Herbie goes Bananas

[Raverdave]

Originally posted by wobbly


Have to agree with you on tactics Dave - the attack on PM was stupidity personified - wait one - didn't you bring that idea up

:rolleyes: Yeah but in my case it has worked two out of three times....did I forget to mention that?:(

[AmiralLaurent]

Hi, Herbieh just put in his AAR the current level of score and sunk ships list as he sees it.

Would be interested to see what you see of this PBEM, excepting you lost more than what your opponent is seeing and vice-versa.

It's great to be able to follow a game like that.

[wobbly]

Herbie-san tries another deliberate attack in Luganville, but I think his boys are a little tired - they don't even get parity. In fact I had more assault points there.

My CVs make port in Noumea and are not noticed - once again I am not given any replacement planes for my losses. Therefore I take all but one of my devastator sqds off their ships and replace them with the Lex's dauntlesses, plus the marine dauntlesses. The Lexs Avenger Sqd does make the grade however. This increases my aircraft tally back up to 330.

This Air TF adds 5 more DDs to its ranks and heads to sea. Herbie-san is making runs into the Luganville or Wunpuko with surface forces and these are the targets. I turn off all search from the air Tf but set all my medium bombers, 1 sdq of forts and my PBYs to Naval search. I want to give myself the best chance at finding his CVs if they are in wait.

The Wasp has still not been released.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/19/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9392 troops, 102 guns, 33 vehicles

Defending force 17832 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 28

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 58


As for a tally of losses so far:

Air: allies have lost 398 aircraft - woah thats alot, mainly dauntlesses (56), PBYs (43) and DC-3s (33).
Japs: lost 278 - 79 A6M2s, 60 vals and 51 Kates.

In ships Allies lost 556 (52 ships) points: 5 CAs, 2 Cls, 17 DDs, 3 MSWs, 2 PGs, 3 AOs, 4 SS, 9 APs, 5 AKs.
Japs 890 points (82 ships): 2 CVLs, 1 AV, 1 CL, 20 DDs, 5 MSWs, 4 TKs, 2 SS, 32 APs.

So I have been very hard on my surface units - where I have hurt his transport capability. I have also killed more DDs than he has. FOW has kept the fate of the KAGA from me, it may have lived. He has also lost quite a few MSWs.

[wobbly]

Not too flash a turn this one. He finds my CVs and that is the end of that - no surprise. I have tried a little bluffing - saying I am retreating when relly I plan to stay 1 turn - and set my CVs up to receive incoming naval aircraft. He may retreat his surface units or he may retreat them. We will see.

In Oz he torpedoes one of my transports in a single ships TF sinking it. The **** ship held the remnants of and engineering battalion returning to Brisbane to amalgamate with replacements - thats not going to happen now.

My FT ships set off on another lonely pickup. I wonder how much he will let me retrieve.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/20/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier


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Sub attack at 24,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
AK Mungana, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 65

**** it - 2 hexes form brisbane.
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Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7803 troops, 95 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17828 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6


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

[wobbly]

D@mn - the last turn I posted did not make it onto the boards - look to Herbie's to see how things panned out.
My CVs found his retreating FT group and sunk 3 of his ships for the loss of 8 dauntlesses. Hopefully this one posts.

The action fades and we slip back into shadow boxing.

I am getting alot of naval search and CW reports of ships at Lunga, so he is heavily reinforcing there. I have not seen his Carriers so hopefully that continues.

I have created a transport TF to transfer a fresh RCT, engineers, defense batt and an armoured unit to Luganville. It will also be bringing very helpful supplies. I want to coordinate this slow moving transport group with arrival of my North Carolina centered surface group.

During the night my 2 remaining mine layers lay a field in Luganville. I will be sending another run as soon as they get back to Noumea and reload.

My units in Luganville attack the Japs but only create losses, no rout. The medium bombers are set to help this turn but the weather is against them - thunderstorms.

In Oz a fuel transport pulls into townsville - nearly 100K there; I set fighters up on CAP.

My FT TF returns towards Townsville with some Aussies on board. They are incuring sys damage now - 2 over 10. The AV centred contingent will make port this turn (townsville) and then help with the retreat.

THe CV Wasp is released - 19 days out (3 CLAAs included).

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/22/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 16

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20

Attacking Level Bombers:
16 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

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Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 13

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30

Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

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Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 25

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 1000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty at 1000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

Herbie-san is training up his bomber units on my Aussies. Trickle bleeding.
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Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 9


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 35

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5992 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17886 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2


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Ground combat at Luganville

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10400 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7542 troops, 66 guns, 33 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 288

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12


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

[wobbly]

Things don't go according to plan.

