hits 1
DD Takatakaze
DD Nagatakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Karuyuki

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Shell hits 2
BB Alabama, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB King George V, Shell hits 20, heavy fires
DD Allen M. Sumner, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Collett, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD English, Shell hits 1
DD Haynsworth
DD Norman Scott

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 64% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB King George V at 8,000 yards

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