My bombers bomb but my troops have automatically taken themselves off deliberate attack. I still have plenty of resources there ~ 16K so I don't know why they did this.

Herbie-san has sent me a bit of propaganda: Oh-oh to be precise. What he is worried about is unknown, it may be that I mineswept Efate.

I have no plans to take efate yet - it can stew in its juices. However, if that is enough to make him launch his ships then my troops going to Luganville may get a reception committee.

He also quoted, in Raver and Luskan's AAR, that he may as well use his carriers now as they got toasted against raver's force in their game. He therefore could mount a no holds barred attack on me now... I had planned for some resistance but I still can't take on the full weight of his navy.

FT missions in OZ continue and they are bolstered by the arrival of the AV group. This mission will have to continue for some time though. Alot of troops to get out.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/23/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 15
B-26B Marauder x 8
A-20B Havoc x 11


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
5 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

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Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
B-25D Mitchell x 19


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
7 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet

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Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5729 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17924 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles



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

[wobbly]

Luganville is nearly free of the japanese menace. The latest attack netted many of the soldiers that were unable to be lifted.

The troops I have put on my transport ships will still be taken to Luganville and the troops there loaded back on to the transports to be returned to Noumea for RNR.

3 days until we get our surface units.

I sight 2 subs on the surface today so that is the likely way he is trying to restrict access for me.

The AV FT group is going in to Lea Lea this turn. Things have changed here though, there are now aircraft at PM.

I set the MRBs and 3 sqds of fortresses to hit PM, hope its enough.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/24/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 11
B-26B Marauder x 13
A-20B Havoc x 15


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 20


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

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Sub attack near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
AP Hokko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Nagara

Allied Ships
SS S-42


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Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5664 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17954 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Luganville

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10424 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7155 troops, 66 guns, 33 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3937
Guns lost 68
Vehicles lost 35

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5

Lack of supplies and the loss of his functional squads slowly wore him down. It appears he is going into his shell a little at the moment. I have been able to slowly destroy his troops there without much effort.

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[Attack Condor]

Keep up the good work on fighting in two theaters. A shame you can't concentrate all your LBA to help you evict the invaders from Luganville, but you seem to be doing a good job like this.

[wobbly]

The last of the Japs at Luganville are rounded up. Despite their much vaunted reputation for tenacious defense, most surrender through injury or lack of food and supplies, the wagons just weren't getting through.
With that an era of the struggle comes to an end, so I will take a moment to look at the grand picture and then try to come up with stratagies and tasks for the future.
The Japs hold Wunpuko, and Efate, they also hold Irau and all base hexes north of there, and have put a contingent on Rennel Island. Lunga is obviously his main base of operations, multiple TFs of transport ships have been scouted moving into Lunga and they are being guarded by stationary warships.
In the west he holds the whole of New Guinea bar the beach at Lae Lae. He has a major base at dobadura and alot of ships have been scouted at Finschafen (I have not reconned here so know very little). Of course PM is a large base (although I purposely did not increase its size), but he appears to be retreating Infantry units out of the place over the owen stanleys - or they are going the other way! (it is a little hard to tell).
For the Ausralian side I have few immediate plans, I want to make sure it will be very difficult for him to take off me and with each passing day the likelyhood of that gets less. Every FT mission that returns men to Townsville are men that will be rotated back to Brisbane to recuperate, they can defend Brisbane and release units there to come forward. I was willing to relinquish Cooktown and Cairns, but now I don't think I have to, so I am earmarking some of the Brisbane releases to defend these 2 locations more soundly.
I have no plans to attack PM again for some time, as I knew and as others offered, invasion without air support is tantamount to suicide - in the previous case I was a little stymied by intel, but thats war for you.

In the East plans are more established. Luganville is rodent free now and I have a contingent of troops and supplies waiting for the cavalry to arrive in Noumea - 2 days now. They will go in, unload the troops and upload the current defenders - RNR in Noumea.
Then it is the invasion of Wunpuko and the formation of a base at Gavigmana, I want this for support. I am going to use the fighters when I go for Irau. I am going to refrain from taking Efate back, I will use it as my bombing range for training up the bombers crews, with forward bases it will be less important anyway.

My navy is in reasonable nick, it took a pounding form his naval air on 2 occasions when I misjudged and made mistakes, but I have kept my CVs in pretty good condition. The aircrews are well trained with most dauntless sqds being over 75% - 1 at 83%. Transport ships are around in good numbers with a relative few being lost. All of my losses point to the fact I am the defender and have shorter lines of supply, or lines to bases that can repair damaged ships. Once I go on the offensive he will have this benefit.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/25/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 18

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 9

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 27

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 23

Attacking Level Bombers:
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

These 3 attacks are aimed at my Lea Lea troops, he is escalating this and using my troops as I am using his ones in Efate - for training. One important point is that he is having to fly from Rabaul with the betties as he doesn't have enough base units further forward.
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 11
B-26B Marauder x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 3 destroyed
Hudson x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

PO1 G.Kanno of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 25

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
7 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x Hudson at 6000 feet

The medium bombers in Cooktown make a strike on PM, but he has moved fighters here. The losses can be sustained but they are a little disconcerting - I will have to wait for more aircraft in order to close the place rather than snipe at it. The important piece of info I glean from this is that he is basing a sizable number of patrol planes here. They are trying to scout my FT missions so his betties and nells can hammer them no doubt. I think I will allow the original FT ships to take a rest for a bit - the Canberra is at 15% SYS damage now - I would dearly love the 4 APDs at Pearl to be released for use.
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Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 53,53


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 9
B-26B Marauder x 8
A-20B Havoc x 12


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

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Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1869 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 17979 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles



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Ground combat at Luganville

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10444 troops, 111 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1869 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 37 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1645
Guns lost 15

The end of Tojo on Luganville.
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Thanks Condor. I draw many corollaries between our game and yours, we seem to be doing many of the same moves to some extent. I would say Quark is a more circumspect Japanese commander, Herbie is as aggressive as I have read about, although I wonder whether he should have waited a little longer. I made Herbie-san bleed naval blood for PM, but his assaults in the East were far better coordinated. If he had just bought a few more troops they would have come off, I would then be in a different position than now. The level at which I defended PM caused me to rely on ground troops, on their own, to defend positions. The Navy was a spent force - EXCEPT for my carriers. In all the games I have played I have used my carriers terribly, they have been the first victims of bad moves. This time I have managed to husband them far more constructively and hence they must be making him pause before contemplating more moves. You were unfortunate in the loss of the Yorktown but you're not really in that much of a different situation (I can't use Lex for 140 odd days - however I do have her air groups and they have been invaluable!). Thanks for the comments.

[Attack Condor]

originally posted by wobbly

You were unfortunate in the loss of the Yorktown but you're not really in that much of a different situation (I can't use Lex for 140 odd days - however I do have her air groups and they have been invaluable!). Thanks for the comments.

Actually, I was - oh, what's the word I'm looking for - stupid in the loss of Yorktown. It was a case of "just one more airstrike on the transports" giving the IJN CV TF a chance to get behind me and pounce on my way back from GG to Noumea. And that, as they say, was that (especially with me dancing around with only one carrier in the theater).

But thanks for the thought Quark has commented on how our two game situations are similar, yet having travelled different roads to get to roughly the same point.

The key actually wasn't the land basing the carrier aircraft at GG - although that did help. It was probably the most improbable of weapons - the Army's land based A-24 Dauntless getting incredibly lucky and hitting the IJN CV TF while her fighters were on a LRCAP at PM trying to shoot the heck out of my transports bringing in ground forces.

The most intriguing thing about UV is the domino effect each decision has. It's always good tor read how others see and play the game, and how they express what's on their minds through the AARs.

And as for my comments, my students will let you know that I'm full of them.

ummmm.... full of "comments"

Good luck vs. the IJN menace!!

[wobbly]

Little happening. Planes flying out of Lunga manage to bomb one of my S boats - it was a good hit - 37 SYS and 40 float - thats another sub out of the fight.
An AK is unloading at Rennel and I have sent a sub there to take a pot shot. Nothing else is registered as guarding it so he is likely to be using the AK alone and hoping it wont be scouted - go the CW's.
I move 2 sqds of fortresses to Luganville - they are only flying naval search (raising exp) - I have changed my way of using them. Usually I had them set to Naval attack but they rarely hit anything and the AAA used against them by the ships is the most hazardous (in my opinion) they face.
My transport TF bound for Luganville will make port this turn. He should see this. I put my wildcat sqd on CAP 70 % and move the marine wildcats there to augment aerial defense. Next turn the North Carolina will be at Noumea. I imagine he will come at me with either surface units or carriers (or god forbid both). The surface unit will be on guard duty and my carriers (fully loaded at 355 planes and rested) will move up to react to carriers. Let the fun begin.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/26/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 9,41

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
DD Preston

This is my FT mission to Lea Lea - no hits to either side.
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 19

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

None of the forts is lost but the attack does so little it isn't worth continuing
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Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 9

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

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[Philwd]

I would say Quark is a more circumspect Japanese commander

Well Wobbly I agree. I tried to be aggressive early but everything just seemed to go wrong. I feel mostly the reason for my circumspection was the 2 hits Condor got on my carriers early. To use one of Condor's phrases it was stupid of me to forget to leave 1 squadron on CAP over Shokaku. Then his brave squadrons at GG fought against a 100 plane CAP and one lone SBD fought through and planted 1 on Kaga. At that point in terms of operational fleet carriers we were even. I did try an earlier attack on Noumea but my planes got socked in. As the gig was up and we were within LBA range I scat. I did manage to even the score later.

Then at PM Condor managed to hold on by using every transport plane in the entire theatre to bring in another Aussie regiment. I had 4 regiments stuck getting a tan on the beach. As the fatigue was ~75 and he FT'd in another regiment I had to wait for 2nd and 38th Div to take both GG and PM. I almost went for OZ but I hadn't caught his carriers yet. Now the first 3 are out of the way and I hope he comes out and plays with the other 3.

Now I feel I have worked my way out of the earlier mess and its time for the next phase. I have all my carriers and my divisions are mostly rested. I feel a phase of rashness coming on. Condor told me to use some ointment but it didn't work. Are you reading this Condor?? I know where your carriers are. Do you know where mine are??:)

Quark

[wobbly]

Very little to report.

My transport TF makes it to Luganville and starts unloading.

The North Carolina and its escorts, including 3 CAs and 2 CLs puts to sea to go to Luganville.
My carrier fleet puts to sea heading to Luganville for cover.

Naval scouts notice CVs in Lunga harbour - will they come out to play, here's hoping they don't.

I send the AV FT group back into Lea Lea but the other surface unit has 4 above 10 damaged ships now so I may have to hold off here.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/27/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
G3M Nell x 18

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

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

[wobbly]

I-31 causes some carnage down by Brisbane. Otherwise another quiet turn.

My transport TF in Luganville is unloading its troops and supplies, so far without being scouted, either way my surface TF around the North Carolina is in harbour as well with 2 sqds of F4F-4s doing CAP duties above.
My carrier force, which I forgot to send to sea last turn, puts to sea this turn with an extra sqd of avengers - 24 of these more capable torpedo bombers available now.

I create and load another fuel tranport TF for the coast of Oz, my FT missions are chewing through townsvilles fuel.

I also set up rested bomber crews to hit Efate.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/28/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 24,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
AO Platte, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The Platte slips beneath the waves.
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Sub attack at 24,76

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
AO Tallulah, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 637
SC 638

Tallulah is in dire straights - a size 49 fire rages on board and that will augment already heady sys damage of ~ 70. It is only 2 hexes from Brisbane and did have no fuel on board - so very touch and go as to whether she survives.
My SCs both fired at the sub but only got near misses (according to the combat summary anyway).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wobbly]

Things suddenly get interesting!!

The SOPAC Naval headquaters in Noumea pore over maps of the solomons as numerous reports come in about CAs in Lunga and more importantly carriers 90 miles south of Russel Islands.
This is offset by the worrying news that both Radar on the Carrier taskforce and wildcats at Luganville manage to locate but not bring about an interception of enemy scouting aircraft: CV TF and Surface TF are discovered.

Theyk know we are here, we know they are there; will they come on or will they retreat. Present info points towards a single carrier with at least one scout carrier - possibly on anti-sub, but now they may attempt something else.

Spruance is ordered to put the fighter CAP up - 2 F4F-4 sqds are put to 50% CAP at 16K. 1 sqd of F4F-4s at 12K on 70% CAP - for Vals at 10K; and 1 sqd of F4F-3s at 8K and 80% CAP, for Kates.
Spruance's dauntlesses are again ordered to 15K for attacks in groups of 9 and the 24 Avengers are set to default 6K altitude.
The North Carolina group under Lee puts to sea - aiming at 1 hex SW of Wunpuko - Spruance is ordered to FOLLOW him: aiming to split incoming attacks between both targets.

At Luganville proper the wildcats previously on 50% CAP reduce to 30% in the hope of instigating an escorted Naval attack of cripples by all forms of bombers stationed here. The transport TF in harbour has mainly unloaded. Some of the larger ships still have supplies on board. I create another 2 TFs in Luganville; 1 of the empty transport ships - this gets disbanded, another made of analogous escort ships in the port - this is to be an alternate target.

Over in Oz a sub finds an AG Tf and sinks one - I split my most damaged DD that is part of the FT group going into Lea Lea to attempt a mid ocean intercept.

Herbie-san has mounted a very heavy attack on the troops at Lea Lea - Kates and Vals inclusive. These are likely form the 2 CVEs and maybe Kaga - I still don't know if she sank or not...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/29/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 17,44

Japanese Ships
AG 354, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

I hate it when my subs do this - I have little enough subs in theatre as it is.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 12

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

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Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 18
G3M Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 35

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 51

Attacking Level Bombers:
15 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
18 x B5N Kate at 20000 feet
13 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

The Kates are coming in very high - they still kill 51 men, the weary Aussies bury their dead in the death pit that is paradoxically their saviour: Lea Lea.
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The AO tullalah makes it to Brisbane with SYS of 80 and fires at 17, touch and go again whether she is done for - I am rooting for her.

[wobbly]

Well nothing has eventuated from viewing his Carriers at present. He may have retreated.

My Transport TF has unloaded - I recreate it to carry back the exhausted defenders of Luganville. Therefore my carrier Tf and it surface group friend move south of Luganville. I lower the CAP levels to give the pilots some rest - there are thunderstorms forecast.
Herbie smells a rat but this one is live and running away not coming to a sewer near him to stink out the joint - not yet anyway.

We are still very much dancing around each other. The longer he waits though, the stronger I get.

Next plan is to take Wunpuko back with a more substantial force.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/30/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 7

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 10th Aus Brigade, at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 18
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 19

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 28

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x G3M Nell at 5000 feet
19 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
18 x B5N Kate at 20000 feet

He is still heavily bombing my troops here. I still have 10,000 for him to bomb - it takes forever to FT lift a force!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 9


no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

A bit of training.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,44

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier


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

[wobbly]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/31/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

What an inspirational combat report - NOT.

In fact we were 1 - maybe 2 hexes away from having a massive Naval battle!

Herbie-san had moved 2 CV forces down towards New Caledonia - he currently sits about 7 hexes north of Koumac. My CV Tf is 2 hexes SW of Luganville. They are still following the North Carolina group.

I move the NC group to 1 hex NE of Luganville (still open water) - set the fighters up to receive incoming Naval air. The dauntlesses again go to 15K and I set the low flying fighters to 90% CAP and the high flying CAP to 50%.

The beenfit of the last turn no battle was I had most fighter units at 20% CAP - if he had hit them then I would have had many leakers to hit my CVs. I also make sure the CVs have a base of Luganville - hopefully damaged ships get to base and can be put in port very easily.

All the planes on Luganville are set to Naval attack - there are no ships for the wildcats based here to defend so they go to 100% escort - 10K altitude.

Koumac also sets up to attack but has no fighter escorts so will be unlikely to attack.

FT mission in Oz continue.

[wobbly]

The sausage is in the frying pan - repeat
The sausage is in the frying pan!

How long it stays there rather than leaping out into the fire is a point of conjecture.

What this crazy Dr Zuesism is about is the realisation that Herbie-san is again on the march! Now, as of this writing I have not handed my turn over to Herbie - I have some ideas that I want the admirals of the board to add some weight to.

I will try and give a verbal information picture about the situation as I see it. I have 3 TFs of interest bearing down on me as of this turn. I did scout some DDs up by Irau last turn so I think there is at least 1 more TF that is hidden south of the Solomons.

So, we have 2 enemy Air combat TFs north of Koumac (about 10 hexes), one is west of Luganville by about 10 hexes, the other is west of Luganville by 12 hexes. The westerly TF has (at best scouting) 4 CVsand 3 CSs plus sundry escorts. The more easterly TF has (again at best scouting) 1 CV plus escorts.

South of these 2 TFs and about 6 hexes north of Koumac is a transport TF - this was attacked by my level bombers this turn.

I have my Air combat TF and the North Carolina TF 1 Hex NE of Luganville - at present unscouted by the Japs.
The Transport TF returning from Luganville is one turn out of Noumea.
I also have 2 mine warfare Tfs - 1 with 2 DMs and 1 with 2 DMS's at Noumea.

Koumac has 2 ENG units (1 base, 1 const). 1 Patrol sqd and three 2-engine level bomber groups. It has not been scouted during the game.

Luganville is loaded with 220 assorted ACs - it is my premium SOPAC airbase - it is getting scouted twice daily by 2 ACs. It is well defended now with fresh troops.

Basse-Poya - has an airbase with no defenders - it has been scouted many times....

Noumea has 1 sqd F4F-4s, some assorted patrols and my Fortresses. It is heavily defended by the 1st Marine Div and parts of the 2nd, plus 1 RCT - next turn the remnants of Luganville's defenders will arrive.

see end of post for ruminations - please add advice...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/01/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on TF at 44,57


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 39

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,57


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 35
DD Shikinami

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

My level bombers start proceedings accomplishing little except damage to themselves - 1 important bit of info is the transport TF has no CAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have 3 options as I see it.

1. Move into the range (with my AC TF) of the smaller enemy Air TF while staying out of range of the bigger Air TF. This allows me to get superiority against one CV and I will likely sink it without CV losses to myself.
The problem with this is any sort of uncontrollable closing of TFs could bring the bigger CV TF into play. More likely he has his Air TFs set to no react - this close to my air bases he would want good control over his carriers - so I could probably isolate one TF (all of this assumes he again doesn't move this turn). More importantly - I fight the singular TF with my well rested crews - attacking the CV and escorts; and now I have tired despirited flyers! He comes at me next turn with his rested crews and I could loose my whole CV force. To offset this I have the marine flyers and the torpedo planes and fighters off LEX sitting at Luganville - they could help rekindle the power of my AC group.

2. Go the whole hog - attack both air TFs and hope for a victory using my fresh pilots. I have proximity to my bases, I can run to them if I am injured (when I am injured).
The problem with this is it smacks of stupidity to me: I have good intel on his locations - he hasn't moved for 2 turns. He does not have good intel on me - I would think he thinks I am down by Noumea. I have the possibility to be more surgical in who I attack. If I rush in he has as much chance of killing me as I have of killing him.

3. Sit back and wait - see what eventuates for one more turn. He has just been attacked by ACs from Koumac - his transport TF is only going to shorten the range. So maybe he will be LRCAPing it: more fatigue, less CAP over carriers. I could move more naval ACs to Koumac (only 100 support points there though). It is posible - in fact likely - that Koumac is his target; damaged naval planes will be lost when his ground forces take the base. Personnally I have a feeling he is after Basse Poya - I only qualify this on the fact he hasn't scouted Koumac.

So there we have it. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Some other things to remember, Wasp is about 9 days out of Noumea; I have the transport TF moving into Noumea - holding paratroops that could help defending other places on New Caledonia (of course they have to actually make it off the boats! - he does have surface warships).

P.S I understand that it may be impossible to give help without giving away Herbie-san's intentions...

P.P.S this game just keeps getting better - talk about tension , indecision and fear!

[Attack Condor]

IMHO - one word. Counterpunch.

First, get that transport TF away from the combat zone.

I'd give serious consideration to combining the NC with the CVs if you need AA help protecting the carriers.

Let him strike first, but get everything out of the way.

You can also transfer the air wings to Koumac and flee with the empty carriers (I love this tactic - this way, they won't react closer to the enemy CVs, and you can send 100% fighters as escorts).

What is your sub status? Get 'em back if their out hunting. The targets have come to you . It's great when you can pop off three torpedo salvos, then reload and be back on station the very next night

And of course, mines, mines, mines. I had 5 mines blow apart the IJN Chowa Maru while Quark's minesweepers were clearing a path (boy, was he fuming )

Good luck!!

[wobbly]

Thanks for the reply Condor.

I am leaning towards the "attack smaller CV TF option" then I think I will run behind luganville so that it is between me and his chasing CVs - if they do that in the next turn. Then I can have whats left of my naval air arm and all the planes on Luganville to fight back with!

I think my biggest Ace in the hole is the location of my CVs, where he has located his CVs looks to be set up for receiving trouble from below.

The 2 mine warfare TFs can be dismantled this turn - the transports are more of a worry, I really want the flexibility of my paratroops - I have no idea really where he is going to land.

Very short on subs in SOPAC - they are all around New Guinea

I have mined as well as I can with the 2 DMs I have at my disposal - I may run another load into Basse Poya this turn...